Erasmus James

[Angry Christ]

Erasmus James, a former 2005 1st round pick at DE by the Vikings was waived today. Don't know a whole about him, but being a DE which we are thin at best, not to mention a former Tomlin player, was wondering what the nation might think about trying to acquire him. Also, would like to point out that he is fairly young.

[Tres Rios]

I bet he'd sign for vet minimum.

[Stlrs4Life]

I thought he was injury prone.

[Superman]

Can he pass block?

[deljzc]

The college scouting reports on James kind of indicate an athletic speed, outside rush type DE. But not athletic enough or quick enough to play OLB.

He might not have a positional match with what we do in Pittsburgh. He had an injury history in college too and was a very inexperienced player (only played one year of HS Football). Was always kind of a boom/bust type prospect and maybe he just ended up being a bust.

Just shows you being a great athlete doens't make you a great football player.

[SteelerFan448]

I haven't heard his name called since he was drafted. No thanks.

[Vis Major]

Blew out his knee twice.

[Spike]

He tore up his ACL again and can't pass a physical......so at least 80% of you hicks would probably still take him over Jason Taylor.

[Angry Christ]

Tres, your avatar is a bit more sexy than Supermans'. No offense Super.

[smithessmokin]

isnt he only at like 260 something? he doesnt have any explosion off the line.

[rossi]

He may have been drafted in round one but he played like a f/a.He is a one trick pony who is slightly undersized and not real quick turning the corner.Couple that with some bad luck health wise and it is no shock he got released.

[Far51]

6"4, 266 4 sacks as a rookie nothing since, If he were to put 10-15 LBS of bulk he could possibly have the frame to be a 34 DE.
The thing is its not always size its learning what a 3-4 DE does, not all DL can learn what the 34 DE job is Ala Orien Harris who was a DT at the U at 6"3 300 that we tried to move to RDE and he just couldn't adjust, after we cut him the Browns picked him up and it looked like he there as well faltered as now he now is on the Saints and listed as a DT, from his Pre- draft bio we should of realized he was 3 gap DT and would struggle trying to be a DE, we should have been looking for a 2 gap DT instead to convert.

Lets see if no one shows interest maybe Tomlin invites him on a 1 yr 800 K deal.
Couldn't hurt to try to use him in the wedge buster role we used to use Diesel but maybe they try using Mcbean.

[BlkNGoldBlood10]

Expect Tomlin to give the guy a serious look...esp coming from the Vikings D...he would know more than anyone about his capabilities and if he brings him in and we attain Mcfarland...our depth problems will begin to diminish. You never know...the guy could have been in the wrong system and needs to get out.

[Far51]

Expect Tomlin to give the guy a serious look...esp coming from the Vikings D...he would know more than anyone about his capabilities and if he brings him in and we attain McFarland...our depth problems will begin to diminish. You never know...the guy could have been in the wrong system and needs to get out.

McFarland really does not fit our system is undersized to play end and we have 2 NT's already, if only they would play Hoke at DE a bit reduce Travis's PT.

thats the Only way Booger makes sense is if they move Hoke to DE permanently and use booger as Hampton's back up.

[Blind Official]

McFarland really does not fit our system is undersized to play end and we have 2 NT's already, if only they would play Hoke at DE a bit reduce Travis's PT.

thats the Only way Booger makes sense is if they move Hoke to DE permanently and use booger as Hampton's back up.

I'm sorry, but your post completely makes no sense.

[K from Cal]

I don't want anyone on the team with a name like Eras muss. How in the hell are we going to get fired up with a name like that?

[Far51]

I'm sorry, but your post completely makes no sense.

its simple McFarland cannot play in a 3-4 system he is just 6"0 300 which is too short to play DE but good NT size. However adding McFarland would not help the glaring weaknesses area.

If we add him we have 3 NT's we need depth at DE.

If we don't add any DE we then are conting a lot on Ryan Mcbean and hoping Kirshkie play's well.

[deljzc]

Most of the news reports I've read and NFL radio talk about McFarlane in our system would be as a 2-gap DE. Maybe on passing downs, since he Tampa-2 roots stress rushing the passer a bit more than here.

But from what I understand he did often play 2-gap as the 4-3 NT, even in Kiffin's system so he has experience reading and reacting to the play.

I to am a bit frustrated at our front office's inability to find 2-gap DE's in the draft. It's like we can't even find capable backups, let alone starters. But then we keep trying with 6th and 4th round talents too, so I don't know how much I should expect in the first place.

I think they liked McBean's first season (understand he was like 21 when we drafted him) and he grew up a lot. But then his foot injury this spring really set him back. How much weight room work could he really have done with a cast on? He's an important person to watch this pre-season in the second half of games I think. He's got to show us something.

I would be surprised if we went into the season with the same backup situation as last year. There are still a LOT of contracts and extensions to work out between now and August. And I suspect we sign some guys to long-term deals, renegotiate current deals, somehow take care of Starks and make some room vs. the salary cap for one more DE if necessary. Don't have a clue who that will be, but unless McBean really looks like a stud out there in August, we need one most guy I think.

[Far51]

Frank Okam & Red Bryant both had the size and skill to be DE in lur system, pissed we pased on both.

[LetMePlay]

Frank Okam would have looked great in B&G.

[LeXX75]

Oh god no...........

[steelersoldier]

well if he was a 1st round pick in 2005 and got cut already that alone should tell you something

[markymarc]

Another first rounder bites the dust. It's a shame he blew out his knee twice now.

[Angry Christ]

What's wrong with bouncing back and forth between the 43 and 34 or even the 46? Versatility is not a bad thing.

[Vader]

What's wrong with bouncing back and forth between the 43 and 34 or even the 46? Versatility is not a bad thing.

Because it is hard to find people to fit all those systems and play it well. IF you go to a 46 that means you are taking a starter or two off the field from your base defense.

[Steelerman58]

Injury problems date back to college days. Leave him alone.

[60 MINUTES]

its simple McFarland cannot play in a 3-4 system he is just 6"0 300 which is too short to play DE but good NT size. However adding McFarland would not help the glaring weaknesses area.

If we add him we have 3 NT's we need depth at DE.

If we don't add any DE we then are conting a lot on Ryan Mcbean and hoping Kirshkie play's well.

The reason your post made was misunderstood is because noone was talking about McFarland. They were not talking about a NT, the post is talking about adding a DE, a very hurt DE but a DE is what this post is about. What is with the McFarland comment? Didn't we debate this a month ago? This is why he said your post is weird.

[greatness74]

If Jared allen didn't get traded to Minnesota, then James would still be there. He is a solid DE and I would be thrilled if the steelers were to sign him. If it were not for the injuries he suffered in minnesota, he would have developed by now. If we can get him as a backup for the vet min. and we don't then that is just foolish on our end. If you sign him for the vet min. you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I would sign him today if I were GM.

[Vader]

Has he been in the league long enough to get the vet min?

[greatness74]

I'm not sure, but i think it's worth taking a chance on him for the kind of salary he would be making once he signs somewhere. I don't see anyone offering him a big contract until he can prove himself at this level.

[BlkNGoldBlood10]

McFarland really does not fit our system is undersized to play end and we have 2 NT's already, if only they would play Hoke at DE a bit reduce Travis's PT.

thats the Only way Booger makes sense is if they move Hoke to DE permanently and use booger as Hampton's back up.

McFarland does fit our system...Casey does not need to be in there on third downs...he is a 1st and 2nd down guy...this will enable him to get a break and then Fresh McFarland comes in and gives the guards and center hell after being beat up on 1st and 2nd down. Hoke is ok but he is not a stopper...don't get me wrong I like his style but if he was that good we would be looking for somebody to backup Casey...Travis Kirschke is a NON-FACTOR...so he doesn't even count....and I do agree that argument you are making doesn't make any sense.

[GoSteelers]

jesus, every player who gets cut on any team, would sure look good in B&G. OMG give it a rest people. as soon as chuck schmuck from the team whogivesafuck is available, we have to have him! we can't invite everybody and some don't deserve second or third looks. do you really want someone who has blown out his knee twice? or a player who was a pro bowler but way past his prime and is looking for a paycheck? he could or couldn't help, it all depends on his arthritic fucking elbow.
my late day rant!

[dobre shunka]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3414445

[Avoid Lloyd1975]

I bet Tomlim already dialed up the rest of the FO the minute this guys name hit the market, injury prone or not. He wouldn't be a starter, I say we pick him up as a situational pass rusher and dump one of our garbage players.

[FAB802]

Bummer, we need a new team sweatsuit model.

[Avoid Lloyd1975]

He probably wouldn't even make it to the practice field.

[greatness74]

Not to worry, I heard he signed with the redskins yesterday.