Why the Steelers drafted Ryan Mundy

[mesaSteeler]

Why the Steelers drafted Ryan Mundy
Tuesday, June 03, 2008 | Posted by Robert Rousseau
http://www.realfootball365.com/index.php/articles/steelers/11451

When profiling an NFL draftee, one often starts with his college playing days, maybe even his high school football career. But when talking about Pittsburgh Steelers sixth-round draft pick Ryan Mundy, that seems inappropriate.

To know what you need to know of Mundy, it would seem best to go all the way back to his pee-wee days, a time when he wore No. 34 for the West Pittsburgh Steelers. Back then, he could also sometimes be seen collecting donations outside of Three Rivers Stadium before the real Steelers played.

“Those are very good memories of my childhood,” Mundy says.

Before Mundy spent four years at the University of Michigan and another season starting for the West Virginia Mountaineers as a post-graduate, he attended Woodland Hills High School in Pittsburgh; there, he was a three-year starter at strong safety and wide receiver. A quick look tells you that he was more than pretty good in high school, too, as he was a USA Today second-team All-American here, among other honors.

Of course, there are plenty of high school players with potential promise who never deliver on the college gridiron. The good thing about the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Mundy is that he eventually did, even if it took him awhile to separate himself from the pack. Though things started off well at Michigan, where Mundy took control of a starting safety position by his sophomore season, a severely pinched nerve caused him to redshirt in 2005. Of course, that hurt his career stats with the club -- Mundy started 18 games at safety and finished with 86 career tackles and three interceptions for the Wolverines.

In his only season with the Mountaineers, Mundy did much more impressive work to the tune of starting all 13 games and accruing 62 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass breakups. That impressed the Steelers.

“When you talk to the people at West Virginia, they really felt that Ryan was a huge part of pulling their defense together," said Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert. "This is a very, very intelligent kid. A very mature kid that will have a nice chance to make this team.

The bottom line on the Steelers' selection of Mundy is twofold. First, with Ryan Clark coming back from a significant illness and Anthony Smith trying to find his groove, they could use more depth at the free safety position.

Second -- as is the case with college football recruiting -- the draft is an inexact science in that too much focus is put on measurables that do not necessarily have much to do with football. In fact, they tend to weigh as heavily as athleticism, desire and heart.

In Mundy, the Steelers have drafted a hometown kid who would love nothing more than to come through in front of those who watched him grow up.

"I'll do whatever I can to get on the field," Mundy said.

Enough said.

[Avoid Lloyd1975]

If he miraculously somehow makes the team. Just keep #23 off of his jersey, formerly "Lord Tyrone's" number. That would be bad karma.

[deljzc]

I don't think there's any way Mundy doesn't make the team. Carter has one foot out the door and Mundy should be very superior over Carter on special teams as well (although Mundy's scouting report says he's not the best special teamer).

I liked other guys better in round 6 and thought Mundy might have slipped through undrafted, but he's an okay talent. There's a nice juicy spot on the roster waiting for him if he plays well and I hope he takes advantage of the opportunity.

[DerbyCityBNGfan]

I like his size and academic background. A character guy who will work his butt off at whatever is asked of him and set a good example for other players. I'll remain optimistic about this one.

[BermudaSteel]

Keep 'im...smart+athelete=another Troy P.

[K from Cal]

At 6' 1" and Tiny Tyrone at barely 5' 8, I like Ryan's chances of making the team.

[pete]

Keep 'im...smart+athelete=another Troy P.

Let's not go overboard here.

[Tres Rios]

I'd like an article on why we drafted Steely McBean.

[rossi]

I was looking for us to draft Josh Barrett of Arizona St. He has physical skills and I thought would be a fine special team player. He went round 7 to Denver. IMHO I believed Barrett would be gone before round 4. So now those two Mundy and Barrett will be linked. Lets hope Mundy is all that.
Since Tyrone Carter has had a few shots taken at him already I'll just say this guy helped us big time down the stretch in 05. His fine play at the end of that year was a factor in us getting #5. He may not have much left but lets not so quickly forget his contribution to the organization.

[Avoid Lloyd1975]

I was looking for us to draft Josh Barrett of Arizona St. He has physical skills and I thought would be a fine special team player. He went round 7 to Denver. IMHO I believed Barrett would be gone before round 4. So now those two Mundy and Barrett will be linked. Lets hope Mundy is all that.
Since Tyrone Carter has had a few shots taken at him already I'll just say this guy helped us big time down the stretch in 05. His fine play at the end of that year was a factor in us getting #5. He may not have much left but lets not so quickly forget his contribution to the organization.

Yeah I hear ya, here is a good clip of his contribution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbO1DKO6LBM

[K from Cal]

Yeah I hear ya, here is a good clip of his contribution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbO1DKO6LBM


and you can see what 5 more inches would have let him get his hands on Garrard. I'll clearly say this overachiever won't make the team.

[BuckeyeSteel]

I didn't read any where about a dart board????

[markymarc]

I like Mundy's chances of making the final 53. He should at least help the special teams and I pray for anything to push Carter out the door.

[Steel Dino]

The "feel good" story of the year...

[Slaine]

I was looking for us to draft Josh Barrett of Arizona St. He has physical skills and I thought would be a fine special team player. He went round 7 to Denver.

I'm glad that we didn't get Barrett. He's a workout warrior with poor instincts who bites on play fakes, has a long injury history and doesn't play to his timed speed. Pass.

[rossi]

I'm glad that we didn't get Barrett. He's a workout warrior with poor instincts who bites on play fakes, has a long injury history and doesn't play to his timed speed. Pass.

Tomlin's strength is with the db's. He should help Mundy, a Barrett type of player, everyone but Smith I guess. Well we got Mundy now. It will be interesting to see how these two players compare this season and in the future.

[kurtistb]

I was looking for us to draft Josh Barrett of Arizona St. He has physical skills and I thought would be a fine special team player. He went round 7 to Denver. IMHO I believed Barrett would be gone before round 4. So now those two Mundy and Barrett will be linked. Lets hope Mundy is all that.
Since Tyrone Carter has had a few shots taken at him already I'll just say this guy helped us big time down the stretch in 05. His fine play at the end of that year was a factor in us getting #5. He may not have much left but lets not so quickly forget his contribution to the organization.

Barret has first round measurables but questionable instinct and suspect heart. Mundy seems to be the complete opposite. While I do like everything I read about Mundy as much as I hate to admit it Barrett would have been my pick. He has entirely too much raw potential to pass on in the sixth for another player at the same position.

[Parasite]

Lord Tyrone is more of a strong safety. I think Mundy will be a free safety. Having said that, it is very possible Lord Tyrone doesn't make it. Of course I hope this isn't the case because of the wrath he will bring down on my beloved Steelers. We could carry 5 safeties though. Troy/Ryan/Smith/Carter/somebody else

I think Mundy would stick on the PS for a year. I've heard good things about Lorello too. He could be the 5th safety.

[Slaine]

I think that in the long term they're a 6th & 7th rounder so we'll see what happens but I'm not holding my breath.

[Far51]

All I hope is with Clark back it should push the loser of the FS position to the 3rd S and the guy in the extra S in the dime set that should push Carter to 4th S.

[crimsonsteel]

At this point, seeing he's a sixth rounder, I'm getting the Mike Logan vibe. I hope once the preseason games start up that'll change into a Darren Perry vibe.

[thatrain]

Lord Tyrone is more of a strong safety. I think Mundy will be a free safety. Having said that, it is very possible Lord Tyrone doesn't make it. Of course I hope this isn't the case because of the wrath he will bring down on my beloved Steelers. We could carry 5 safeties though. Troy/Ryan/Smith/Carter/somebody else

I think Mundy would stick on the PS for a year. I've heard good things about Lorello too. He could be the 5th safety.

Anthony Smith would probably be better suited at SS in our system, god knows we can't trust him to just play center field.

[SteelerFan448]

At this point, seeing he's a sixth rounder, I'm getting the Mike Logan vibe. I hope once the preseason games start up that'll change into a Darren Perry vibe.

I'd be happy if he turned out to be another Mike Logan, minus the injuries.

[BigSteelThrill]

Anthony Smith would probably be better suited at SS in our system, god knows we can't trust him to just play center field...
... in his first year starting.

[Irv24]

... in his first year starting.

I think the argument for that one is Darren Perry started as a rookie and did not get used like a $2 dollar whore.

I think Smith will be fine.
He was doing fine until the New England game.
Lost his confidence, but a couple good plays in the preseason and he will be out of everyone's doghouse.
I like the idea of Mundy adding smart young depth to the roster and special teams.

[Punxsutawney]

I think the argument for that one is Darren Perry started as a rookie and did not get used like a $2 dollar whore.

I think Smith will be fine.
He was doing fine until the New England game.
Lost his confidence, but a couple good plays in the preseason and he will be out of everyone's doghouse.
.

I really like Smith too and think that he can emerge as a solid safety as early as this season. Sure he looked bad down the stretch in his first year starting, biting on fakes and misplaying deep balls, but the guy displayed a lot of potential as well. He really shined in both games against the Bengals last season. He has very good closing speed, can catch the ball, and can deliver the big hit.

I would much rather see Clark start the season, but as it progresses and Smith has shown that he has polished up his recognition skills enough to properly use his speed and not be a liability in coverage then I say start him. Smith can cover a lot more ground than Clark, but does not quite have Clark's feel for the game quite yet.

[Vader]

Let's be honest. The only reason they drafted Mundy is because after he gets cut he doesn't have to travel far to get home. I don't even know why the Steelers bother drafting anyone after the 4th round. The past few years they have been horrible at finding day 2 talent.

[Punxsutawney]

Let's be honest. The only reason they drafted Mundy is because after he gets cut he doesn't have to travel far to get home. I don't even know why the Steelers bother drafting anyone after the 4th round. The past few years they have been horrible at finding day 2 talent.

You honestly do not see any promise in the guy, Vader?

Mundy has some size, speed, and instincts and played a key role in turning around what was an atrocious WVU secondary. I think the guy has more than enough talent to warrant a 6th round selection, but I guess it comes down to personal opinion.

[markymarc]

At this point, seeing he's a sixth rounder, I'm getting the Mike Logan vibe. I hope once the preseason games start up that'll change into a Darren Perry vibe.

I would take either one. Of course it would have to be Mike Logan without the injury history and Darren Perry with a little more speed.

[omawho]

I still like Smith, even after his total collapse in the stretch last year. If he can keep his nose out of the backfield and play his area of responsibility I think he can be special.The *pat's game just killed him.