Opportunity Missed?

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Velasco signed with the Panthers today.

 

[xjx]

He played well for us last year. I really hope Pouncey works out, but I'm afraid his thuggish behaviour will have him in trouble sooner rather than later. This team doesn't need that kind of distraction.
I think Velasco was a better option than Wallace. I hope Wallace can prove me wrong.

 

[jdell]

No worries. The FO went with Wallace for the C/G back up spot who is currently healthy,

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Velasco was a good stop gap but he's not that athletic and the steelers want to run the zone which needs athletic linemen.

 

[Vader]

Velasco was a good stop gap but he's not that athletic and the steelers want to run the zone which needs athletic linemen.

Not sure I agree. Velasco ran the ZBS very well in TN for several years. He was even trying to teach it to the other guys during practice. Here is what one report said about it:

Velasco played for the Titans for five years and was the centerpiece of the scheme with running back Chris Johnson before coming to the Steelers.

Velasco was coaching the offensive line about the scheme during part of Wednesday's practice.

“It is just about getting reps,” Velasco said. “I think the guys are getting more comfortable with it. It is just about getting more reps on the board.”

 

[Superman]

anyone else see that Pouncey's twin may miss 7 games?

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...s-c-mike-pouncey-could-miss-first-seven-games

hip surgery.

Just wondering if these guys are prone to injury or what the deal is (although Maurkice's injury last season was 100% not his fault).

 

[Omar10213245]

Yeah, its called "playing football", tends to make people prone to various injuries

 

[nooneuno]

Munchak coached Velasco if he felt he offered more than what we have I'm sure he would of pushed to sign him, he obviously didn't.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Munchak coached Velasco if he felt he offered more than what we have I'm sure he would of pushed to sign him, he obviously didn't.

you may be right.. Just makes me wonder if the money makes a bigger difference...? Not sure.. velasco must be healthy though...

I liked his play.

 

[Steelerfan81]

Munchak released him prior to 2013 so obviously he wasn't very Hugh on him.

 

[Lloyds legend]

Velasco was an excellent pick up when Pouncey was injured.

I liked the way he played, and I'm fairly sure the reason he wasn't resigned was based on him coming off injury and the money he would have commanded.

Not to mention the money they already have invested in the position.

Panthers got a good player.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I agree, Coach Munch would have kept him, if the merit was there. I do think when Velasco came off the couch and started in less than a week, was our best lineman. Whats that tell you of the rest of the talent of that time. I feel we are way better today, than we were then.

Salute the nation

 

[SteelerAl]

The Steelers liked what Wallace provided when forced into action last season but the big issue with Velasco was that he suffered his injury on Thanksgiving night and Achilles injuries can take more than 12 months for a full recovery...they went with the healthy option instead of the unhealthy/uncertain one.

 

[t-man]

I wish the guy all the best, he came in here and did a hell of a job as far as I'm concerned. That being said, when Wallace took over, he looked pretty solid too, so that's a nice problem to have.

Joe

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Not sure I agree. Velasco ran the ZBS very well in TN for several years. He was even trying to teach it to the other guys during practice. Here is what one report said about it:

He knows how to do it, he's just not that good at getting to the second level. They must think Cody Wallace and Wesley Johnson have more upside and position flexibility.

 

[USDA#1]

Munchak coached Velasco if he felt he offered more than what we have I'm sure he would of pushed to sign him, he obviously didn't.

Velasco was a cap casualty, simple as that.

 

[Wingman]

Velasco was a cap casualty, simple as that.

I think this may have more going for it than we know. Couple this with his recent injury and recovery and they may have a cheaper back up in Fister.

 

[Slaine]

Velasco was a cap casualty, simple as that.

This. Plus anyone coming off a torn achilles is a risk. Particularly a 300 pound man.

I like Velasco as he really helped us and was obviously a real pro. It would have been interesting to see what happened if he hadn't got injured.

 

[bermudasteel]

Munchak coached Velasco if he felt he offered more than what we have I'm sure he would of pushed to sign him, he obviously didn't.

This............

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

Many believe that Torn Achilles are much more difficult to come back from than an ACL injury. It basically takes away your explosiveness- it has ended many NFL and NBA players careers...

Cody was cheaper and healthy- not a hard decision

 

[Vader]

He knows how to do it, he's just not that good at getting to the second level. They must think Cody Wallace and Wesley Johnson have more upside and position flexibility.

He did it in TN for several years. He was very good at it. My guess is that they are less concerned with the ZBS and more concerned about his injury and cap hit. You think Wallace is more athletic than Velasco? But he is the main backup.