“The Senior Bowl from a Steelers Armchair GM”

Jeffrey Burton

“The Senior Bowl from a Steelers Armchair GM”

Leading up to the Combine and Draft I will doing “GM for a Day” segments where I try to fix all that is wrong with Steelers, the Country, the World, the Universe and my shocking lack of a social life. So I’ll begin by evaluating the Senior Bowl with a Steelers spin.

Let’s Start with the Griping.

Sucked – The NFL Network measly half-hour per day coverage of the Senior Bowl during the week of practice. Couldn’t they give at least an hour? I would prefer Combine-like coverage where we could watch the players practice without getting their opinion pounded into our head. “Selvish Cappers is really shining in practice.” I don’t think they even watch the tapes sometimes.

Super Sucked – The game day coverage: I had to watch the tape four times to figure out who was on the field. I would suggest if the coaches can’t supply the announcers with a substitution schedule, that when the players come up to the line and set, they freeze frame in the booth have some sort of snazzy (Yes snazzy, I’m taking it back) graphic that identifies who’s on the field and display it when there’s a lull in the action.

Destructively Sucked – The coaches of both teams. I think their number one objective was to destroy the draft stock of as many players as possible, especially on the Offensive Line. Left Guard Mike Iupati was put at Right Guard where he struggled and held three clear times (only one hold was called) and borderline two more times. What is the point of putting him at Right Guard? Left Guards make more money. Right Tackle Selvish Capers was made to play at Left Tackle. His struggles there probably cost him at least two rounds. Left Tackle Sam Young was put at Right Tackle where other than missing a fumble he was laying on top of, looked solid in spite of the evil coaches manipulations.

Mojo Rising Mojo Falling and Mojo Staying the Same:

Mojo Rising

Mardy Gilyard, WR – After getting killed by most bloggers on his practices, was the leading receiver of the game with over a hundred yards. He also had some good kick runbacks. And he looks up to Santonio Holmes, so even though he won’t be a Steeler he’s all right.

Dan Williams NT – Played his way out of my Second Round Mock and into the First Round. The Steelers still may go for him as Big Snack (Casey Hampton) will probably be gone to Free Agency.

Alex Arrington DE – Played his way out of my Fifth Round Mock and into the Second or Third Round. You know, this game is starting to tick me off.

Cam Thomas NT – Played his way from nowhere into my Second Round Mock. Okay, so maybe the game’s not that bad after all.

QB’s Dan LeFevour, Zach Robinson and Sean Canfield all did a great job of applying for a job with Pipsqueak Napoleon, err, I mean Josh McDaniels and the Broncos. LeFevour looked especially good with great mobility, sound decision making and great accuracy on mid-range throws. I don’t know, but in the two games I’ve seen him in, everything seems to break his way.

Taylor Mays S – Went against his instincts for landing the big hit and pulled down a goal line interception.

LaGarrette Blount – Showed hard running and smiles and laughter on the sideline. Much better than sucker punching guys on the sidelines and getting suspended. Someone will take chance on him in the third round or later (Raiders, Bengals not the Steelers even though he does have the right last name).

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

Sam Young LT – Playing at Right Tackle Young was in command of his defender, never let them get around him and seemed to have a good clock in his head for how long he should maintain a block before looking for other people to hit. He may have worked his way back into the Third Round in his new position.

Dexter McCluster, Athlete – Part of a growing trend of small lightning quick guys that can make things happen whenever and however the ball gets in their hands. We have one of these guys Bruce Arians: Como se habla, Stefan Logan? These guys were coaching this player for a week and found out how to get him the ball. What’s up with you?

Mojo Falling

Selvish Capers RT – As I mentioned earlier he was killed by the coach’s decision to play him exclusively at Left Tackle. He has sunk to the backside of the Fifth Round as a project player, maybe lower as a Sixth or Seventh Round Practice Squad Player.

Ted Larson C – The only thing that most people will remember is the misfired shotgun snap that resulted in a TD for the opposition.

Tim Tebow QB – His performance should take him out of the First Round. Only the Jaguars would do it for ticket sales. I think they should pass on him and get a real First Round value because I’m almost positive he will still be on the boards at Round Two. I don’t understand how someone with his obvious raw talent wouldn’t have been mentored and molded into a more NFL friendly prospect by this time. His mechanics are horrible. He should be able to fire ten to fifteen yard passes from his ear, heck (Yeah, I’m working heck and snazzy in the same blog, take it.) if I can do it, he has to be able to. I don’t get why, when so much money is riding on this, you wouldn’t be spending every off season working at taking snaps from Center.

The Mystery that is Tim Tebow continues. But he is “Dreamy” isn’t he girls?

Mojo Staying the Same

Mike Iupati LG – Okay this game revealed some things. First Iupati is a Left Guard and only a Left Guard at this point. His play stabilized when he was moved from Right Guard. I still want him for the Steelers First Round. Our new line coach will have to use a mile of athletic tape on his hands to break him of his holding issues, but he has all the talent to develop into the elite LG that the Steelers need.

Site to check out for Senior Bowl Coverage

Matt McGuire’s Senior Bowl site at Walterfootball.com: He actually evaluates the players and gives you a critique, unlike the Pollyanna cheerleaders of the NFL Network.

http://www.walterfootball.com/seniorbowl2010.php

Our exchange on Mike Iupati:

My response to Matt’s Mock with Trent Williams RT in the Steelers First Round:

“You are one of the few Mock Draft guys that I have seen that understand the need for offensive line improvement for the Steelers. I write a blog for the Pittsburgh Blitz website and have watched every game in all of its painful detail. Big Ben can not take any more concussions. I have Mike Iupati as my first round pick. The Steelers haven’t been the same since they let Faneca go. I think Devin McCourty is a much better fit for the Steelers if they were to go to CB in the second round. I have DT as my second round pick. You can check my season end recap and Mock Draft Sneak Preview at:

http://pittsburgh-blitz.com/blitz-blog/fall-troy.php/comment-page-1/#comment-316

After his first Days of watching Mike Iupati at practice:

“I’ll admit I was wrong about Idaho guard Mike Iupati – who now has a solidified first-round grade on my board. He totally dominated today and showed better feet than I anticipated in 1v1’s. He’s a first-round pick and could go as high as No. 18 to Pittsburgh. He is more athletic than I thought and he is being a stud run-blocker throughout the week.”

And then on a follow-up after the game:

“He’ll go in the first round – but it seems like my initial evaluation as a slightly overrated prospect was correct. He struggles with more athletic DTs and is a little raw in pass protection. I doubt Dallas passes up on him at their pick and he could go higher (Green Bay or Pitt?)”

I am on the same page with that.

Things I Never Want to Do.

Go to Mobile for a “family friendly Mardi Gras”. Let me see, I can go to the Big Easy to see females showing their wares for beads and trinkets OR I can hang out with a bunch of “Family Friendly” families with kids screeching for beads? Decisions decisions….

Next up, “Steelers Arm Chair GM for a Day Part One.”

Go Stillers!

Related posts:

1. Steelers meet with big lineman at Senior Bowl
2. Senior Bowl Prospects
3. Steelers Armchair GM Part Two – The Combine