Interesting items from the Spring draft today

[raleighpanther]

The coaches talk about the players performance during the spring, but its hard to make very much of it, as I think part of what they are saying to the press about guys is designed to motivate players. And their position on the depth chart is likely also used for the same effect. So its hard to really know where players stand based on this.

But the players spring ball draft is likely a pure read on what the players think about each other.

So its interesting that the freshman Moss was the first RB selected. We'd heard that he'd been doing well this spring and was running with the one's at times, but this is a real endorsement by his teammates.

Ollison was selected 4th out of 4, which is something, given that he was our leading rusher last year. Its also a testament to our OL last year that he was able to gain 1000+ yards as a rookie.

At DE, Price was already on a team since he is a senior. Hendrix was the first DE selected, which wasn't a surprise, but he was selected early, indicating he is very highly regarded. (Once a player was selected at a position, the rest of the players at that position were selected in turn.) Hendrix and the DEs went before several other key positions, including safety (Whitehead).

Both Peterman and Stocker were assigned (seniors). DiNucci was the first of the other QBs taken, ahead of Bertke. I'm not that surprised, but I think some people might be.

O'Neill was the first overall player selected. This was a nice endorsement for him, but I think it was also a strategic play, since he was taken by Biz's team, so by getting him, they cornered the starting OTs.

 

[raleighpanther]

The coaches talk about the players performance during the spring, but its hard to make very much of it, as I think part of what they are saying to the press about guys is designed to motivate players. And their position on the depth chart is likely also used for the same effect. So its hard to really know where players stand based on this.

But the players spring ball draft is likely a pure read on what the players think about each other.

So its interesting that the freshman Moss was the first RB selected. We'd heard that he'd been doing well this spring and was running with the one's at times, but this is a real endorsement by his teammates.

Ollison was selected 4th out of 4, which is something, given that he was our leading rusher last year. Its also a testament to our OL last year that he was able to gain 1000+ yards as a rookie.

At DE, Price was already on a team since he is a senior. Hendrix was the first DE selected, which wasn't a surprise, but he was selected early, indicating he is very highly regarded. (Once a player was selected at a position, the rest of the players at that position were selected in turn.) Hendrix and the DEs went before several other key positions, including safety (Whitehead).

Both Peterman and Stocker were assigned (seniors). DiNucci was the first of the other QBs taken, ahead of Bertke. I'm not that surprised, but I think some people might be.

O'Neill was the first overall player selected. This was a nice endorsement for him, but I think it was also a strategic play, since he was taken by Biz's team, so by getting him, they cornered the starting OTs.

I should add one more selection of note: Araujo-Lopes was the first Z-WR selected, ahead of Henderson and Tipton.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Chantez Moss maybe the new version of Dion Lewis. Lewis committed early, was completely overlooked, enrolled early. And well......he did alright.

 

[sjwdmw]

I think Araujo-Lopes will do well at Z-WR this year and will be further challenged by the competition.

 

[WCSordill]

I think Araujo-Lopes will do well at Z-WR this year and will be further challenged by the competition.

Was Weah the first wide receiver taken?

 

[President Stache]

Weah was the first one take yes... here are all the results:

http://blogs.post-gazette.com/sport...2016-blue-gold-game-draft-results-and-rosters

 

[jimmoyer]

Also very interesting is that Nate Peterman's Gold Team, that he was assigned to as a Senior, choose Ben DiNucci as their 1st QB pick. Nate could have chosen any one of the QB's since they picked that position 1st. What does it say that our starting QB thinks Ben is the second best QB on the team. Just a thought.

 

[pittguy81]

Dinucci has weird mechanics but is very effective

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Also very interesting is that Nate Peterman's Gold Team, that he was assigned to as a Senior, choose Ben DiNucci as their 1st QB pick. Nate could have chosen any one of the QB's since they picked that position 1st. What does it say that our starting QB thinks Ben is the second best QB on the team. Just a thought.

It says Peterman had better stay healthy.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

The coaches talk about the players performance during the spring, but its hard to make very much of it, as I think part of what they are saying to the press about guys is designed to motivate players. And their position on the depth chart is likely also used for the same effect. So its hard to really know where players stand based on this.

But the players spring ball draft is likely a pure read on what the players think about each other.

So its interesting that the freshman Moss was the first RB selected. We'd heard that he'd been doing well this spring and was running with the one's at times, but this is a real endorsement by his teammates.

Ollison was selected 4th out of 4, which is something, given that he was our leading rusher last year. Its also a testament to our OL last year that he was able to gain 1000+ yards as a rookie.

At DE, Price was already on a team since he is a senior. Hendrix was the first DE selected, which wasn't a surprise, but he was selected early, indicating he is very highly regarded. (Once a player was selected at a position, the rest of the players at that position were selected in turn.) Hendrix and the DEs went before several other key positions, including safety (Whitehead).

Both Peterman and Stocker were assigned (seniors). DiNucci was the first of the other QBs taken, ahead of Bertke. I'm not that surprised, but I think some people might be.

O'Neill was the first overall player selected. This was a nice endorsement for him, but I think it was also a strategic play, since he was taken by Biz's team, so by getting him, they cornered the starting OTs.

Raleighpanther, Thank you, this is the insights and comments I truly enjoy reading on the Free Board. I know much more is discussed on the Premium Boards but it is just a joy when post like yours are put up for discussion. So many can share and exchange their views too. Thanks again!

 

[pittdan77]

Great post. I hadn't thought about it this way but it's a good point.

I'm not as afraid of low rated QB's as some but it hasn't been a position of strength in a long time. Most QB's don't get the right kind of coaching in high school. Unless they attend a lot of good camps, most have never really had a chance to work on mechanics. You are always happy to get a kid that knows what he's doing and looked great in HS but I firmly believe you can coach up that position. Still, I'd like to see it become a position of strength.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Great post. I hadn't thought about it this way but it's a good point.

I'm not as afraid of low rated QB's as some but it hasn't been a position of strength in a long time. Most QB's don't get the right kind of coaching in high school. Unless they attend a lot of good camps, most have never really had a chance to work on mechanics. You are always happy to get a kid that knows what he's doing and looked great in HS but I firmly believe you can coach up that position. Still, I'd like to see it become a position of strength.

Good post and to augment it further.

I recently was in Pittsburgh and was able to talk to a QB Coach that keeps tabs on Steeler's, College and High School Coaches. He made a comment, one way to tell how a Great QB progresses his talent is watching how they turn their heads going side to side reading the Defenses on each passing play and looking for his Wide Outs or Slot Running Backs?

He said, Big Ben went to Walt Harris Summer Camps and credits advancing his QB skills on that particular practice. When Big Ben came to the Steelers it was a bigger challenge because everything moved so quickly, but bought time with his scrambling and then his delay throws that few Defenses could cover so long. In time, Ben had to change that type of style.

Today Big Ben has improved so much and one way to see it is how he now turns his Head going side to side and finding the open Wideout or dumps it to the Slot Back or Tight End.

He said, watch Brady, Rogers do the same now, the Best QBs adapt to that skill in High School, College and Pros as speed, size, and skills grow exponentially by rising or expanding at a steady and rapid rate on each level. Most have the arm but that side to side viewing skill is so much more important to be a consistent winner especially in Big Games and very hard to adjust to by only a few.

He said, it is one small way to evaluate QBs with potential to get better and when a Coach does not see progress in that aspect, the QB that does gets the nod. Just FYI based on a guy that coaches it and shared it with me? He said it sounds so simple but very hard to execute play to play.

Defenses disguised coverage's makes the best QBs adapt to beat them by having develop that kind of skill with speed and pinpoint analysis of taking what is given or missed by the defenses. Others may know more here and can augment what he said.

He also said, it harder and harder to find that Franchise QB that can adapt and win developing that skill in the NFL. Some Teams are figuring it out it is easier to find 4 to 5 Top Defensive Players that cover, stop the short runs, and pressure the QB. The last few Super Bowls show how Defenses can stop that Top QB and why Defensive Coordinators are beings selected as Head Coaches in college and Pros again.

One reason the Steeler's may have a Great Defensive Draft in a few weeks is so many Pro Clubs are looking at QBs, WRs and OLs, while leaving many great Defensive Prospects available in this Draft is a rare opportunity and good be a Gold Mine to pick up 3 to 4 Defensive Players this year.

We shall see?

 

[Hailpitt]

Calvin Hamilton (last guy picked) can't be feeling real good about himself.

 

[raleighpanther]

Interesting read Captain, regarding QBs. Its one thing that I remember impressing me about DiNucci -- his ability to look side to side and make a quick read and release. His throwing motion was goofy looking, but apparently the coaches have corrected a lot of it.

HailPitt: the last guy picked need not feel as bad as you think. Sure, he was the last guy pick at his position, which isn't surprising for a walk-on. But he was only last overall because his position was selected last. And the position that is selected last is the one that has the least talent difference within it. (If T Boyd were still here, WR would probably have been selected first, since whichever team had the first pick would've wanted him, given that the gap between Boyd and the other WRs is bigger than at any other position.)

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

"raleighpanther, post: 1239999, member: 4260"]Interesting read Captain, regarding QBs. Its one thing that I remember impressing me about DiNucci -- his ability to look side to side and make a quick read and release. His throwing motion was goofy looking, but apparently the coaches have corrected a lot of it.
Thanks "Raleighpanther, I was gld I bumped him into him and it was all his knowledge just answering my questions. It is all his Info and glad to share on the Lair for others that know as much if not more to evaluate it further. I don't post to shout and spout just to share to learn. I think Narduzzi has said the same on DiNucci too and like Stocker's ability to become a Dual Threat Run and Gun.

I asked him many things on the Steelers. He said, Tomlin knew about Martavis Depression and Drug problems and why he dropped down in the Draft but drafted Coates in case Martavis could not be there? He said, he expects a Great Steeler Draft on Defensive Players and this was before it was in the Media.

HailPitt: the last guy picked need not feel as bad as you think. Sure, he was the last guy pick at his position, which isn't surprising for a walk-on. But he was only last overall because his position was selected last. And the position that is selected last is the one that has the least talent difference within it. (If T Boyd were still here, WR would probably have been selected first, since whichever team had the first pick would've wanted him, given that the gap between Boyd and the other WRs is bigger than at any other position.)
Good point too!