Did anyone watch for Cordarro Law vs. the Broncos? I have it on DVR and will get to it this afternoon.
For those of you who did not know, I have been out of work battling cancer, but I return to work tomorrow after 9 weeks of rehab and two removal surgeries. My doctor is still amazed at my recovery, I am back to work 19 days after having a tumor removed, the size of a mini football. Hey I am a Steeler fan, it takes more than Cancer to keep me down.
How does Walter Football have Ray Ray Armstrong going to The Bengals at 43, isn't he suspended. I know they have some real shaky past players, but that seems a stretch for round 2. They ended up with Vontaze Burfict but waited to sign him as undrafted, I see a correlation and I don't think Marvin Lewis is as blind as some would suggest. The owner on the other hand is an idiot.
29. New England Patriots -- Star Lotulelei, NT, Utah
Vince Wilfork will turn 31 this season and he's already playing more defensive end and defensive tackle. The Patriots will get tougher against the run with the productive Lotulelei.
30. Philadelphia Eagles -- Eric Reid, S, LSU
The Eagles have been searching for an answer at safety since Brian Dawkins left. Reid has had some big plays at LSU, including a game-saving interception in the Tigers' regular-season win over Alabama.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers -- John Jenkins, DT, Georgia
Scouts can't help but notice the massive Jenkins when they check out Jarvis Jones. The Steelers did draft Washington nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu in the fourth round of this year's draft, but there's no guarantee they've found Casey Hampton's successor yet.
32. Green Bay Packers -- Sean Porter, OLB, Texas A&M
Porter had 17 tackles for a loss and 9 ½ sacks, and broke up four passes last season. He's 6-2, 235 pounds and would fit in well in the Packers' scheme. Porter will blow up at the Combine thanks to his physical prowess.
Back to Melvin White, his biggest attribute is his quick twitch, according to team members.
If you want to read the profile, you have to do a google search. nfldraftscout Melvin White just cut and paste. Due to copyright exclusions, I cannot cut and paste the bio from the original and more informative Draft Scout. THe version on CBS is incomplete for this player and really tells you nothing.
I am interested to see his actual height. Scout lists him as 6-012, articles I am reading and his roster list him as 6-3.
The Ragin Cagins play both Oklahoma State and Florida, so Melvin will be going up against better competition. Fox Sports has been rumored to be televising one of these games, this is coming off of OK State's home page as of yesterday:
Aug. 22, 2012
STILLWATER - Television plans have been finalized for all three of Oklahoma State's 2012 non-conference football games.
The Big 12 Conference and FOX Sports announced today the addition of OSU's games against Savannah State and Louisiana to the FOX Sports TV lineup.
The Cowboys host Savannah State in the season opener on Sept. 1. That game will be available on FOX College Sports. Kickoff will remain at 6 p.m.
In addition, the Cowboys will host Louisiana on Sept. 15 on FOX Sports Net (FSN). As previously announced, that game will kick at 11 a.m.
Other than the Sept 15th game,not sure if we will get a chance to see La. Lafayette on tv. However if White has a good season he may be invited to the Senior Bowl, or worse case the East-West Shrine Game. Keeping in mind those practices are valuable at evaluating the small school players when they step up in competition. THe coaches notes and scout observations will be someting to look forward to if White participates. I believe NFL Network may even televise some of the practices, Mike Mayock will be heavily involved no doubt. If anyone can see potential, I trust Mike.
If anyone catches a Florida Game early, interested in Xavier Nixon, a very talented OT who struggled to keep on weight. He is now over 310 lbs. and his body is maturing, currently listed as only a 7th rounder. I am sure Maurkice Pouncey has an opinion on him fitting the Steeler OL mold or not. Unless he has a great season, then of course he will move up the boards, (based on his postion and the Conferrence he plays in). He is a current Sleeper pick.
Yes folks he has the exact same arm length as [Doug Legursky]. That is why he went undrafted. He is from a small school and doesn't have the physical upside most teams would like. Fortunately the Steelers aren't most teams. His arm length is an issue but if he can play with great technique (i.e. Wide, low base and getting his hands inside defender) it shouldn't hamper his ability too much.
-Against The Philadelphia Eagles-
Overall Grade: +3.0
Run Blocking Grade: +2.5
Pass Blocking Grade: +0.5
Analysis:
Ryan lee took part in 28 plays and he only had five plays where he earned a negative grade from me. Even better news they are all easily correctable mistakes. He was twice late off the ball which caused him to get a bad angle and driven back, good news he got in front of the player to stop them from making a play. In a screen pass he hesitated and completely failed in an attempt to block a linebacker in the open field though this is not as easy as it looks for an offensive linemen. The other two he came off high and allowed the defender to get into his chest and drive him two steps backwards in run blocking which compared to some of the back up linemen isn't that bad. Enough of the negatives lets look at the positives. Lee was ask to pull in a run play we are all familiar with good old 36 Power. He did a great job of leading Batch through the hole he made contact with Eagles LB #57 Clayton (a 3rd year player who plays mainly Special Teams for the Eagle) and drove him 3 yards backwards. On another run play the Steelers ran a off tackle play. The DT #77 was lined up in the 1 technique and slanted hard outside. Lee took his momentum and used it against him pushing him three yard to the left and then pancaking him. The final play I want to highlight happen on the last drive. It was a 2nd and 3 situation the Steelers lined up in a Weak I formation, the DT #74 was lined up as the 3 technique on Lee's side and slanted hard inside, they ran the ball to the right side. Lee the backside guard took this DT and drove him 6 yards off the ball and only stopped cause the whistle blew. Ryan Lee look good against the pass as well. He helped with the double team constantly yet even though he was helping he was always looking to both sides to see if there was pressure coming or if someone else need more help. He looked very aware in pass protection. Most importantly he never missed an assignment and didn't look like a rookie in his first NFL game out their. Why the only +0.5 passing grade then? Well he didn't have to block for long as one of the back up players allowed rusher to get in the backfield on nearly every pass play he was a part of and he was either being helped or helping another player for most of the night as the Eagles only sent for all game long it seemed. It was because of those that he earned just slightly above average grade in the passing game, he just wasn't ask to do much in pass protection. I would like to see him against better competition though instead of the two rookies he went against in the last game. Ryan Lee played a great game and got that game on tape, if he continues this trend I can easily see him as a practice squad player and potentially on the roster.
but did everyone get to see The Mother of All Steeler Man Caves
