Steelers UDFA News

[Steeldrama]

I actually think there were plenty of holes on the team where UDFA could compete: slot CB, safety, ILB, edge, center, WR, and QB.

Instead they were trying to sign kids that were getting ready to start their farm careers in Iowa.

Yep

NHALS regrettably lived another year but last I checked the Steelers didn’t make the playoffs.

While the roster looks better now than it did this time last year, it still isn’t a Super Bowl caliber roster and in an AFC loaded with qbs it may not yet be a playoff roster.

No way in hell the Steelers are in position to ignore the UDFA process.

You don’t see the Eagles who actually made the Super Bowl resting on their laurels.
Howie slayed the draft
Attacked UDFA

Not Tomlin
He went home to watch the Flintstones
(He just loves it when Dino knocks Fred down and licks all over his face)

It’s just the guy’s hobby, but I promise you ‘ol B2B knows more about the UDFA crop than Tomlin.

In fact, if B2B says this group of UDFA’s had no shot of making this ohhhh sooo stacked Steelers roster I’ll shut up about it

Until then
Tomlin and the Steelers air mailed it
LAZY
There I said it

[Ice]

Hopefully Byrd can show something in the KR/PR department. Gunner definitely needs some competition/forced off the roster there. He's the one I'm interested in at this point.

[bradshaw2ben]

I'm eager to see if Perales translates to the league. There's definitely a path to being a backup EDGE, and he doesn't have too many obstacles. Korey's quote was perfect on the Center: "One of the worst prospects I scouted this year."

I don't know the Merrimack DT and haven't had a chance to dig but he seems somewhat promising but there's not too much room for him to make it beyond practice squad.

There are some incredibly talented and exciting prospects as yet unsigned in the world, so there's still hope.

[bradshaw2ben]

My take is they did their homework and waited for an opportunity to fill another hole on the defense.

Expectation is Sullivan will compete with Maulet for slot corner. Iron sharpening iron and all….

I also wanted to say I am liking this new Steelers approach with FA and Drafting. Exciting is an understatement.

I recall many discussions about why can’t the Steelers just trade out of one pick?

Go get a good player or trade back and pick up some draft capital?

Why can’t they go and get decent FA’s instead of picking off the trash heap?

All water under the bridge now…

My expectation is that Sullivan is undeniably terrible, having given up somethng like the most yards in the league when targeted last year.

[Steeldrama]

There are some incredibly talented and exciting prospects as yet unsigned in the world, so there's still hope.

Based on their mere 7 signings….6 excluding farmer Fred….the Steelers aren’t looking very hard to find them.

[steelmann58]

Yes very blah group of UDFA not sure anyone makes this team.
The 3rd QB will be a vet as well as the 3rd OLB who i believe they want a vet.

[bradshaw2ben]

Let's not forget that half of the XFL teams and a couple of USFL teams are coached by ex-Steelers. There are going to be a lot of phone calls and recommendations from them, I would guess.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Let's not forget that half of the CFL teams and a couple of USFL teams are coached by ex-Steelers. There are going to be a lot of phone calls and recommendations from them, I would guess.

[Texas Steel]

Let's not forget that half of the CFL teams and a couple of USFL teams are coached by ex-Steelers. There are going to be a lot of phone calls and recommendations from them, I would guess.

I half expect Hines Ward to be pimping a few San Antonio Brahmas as we speak. Brad Wing (P) and John Parker Romo (PK) nailed it this year in the XFL. They've also got some defensive talent that could make a practice squad or two.

[Steelafan77]

If Sullivan is that horrible then they part ways, you know what they say….nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[bradshaw2ben]

Let's not forget that half of the CFL teams and a couple of USFL teams are coached by ex-Steelers. There are going to be a lot of phone calls and recommendations from them, I would guess.

I half expect Hines Ward to be pimping a few San Antonio Brahmas as we speak. Brad Wing (P) and John Parker Romo (PK) nailed it this year in the XFL. They've also got some defensive talent that could make a practice squad or two.

Romo was fantastic... until he missed the kick with their season on the line

[franco32]

I thought our draft board tracked more of the "experts" draft boards this year. Other than 7th round, we didn't have weird reaches like Loudermilk or Kendrick Green this year. So that gave me hope that we expanded our scouting dept and have better evaluators.

That's great and all, but UDFAs are players too. I think we shelled out ONE bonus this year...10k. Remember when we failed to shell out a 10k bonus to sign Shaquille Barrett who wanted to come to us??? This tight spended approach to UDFA is short-sighted and costly in the long run.

[jewelsongs]

Don't forget the second wave of free agency. There are a lot of good names still available, and more after the cuts that always happen after the draft.

[bradshaw2ben]

As I keep saying, even more this year with the about-to-be completed XFL season. A lot of those guys will be in camps.

[Texas Steel]

Let's not forget that half of the CFL teams and a couple of USFL teams are coached by ex-Steelers. There are going to be a lot of phone calls and recommendations from them, I would guess.

I half expect Hines Ward to be pimping a few San Antonio Brahmas as we speak. Brad Wing (P) and John Parker Romo (PK) nailed it this year in the XFL. They've also got some defensive talent that could make a practice squad or two.

Romo was fantastic... until he missed the kick with their season on the line

Tell me about it. Still he only missed two all season, nailed a 57 yarder (but missed a 53 yarder).

[Korey39]

Let's not forget that half of the CFL teams and a couple of USFL teams are coached by ex-Steelers. There are going to be a lot of phone calls and recommendations from them, I would guess.

I half expect Hines Ward to be pimping a few San Antonio Brahmas as we speak. Brad Wing (P) and John Parker Romo (PK) nailed it this year in the XFL. They've also got some defensive talent that could make a practice squad or two.

I know John Parker Romo, great guy I've coached a ton of clinics with him. Absolutely elite kickoff leg and is accurate very far back but I wouldn't expect for anyone to be taking over for Boswell for at least 3 years.

[Korey39]

Let's not forget that half of the CFL teams and a couple of USFL teams are coached by ex-Steelers. There are going to be a lot of phone calls and recommendations from them, I would guess.

Pretty sure you've nailed it on the head. Hopefully the approach is to target the topflight XFL guys since our current class is pretty pathetic.

[Mick]

Let's not forget that half of the CFL teams and a couple of USFL teams are coached by ex-Steelers. There are going to be a lot of phone calls and recommendations from them, I would guess.

Pretty sure you've nailed it on the head. Hopefully the approach is to target the topflight XFL guys since our current class is pretty pathetic.

i’m interpreting this as a general disinterest in giving significant signing bonuses to any players we plan to cut before the season starts. The fact we signed so few players does suggest we’ll pick up a few more on the way, but if you expect “topflight” guys coming in before camp, i predict disappointment. I guess possible there’s maybe an RB/QB/edge guy they really expect to be on roster this season they ‘ll bid for, other than that i would expect continuity of quality.

[Korey39]

Let's not forget that half of the CFL teams and a couple of USFL teams are coached by ex-Steelers. There are going to be a lot of phone calls and recommendations from them, I would guess.

Pretty sure you've nailed it on the head. Hopefully the approach is to target the topflight XFL guys since our current class is pretty pathetic.

i’m interpreting this as a general disinterest in giving significant signing bonuses to any players we plan to cut before the season starts. The fact we signed so few players does suggest we’ll pick up a few more on the way, but if you expect “topflight” guys coming in before camp, i predict disappointment. I guess possible there’s maybe an RB/QB/edge guy they really expect to be on roster this season they ‘ll bid for, other than that i would expect continuity of quality.

Safety is the main spot I at least would be looking at. We entered the draft with one starter and left with one starter there.

[bradshaw2ben]

IF the organization lives up to its stated mantra of everyone getting a fair shot at a job (we all know that's about 90% lip service), then Kenny Robinson might very well earn a roster spot and be in contention for a starting job. He is the best safety on the roster (other than Minkah) who has actually played safety in the league and who isn't 180lbs.

[anpsteel]

Pretty uninspiring group, guess they used up all their magic powder in the draft.

VERY uninspiring

Clearly the Steelers didn’t read B2Bs list of directional staters

The cynic in me thinks Art 2 reduced the UDFA signing budget down to nothing after agreeing to expand the scouting department

Cheap old bastard
Step down already

I think $$$$ had a lot to do with it

I saw many reports of UDFAs getting 6 figures guaranteed + salary with 250k not out of line

I figured then the Steelers were gonna blow UDFA land mostly

I read an article that outlined how much the Steelers udfas get paid

Basically a ham sandwich and a 6er of ic lite

I mean, relative the general population they are paid well, but in comparison to what other teams pay, it was really low

[Mick]

IF the organization lives up to its stated mantra of everyone getting a fair shot at a job (we all know that's about 90% lip service), then Kenny Robinson might very well earn a roster spot and be in contention for a starting job. He is the best safety on the roster (other than Minkah) who has actually played safety in the league and who isn't 180lbs.

Neal has gotten starts everywhere he’s been, where Robinson in his 3rd year in the league couldn’t find a team interested in having him even as the last guy on their Safety depth chart. Really at this point, Robinson is well behind Tre Norwood for his career (basically half the starts and production).

[bradshaw2ben]

I just don't care for Neal as a safety, and although Norwood has gotten more opportunity (and has less of a checkered past), I think Kenny Robinson *might* be the better player.. that's all I'm really saying. Given a chance and the maturity he seems to have acquired, it isn't like the Steelers have loads of better options ahead of him on the depth chart.

[SteelerDayTrader]

VERY uninspiring

Clearly the Steelers didn’t read B2Bs list of directional staters

The cynic in me thinks Art 2 reduced the UDFA signing budget down to nothing after agreeing to expand the scouting department

Cheap old bastard
Step down already

I think $$$$ had a lot to do with it

I saw many reports of UDFAs getting 6 figures guaranteed + salary with 250k not out of line

I figured then the Steelers were gonna blow UDFA land mostly

I read an article that outlined how much the Steelers udfas get paid

Basically a ham sandwich and a 6er of ic lite

I mean, relative the general population they are paid well, but in comparison to what other teams pay, it was really low

Really maddening……particularly for a team with lots of holes

[Ice]

I forget who floated it, and want to give credit, but the idea that they might be balancing the excess spending on the scouting department by cutting spending on UDFAs is just "on a very special episode of That's So Steeler..."

[steelmann58]

Steelers give out the smallest deals

[franco32]

I get that there are XFL players about to be looking for new homes. But, that doesn't mean you don't go after UDFA rookies with everything you have. The NFL is a dog fight. You have to look for EVERY edge and EVERY angle.

Making a half-assed attempt to sign a couple bodies and paying one 10k bonus is pathetic. You might as well go to Edinboro and ask their players if they want to try out.

[jewelsongs]

Another factor to consider is that the Steelers have cap room, with the ability to add a lot more with restructures. There are still good players available as veteran free agents, and more to come. This Covid draft was deep with talent, so there will be more veterans cut this year than in a typical year. Keeping a few roster spots open makes sense to me.

[bradshaw2ben]

I also think the idea of cutting players for cap room at this point is unnecessary. Maybe Dotson or Witherspoon come in in great shape and looking like they're primed for an improved season? Why rush geeting rid of them until you're sure they can't help you.

[Stosh-67]

I thought our draft board tracked more of the "experts" draft boards this year. Other than 7th round, we didn't have weird reaches like Loudermilk or Kendrick Green this year. So that gave me hope that we expanded our scouting dept and have better evaluators.

That's great and all, but UDFAs are players too. I think we shelled out ONE bonus this year...10k. Remember when we failed to shell out a 10k bonus to sign Shaquille Barrett who wanted to come to us??? This tight spended approach to UDFA is short-sighted and costly in the long run.

Lets hope this is the case.

True on Shaq Barrett.

And on a real sad note.........Barretts 2 year old daughter just drowned in their pool on Sunday.
Holly Hell.
So sad.