Steelers GM

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

Just so every one knows. Pittsburg does not pick Olinemen in the early rounds. They never pick an offensive lineman, before the third round.

Excellent point. But can we be trusted to pick O-linemen later than round 2? Our track record is abysmal on that count, with Rinehart looking like the latest bust. Looking deeper, I compared the Skins Draft record to the Steelers:

Washington Redskins All-Time Draft Listing | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Draft Listing | Pro-Football-Reference.com

What jumps out at me is how many more picks Pittsburgh has made looking over the last 10-12 years. During that stretch, there have been 4 drafts where the Skins have had 5 picks or fewer. Pittsburgh has 7 to 9 picks almost every year of that stretch with the exception of 2003 (when they hit big on Polamalu). They've had many misses during that stretch, but they've had enough hits from their numerous picks that they have the quality depth that we are sorely lacking.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

Excellent point. But can we be trusted to pick O-linemen later than round 2? Our track record is abysmal on that count, with Rinehart looking like the latest bust. Looking deeper, I compared the Skins Draft record to the Steelers:

Washington Redskins All-Time Draft Listing | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Draft Listing | Pro-Football-Reference.com

What jumps out at me is how many more picks Pittsburgh has made looking over the last 10-12 years. During that stretch, there have been 4 drafts where the Skins have had 5 picks or fewer. Pittsburgh has 7 to 9 picks almost every year of that stretch with the exception of 2003 (when they hit big on Polamalu). They've had many misses during that stretch, but they've had enough hits from their numerous picks that they have the quality depth that we are sorely lacking.

Excellent point.

I would add to this discussion that by all accounts the Giants have a fine offensive line. But they don't start a bunch of first rounders. Their starters are low picks and undrafted FA's. The difference is that they coach these folks to play better.

So I think that the woes on the Skins o-line derive from poor strategies for talent acquisition combined with poor coaching.