Al Capone wrote:

BR1986FB wrote:

Non wrote:

BR1986FB wrote: I think the defense will drop off. The key for them is getting a new nose tackle. Hampton's play has slipped considerably.

Their defense doesn't stay down. They have too much of a commitment to it.

You take away two of the cornerstone players like Polamalu and Aaron Smith and there is going to be a dropoff.

Hampton had a solid year. Their run defense fell off some because Smith was out.

Hampton is showing his age/weight issues. He got manhandled by a rookie Alex Mack) in the Browns/Steelers second meeting.

Aaron Smith is the key to their defense, IMO.

You can't use Polamalu because he's a China doll. Dude is as fragile as glass and can't be depended on. If they get a stud safety to replace him I might buy your argument.

You're actually saying they should replace Polamalu? What the hell are you smoking tonight?

Non wrote: Browns aren't really starting over but it's a challenge blending what they established late last season with the new philosophy brought in by Holmgren.

I don't know how much precedent there is with this kind of team management.

I still think Mangini and Holmgren could clash resulting in either Holmgren just coaching the team or hiring his guy.

You can't just play tough defense one or two games and say we have a defense that's going to set the tone for a winner. The defense played well in spots but still overall gave up a lot in some games and wasn't ranked very high, I don't think.

They don't have a true QB. They still need help at RB and WR and LB and in the secondary.

They traded guys away to load up on draft picks, which is nice, but they're not going to draft a bunch of guys that are going to come in and deliver right away.

killer_ewok wrote: I wouldn't say that Polamalu is fragile. He gets injured so often because of how he plays......like a fucking rampaging mad man lunatic. The guy is all over the place......launching his body around. That INT he had early in the game against Tennessee in last year's opener was one of the most spectacularly athletic plays I've ever seen. I'm not sure how he managed to avoid injury on that play. LOL. Also, take a look at Bob Sanders. He plays balls to the wall as well and throws his body around. He gets in there for run support and takes on ballcarriers who are much bigger than he is at times. They play with reckless abandon and that's why they're injury prone.

BR1986FB wrote:

killer_ewok wrote: I wouldn't say that Polamalu is fragile. He gets injured so often because of how he plays......like a fucking rampaging mad man lunatic. The guy is all over the place......launching his body around. That INT he had early in the game against Tennessee in last year's opener was one of the most spectacularly athletic plays I've ever seen. I'm not sure how he managed to avoid injury on that play. LOL. Also, take a look at Bob Sanders. He plays balls to the wall as well and throws his body around. He gets in there for run support and takes on ballcarriers who are much bigger than he is at times. They play with reckless abandon and that's why they're injury prone.

And Ed Reed is the same way. I'm not saying any of those guys are pussies by any stretch. They play with reckless abandon but, in turn, can't be relied on to play a full season.

That's why I'm kinda torn on the Browns using a high draft pick on Eric Berry. Seems like the shelf life of good safeties isn't that long in the NFL.

killer_ewok wrote:

BR1986FB wrote:

killer_ewok wrote: I wouldn't say that Polamalu is fragile. He gets injured so often because of how he plays......like a fucking rampaging mad man lunatic. The guy is all over the place......launching his body around. That INT he had early in the game against Tennessee in last year's opener was one of the most spectacularly athletic plays I've ever seen. I'm not sure how he managed to avoid injury on that play. LOL. Also, take a look at Bob Sanders. He plays balls to the wall as well and throws his body around. He gets in there for run support and takes on ballcarriers who are much bigger than he is at times. They play with reckless abandon and that's why they're injury prone.

And Ed Reed is the same way. I'm not saying any of those guys are pussies by any stretch. They play with reckless abandon but, in turn, can't be relied on to play a full season.

That's why I'm kinda torn on the Browns using a high draft pick on Eric Berry. Seems like the shelf life of good safeties isn't that long in the NFL.

Yes, Reed does play similarly. He just doesn't seem to get injured as often as the other two.

I get what you're saying though and agree about Berry. Although you don't pass up on a talent like him IMO. I don't think he'll still be on the board when Cleveland picks though.

Non wrote: I think Polamalu is underrated by non-Steelers fans.

When he's on the field, as I've said many times, he makes plays that get the defense off the field. Timing a blitz to maybe not get the sack but force the QB to be rattled or step up and another guy drops him. Or he'll make a tackle right at the marker, making it short. Instead of another guy getting run over for that last yard. And sometimes he makes athletic interceptions or pass breakups.

The Steelers have won two Super Bowls and reached the playoffs several times because they were fortunate to draft players like Polamalu and Aaron Smith. The other players on the defense turn to Polamalu to make a play or they look at how Smith goes about his business and they respect the heck out of him and therefore they're going to play harder when he's healthy and on the field. You take players like that out of the lineup and it's not going to be the same.

But I agree that Polamalu is always prone to injuries because of the position and the way he plays, so the Steelers should do a better job with their depth at safety in case he goes out again for a long stretch.

Non wrote: In this draft, there are three linebackers I really like but the Steelers can't take them because they already have two starters at OLB. Browns may consider them as well.

Brandom Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan
Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina
Koa Misi, DE/OLB, Utah

Graham hustles on every snap and has way too much speed for most tackles. He's a no doubter IMO.
Norwood is a classic Steelers linebacker, in the same mold as Harrison and Woodley. I think the Browns should consider him in the second round. I hope they don't because I'm pretty sure he's going to be a ballplayer.
Misi is a New England guy all the way. He's close to like 270 but runs very well and actually covered pretty good at the Senior Bowl for a guy converting from DE.

Non wrote: He doesn't have a huge arm but actually could be a good WCO quarterback like Hasselbeck. Accurate within 20 yards.

Non wrote: Ed Reed isn't the same as Polamalu or Bob Sanders.

Reed plays more coverage and isn't nearly as physical when playing up near the line of scrimmage, which is why he doesn't get hurt as much.

Reed is an awesome, ballhawking safety, don't get me wrong, but what makes Polamalu unique is he's a strong safety that has great speed and coverage skills. A lot of your best strong safeties are like linebackers and they're lumbering in coverage.

Non wrote: "No. 19, DT Casey Hampton, Steelers. He has been to Pro Bowls, but also he lost most of one season to injury, and has made it through a full season just twice in the last six years."

I don't agree with this from the Canton Repository article.

The guy is trying to say that not many players turn out to be the solution for 10 years.

And here he's saying that Hampton is one of the many who have not been the long-term solution.

That's ridiculous. He only had one season in 2004 where he had an ACL injury and missed the second half and playoffs, every other year he's been healthy and an anchor of the defense. If you have a draft a 320-330-pound nose tackle and he plays for 9-10 years, the defense is consistently ranked at the top of the league, he goes to five Pro Bowls, you win two Super Bowls, I think you made a good pick.

HighRoller74 wrote: Why do you listen to Cleveland radio?

You'd think you'd be listening to Pittsburgh radio.



And watch how this works.


I was watching Pittsburgh TV and some Squeeler fan was calling for sweeping change among the entire front office and coaching staff HA HA HA luv it LOL!!!!!!1111One!!!!111

Al Capone wrote:

HighRoller74 wrote: Why do you listen to Cleveland radio?

You'd think you'd be listening to Pittsburgh radio.



And watch how this works.


I was watching Pittsburgh TV and some Squeeler fan was calling for sweeping change among the entire front office and coaching staff HA HA HA luv it LOL!!!!!!1111One!!!!111

Sorry. Any Pittsburgher knows that's a lie. Go kiss Tressel for me.