Fewell733 Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 I'm having a tough time thinking of any notable pro scouting decisions that the Steelers have made in the last decade. It seems they are almost wholly built through the draft - which is, of course, the proper way to do things. Does anybody that follows the Steelers closely have any insight into the kind of free agents that the Steelers have pursued in recent history? I suppose that knowing which players to re-sign is a pretty good skill in itself. It's something we've clearly lacked.
Ghost of Rob Johnson Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 I'm having a tough time thinking of any notable pro scouting decisions that the Steelers have made in the last decade. It seems they are almost wholly built through the draft - which is, of course, the proper way to do things. Does anybody that follows the Steelers closely have any insight into the kind of free agents that the Steelers have pursued in recent history? I suppose that knowing which players to re-sign is a pretty good skill in itself. It's something we've clearly lacked. From his interviews it sounds like he did more than just scout other teams players. He was in charge of advance scouting for their upcoming opponents as well as college scouting. 2006 Whaley Interview
Fewell733 Posted February 4, 2010 Author Posted February 4, 2010 From his interviews it sounds like he did more than just scout other teams players. He was in charge of advance scouting for their upcoming opponents as well as college scouting. 2006 Whaley Interview that's good to hear. I was hoping his big accomplishments were not the Mewelde Moore and Kemautou signings.
billsfreak Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 I'm having a tough time thinking of any notable pro scouting decisions that the Steelers have made in the last decade. It seems they are almost wholly built through the draft - which is, of course, the proper way to do things. Does anybody that follows the Steelers closely have any insight into the kind of free agents that the Steelers have pursued in recent history? I suppose that knowing which players to re-sign is a pretty good skill in itself. It's something we've clearly lacked. The Steelers don't sign free agents of any stature, so he couldn't have been too busy. They don't even resign their own free agents except for Ben and Bettis a few years back. Maybe that is why he had so much time to email porn around Steelers headquarters a few years ago. They say Ralph pictures this guy as the heir apparent to Nix since he is so old and senile, kinda like Ralphie himself.
bigc14120 Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 The Steelers don't sign free agents of any stature, so he couldn't have been too busy. They don't even resign their own free agents except for Ben and Bettis a few years back. Maybe that is why he had so much time to email porn around Steelers headquarters a few years ago. They say Ralph pictures this guy as the heir apparent to Nix since he is so old and senile, kinda like Ralphie himself.Actually, usig a more positive tone, this is Buddy providing himself with an escape plan down the road a few years, depending on how it works out. Also why such a guy would come here. this is good practice in all industry....negative tone not required here. In fact, Galley may very well be the other candidate down the road. All management appointments in business have multiple contenders...and these will be two inhouse candidates. (if things work out)
Lori Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 The Steelers don't sign free agents of any stature, so he couldn't have been too busy. They don't even resign their own free agents except for Ben and Bettis a few years back. Maybe that is why he had so much time to email porn around Steelers headquarters a few years ago. They say Ralph pictures this guy as the heir apparent to Nix since he is so old and senile, kinda like Ralphie himself. Actually, they DO re-sign many of their FAs. Knowing when to let 'em walk -- and when not to -- is a skill, hopefully one Whaley can bring north with him. I like the way Mark Gaughan put it: The Steelers have had outstanding success in player development. One reason is they don't often have to re-trace their steps in the draft. They have had arguably the most dominant defensive team in the league this decade. It's not because they draft more defensive players than other teams. They just don't have to go back and re-draft at many positions, as some teams must do. http://blogs.buffalonews.com/billboard/201...brainpower.html
Doc Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 They added C Justin Hartwig in FA prior to the 2008 season.
billsfreak Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 They added C Justin Hartwig in FA prior to the 2008 season. Wow you found one!
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 I'm having a tough time thinking of any notable pro scouting decisions that the Steelers have made in the last decade. It seems they are almost wholly built through the draft - which is, of course, the proper way to do things. Does anybody that follows the Steelers closely have any insight into the kind of free agents that the Steelers have pursued in recent history? I suppose that knowing which players to re-sign is a pretty good skill in itself. It's something we've clearly lacked. Not sure if Whaley was involved in these decisions, but the Steelers made two solid FA pick-ups that come to mind: (1) Jeff Hartings; (2) James Farrior
billsfreak Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 Actually, they DO re-sign many of their FAs. Knowing when to let 'em walk -- and when not to -- is a skill, hopefully one Whaley can bring north with him. I like the way Mark Gaughan put it: Which ones did they resign to any sizeable contracts? Beside Ben and Bettis? They might resign some backups to minimum contracts, but the stars almost all walk. Porter, Burress, Randel El, etc.
dave mcbride Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 I'm having a tough time thinking of any notable pro scouting decisions that the Steelers have made in the last decade. It seems they are almost wholly built through the draft - which is, of course, the proper way to do things. Does anybody that follows the Steelers closely have any insight into the kind of free agents that the Steelers have pursued in recent history? I suppose that knowing which players to re-sign is a pretty good skill in itself. It's something we've clearly lacked. James Farrior was one of the best FA signings of the past decade.
Fewell733 Posted February 4, 2010 Author Posted February 4, 2010 Which ones did they resign to any sizeable contracts? Beside Ben and Bettis? They might resign some backups to minimum contracts, but the stars almost all walk. Porter, Burress, Randel El, etc. letting those 3 walk were all good decisions in my book. Randel El got a huge contract that he hasn't come close to living up to. Burress is incarcerated. And Porter only had a season or two left in the tank.
Fewell733 Posted February 4, 2010 Author Posted February 4, 2010 James Farrior was one of the best FA signings of the past decade. I had forgotten that he wasn't always a Steeler
Lori Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 Which ones did they resign to any sizeable contracts? Beside Ben and Bettis? They might resign some backups to minimum contracts, but the stars almost all walk. Porter, Burress, Randel El, etc. Who drafted Hines Ward? I'd rank him ahead of either WR you named. They let Porter walk to make room in the lineup for James Harrison, who repaid them with two All-Pro seasons and a DPOY nod. Oh, and they just locked Heath Miller up with a six-year, $35-million contract.
Doc Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 Wow you found one! I can find more, when I get home and look through my Lindy's. But keep the bitching up in the mean time. You've been doing a SWELL job of it so far.
FLFan Posted February 4, 2010 Posted February 4, 2010 The Steelers have actually been a model of how to manage free agency and the cap and still remain competitive. They do go after free agents, but never the high profile big ticket guys. They have scored with quite a few. They have let some some of their FAs go, but have hung onto key core players. This is the model that Nix has stated matches his philosophy, and is all that makes sense really for the Bills. Hopefully Whaley can bring some of those skills to the Bills front office.
JohnC Posted February 5, 2010 Posted February 5, 2010 Actually, they DO re-sign many of their FAs. Knowing when to let 'em walk -- and when not to -- is a skill, hopefully one Whaley can bring north with him. I like the way Mark Gaughan put it: As you indicated the Steelers know how to value (price) their players. Compare that to the comical Bills who paid a premium for Dockery and Walker, both average players at best. There is no doubt that the Steelers would not bring in a T.O. type player to generate some marketing interest in their franchise like the losing Bills did. What the Steelers would do is to work extra hard in finding players who will fit their profile of tough and team oriented players Whaley came from a franchise that was primarily built through the draft. Their draft picks in general are not glitzy but they fit their system and are willing to blend in a blue collar organization culture. The Steelers are an organization which is very stable with lilttle turnover within the front office and coaching ranks. Again, compare their stability with the instability in the coaching and front office ranks. What Nix seems to be doing is developing a professional football front office staff and structure. It sure beats having a marketing person in the middle of football deliberations and decisions. He seems to have a vision of what he wants to accomplish and he is systematically executing his plan.
John from Riverside Posted February 5, 2010 Posted February 5, 2010 Didn't Farrior play for us and we released him?
Lori Posted February 5, 2010 Posted February 5, 2010 Didn't Farrior play for us and we released him? Nope. Jets drafted him.
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