Steelers Morning Huddle – 4/26/13

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; General view of Radio City Music Hall during the 2013 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Happy Day After the First Round of the Draft Steelers Fans!  Anyone have a hangover?  Anyone have “drafter’s remorse” over the Steeler’s pick of Jarvis Jones?  Don’t forget to check out the NicePickCowher staff writer Dom Di Tolla’s take on what Jones brings to team.

Here’s a look around at other articles and blogs dealing with Steelers news this morning.  Of course Jarvis Jones is the biggest thing everyone is talking about:

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette points out:

"Jones is the first linebacker the Steelers have selected in the first round since Lawrence Timmons in 2007, Mike Tomlin’s first year as their coach. He’s the first projected pro outside linebacker they have picked in the first round since Huey Richardson, one of their biggest draft busts, in 1991.”"

Gary Dulac, another writer for the PG, gives some stats on Jones.  You may find a nugget or two you haven’t already seen in that article.

The blog Steelers Today mentions Jones’ sack numbers:

"The thing that excites me most about Jones isn’t the tremendous sack numbers that he’s put up over the past 2 years. Rather, I’m most excited about who he put them up against. There is no doubt that the SEC is the best conference in college football. They are the closest thing there is to the NFL. Yet, Jones was a man among boys in the SEC.”"

I think it is significant for the Steelers to be able to draft a defensive lineman out of the SEC.  With the new rookie salary restrictions, I believe it does even things out and allow teams to “try out new models” for a minimum cost compared to having to pay based on projected value from college play.  We all know that play in college doesn’t always transfer to the NFL, but Jones certainly shows promise.  It will be interesting to see how LeBeau works him in.  If it is slowly, will Steelers fans have patience if he isn’t an instant contributor?  So much pressure can be put on first-rounders.

Jamison Hensley, who blogs about the AFC North for ESPN, called attention to Jones’ neck injury history (as have other writers) and said that he thought Jones was worth the risk.

The Steelers Depot blog quotes Jones that he feels he needs to work on dropping into coverage to fit into the Steelers’ defensive schemes.  If LeBeau is still the master of coaching the D-Line, he will find a way to use and develop Jones’ strengths and it won’t be about Jones needing to determine what he should work on as much as LeBeau and the other veterans guiding him.  I hope.

Had enough coverage of Jarvis Jones?  Well, there isn’t much else after only one pick for the team.  It is the focus today.

In some other draft news, I think Cincinnati made a good call picking up Tyler Eifert.  That could be a challenge for the Steelers.

Finally, if you need a place to go for a recap of the first round, I suggest looking at:  The NFL.com’s grades on the first round picks.

The NFL draft will continue tonight with Round 2 starting at 6:30 (or at least coverage starts) from Radio City Music Hall in New York City.  Go Steelers!