As a University of Alabama football fan, I always want the Pittsburgh Steelers to draft the players coming out of Bama. Notice my prediction for the first round this year was C.J. Mosley. That wasn’t completely a homer pick (not completely); I just didn’t think the Steelers had Ryan Shazier rated ahead of Mosley. Guess I was wrong.
Kevin Colbert and Co. never drafts Crimson Tide players, but there is usually an undrafted free agent picked up from the school. For instance, in 2013 they signed Marquise Maze the wide receiver/returner almost immediately after the draft. I had high hopes for Maze, considering the Steelers were in need of a return man and Marquise did pretty well returning punts and kicks while at Bama. He did little to impress during his opportunities during the preseason, however, and dropped almost every ball thrown his way while playing with the offense. It just wasn’t meant to be, I guess.
Earlier today, the Pittsburgh front office claimed cornerback Deion Belue from the University of Alabama off of waivers, after waiving Kaycee Ike. I am ready to hand Belue the starting job right now and change my bold prediction to him starting week one instead of Shaquille Richardson.
Ok, I’m not that serious of a homer, but I am glad they signed him. He is definitely not the worst cornerback on the roster right now. That title probably goes to Brice McClain. That dude played bad for the Houston Texans and I’m not sure why the Steelers even signed him.
Belue had a decent junior season with 40 tackles, 6.5 for a loss, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in 14 starts. In 2013, his senior season, he had 20 tackles, three pass breakups, and an interception.
He had a frustrating season in 2013. He battled turf toe all season long and it showed at times. I can remember multiple times yelling at my T.V. when he blew coverage or couldn’t keep up with the receivers. If that injury is completely behind him now though, he could be a good, under-the-radar addition to the Steelers secondary.
I’m not sure why the Miami Dolphins waived him, but I consider it a good pickup for Pittsburgh. He can at least be a solid backup for the team. What do you think, Steeler Nation?