Steelers Sign CFL Defensive Lineman Shawn Lemon
With the Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker position possibly going through a transition, the Steelers front office has just made a move that could improve their 26th ranked pass rush for the upcoming season. With James Harrison, Jason Worilds, and Arthur Moats all having uncertain futures in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have just signed defensive lineman Shawn Lemon, who last played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. At 6’2″ and 250 pounds, Lemon will likely transition into an outside linebacker in the Steelers defense.
Shawn Lemon, 26, finished his college career at the University of Akron and went undrafted by the NFL in 2011. After playing in the Arena Football League and the CFL, Lemon finally found a home in Calgary. In 2013, Lemon recorded three sacks in six games . Last season however Lemon’s production increased tremendously. Lemon recorded 13 sacks and tied a CFL record with eight forced fumbles.
While the list of former CFL players making a big impact in the NFL isn’t a long one, a possible comparison for Shawn Lemon could be the Miami Dolphins’ Cameron Wake. Similarly to Lemon, Wake went undrafted after college and went to play in the CFL. After two seasons Wake had already recorded 39 sacks in the CFL. The Dolphins took noticed and signed Wake just days before his 27th birthday. Since then Wake has made four Pro Bowls, one All-Pro Team, and has 63 sacks during his six-year career.
The comparison to Wake may be a bit of stretch in thinking that Lemon will become a force in the NFL, but the similarity in age and the position at which they play is valid. The worst case scenario for the Steelers in making this move is at least that have somebody to potentially fill in at outside linebacker if Harrison, Worilds, and Moats do not return in 2015.
What do you think Steelers Nation? Will Shawn Lemon actually produce for the Steelers or will his name be forgotten come training camp?
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