Lake's Take ... Post-draft Steelers Depth Situation ...

[The Lakelander]

Lake's Take ... Post-draft Steelers Depth Situation ...

> QB ... Big Ben is legendary, a future first ballot HOFer, and still very dangerous in accuracy and his deep ball ... We likely improved our backup QB situation and we did so with a Slash Stewart prototype ... I'm really cool with this ...

> OL ... We are deep on O-Line with a very veteran starting group, and with Finney, Hubbard, Hawkins and Mike Matthews (son of HOFer Bruce Matthews) ... No worries here heading into camp ...

> TE ... Well it all depends on Ladarius the way I see it. He was clearly a TD threat for Big Ben when he actually played last year ... Steelers have James, Green, Grimble and some young undrafted types ... It's safe to say we aren't a TE heavy team and it's also safe to say we will rely on our WR's in 2017 ...

> RB ... Steelers are now very deep at RB, with Bell, rookie Conner, FA signing Knile Davis, and Toussaint ... Shouldn't be a problem in 2017, and with Bell the Steelers are one of the most dangerous Rush offenses in the NFL ...

> WR ... What was perceived as a team strength before the draft is CERTAINLY a major team strength after the draft ... AB, and Bryant alone would have been significant, with Eli in the slot and plenty of depth competing for final roster spots ... Now throw in JuJu Smith-Schuster, who will be guaranteed a roster spot and playing time, and you've got a serious team strength here ...

> OFFENSE OVERALL ... With the prospects of Martavis and JuJu and a hopefully healthier Ladarius Green, the Steelers offense could very well be lethal ... Nuff said ... Even if Martavis fails out entirely, the JuJu addition is very enticing ...

> DL ... Steelers signed former 1st Round draft pick DE Tyson Alualu away from Jacksonville in free agency, adding viable NFL starter depth behind Tuitt and Heyward ... very nice acquisition that will improve the D-Line depth ... Hargrave doesn't have much depth behind him, but McCullers is still there for now unless he becomes a camp casualty ... It's all better than last year for sure and the top 4 guys are all highly rated now ...

> OLB ... It all depends on the level of play James Harrison is able to bring at age 39 ... Dupree and Chickillo are seasoned players now and should be fine ... TJ Watt could be the difference this year ... If he is too good, then Harrison will spell HIM and not the other way around ... THAT would be the perfect situation ... veteran Moats is there in a pinch for depth support ...

> ILB ... Vince Williams is the default replacement for Lawrence Timmons, and should be just fine as the next guy in line ... He's an aggressive hitter and brings a serious motor ... Shazier is a big time playmaker ... Not much depth here, though Fort, Matakevich and Johnson will be given every chance to prove their merit ... It seems like we aren't as deep at ILB this year, but that can change ...

> CB ... Artie Burns was thrown into the fires last year and played well for a rookie. The team has plenty of bodies to build their packages this season ... BURNS, Cockrell, Gay, (FA signing veteran) Sensenbaugh, and the two rookies Cam Sutton and Brian Allen ... Sutton and Allen will have time to develop for this season and if either shines right away, maybe some playing time in season. Not likely ... The positional wild card is Senquez Golson. HE will be the most intriguing camp story for sure ...

> S ... Mitchell and Davis are the clear starters, and Davis really started to show signs of playmaking greatness later last season ... Davis is KEY to the entire defense's success this season, because if he proves to be great the entire starting defense will be lifted ... Steelers are satisfied with the depth behind these guys but nobody expects Golden or Dangerfield to displace either of the starters ... Injury to either starter creates real problems for the Steelers defense ...

> DEFENSE OVERALL ... The whole unit improved last year, especially later on as the rookies Burns and Davis got more comfortable. Getting Heyward back and having Hargrave more comfortable is a major plus ... TJ Watt is the entire defensive unit's most major wild card for 2017 ... If Watt is a significant force, the entire defense could become outstanding, especially if the light goes on completely for Artie Burns and SEAN DAVIS ...

> SPECIAL TEAMS ... Steelers are solid here and so there's really nothing to discuss that changes from last season ...

LAKE'S INEXORABLE INSIGHT ... The situation for the 2017 Steelers is awfully intriguing ... They finished 11-5 last season and WON the AFC North with THREE (3) rookie starters on defense ... For 2017, throw in TJ Watt and the return of Cameron Heyward, and then assume that Artie Burns and SEAN DAVIS both come out strong and play big, and this becomes a very dangerous and very veteran team defense ... best in the Tomlin era actually !!! This is intriguing, to say the least,and is a BIG reason why LAKE will be heading back to St. Vincent College in Latrobe for the first Saturday of Steelers Training Camp in 2017 ... The Steelers offense is ALREADY formidable, and it gets a real IMPACTFUL injection of major splash talent back in the passing game this year with MARTAVIS BRYANT. And if Bryant simply can't cope with his demons, then this rookie kid JuJu Smith-Schuster ought to spark a similar team impact. BRYANT alone gives me tingles up my inner thigh and causes me to leave my Steelers Viagra in the bottle ... NO NEED for help with THIS massive throbber I'm sporting heading into summer camp! ...

[dbsfgyd1]

" NO NEED for help with THIS massive throbber I'm sporting heading into summer camp! "

For some reason I think I'm going to avoid training camp this year......

LOL!! Great write up Lake. Spot on. We just need to stay healthy for the most part. If we do, this is the best team we've had since 2010.

[SteelAHoosier]

Hey Lake, how YOU doin'?!!

[mcmillenandwife]

Good stuff, Lake.   Putting this on the front page... except for the throbber part. 

[SteelAHoosier]

Great, now he'll be as insufferable as Haze.

[dbsfgyd1]

Great, now he'll be as insufferable as Haze.

And no relief in sight.... well, until he runs into that Shiner guy at camp......

[sandfan]

I agree the team seems to in very competitive shape but, then again, that should be expected for one that finished 11-5.  Depth is always an issue because the injury bug seems to bite, and sometimes bite hard and often, every year.  

If we only get nicked a bit we should be fine.  However, if Ben goes down or one of the ILB for any long stretch, we could be in a pot of trouble.  I think our divisional opponents added some quality players in the draft.  The division will not be a cakewalk in 2017.  

11-5 is not likely to earn home field advantage.  NE will have a much easier route to that number.  Then again, considering how the Jets, Buffalo and Miami have played over the last decade that's not surprising.

[GordoG]

I see NOTHING has changed around here.......Lake is still Mr.. Optimism.

[SteelAHoosier]

He's a Debbie Downer were freedom rings!

[dbsfgyd1]

He's a Debbie Downer were freedom rings!

Nah, he just calls 'em as he  sees 'em, and maybe a trip to the Optometrist might be in order.......

[GordoG]

He's a Debbie Downer were freedom rings!

Nah, he just calls 'em as he  sees 'em, and maybe a trip to the Optometrist might be in order.......

Googly Goo has his finger on the pulse…..don’t you all worry your pretty little heads.

[SteelAHoosier]

Are you trash talking the great GOOGLY MOOGLY?!

[GordoG]

Are you trash talking the great GOOGLY MOOGLY?!

not me.....never!!!

[The Lakelander]

[The Lakelander]

lakelander....would your name by chance mean you live near a lake....I have a vacation home on a lake.....is so we are both both lakelanders

It's a ruse ... I actually live near a river ... THREE rivers actually ... 

[dbsfgyd1]

Lake, are you back in Moon? You had mentioned you may want to relo to the burgh one of the last times we talked. BTW, if you still have my phone number, I need some advise. Thanks. db

[The Lakelander]

Lake, are you back in Moon? You had mentioned you may want to relo to the burgh one of the last times we talked. BTW, if you still have my phone number, I need some advise. Thanks. db

DB, I'm in the same home you visited ... happy as can be here ... My pop still lives in Moon ... 

Advice? ... From me? ...   ... You ain't serious !!! ...