Len Pasquarelli writes an interesting article about how some teams may be too enamored with raw speed and as a result may overpay for it. An example that I'm reminded of is Anquan Boldin, the 2003 Sporting News Rookie of the Year, who fell to the 51st pick in last years draft because of a slow 40 time at the combine. The first game of the season he has over 200 yards receiving and you have to ask if 40 times are that important. If you're Carl Lewis, straight-away speed is important, but if you're a receiver who just caught a slant on a safety blitz, the cornerback on your hip isn't wondering what your 40 time is. And that's the point. A football field is only 100 yards long, and the difference between a WR running a 4.5-40 and a CB running a 4.4-40 is minimal when considering the short distances involved and the fact that a CB usually has to change directions to make a play on the ball.
I think a more important measure might be quickness; quickness off the line of scrimmage for WRs, quickness breaking on the ball for CBs.
I think this quote sums up how the reliance on raw speed is overemphasized, especially over such short distances:
"We time players in terms of straightline speed, but the reality is that our game isn't played in a straight line. So there's a bit of a fallacy there. And our game isn't played unimpeded, like a track meet, where you're just going to run and no one is in your way."-Buffalo Bills general manager Tom Donahoe
Staley reminiscent of Bettis
From today's Pittsburgh Tribune Review:
"This isn't bull just for the newspaper...He reminds me of Jerome (Bettis)...He has the endearing personality where everyone in the organization loves him. Everyone in the city loves him."-Eagles head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder, who worked in Pittsburgh for six years, commenting--without hesitation--on the player that most reminded him of Duce Staley.
"When it comes to toughness...Jerome is one of the toughest guys I've ever worked with. Jerome had those groin pulls that he played with and I had no idea how he did it, but Duce is just as tough."
Ugh
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review is reporting that the Steelers have shown preliminary interest in quarterback Tim Couch, who will either be traded or released by the Cleveland Browns.
I don't think Couch is the answer in Pittsburgh and he certainly didn't do much in Cleveland. Let's hope the conversation between the Steelers and Couch's agent goes something like this, "We'll give you some practice footballs for him." Otherwise they should pass--and quickly.
It was also reported that the Steelers have shown interest in former Brown and current Raven RT, Orlando Brown, he of the anger management issues.
Steelers sign Kirschke, get a sixth round pick
The Steelers also signed Travis Kirschke on Wednesday to a four-year contract that totals nearly $6.4 million and includes a $1.1 million signing bonus.
Kirschke started at defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers last season, but he will be used by the Steelers as a backup end in their 3-4 defensive alignment.
This also means that the Steelers won't match the offer made by the Patriots for DT Rodney Bailey. If the Pats do end up with Bailey, the Steelers will get a sixth round pick out of it.
