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A league source tells us that Miami defensive back Kenny Phillips conducted a private workout in South Florida on Thursday for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Phillips is widely regarded as the top safety available in this year’s draft, and he is expected to go at the bottom of round one, or at the top of round two.
The Steelers already have a first-rounder in the secondary in Troy Polamalu. The addition of Phillips with the No. 23 overall pick, if it happens, might be a sign that coach Mike Tomlin is laying the foundation for a change from the 3-4 to the Tampa 2 defense, since solid safety play is critically important to the success of the attack that helped get Tomlin the job he now has.
April 11th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
or it could be that Anthony Smith is a liability.
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April 11th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
ryan clark is recovering from a bad sleep injury, anthony smith was replaced for poor play, and tyrone carter is nothing to write home about. adding another safety is a need ultimately. I don’t get how getting a safety when we clearly need one means were switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3. if im correct, two safeties are on the field in both defenses, and it would be nice in either defense to have 2 good safeties…
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April 11th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Tomlin may be transitioning to a 4-3 but the Cover 2 was used a whole lot last season with the 3-4 in place. Looking at a top of the line Safety doesn’t suggest a switch to the 4-3. Maybe it’s more of a move to get Anthony Smith’s attention kinda like talking to Booger McFarland to get the D-Line’s attention.
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April 11th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Huh? No way unless the steelers trade up in round 2.
Ryan Clark will be healthy this year and we’ve got Anthony Smith at backup, as well as a possibility that Deshea could move to FS. Not happenin.
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April 11th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Troy Polamalu is an excellent football player but not the type of saftey you would expect to do well in the tampa two. Taking away his ability to play close to the line and “roam” the field would be minizing his main advantages.
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April 11th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Yeah baby! See the notes under the rumor mill “Steelers looking for a Franchise Back” and my suggestion at that point would be to take Kenny Phillips, obviously I didnt have anything to do with it, but they know they need some help with someone that can hold down that fort while Troy does cartwheels and backflips and overpursues, rather than you know be the definition of “Safety”. I pick on Troy only because ALL 2007 he was out of position and Anthony Smith was left out there alone. It also taxed the CB’s. When Chris Hope was here he was used to Troy jumpin around, but Anthony Smith got thrown in there when Clark, who is a very good player, got hurt. Bottom line, we need another young stud to stay home in the middle of the field. Its not all Smiths fault. Slide Smith in behind Troy and have Phillips and Clark on the other side!
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April 11th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Maybe Tomlin just got tired of watch Moss score on Anthony Smith. I have seen anyone burnt like that since Terrell Buckley when he played for the Dolphins
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April 11th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Big Ben went to the media with his complaints about not having a big WR. I don’t think you “cave” with your #1 to make the QB happy, but it would help. Maybe put Santonio in the slot where he can utilize his quickness and get good matchups for the big play downfield. Hines is a possesion receiver but a big body is a nice safety-net/red zone option. I realize there are more pressing needs(I think most OL will be gone besides maybe Cherilus/Baker, and plenty of DBs in round 2), but if you want a big guy, there should be 2-3 top notch(for this class) WRs taller than 6-4 when they pick at 23.
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April 11th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
If anybody would be moved to the slot eventually it should be Hines. Holmes is a deep threat.
I’d have no problem with this pick if he’s the best player of need available. When you’re drafting this far down you have to see how things unfold. They had better start getting some depth in the later rounds. Depth has always been a Steeler strength but they’re not developing guys like they used to.
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April 11th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
PITTSBURGH EYEBALLS PHILLIPS
Then Phillips says,“what the f–k he was looking at” ?!?
Thanks Regan Mauia
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April 11th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Phillips would be a great pick. I can’t remember the last time we had a great free safety. No more tough guys like A. Smith or C. Hope. We need a true free safety with some deep speed.
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