Black and Gold Links: Why the Steelers aren’t huge fans of rookies starting right away

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Time to check on the latest news surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2019 is fast approaching, and the news surrounding the black-and-gold is far from over. For the drama-filled Steelers, things are just heating up, and this is where the daily links article comes in. You might have missed some key news, and we fill you in and give you the latest, and sometimes greatest, news surrounding the Steelers.

Today in the Black-and-gold links article we take a look at how the Pittsburgh Steelers actually prefer for their rookies to ease into playing time rather than start from Day 1.

Let’s get to the news:

• When the Steelers make a draft pick, especially in the first round, fans want this player to start right away. But the Steelers actually prefer the player to take their time before hitting the field.

No reason to rush

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

There are times, though, when those young players are thrown into the fire and it’s worked out pretty well too.

“The people we draft, the longer we can keep them off the field the better for them historically,” said Colbert. “There have been some players Maurkice Pouncey, first year starter, great player. Ben (Roethlisberger) was forced to play because Tommy Maddox got hurt and obviously the results were great. But you really want to go in with these players and delay them getting on the field as long as you can because over time I think Coach would get comfortable with what they can do. But to have them step out and play, more often than not I think it is more detrimental to the player and if he loses his confidence early it’s usually not returnable.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• Breaking down the mechanics of the draft day trade. Not as simple as many believe.

Colbert explains mechanics of a draft day trade

By: Bob Labriola, Steelers.com

“We’re always going to be open to either (trading up or trading down),” said General Manager Kevin Colbert, who took part in a joint news conference today with Coach Mike Tomlin a few days before the start of the 2019 NFL Draft. “Our scouts, the pro guys, will start making their calls starting today to visit with teams. We talk about it informally throughout the spring, but you never really get firm answers because we don’t know what we would be trading up for and teams don’t know what they’d be trading away from. Until you really get closer – you might have some idea that this team is interested in coming up and this team is interested in going down – until you actually get on the clock, those things will not happen in any great detail.”

There’s always interest among fans in having the Steelers trade up in the first round, and this year seems to be particularly so because of the need for the team to find a replacement for Ryan Shazier as an every-down linebacker and with the top two prospects (Devin White and Devin Bush) expected to be picked before the Steelers’ turn comes in the first round.

To read the full article, click HERE

• The Steelers need a defensive back, or more, but there is one player a columnist doesn’t want to see in the black-and-gold.

Tim Benz: Steelers picking CB Rock Ya-Sin in 1st round would be mistake

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

…Well, who he likes if the Steelers can’t move up in the draft to select a coveted inside linebacker such as Devin Bush or Devin White.

Here’s a portion of what King posted Monday in his mock draft.

“Word on the scouting street is that Mike Tomlin loves Ya-Sin, and with White and Bush off the board at a position of great Steeler need (linebacker), Pittsburgh opts for a physical 5-11 3/4 corner who made tremendous plays in his one season of (fairly) big-time football.”

To read the full article, click HERE

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