Sunday Transactions (Waiver Wire Claims and FA Signings)

[bahn]

from Adam Schefter
Former Steelers OL Tony Hills signed a 2-year deal with the Denver Broncos.

[THEdraftnik]

Thank you John Fox. Thank you. All I was asking for.

[Joshecalpoly]

Thank you John Fox. Thank you. All I was asking for.

Would you have cheered if EFX signed any O-line depth or is this guy whose played 4 games in 3 years someone you like?

Hes a development OT who some believed given time might have developed into a good RT, he is still young so who knows.

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

I'm not too thrilled with this signing actually. I like Hills coming out, but more as a ZBS Left Tackle. I'm not really sure what Pittsburgh has done to him in their power blocking scheme, he's a bit heavier than ideal I think.

My biggest issue is that Herb Taylor was actually our 2nd best OT this preseason (Ryan Clady first). I know teams rarely keep two pure RTs, so in the sense of versatility and roster management, this makes quite a bit of logical sense with Hills supposably able to play OG. Still, I think this is a lateral move if anything, and definitely a downgrade at RT.

[Joshecalpoly]

I'm not too thrilled with this signing actually. I like Hills coming out, but more as a ZBS Left Tackle. I'm not really sure what Pittsburgh has done to him in their power blocking scheme, he's a bit heavier than ideal I think.

My biggest issue is that Herb Taylor was actually our 2nd best OT this preseason (Ryan Clady first). I know teams rarely keep two pure RTs, so in the sense of versatility and roster management, this makes quite a bit of logical sense with Hills supposably able to play OG. Still, I think this is a lateral move if anything, and definitely a downgrade at RT.

I think they assume that his blocking is more versatile now and thus will be an asset in a team that looks to adopt a more hybrid blocking scheme (granted its a power blocking scheme with merely a few ****s to zone). A Carolina fan told me it was not unheard of for Fox to change line personnel based on the scheme needed, now this is something ive ever seen or heard of on the O-line but its possible with Franklins issues at pass protection they may want him to come in on passing downs, or in zone blocking for Beadles.

Fox doesnt like smaller OT's so his weight is in the right place in fact many would argue thats why Herb was placed on the practice squad so Herb can get some muscle mass and be at a weight more appropriate to the scheme. I will say this if I could choose between the 2 Herb wins. However, I liked him since the 09 campaign

[THEdraftnik]

Would you have cheered if EFX signed any O-line depth or is this guy whose played 4 games in 3 years someone you like?

Hes a development OT who some believed given time might have developed into a good RT, he is still young so who knows.

I liked Hills coming out a lot, and I feel comfortable with him backing up 4 spots on the line. So IMO we got a quality backup for a position that needed a quality backup the most.

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

I think they assume that his blocking is more versatile now and thus will be an asset in a team that looks to adopt a more hybrid blocking scheme (granted its a power blocking scheme with merely a few ****s to zone). A Carolina fan told me it was not unheard of for Fox to change line personnel based on the scheme needed, now this is something ive ever seen or heard of on the O-line but its possible with Franklins issues at pass protection they may want him to come in on passing downs, or in zone blocking for Beadles.

Fox doesnt like smaller OT's so his weight is in the right place in fact many would argue thats why Herb was placed on the practice squad so Herb can get some muscle mass and be at a weight more appropriate to the scheme. I will say this if I could choose between the 2 Herb wins. However, I liked him since the 09 campaign

From what I can determine, we play the ZBS 100% of the time when we are passing. It's kind of hard to always tell what we are doing when we run, but it seems like a power man blocking scheme determined pre snap.

It might be a simple as ZBS passing, Power running.

[crash123go]

I'm not too thrilled with this signing actually. I like Hills coming out, but more as a ZBS Left Tackle. I'm not really sure what Pittsburgh has done to him in their power blocking scheme, he's a bit heavier than ideal I think.

My biggest issue is that Herb Taylor was actually our 2nd best OT this preseason (Ryan Clady first). I know teams rarely keep two pure RTs, so in the sense of versatility and roster management, this makes quite a bit of logical sense with Hills supposably able to play OG. Still, I think this is a lateral move if anything, and definitely a downgrade at RT.

Herb Taylor was our second best lineman???? What!!! Chris kuper was actually playing at a very high level the past couple weeks being great in pass protection and getting a surprising large push at the line of scrimmage. He looks like he has finally put on some muscle and is physically handling people

[colinski]

body-mass index

... he's a bit heavier than ideal I think.

His BMI is at 13%, which is good. Sounds like he has put an enormous amount of effort into his fitness program (with the help of trainer), and has learned how to take care of his body.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_752633.html

He appears to have more upside and is obviously bigger than Taylor. Fox's comments about his run blocking ability may be diagnostic of why this move was made.

[BlueBruiser]

I'm hoping this pays off, we need depth on OL which is the issue. I don't know if replacing players is the answer.

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

Herb Taylor was our second best lineman???? What!!! Chris kuper was actually playing at a very high level the past couple weeks being great in pass protection and getting a surprising large push at the line of scrimmage. He looks like he has finally put on some muscle and is physically handling people

Read the post. Not OL, OT.

[Mat'hir Uth Gan]

His BMI is at 13%, which is good. Sounds like he has put an enormous amount of effort into his fitness program (with the help of trainer), and has learned how to take care of his body.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_752633.html

He appears to have more upside and is obviously bigger than Taylor. Fox's comments about his run blocking ability may be diagnostic of why this move was made.

I'll definitely wait to form an opinion on him until I can break him down on the game tape. What I do know is that Orlando Franklin has been playing very badly, possibly needing to be replaced badly. I won't argue any move that might lead to that happening before he gets someone killed. I think Franklin needs to either move to OG, or just sit as a rookie and learn the position.