Omar Talk on Pit Web Site

[Rollo83]

Notebook: Najeh, Troy, Hines, Omar

By Jim Wexell
SteelCityInsider.com
Posted Sep 13, 2006

Omar Jacobs, the rookie quarterback released from the Steelers’ practice squad on Tuesday, still has a locker full of his belongings, leading to speculation that Jacobs will soon return to the team.


Pittsburgh's personnel merry-go-round

By Ryan Wilson
SteelCityInsider.com
Posted Sep 14, 2006

Now when the team drafted Omar Jacobs …

You really didn't think I was going to let this go, did you? I don't even care about Omar Jacobs being on the team, but I wish somebody would explain the organization's rationale for drafting the guy. If he's dumb, just say it; if he'll never be a decent backup quarterback in the NFL, just let me know … I'll quit beating this drum. As it stands, I have no idea what the Steelers are doing.

Brian Jackson St. Pierre isn't an upgrade over Jacobs. Sure, he might know the playbook but he'll never be better than he is right now. And right now, he's not any better than Jacobs. Remember, this is the guy who was just released from the Ravens, a team that started Kyle Boller for three seasons. And before Brian Billick was literally forced to bench his pet project this year, St. Pierre was still last on the totem poll behind Anthony Wright, the same dude Pittsburgh cut way back in 1999.

You'll say: "The Steelers took a chance on Jacobs, he was much worse than they imagined, and they're cutting their losses." Fair enough, but if the team is looking for a low-upside, game-ready quarterback, why didn't they draft Bruce Gradkowski? And it's not that I care about Gradkowski one way or the other; how about this: why not trade a seventh-round pick to the Ravens for St. Pierre in the first place? Yeah, a seventh-rounder might sound like a lot for a dude who got cut, but the Steelers wasted a fifth-round pick on Jacobs and ended up with St. Pierre anyway.

I know some people don't see eye to eye with me on this (or, more likely, they just want me to shut up about it … point taken), but I think we can all agree that Pittsburgh had a lousy second day of the draft last April. Yes, the draft, by definition, is a risky proposition – especially rounds four through seven – but Pittsburgh has made a habit of finding diamonds in the rough. This year, it was just a bunch of coal.

[It's the Journey...]

This Wilson guy is an ass. But I would not expect anything more from the average Pittsburg fan.

[dduncan]

Where's Pittsburg?

Seriously, though. I almost agree with this forum want to be writer. They took a risk with Jacobs. They should probably never have taken in the first place. Omar was probably never going to be the starter for the Steelers (on a regular basis). Cut him loose and see if he can latch on to a team where he could possibly be an NFL starter in a few years.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

This Wilson guy is an ass. But I would not expect anything more from the average Pittsburg fan.

You're not allowed to call columnists names or critique their articles unless you know them personally, remember?

[Dayons_Den]

Where's Pittsburg?

In Kansas. Pittsburg State Gorrillas are pretty good on the small school football map. Pittsburg, Kansas took its name from the city in Pennsylvania- before the h was added on the end to the one in PA. Pittsburgh, PA was originially Pittsburg, PA.

[It's the Journey...]

This Wilson guy is an ass. But I would not expect anything more from the average Pittsburg fan.

You're not allowed to call columnists names or critique their articles unless you know them personally, remember?

Touché

[1987alum]

Setting my BG allegiance aside for a moment, the guy makes a good point. Take out Jacobs an substitute any other non-BCS junior QB who came out after an injury-riddled 6-5 non-bowl campaign.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

I've never really understood the Steelers' approach to this situation. It does look like they couldn't make up their mind in which direction they wanted to go with QBs.

Citing Pittsburgh's stellar personnel track record, I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt in cases such as this. Even still, this one has me, and many other Steeler fans scratching our heads.

I read the article as a criticism of the Steelers, not one of Omar, and I agree with it. The fact that his locker is still there might be a good sign. Perhaps the Steelers told him to sit tight, and they would get him back on the PS as soon as Ben's health situation is cleared up, allowing them to cut BSP.

IMO, the time he spent in Pittsburgh's camp and PS this season will do far more for his NFL career than another year at BG would have. He's much closer to being NFL ready right now than he would've been following games against Wisconsin and Buffalo.

[Rollo83]

I've never really understood the Steelers' approach to this situation. It does look like they couldn't make up their mind in which direction they wanted to go with QBs.

Citing Pittsburgh's stellar personnel track record, I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt in cases such as this. Even still, this one has me, and many other Steeler fans scratching our heads.

I read the article as a criticism of the Steelers, not one of Omar, and I agree with it. The fact that his locker is still there might be a good sign. Perhaps the Steelers told him to sit tight, and they would get him back on the PS as soon as Ben's health situation is cleared up, allowing them to cut BSP.

IMO, the time he spent in Pittsburgh's camp and PS this season will do far more for his NFL career than another year at BG would have. He's much closer to being NFL ready right now than he would've been following games against Wisconsin and Buffalo.

J4H you are right on the money with that last thought. If he would have waited and started this process next year, he'd only be another year older and still in the same position professionally.

But, I am not sure about bringing him back when/if they cut BSP. BSP is on the active roster right now. If they cut him they wouild also have to release a PS player to make room for Omar on it again. Plus, given Ben's shaky health issues, I am not sure they are comfortable going with 2 QBs and Omar on PS as the third again? Sad, but this apendectomy may have cost Omar big time. If Batch and Ben are healthy, they don't need to go get BSP at all.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

That's true, Rollo. I guess I'm hoping more than anything.

The part that pissed me off was that they cut Omar to sign Walter Young to the PS. We all know that Walter Young will never ever ever ever contribute anything to the Steelers organization but a warm body in camp. Omar has the potential to be a very solid backup or a nice trading chip, which is why they drafted him. Why not just leave Omar on the PS all year and see where he's at next camp? He wasn't costing them anything towards their active roster (and neither is BSP).

[bgsufn]

Karl,

I like the image in the signature

[1987alum]

Karl,

I like the image in the signature

You made it possible!
The photos are good bookends, too. The first one is from our first trip to BG (2003) and the other is from our most recent trip (last year's OU game).

Oh, just so I don't get accused of threadjacking ... J4H, you're right. It does come across as more of a criticism of the Steelers and I guess that's what I was saying. Look at it as a fan and you're not upset with Jacobs, you're upset that the Steelers have not plotted out a clear course.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

Karl,

I like the image in the signature

You made it possible!
The photos are good bookends, too. The first one is from our first trip to BG (2003) and the other is from our most recent trip (last year's OU game).

Oh, just so I don't get accused of threadjacking ... J4H, you're right. It does come across as more of a criticism of the Steelers and I guess that's what I was saying. Look at it as a fan and you're not upset with Jacobs, you're upset that the Steelers have not plotted out a clear course.

Bingo! And most Steeler fans I've talked to are as puzzled as we are about the course of action here.


Threadjacker.

[JoeFalcon]

Setting my BG allegiance aside for a moment, the guy makes a good point. Take out Jacobs an substitute any other non-BCS junior QB who came out after an injury-riddled 6-5 non-bowl campaign.

...but who also threw over 70 TDs in his career and looked the most poised in the biggest settings (Oklahoma, Wisconsin, GMAC Bowl...)

He's a developmental prospect with a huge upside, something Pittsburg apparently isn't willing to wait for. He's not like Gradkowski, who'll look terrific against 4th stringers in the pre-season but will never be considered a legitimate contender for an NFL starting job because of size and arm stength limitations. Omar and his advisors vastly overestimated the patience of league franchises that possess short-sighted, win-right-now mentalities.

To paraphrase our basketball coach, F*** Them!