Colbert’s draft track record nearly unparalleled

Past performance might not predict future results, but Kevin Colbert’s history as Steelers general manager strongly suggests that first-round draft pick David DeCastro has every chance of becoming a star for one of the NFL’s most storied franchises.

A Tribune-Review data analysis of Colbert’s 2000-10 picks shows Pittsburgh’s picker is a drafting genius when compared against eight other peers considered the top front office talent in the NFL. Weighing both the longevity of the drafted players’ careers — talent and durability — and their dominance as told through Pro Bowl selections, the Trib found Colbert’s record is only surpassed by Scott Pioli, former New England Patriots* general manager now with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Former Indianapolis Colts GM Bill Polian, who was fired in January and is now an ESPN analyst, finished third in the Trib analysis. The trio combined to win six Super Bowls since 2000 and played in four more.

When the Trib asked to talk to Colbert about his legacy after Thursday night’s first-round draft, he shrugged it off.

Colbert might not want to yap about it, but draft experts have long championed him as an underrated star at picking quality players.

“When we are talking about the best drafting teams in the league, Pittsburgh is on the short list,” said NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock, a 10th-round pick of the Steelers in 1981 — nearly two decades before Colbert became the team’s GM.


read more

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/...analysis-kevin

But...... we already know this. *Pioli worked for a cheater. Let's put an astericks next to him. OK? OK.











* Worked for a CHEATER!!!!!!

Let's look at Colbert's first-round selections ...

Plaxico Burress
Casey Hampton
Kendall Simmons
Troy Polamalu
Ben Roethlisberger
Heath Miller
Santonio Holmes
Lawrence Timmons
Rashard Mendenhall
Ziggy Hood
Maurkice Pouncey
Cameron Heyward
David DeCastro

There's not a single bust on that list. Colbert's track record in the later rounds isn't too good, but if you're picking pro-bowl caliber players every year in the first round, then I guess it doesn't matter. Hell, we should draft only two players every year ... trade all the other picks to move up a little bit.

after watching hours and hours and hours of pre and post draft analsysis on ESPN and ESPN2, i get sick and tired of hearing how "intelligent" and what "geniuses" the front offices are in NE and some other franchises (including Ozzie Newsome and crew in Baltimore) and the networks won't even mention Colbert's name and if it does get mentioned, its a 2 second blurb and on to something else. Its very frustrating as a fan..
Colbert's and our office have done an amazing job.

TRH wrote:

after watching hours and hours and hours of pre and post draft analsysis on ESPN and ESPN2, i get sick and tired of hearing how "intelligent" and what "geniuses" the front offices are in NE and some other franchises (including Ozzie Newsome and crew in Baltimore) and the networks won't even mention Colbert's name and if it does get mentioned, its a 2 second blurb and on to something else. Its very frustrating as a fan..
Colbert's and our office have done an amazing job.

I hear what your saying, but thankfully the Steelers have humbled employees who get satisfaction from watching what happens on the field rather than getting their heads filled with shite talked from some wanna be or has been talk them up!