Actually -- Troy Polamalu was selected in the first round in the 2003 NFL Draft, Ben Roethlisberger in the 2004.
Steelers necessarily don't have a "GM" they have a 'Director of Football Operations' instead who handles that sort of stuff with Cowher and Rooney.
And his name is Kevin Colbert.
Thank you. I guess it was 2 years in a row...still its quite a run...so many 1st round busts and they pulled these 2 names out. Troy was thought to be too small but he is worth his weight in gold it seems. USC grad too doesn't hurt...good bloodlines from Carroll's defense.
Big Ben I know was passed up for Eli and Phillip Rivers who haven't played a snap...not sure Ben would have been as good in New York or even played in San Diego but it sure must be sweet to stick it to all those teams that passed you by.
No problem -- Phillip actually got some garbage time whenever Drew Brees got injured in the last game of the year vs. Denver. Ben is a perfect fit for a Steelers style offense with, which was, a run first mentality, the coaching staff has been more and more leniant with giving Ben the reins to the offense and it has paid off in dividends. They are not the same team that was in the playoffs last year.Recently, if you look at some notable draft picks in past years, the scouting coaches have done a hell of a job.
2005 - RD1 Heath Miller, RD2 Bryant McFadden
2004 - RD1 Ben Roethlisberger, RD2 Ricardo Colclough, RD3 Max Starks
2003 - RD1 Troy Polamalu, RD4 Ike Taylor
2002 - RD1 Kendall Simmons, RD2 Antwaan Randle El,RD3 Chris Hope, RD4 Larry Foote, RD7 Brett Keisel
2001 - RD1 Casey Hampton, RD2 Kendrell Bell, RD5 Chukky Okobi
2000 - RD1 Plaxico Burress, RD2 Marvel Smith, RD5 Clark Haggans
1999 - RD2 Joey Porter, RD4 Aaron Smith
There was some shaky years in between that span, but overall, excellent pick selections.
(Information found at
http://www.steelergridiron.com/ )
