***OFFICIAL*** Steelers 2009 Thread (1 Viewer)

[Barry Jive and The Uptown Five]

Speaking of recent mocks, a site I like alot has this for the Steelers (3/4 update)

IB should be happy. I would be.

COMPUTER MOCK

32 OT Eben Britton Arizona

64 DT Jarron Gilbert San Jose St

96 DE Lawrence Sidbury Richmond - The most questionable pick here... don't know that he showed the skillset to be able to play OLB

128 OG Trevor Canfield Cincinnati

160 OT Augustus Parrish Kent St

192 OC AQ Shipley Penn St

209 OC Cecil Newton Tennessee St

224 CB *Joe Burnett Central Florida

Barry Jive's Twist to the Computer - based on what was available given according to the computer

32 OT Eben Britton Arizona

64 DT Jarron Gilbert San Jose St (Jamon Meredith went 63.. doh!)

96 OC Blake Schlueter TCU

**Faneca Supplemental 3rd** WR Austin Collie BYU

128 OG Trevor Canfield Cincinnati

160 DT Myron Pryor Memphis

192 DE Zack Potter Nebraska

209 OT Lydon Murtha Nebraska

224 CB Joe Burnett Central Florida or CB Brett McCain Utah

 

[treat88]

Just heard the Steelers signed OLB Andre Frazier for two more years. At lunch I was reading Kiper & McShay's mock draft. Both have the Steelers going CB, one took Darius Butler, the other Alphonso Smith.

I'm more convinced by the day that CB is where they'll go in round 1 unless one of the top 5-6 tackles falls precipitously. I'd prefer OL, but I would rather see them draft a legit 1st round talent like Smith than reach for Loadholt, Unger, or Duke Robinson.

100% agree.Everything the FO did to date indicates to me that they believe they have their starting Oline for the upcoming season with Hills as the swing tackle. I thoroughly believe they will address the interior OL in the later rounds and consider the picks as depth only.

 

[Irish]

Just heard the Steelers signed OLB Andre Frazier for two more years. At lunch I was reading Kiper & McShay's mock draft. Both have the Steelers going CB, one took Darius Butler, the other Alphonso Smith.

I'm more convinced by the day that CB is where they'll go in round 1 unless one of the top 5-6 tackles falls precipitously. I'd prefer OL, but I would rather see them draft a legit 1st round talent like Smith than reach for Loadholt, Unger, or Duke Robinson.

100% agree.Everything the FO did to date indicates to me that they believe they have their starting Oline for the upcoming season with Hills as the swing tackle. I thoroughly believe they will address the interior OL in the later rounds and consider the picks as depth only.

I hope you're wrong. Our OL has to be the worst starting OL on a championship team in the history of the league. We need major additions to the OL IMHO and every thing I read says that this draft is deep at CB so hopefully we wait until atleast the 2nd rd to go CB. I would have preferred to just sign BMac and concentrate our draft on both sides of the line with a wr throw in the mix.

 

[The Hank]

Well FA's BMac, Chris Carr, and Galloway (all Steeler FA targets) have been signed by teams (Arizona, Baltimore, and New England respectively), guess the Steelers are going to exclusively use the draft to add to the roster.

 

[3C's]

Well FA's BMac, Chris Carr, and Galloway (all Steeler FA targets) have been signed by teams (Arizona, Baltimore, and New England respectively), guess the Steelers are going to exclusively use the draft to add to the roster.

Works for me. Seems to (almost) always work for them too.

 

[H8fulHuck]

KDKA, reported that Obama is meeting with Rooney on Monday. It is speculated the President will appoint Mr. Rooney as the US Ambassador for Ireland. They pointed to his 6 Lombardi Trophies as a reason he will make a great Ambassador.

With all of the National Felon League talk, it's refreshing to see a story like this.

News story link

 

[The Hank]

Steelers re-sign OL Essex, CB BryantTuesday, March 17, 2009By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteThe Steelers signed two veterans today, offensive lineman Trai Essex to a two-year contract and cornerback Fernando Bryant for one year.Essex, who will enter his fifth season with the Steelers, will receive a signing bonus of $500,000 on a total contract worth nearly $2 million.His signing means the Steelers have been able to keep four of their free agent offensive linemen. They previously signed Chris Kemoeatu to a three-year deal and have tackles Willie Colon and Max Starks under one-year contracts. They also released guard Kendall Simmons and did not try to re-sign tackle Marvel Smith.Bryant, who turns 32 next week, signed a one-year deal with the Steelers Nov. 11 as a free agent. He played in just two games for them and did not suit up since Nov. 20 for a game. However, he gives them veteran depth at the position after they lost free agent Bryant McFadden, who signed with Arizona last week.Essex and Bryant had become unrestricted free agents Feb. 27.First published on March 17, 2009 at 1:15 pm

 

[AnonymousBob]

The Niners might sign Marvel...could some Steeler homers give me an idea of what to expect from the guy?

 

[Ben Stiller]

The Niners might sign Marvel...could some Steeler homers give me an idea of what to expect from the guy?

All comes down to health. When his back was right Marvel was one of the top 10 or so left tackles in football. But his back has been troublesome for 2 years. I'd be suprised if he got more than a one-year incentive loaded deal from anyone.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Steelers may add three additional partners

Thursday, March 19, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers, who already have three new partners approved by the NFL, could have three more by Monday.

Art Rooney II, the team's president, said this morning that at least one and as many as three new investors in the Steelers could be approved at the league meetings in California next week.

"We do have at least one investor who will be on the agenda to be approved who already has been approved by the finance committee,'' Rooney said. "We have two others who are going to go before the finance committee and if they're approved by the finance committee, we will have three new investors approved at this meeting.''

That would bring to six the total of new partners who will be part of the restructuring of Steelers ownership that has been put together by Art and his father Dan.

Rooney declined to name any of the new investors but said one is "a very recognizable name.'' There could be more, and also a likely extension to the March 31 target date for closing on the "new" Steelers.

"We have two or three others who are sort of still in the pipeline here,'' Art Rooney said. "So we'll make an evaluation after we see what happens at this meeting whether we're going to close by March 31 or whether we'll extend it."

The three partners already approved by the NFL and identified by the Rooneys are Hollywood producer Thomas Tull, Tennessee businessman James Haslam III and the Paul family of Pittsburgh.

First published on March 19, 2009 at 11:48 am

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Signing free agent still possible

Friday, March 20, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers have re-signed eight of their free agents in one form or another since the period began Feb. 27, yet no others.

That could end ... one of these days.

"We don't look at that as the barometer of whether we're having a good offseason or not," Steelers president Art Rooney II said of the lack of signing of other free agents. Yet, "I would imagine we will" eventually sign at least one.

Rooney said negotiations to extend the contract of linebacker James Harrison are ongoing.

"Those things they do tend to drag when you're trying to extend somebody, so I'm still optimistic," Rooney said.

He cited the four offensive linemen they have re-signed as a key to what the Steelers have accomplished so far in free agency.

"I think the fact that we've kept the offensive line intact is a big position," he said. "We've seen what it's like to have a lot of change on the offensive line, and it's not something you want. I think the fact that we'll have it intact for this year is a positive, so we're pleased about that."

The Steelers, he said, are "OK" under the salary cap.

"But we're going to have to be careful from here on it. Obviously we've got some things with our own players that we'd like to do. We'd like to get James extended; we'd like to get Max [starks] done. There's still pieces we've still got to get put in place."

First published on March 20, 2009 at 12:00 am

 

[JoeSteeler]

Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun reports that as part of their scheduling requests to the league, the Ravens asked not to play a prime-time game at Heinz Field this season, a team official told The Baltimore Sun.The Ravens have played a nationally televised game at Pittsburgh for three of the past four seasons, including the past two years. The Ravens have never won a prime-time game at Pittsburgh, losing all four times.It has become tradition that the defending Super Bowl champion opens the NFL season with a nationally televised game at home. There were rumors that the league would begin with Ravens-Steelers, a rematch of the AFC championship game.

 

[crowe1130]

Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun reports that as part of their scheduling requests to the league, the Ravens asked not to play a prime-time game at Heinz Field this season, a team official told The Baltimore Sun.

The Ravens have played a nationally televised game at Pittsburgh for three of the past four seasons, including the past two years. The Ravens have never won a prime-time game at Pittsburgh, losing all four times.

It has become tradition that the defending Super Bowl champion opens the NFL season with a nationally televised game at home. There were rumors that the league would begin with Ravens-Steelers, a rematch of the AFC championship game.

Awesome.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Chris Cooley addresses the trade rumors:

http://chriscooley47.blogspot.com/2009/03/trade.html

It is rumored that there is a possible trade in the works for angry Jay Cutler. There were a couple different internet possibilities. The first would be with the Broncos, including Cutler and Scheffler for Campbell and myself. Another was a three way trade between the Browns and in that scenario Campbell and I would go to Cleveland, Cutler/Scheffler would come here and the Broncos would get Brady Quinn, someone else and draft pick.

Trade talk is a weird wake up at 6:30. Obviously something was said between teams to cause this internet trading #### storm. I would be pissed if I got my ### shipped to Cleveland.

 

[3C's]

Gotta love Cooley.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Steelers to open 2009 season with Tennessee

Monday, March 23, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers will open the 2009 NFL season with a game against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, September 10th.

The game, which the NFL will officially announce later today, is the traditional first-game of the kickoff weekend. The Super Bowl winner traditionally hosts the season's first game on Thursday night. It will air on TV on NBC.

The Titans were the no. 1 seed in the playoffs last year and the Steelers were no. 2. Baltimore upset the Titans in Tennessee and moved onto the AFC championship game at Heinz Field the following week. Ravens officials reportedley asked the NFL not to schedule them for the Thursday night opener against Pittsburgh.

First published on March 23, 2009 at 1:56 pm

 

[The Hank]

Steelers only get a 5th?

Steelers awarded fifth-round compensatory pickMonday, March 23, 2009By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteDANA POINT, Calif. -- The Steelers received and extra draft pick today, but not the one they had hoped to get.The NFL issued a fifth-round pick to the Steelers as one of 32 compensatory choices the league awarded to 16 teams today.Privately, the Steelers were expected a third-round pick. The extra pick for the Steelers will be the 33rd in the fifth round or no. 169 overall.The NFL uses a complicated system to determine compensatory picks. The Steelers were awarded their extra choice based on losing two unrestricted free agents last year, Alan Faneca and Clark Haggans, versus signing one, Mewelde Moore.The Steelers now have nine picks in next month's draft, one in each of the seven rounds, and additional picks in the fifth and seventh rounds.First published on March 23, 2009 at 7:46 pm

 

[Class Dismissed]

It's a complicated system, I will attempt to break it down.

-Faneca-Haggans+Moore+5th Rd Comp= SCREWED

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Pretty much.

No idea how Gibril Wilson's $6.5 million/per nets a 3rd round compensation for the Giants, but Faneca's $7.8 million/per nets a 5th.

Haggans and Moore should basically cancel each other out. Per-year salary is almost the same(within a few hundred thousand of each other.)

It almost seems like they're looking at Hartwig, who was cut, as being part of the formula.

 

[Barry Jive and The Uptown Five]

Simply shocked and dismayed at the 5th RD comp.

Only explanation is the addition of Mewelde as the counter to Faneca.

All things being equal, I'd rather have our sixth Lombardi Trophy.

'Cos it's pretty easy to argue it wouldn't be in the trophy case without Moore in 2008.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

WTMF

 

[CrossEyed]

Steelers great Stallworth is among team's three new partnersMonday, March 23, 2009By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteDANA POINT, Calif. -- Hall of Fame wide receiver John Stallworth is among the three new partners in the Steelers who were approved today by NFL owners.Stallworth, the president and CEO of Genesis II; Bruce V. Rauner, Chairman of GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC;, and the Varischetti family of Brockway, Pa., bring to six new partners the NFL has approved under the realignment of Steelers ownership under Dan and Art Rooney.Rauner, Stallworth and the Varischetti family join James Haslam III, the Paul family and Thomas Tull as new partners to help maintain the Rooney family ownership of the Steelers.The agreement among the Rooney family for closing the transaction was originally set to take place before March 31, 2009, but with the possible addition of new investors the closing will be postponed until May.Two or three more partners could be added by then, team president Art Rooney II has said.The following information on the three new Steelers partners was provided by the team today:John Stallworth• 56 years old; based in Huntsville, Alabama• Played 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was a member of four Super Bowl championship teams. He earned four trips to the Pro Bowl and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.• Current partner at Genesis II, a family business office created in 2006 to enhance the partner's philanthropic support efforts, investments and related business interests.• Serves as Chairman, Board of Directors for the John Stallworth Foundation, a non-profit organization he founded in 1984 to provide scholarships to students attending his alma mater, Alabama A&M University.• Served as President and CEO of Madison Research Corporation (MRC) before selling the company and retiring in 2006. MRC is a technology and government contracting corporation in Huntsville, Ala., with operations in South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Florida, Tennessee and Washington D.C.• Earned his B.S. in Business Administration (Management) and his M.B.A. in Business Administration (Finance) from Alabama A&M University.• Serves on the Board of Directors for many organizations, including Crestwood Medical Center, First Commercial Bank, Big Spring Partners, Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Huntsville Botanical Garden Foundation.• Married (Flo) with two children (John, Jr. and Natasha) and four grandchildren (John III, Jacob, Julia and Taylor).Varischetti Family• Operations headquartered in Brockway, Pa.• Family has substantial involvement in many businesses, including Guardian Elder Care Holdings, Inc.; Varischetti & Sons, Inc.; Phoenix Sintered Metals, Inc.; and Apple Tractor, Inc.• All companies combined have over 2,000 employees.• Family very active in community projects through the Frank Varischetti Foundation, which primarily serves the Brockway and DuBois areas.• Guardian Elder Care Holdings, Inc. has 23 nursing facilities, including 20 in Pennsylvania, two in Ohio and one in West Virginia. The company was originated in 1995. Guardian also owns a long-term care pharmacy, a rehabilitation services company and a home health care company.• Varischetti & Sons, Inc. owns and manages commercial real estate in Pennsylvania and New York and provides consultation services to the waste industry. The company's interest also includes VSI Racing, which competes on the Nationwide Series.• Phoenix Sintered Metals, Inc. is a manufacturer of powder metal parts serving many different industries, including Outdoor Power Equipment, Sporting Goods, Hydraulic/Fluid Power, Automotive, Recreational Vehicles, Food Service and Medical. The company is a consolidation of assets from four local manufacturing plants in one central location in Brockway.• Apple Tractor, Inc. is a major supplier of quality machinery for the construction and mining industries, selling, renting and buying new and used equipment such as tractors, excavators, wheel loaders, crawler loaders, backhoes, articulated trucks and hydraulic hammers.• The Varischetti business history dates back to the 1960's when the late Frank Varischetti built Varischetti Sanitation into one of the largest independently owned sanitation companies in Pennsylvania.Bruce V. Rauner• 53 years old; based in Chicago, Illinois• Chairman of GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC, a venture capital and private equity firm.• GTCR forms and finances companies in partnership with outstanding executives whose goal is to build market-leading businesses over time through strategic acquisitions as well as through disciplined internal growth.• Member of the board of directors for a number of public and privately held companies nationally and serves on the boards of civic and philanthropic organizations around Chicago, including the Renaissance Schools Fund.• Provided major funding for the construction of the Rauner Special Collections Library at Dartmouth College and has endowed and funded programs at Dartmouth College, Morehouse College, University of Chicago, Harvard Business School and University of Illinois.• Works with the Nature Conservancy and Montana Land Reliance to preserve ranch land and wildlife habitat in Montana and received the Murie-Broome Award from The Wilderness Society for outstanding work in wilderness preservation.• Chicago native who received a B.A. degree in economics, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.

I think it's great to have Stallworth involved in the Steelers ownership. Great Steeler, classy guy.

 

[Godsbrother]

Pretty much.No idea how Gibril Wilson's $6.5 million/per nets a 3rd round compensation for the Giants, but Faneca's $7.8 million/per nets a 5th.Haggans and Moore should basically cancel each other out. Per-year salary is almost the same(within a few hundred thousand of each other.)It almost seems like they're looking at Hartwig, who was cut, as being part of the formula.

At the time of his signing, Faneca's contract with the Jets made him the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL. The dude went on to start in all 16 games and made the Pro Bowl.Mewelde Moore is a 3rd down back that signed a 3 year deal for less than $5 million total. Haggans signed a similar 3 year deal with the Cards. They absolutely shoudl cancel each other out.Maybe they factor winning the Super Bowl into it somehow because it sure doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Tomlin: Greatness is all about drive

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

DANA POINT, Calif. -- Different coach, different year, different players, even -- soon -- different ownership. Mike Tomlin knows all about how the Steelers fell flat on their face the previous time they entered the season as Super Bowl champions. He hopes for one more difference this time: The outcome.

That 2006 season turned into one big Super Bowl hangover for the Steelers that began with one big headache for their quarterback and ended with an 8-8 record, no playoffs and the end of the road for coach Bill Cowher, who resigned after that season.

None of that means much to Tomlin as he prepares his team to defend its sixth NFL championship.

"It's not something that I'm going to attempt to avoid," Tomlin said yesterday at the NFL meetings. "I think if I attempt to avoid it, I may acknowledge the possibility of it happening exists. I'm not willing to do that.

"We simply are just going to prepare and attack the challenges that lie ahead for us. We know that things that happened in the past are things that happened in the past, and it may affect how we're judged from a perception standpoint. But it's not going to dictate how we work or how we approach our business."

Tomlin spoke at length publicly yesterday for the first time in seven weeks, or since he appeared the day after his team won Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla., at the winner's news conference Feb. 2. He has taken a low-key public approach since he and his players paraded through downtown Pittsburgh Feb. 3.

"I'm a private person by nature," Tomlin explained. "This is what I do, it's not who I am. I understand that it's necessary that people get to know me. I have somewhat of a public job. I'd like to think that the longer I'm on my job, the more I'll simply be evaluated by the quality of my work, and the necessity to hear myself talk this time of the year when it doesn't matter will be less and less."

He does not want his 2009 team to be hungry as much as driven, he said.

"Hungry is a word that I've been analyzing here of late. It's not hunger that drives me, it's not hunger that needs to drive our football team. Hunger and thirst are things that can be quenched. We have to be a driven group, we have to seek greatness. I think driven is a more appropriate word, it's a word I tend to use with them as we prepare for '09."

That preparation will change a bit in light of the Steelers having played games into February. Tomlin and Garrett Giemont, his conditioning coordinator, developed a plan to take the long season into account this year.

"In order to be a candidate for a championship-caliber team you have to work hard, but within that we have to find a delicate balance of working smart," Tomlin said. "And we have to acknowledge what has happened to us here in the past few months in terms of what we have done to our bodies as a football team."

So, young players who did not play much or at all last season are working at team headquarters now. Tomlin will stagger other players' starting dates based on the number of snaps they took last season.

Tomlin likes his team, even if he has lost a few players to free agency such as Nate Washington and Bryant McFadden. The Steelers re-signed nine of their own free agents but no one else's over the past 3Â 1/2 weeks of the signing period.

"I think, really, it's kind of in line the way we approach our business. I think it's consistent to what's happened here in the past and probably what's going to happen here in the future.

"We value the growth and development of our guys, we're going to try to retain as many of those guys as we can. We understand what comes with being successful, that sometimes people are going to value your players and sometimes in the process you're going to lose some of them. That comes with the territory. I think we're all comfortable where we are right now in free agency."

Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com.

First published on March 24, 2009 at 12:00 am

 

[Memphis Foundry]

"It's not something that I'm going to attempt to avoid," Tomlin said yesterday at the NFL meetings. "I think if I attempt to avoid it, I may acknowledge the possibility of it happening exists. I'm not willing to do that."

Mike Tomlin is the MAN.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

Fascinating stuff from Jim Wexell courtesy of Behind The Steel Curtain and Steel City Insider:

Link

BTSC Checks In With Jim Wexell

by Blitzburgh on Mar 24, 2009 9:41 AM EDT

If you've been around the site long enough, you know how much I like Jim Wexell's reporting and writing. I honestly don't get to as much as his stuff as I'd like to. As the publisher of SteelCityInsider.com, there's always good stuff from either him or his well-respected and regarded roster. He's also, as you know since I've mentioned it at least 6 times, the author of Steeler Nation: A Pittsburgh Team, An American Phenomenon. I know we all love **** LeBeau, so it's worth mentioning that the paperback re-release will have new material in it, including a lengthy candid talk with Coach Dad. If you've waited this long to read it, don't wait any longer once the paperback comes out. Anyway, Mr. Wexell was kind enough to take a few minutes to answer some questions I had as we enter the doldrums of the offseason leading up to the draft.

BTSC: So the latest news of course is the signing of CB Bryant McFadden out in Arizona. Could the Steelers really not afford to match a 2-year deal with just a paltry $5 million in guarantees? I have a hard time figuring out the logic of drafting a guy like McFadden in the 2nd round, letting him get some seasoning on two Super Bowl runs, then letting him walk at age 27. Seems like chasing one's tail, but as we usually say around the site, 'hard to second guess the organization's track record in this regard.'

Wexell: Let me just give you two quick reasons: 1.) Cap number. That may only have been a $10M contract, but at 2 years that's an immediate cap hit of $5M per. The Cardinals knew what they were doing. It acted as a poison pill for the Steelers, who are having cash flow problems and who want to get a deal done with James Harrison Superstar. And, 2.) We in the media have been expecting Bryant McFadden to ascend to the starting role ever since he was drafted, and just haven't been able to understand what's holding him back. Any time we go fishing (is it phishing?) with an assistant coach, and mention McFadden, we never hear what we expect: "Oh, he's on the verge. He just needs to ..." or "The guy in front of him does x better."

Someone mentioned to Mike Tomlin in a quiet moment that he liked the way McFadden plays the ball when it's in the air. Tomlin replied, "You'd rather have a cornerback who doesn't have to play the ball at all," meaning QBs throw on him. Sure, you'd rather have that, but that was a funny answer, and really one of the only telling ones to a media that's been phishing and never really getting any inside info. Hope that kind of helps answer your question.

BTSC: On a related note, any thoughts about whether or not the organization will be looking at a CB in either Round 1 or 2 in this year's draft? Or might they look for another William Gay type of talent in the 4th or 5th round to play some special teams, perhaps return kicks and eventually get phased in as Deshea Townsend winds down his career in the coming years?

Wexell: Kevin Colbert likes the depth at the position and has scheduled a visit with Joe Burnett and had a formal interview with Sherrod Martin. It looks like they're aiming for the middle rounds, but then again, if a guy like Darius Butler (UConn) falls to them in the first, I'd be stunned if they pass.

BTSC: I wrote quite a bit about Tony Hills just a few weeks ago, and how his development, or lack there of, might be one of the more important yet ignored topics of this offseason. I'll spare the gist of my argument, though it wasn't much of an argument for Hills so much as an attempt to argue that maybe the organization has some sort of plan/perspective on Hills and his development that we as fans are not at all privy to. We did all agree on this though - there's no way to know until we see him in pads going up against Deebo and Woodley this summer. Anything else you maybe have on him?

Wexell: I just see him down there working out. At the end of the season you could tell he had much more muscle definition in his body. Right now, no one wants to say anything about him, and they shouldn't. He's just another cog in the competition machine. You won't see much preseason probing of Jason Capizzi for that matter either. It's time to just let these guys compete.

BTSC: Do you think the Steelers flirtation with Joey Galloway was more a luxury they'd enjoy at the right price, or do they feel Limas Sweed isn't ready yet to be the team's No. 3 WR?Is getting a veteran WR still a priority?

Wexell: How can they feel Limas Sweed is ready? I mean, the Steelers are a bottom-line organization and they saw what we all saw. Yeah, we're all happy he gets off the line and can run and is big and strong, but the one drop, the one with the eyes wide open, left me feeling that he's scared and might never make it. Again, as with Hills, the guy has to prove it first. The Steelers will say all the right things if they don't come out of this draft with a WR, but it's a prove-it-to-me organization. Look how long it took Nate Washington to secure faith, and he showed a lot more as a rookie than Sweed did. Oh, to answer your question, they'll try to get a veteran No. 3 WR, but, again, with Mike Thomas coming in March 30-31, it appears they're targeting a WR for the upper middle rounds.

BTSC: Do you like WR Hakeem Nicks, and is he an option for Pittsburgh at No. 32?

Wexell: I would love to think so. He's my favorite. He's a guy who explains why later-round draftors have so much success. They don't have to answer to themselves about combine times and that nonsense. Sometimes they just get stuck with really good players, and Nicks is one of them. The problem will be -- and the reason I like guys like Thomas and Mike Wallace -- is that Nicks isn't a kick returner. But I'd be willing to take the chance. Make it real funny and use Darnell Stapleton to return kicks this year. What would be the difference at this point?

BTSC: Have you had much contact or at least seen much of Coach Tomlin in action since the beginning of the offseason? If so, any impressions about how he's handling things.

Wexell: Yes, I've said hello to him. I really enjoy running into him. He lifts your spirits just by remembering your name and asking about your kids. I loved his interview today (March 24) with Ed Bouchette in which he said he understands the need to make himself known to the public, but that after a certain point they don't need to know any more and that he'll begin withdrawing from the public eye. It made me remember Chuck Noll and how much I admired his lack of commercialism and need to be loved. I always thought Noll was a genius and see the same qualities in Tomlin. Before the combine, he was overheard telling his PR guy "But I don't want to get to know the national guys," meaning the national media. Local guys love hearing that stuff after a Super Bowl.

BTSC: So rumor has it James Harrison was back in the weight room just a few days after the SB win. To me, this tells me this guy needs football (physically and mentally) to be 'right'. I couldn't ever see him holding out for a few extra dollars if it meant not getting to scratch that necessary itch. I'm of course projecting bigtime from afar here, but how much does a player's personality and what the organization knows about how and what makes them tick - how much of that stuff might you say factors in to these negotiation processes?

Wexell: Yes, I reported that. He was actually in the weight room complaining that the rest of the team wasn't in there with him. I spoke with Lawrence Timmons during Super Bowl week and asked him about James's legendary regimen. Timmons, who's in great shape himself, said he tried to keep up with James but couldn't, said the guy just keeps coming back to the room all day long, said he puts in 10 hours a day. Yes, that's all James wants to do: Football and preparing for football. He will watch cartoons with his son the other couple of hours during the day. To answer your question, that means a lot to the Steelers, whose biggest draft-day measurement is a prospect's passion for the game. That work ethic got James Farrior a nice contract for his old age last year. It means a lot to them in their negotiations with Harrison this year.

BTSC: Willie Parker will be in a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform past the expiration of his current contract in 2010. True or False.

Wexell: I have to say false, just based on last year. RBs have a short shelf life and Parker's body has been breaking down. Then again, FWP has a superior work ethic as well. Prove me wrong, Fast One, prove me wrong.

BTSC: If you filled out an NCAA bracket, who you got cutting down the nets?

Wexell: I don't watch basketball at all anymore, only my daughter's games. I used to watch everything that moved, but only football now, and during the spring only college tape. In fact, I watched Brian Orakpo get killed at the point against Ohio State last night. The Browns would be making a big mistake in drafting him. I'd compare him, as a prospect, to Harrison, who wasn't even drafted, but surprised with his startling strength at the point. It would be foolish to perceive that kind of strength in Orakpo and draft him sixth. Nice pass rusher, but he didn't show he could drop and showed he won't be able to play the run in the league for a couple of years, if ever. Back to your question, I filled out Louisville just to steer clear of the mob picking Pitt. I'm in the middle of a 60-person soccer-fundraiser NCAA pool, which is led by my wife. She always wins this stuff.

 

[Barry Jive and The Uptown Five]

The problem will be -- and the reason I like guys like Thomas and Mike Wallace -- is that Nicks isn't a kick returner. But I'd be willing to take the chance. Make it real funny and use Darnell Stapleton to return kicks this year. What would be the difference at this point?

 

[5-ish Finkle]

The problem will be -- and the reason I like guys like Thomas and Mike Wallace -- is that Nicks isn't a kick returner. But I'd be willing to take the chance. Make it real funny and use Darnell Stapleton to return kicks this year. What would be the difference at this point?

Stapleton probably has better moves/feet than Carey Davis, that's for damn sure.

 

[Godsbrother]

[

Wexell: How can they feel Limas Sweed is ready? I mean, the Steelers are a bottom-line organization and they saw what we all saw. Yeah, we're all happy he gets off the line and can run and is big and strong, but the one drop, the one with the eyes wide open, left me feeling that he's scared and might never make it. Again, as with Hills, the guy has to prove it first. The Steelers will say all the right things if they don't come out of this draft with a WR, but it's a prove-it-to-me organization. Look how long it took Nate Washington to secure faith, and he showed a lot more as a rookie than Sweed did.

Great read and interesting insight on the McFadden and Hills situation -- thanks for posting this. However I do have to call on the bolded line. Nate Washington played exactly 1 regular season game as a rookie and didn't make a catch. His first (and only) reception of that season was a 13 yd catch in the playoffs against Denver.

How is that "showing a lot more" than Sweed's 6 regular season and 2 post season receptions?

 

[CrossEyed]

Looks like John Stallworth is more than just a good WR.

Steelers receptive to Stallworth's interest

By Scott Brown and Mike Prisuta, TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

The Steelers' modern-day search for capital and business savvy has taken them all the way back to the 1974 NFL Draft.

And once again, John Stallworth has them intrigued.

"It was one of those conversations that just kind of came up as time went on and we were talking about where we were going with things," Steelers president Art Rooney II said Tuesday from the NFL owners meetings in Dana Point, Calif. "He expressed that he might have an interest and just went from there."

From there all the way to Monday's announcement that Stallworth had been approved by the NFL as one of three new investors, along with Bruce V. Rauner and the Varischetti family, in the Steelers' evolving ownership restructuring.

Those three follow in the wake of recently approved additions James Haslam III, the Paul family and Thomas Tull to the Steelers' corporate letterhead.

Stallworth, 56, initially joined the Steelers in the fourth round of the '74 draft out of Alabama A&M and played through 1987, winning four Super Bowls and landing in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

An NFL spokesman listed former Chicago Bears majority owner George Halas (E, Decatur/Chicago Staleys, Chicago Bears, 1920-28), Carolina Panthers majority owner Jerry Richardson (F/HB, Baltimore Colts, 1959-60) and Jacksonville Jaguars minority owner Deron Cherry (DB, Kansas City Chiefs, 1981-91) as having preceded Stallworth in attempting such a transition.

"It's a great thing for the whole ownership group, a great thing for the league to have a player like that come in," Rooney said.

The Steelers have been trying for the past couple of years to restructure in compliance with NFL ownership guidelines regarding associations with gambling operations such as dog or horse tracks (no longer permitted) and the required presence of a majority owner (at least 30 percent by one entity). Steelers chairman Dan Rooney and his son, Rooney II, have been working to buy out Dan Rooney's four brothers — each owns a 16-percent share in the team — while maintaining Rooney control of the franchise.

Once the redistribution of shares is completed, Timothy, Patrick, Art Jr. and John Rooney will for the most part walk away (Timothy and Patrick to continue control of Yonkers Raceway and the Palm Beach Kennel Club; Art Jr. and John will retain a limited stake in the team) and the Steelers will dial up Stallworth's number, among others.

Perhaps two or three additional investors may emerge prior to the expected closing of the deal in May.

The extent of Stallworth's involvement is unknown.

Stallworth, 56, did not return a call from the Tribune-Review to Genesis II, a family-based investment group in Huntsville, Ala., founded in 2006, for which Stallworth serves as president and CEO.

The Steelers aren't commenting regarding Stallworth's stake in the franchise or what it cost him. But they can't say enough about what it means to have him on his way back into the fold.

"He's someone we're really pleased to have with us," Dan Rooney said Tuesday in California. "He's tremendous as far as football's concerned, but as far as his business background, it will be invaluable, really."

Stallworth co-founded Madison Research, an engineering and information technology company in Huntsville, in 1986 prior to retiring from the Steelers following the 1987 season. He eventually sold it for $69 million in October 2006.

"He's been one of our alumnus that's always been active and comes back for games a few times a year, and he was just at a point in his life where it made sense for him," Rooney II said. "Glad it worked out."

Added former Steelers linebacker and former Stallworth teammate Andy Russell, "That's very exciting. It's a terrific thing for the Steelers to have him involved."

 

[Godsbrother]

Explanation of why the Steelers only got a 5th round comp pick for Faneca:

Steelers Notebook: Faneca's departure plays role in Steelers' extra pickThursday, March 26, 2009By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteDANA POINT, Calif. -- Blame Alan Faneca for the Steelers not receiving anything higher than a fifth-round draft choice as their lone compensatory pick from the NFL this week.Faneca's departure from the Steelers as a free agent last season was the reason they landed the extra fifth-round pick, but his status also held them back from receiving a third-round choice. Faneca upheld his part by starting for the New York Jets after signing a big contract with them, and then making the Pro Bowl again.But contained among the many rules in the complicated formula for deciding what and how many compensatory picks each team receives is one that declares that a 10-year veteran cannot bring higher than a fifth-round draft choice. Faneca finished his 12th NFL season.Even the Steelers were unaware of the little-known rule until they asked the NFL this week for an explanation why they received only a fifth-round compensatory pick.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Explanation of why the Steelers only got a 5th round comp pick for Faneca:

Steelers Notebook: Faneca's departure plays role in Steelers' extra pickThursday, March 26, 2009By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteDANA POINT, Calif. -- Blame Alan Faneca for the Steelers not receiving anything higher than a fifth-round draft choice as their lone compensatory pick from the NFL this week.Faneca's departure from the Steelers as a free agent last season was the reason they landed the extra fifth-round pick, but his status also held them back from receiving a third-round choice. Faneca upheld his part by starting for the New York Jets after signing a big contract with them, and then making the Pro Bowl again.But contained among the many rules in the complicated formula for deciding what and how many compensatory picks each team receives is one that declares that a 10-year veteran cannot bring higher than a fifth-round draft choice. Faneca finished his 12th NFL season.Even the Steelers were unaware of the little-known rule until they asked the NFL this week for an explanation why they received only a fifth-round compensatory pick.

I saw that earlier too. If that is indeed the rule as written, it's silly.10 years experience or not, some team gave Faneca enough cash to make him the highest paid lineman in the league at the time of his signing. He wound up starting all 16 games and making the Pro Bowl. It's not like he was some broken down, faded star, which is probably what that rule is intended to somehow "guard" against. Last page of a seven page rulebook, eh? If I didn't know any better, I'd assume that up til last week when questioned about it the book only had 6 and a half pages.I'm no conspiracy theorist, but how could the Steelers brass NOT know that rule existed if it was in writing someplace? It's not like a seven page document, even if it's just for one amorphous formula, would be THAT intense of a read over the course of...how many years have comp. picks been awarded now? Or is the league saying that they don't permit teams to know the formula at all?

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Explanation of why the Steelers only got a 5th round comp pick for Faneca:

Steelers Notebook: Faneca's departure plays role in Steelers' extra pickThursday, March 26, 2009By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteDANA POINT, Calif. -- Blame Alan Faneca for the Steelers not receiving anything higher than a fifth-round draft choice as their lone compensatory pick from the NFL this week.Faneca's departure from the Steelers as a free agent last season was the reason they landed the extra fifth-round pick, but his status also held them back from receiving a third-round choice. Faneca upheld his part by starting for the New York Jets after signing a big contract with them, and then making the Pro Bowl again.But contained among the many rules in the complicated formula for deciding what and how many compensatory picks each team receives is one that declares that a 10-year veteran cannot bring higher than a fifth-round draft choice. Faneca finished his 12th NFL season.Even the Steelers were unaware of the little-known rule until they asked the NFL this week for an explanation why they received only a fifth-round compensatory pick.

Good to know. Still have to wonder why this whole process is so clandestine.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Explanation of why the Steelers only got a 5th round comp pick for Faneca:

Steelers Notebook: Faneca's departure plays role in Steelers' extra pickThursday, March 26, 2009By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteDANA POINT, Calif. -- Blame Alan Faneca for the Steelers not receiving anything higher than a fifth-round draft choice as their lone compensatory pick from the NFL this week.Faneca's departure from the Steelers as a free agent last season was the reason they landed the extra fifth-round pick, but his status also held them back from receiving a third-round choice. Faneca upheld his part by starting for the New York Jets after signing a big contract with them, and then making the Pro Bowl again.But contained among the many rules in the complicated formula for deciding what and how many compensatory picks each team receives is one that declares that a 10-year veteran cannot bring higher than a fifth-round draft choice. Faneca finished his 12th NFL season.Even the Steelers were unaware of the little-known rule until they asked the NFL this week for an explanation why they received only a fifth-round compensatory pick.

I saw that earlier too. If that is indeed the rule as written, it's silly.10 years experience or not, some team gave Faneca enough cash to make him the highest paid lineman in the league at the time of his signing. He wound up starting all 16 games and making the Pro Bowl. It's not like he was some broken down, faded star, which is probably what that rule is intended to somehow "guard" against. Last page of a seven page rulebook, eh? If I didn't know any better, I'd assume that up til last week when questioned about it the book only had 6 and a half pages.I'm no conspiracy theorist, but how could the Steelers brass NOT know that rule existed if it was in writing someplace? It's not like a seven page document, even if it's just for one amorphous formula, would be THAT intense of a read over the course of...how many years have comp. picks been awarded now? Or is the league saying that they don't permit teams to know the formula at all?

I see your point, but to be fair even that Adam guy who's been studying and projecting specifically this stuff for years didn't know the rule. But yes, the FO should still know all the rules.

 

[wefcpa]

I tend to look at the bright side regarding this compensatory pick. The last time they had 2 3rd round picks, they selected Anthony Smith and Willie Reid.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I tend to look at the bright side regarding this compensatory pick. The last time they had 2 3rd round picks, they selected Anthony Smith and Willie Reid.

Hines Ward was a 3rd round comp pick.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

http://adamjt13.blogspot.com/2009/03/ten-y...sed-before.html

Ten-year rule has been used before

The newly revealed rule that prevented the Steelers from getting a compensatory pick higher than a fifth-rounder for Alan Faneca has been used at least twice before this year, including at least once with the Steelers.

The rule, according to two media reports out of Pittsburgh, says that a team can't receive anything higher than a fifth-round compensatory pick for a player with 10 or more seasons of NFL experience. So, for example, even though Faneca's value in the compensatory formula was the second-highest among all qualifying players, the Steelers got only a fifth-round comp pick for him because he had played 10 seasons before signing with the New York Jets.

In 1999, the same rule prevented the Steelers from getting a third-round pick for losing John Jackson, who had played 10 seasons for Pittsburgh before signing with San Diego in 1998. The Steelers did get a third-round comp pick in 1999, as well as a fifth-rounder, but it's now apparent that the third-round pick was for Yancey Thigpen, not Jackson, as I had thought at the time. Jackson and Thigpen each had a third-round value, with Jackson's value being slightly higher than Thigpen's. The Steelers also lost two lower-valued players, but those losses were negated by the signings of two lower-valued players. At the time, I questioned whether the Steelers' fifth-round comp pick was some type of "compromise" between the value of Thigpen and one of the lower-valued players lost, since not of them had a fifth-round value. But now we know that the third-round comp pick was for Thigpen, and the fifth-rounder was the highest the pick for Jackson could be, because of the 10-year rule.

One year later, in 2000, as many as four teams could have been affected by the 10-year-rule. One is definite -- the Arizona Cardinals got a fifth-round pick for losing Lomas Brown, who had a fourth-round value. The other three teams who might have gotten higher comp picks if not for the 10-year-rule were Kansas City (Rich Gannon), Pittsburgh again (Carnell Lake) and Minnesota (Jerry Ball). The Chiefs, Steelers and Vikings each had other players whose value might have been the reason they received fifth-round comp picks, but Wednesday's revelation of the 10-year-rule raises the possibility that those veteran players were the reason.

Although the Faneca fifth-rounder raised questions when first announced, it ultimately has resulted in far more answers about the process of awarding compensatory picks.

UPDATE: Add last year's fifth-round comp pick for San Diego to the list of possible picks affected by the 10-year rule. Although Donnie Edwards' value was on the borderline for a fourth- or fifth-round pick, his status as an 11-year veteran when he signed with Kansas City made it impossible for the Chargers to receive a fourth-rounder. Whether Edwards' value definitely was in the fifth round anyway, I'm not sure.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

I absolutely love Mike Tomlin.

QB division

Tomlin said he sees more parity in the AFC North Division because of the play of the quarterbacks.

"We're going to have a very competitive division and I think it starts with the quality quarterbacks in our division. I doubt you'll find a coach who's not thinking about [Cincinnati's] Carson Palmer."

Tomlin did not become any more popular in Cleveland when he laughed the day after the Super Bowl when a Cleveland writer asked a question and Tomlin responded, "Oh, you're from Cleveland!"

"More than anything, I was responding to how he said it," Tomlin explained yesterday. "He said it in such a way that led to the response I had. I know what this business is about from a competitive standpoint and I'm not looking for any friends in Cleveland, Ohio."

 

[The Hank]

First prospect visits the 6-Time Super Bowl Champion's Southside facility.

http://postgazette.com/pg/09090/959538-66.stm

Draft prospect visits Steelers

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Mike Thomas, a 5-foot-8 1/2 wide receiver from University of Arizona, became the first college prospect from outside the area to visit the Steelers today.

Thomas earned all-Pac 10 honors last season as a receiver and punt returner. He set the conference record with 259 career receptions and was timed at 4.30 in the 40-yard sprint at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

The Steelers, who lost No. 3 receiver Nate Washington in free agency, would like to draft a receiver with good speed who also could return punts and/or kickoffs for them.

Thomas is the first of 30 prospects the Steelers are permitted to entertain at their facility before the draft.

First published on March 31, 2009 at 12:28 pm

 

[mcintyre1]

First prospect visits the 6-Time Super Bowl Champion's Southside facility.

http://postgazette.com/pg/09090/959538-66.stm

Draft prospect visits Steelers

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Mike Thomas, a 5-foot-8 1/2 wide receiver from University of Arizona, became the first college prospect from outside the area to visit the Steelers today.

Thomas earned all-Pac 10 honors last season as a receiver and punt returner. He set the conference record with 259 career receptions and was timed at 4.30 in the 40-yard sprint at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

The Steelers, who lost No. 3 receiver Nate Washington in free agency, would like to draft a receiver with good speed who also could return punts and/or kickoffs for them.

Thomas is the first of 30 prospects the Steelers are permitted to entertain at their facility before the draft.

First published on March 31, 2009 at 12:28 pm

I thought Roethlisberger wanted tall receivers...

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Prospects now have the attention of Steelers

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers provided a few firsts yesterday. University of Arizona wide receiver Mike Thomas became the first college prospect from outside the area to visit their facility this year, and the team concluded March without signing an outside free agent.

It's the first time in 17 years they've gone the first month of free agency without signing anyone other than their own players to contracts, and unless something unforeseen develops, they won't sign one at least until after the April 25-26 draft.

The Steelers looked at only two unrestricted free agents from other teams at their facility, Chris Carr and Joey Galloway, who signed elsewhere. The club has since turned its attention to the draft.

"Right now as I look at it, it's less about what we need in terms of acquiring and more about the growth and development of the guys that we have here," coach Mike Tomlin said. "We've got to continue to make sure that our guys are on the rise. We've got some guys we're optimistic about what they're capable of doing.

"Optimism and potential are dangerous words. They've got to do it. I'm more excited about that maybe than I am looking at potential acquisitions from outside the team, whether it's through free agency or the draft."

The Steelers have curtailed their activity in free agency through the years. They've signed one player who became a starter in each of the past several years. Last year, it was center Justin Hartwig, although he did not qualify as a true unrestricted free agent because Carolina cut him. In 2007, it was another center, Sean Mahan, who was traded a year later. In 2006, it was safety Ryan Clark. In 2005, it was receiver Cedrick Wilson, although he became No. 3 and not a regular starter. And in 2004, it was halfback Duce Staley.

This year, nothing and it appears it will remain that way.

"Right now," Tomlin said, "I'm just excited about some guys that we believe have bright futures and that are capable of getting better."

The Steelers have begun their offseason workout program with mostly young players, and Tomlin will have two organized team activities for all his players before the draft, as he did last year.

Arizona's Thomas is the first of 30 college prospects the Steelers plan to bring in for closer inspection at their facility. The visits do not include workouts, but mostly longer interviews with players they either have not had a chance to spend much time with or those they want to further inspect.

Thomas, a stocky 5-8Â 1/2, 193-pounder, earned all-Pac-10 honors last season as a receiver and punt returner. He set the conference record with 259 career receptions and was timed at 4.30 seconds in the 40-yard sprint at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

The Steelers, who lost No. 3 receiver Nate Washington in free agency, would like to draft a receiver with good speed who also could return punts and/or kickoffs.

Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com.

First published on April 1, 2009 at 12:00 am

 

[Memphis Foundry]

From today's PG - added to this thread for historical reference:

Link

Steelers unrestricted / restricted free agents: Signed before and lost after each season

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Source: Steelers

Free agents signed before each season

1993 (3)

Greg Clark, LB

Kevin Greene, LB

Mike Tomczak, QB

1994 (4)

Todd Kalis, G

Ray Seals, DE

John L. Williams, FB

Dean Biasucci, K

1995 (6)

Alvoid Mays, CB

Tom Newberry, G

Chris Oldham, CB

Erric Pegram, B

Rohn Stark, P

Norm Johnson, K

1996 (3)

Bernard Dafney, OL

Tom Myslinski, OL

Will Wolford, OL

1997 (4)

Nolan Harrison, DE

Courtney Hawkins, WR

Mitch Lyons, TE

Donnell Woolford, CB

1998 (4)

Roger Duffy, G

Bo Orlando, S

Dwayne Washington, CB

David Dunn, WR

1999 (3)

Travis Davis, S

Anthony Brown, OT

Wayne Gandy, OT

2000 (6)

Brent Alexander, S

Gabe Northern, LB

Chris Sullivan, DE

Rich Tylski, G

Kimo von Oelhoffen, DE

Kent Graham, QB

2001 (3)

Jeff Hartings, C

Mike Jones, LB,

Mike Logan, S

2002 (3)

James Farrior, LB

Terance Mathis, WR

Todd Peterson, K

2003 (4)

Todd Fordham, OT

Chris Doering, WR

Clint Kriewaldt, LB

Jay Rimersma, TE

2004 (6)

Willie Williams, CB

Ainsley Battles, CB

Chris Gardocki, P

Travis Kirschke, DE

Duce Staley, RB

Adrian Ross, L B

2005 (1)

Cedrick Wilson, WR

2006 (1)

Ryan Clark, S

2007 (3)

Sean Mahan, C

Nick Eason, DE

Kevan Barlo, RB

2008 (2)

Keyaron Fox, LB

Mewelde Moore, RB

2009 (0)

Free agents lost after each season

1992 (4)

Tunch Ilkin, OT

Aaron Jones, DE

Hardy Nickerson, LB

Jerrol Williams, LB

1993 (6)

Kenny Davidson, DE

Donald Evans, DE

Jeff Graham, WR

Larry Griffin, S

Merril Hoge, RB

DJ Johnson, CB

1994 (4)

Gary Anderson, K

Eric Green, TE

Gary Jones, S

Duval Love, OG

1995 (7)

Kendall Gammon, LS

Kevin Greene, LB

Tom Newberry, OG

Neil O'Donnell, QB

Leon Searcy, OT

Ariel Solomon, OG

John L. Williams, FB

1996 (7)

Chad Brown, LB

Deon Figures, CB

Andre Hastings, WR

Ernie Mills, WR

Ray Seals, DE

Willie Williams, CB

Rod Woodson, CB

1997 (6)

Myron Bell, S

Randy Fuller, CB

John Jackson, OT

Tom Myslinski, C-OG

Jerry Olsavsky, LB

Yancey Thigpen, WR

1998 (5)

Oliver Gibson, DT

Charles Johnson, WR

Donta Jones, LB

Carnell Lake, S

Darren Perry, S

1999 (4)

Carlos Emmons, LB

Chris Oldham, S

Orpheus Roye, DE

Mike Tomczak, QB

2000 (3)

Shar Pourdanesh, O

Jeremy Staat, DT

Mike Vrabel, LB

2001 (6)

Will Blackwell, WR

Kris Brown, K

Earl Holmes, LB

Bobby Shaw, WR

Jason Simmons, CB

Jon Witman, FB

2002 (7)

John Allred, TE

Marco Battaglia, TE

Myron Bell, S

Lee Flowers, S

Wayne Gandy, OT

Terance Mathis, WR

Tom Rouen, P

2003 (2)

Rodney Bailey, DE

Mathias Nkwenti, OT

2004 (5)

Kendrell Bell, LB

Plaxico Burress, WR

Kendrick Clancy, DT

Oliver Ross, OT

Keydrick Vincent, OG

2005 (3)

Chris Hope, S

Antwaan Randle El, WR

Kimo von Oelhoffen, DE

2006 (7)

Rodney Bailey, DE

Chad Brown, LB

Chidi Iwuoma, C

Andre Lott, S

Lee Mays, WR

Sean Morey, WR

Rian Wallace, LB

2007 (6)

Marquis Cooper, LB

Alan Faneca, OG

Clark Haggans, LB

Verron Haynes, RB

Dan Kreider, FB

Brian St. Pierre, QB

2008 (3)

Bryant McFadden, CB

Marvel Smith, OT

Nate Washington, WR

 

[The Hank]

More prospectus.

http://postgazette.com/pg/09091/959785-66.stm

2 more college prospects visit Steelers

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Two more college football prospects are visiting the Steelers today: offensive tackle Phil Loadholt of Oklahoma and cornerback Joe Burnett of Central Florida.

Loadholt is 6-feet-8, 335 pounds. Burnett is 5-10, 192, and also returned kickoffs and punts for UCF.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

First published on April 1, 2009 at 11:40 am

 

[McBokonon]

I almost went to the Cutler thread just to post "It's too bad the 6 time Super Bowl Champion Steelers already have a franchise quarterback because we're missing out on all the fun!" but decided not to. At least not now. My obnoxiousness levels are low right now.

 

[The Hank]

Another draft prospect visits the Steelers facilities.

This brings the Steelers prospect visits to 4 that count against the 30-player limit.

OT - Phil Loadholt - Oklahoma

CB - Joe Burnett - Central Florida

DT - Ra'Shon Harris - Oregon

WR - Mike Thomas - Arizona

http://postgazette.com/pg/09092/960139-100.stm

Oregon defensive tackle visiting Steelers

Thursday, April 02, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Oregon defensive tackle Ra'Shon Harris is visiting the Steelers today as they continue to inspect college draft prospects.

Harris, who is 6-feet-4, 300 pounds, started one season at Oregon and is considered a mid- to late-round draft choice. He is the fourth prospect to visit the Steelers in the past three days. They plan to have 30 prospects visit them at their South Side training complex, the maximum under NFL rules.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

First published on April 2, 2009 at 9:52 am

 

[CrossEyed]

Steelers take a look at UNLV fullback Frank SummersBy The Tribune-ReviewFriday, April 3, 2009The Steelers hosted UNLV fullback Frank Summers today on the South side. Summers, 5-foot-10, 230 pounds, is the seventh draft-eligible prospect brought in by the Steelers.The first three of those, Pitt linebacker Scott McKillop, Pitt offensive lineman C.J. Davis and Penn State center A.Q. Shipley, are considered local players for the Steelers and do not count against the NFL's 30-visit limit.The Steelers met with Arizona wide receiver Mike Thomas on Tuesday and with Oklahoma offensive tackle Phil Loadholt and Central Florida cornerback/return specialist Joe Burnett on Wednesday.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I almost went to the Cutler thread just to post "It's too bad the 6 time Super Bowl Champion Steelers already have a franchise quarterback because we're missing out on all the fun!" but decided not to. At least not now. My obnoxiousness levels are low right now.

I think the key is not to force it, but to just use it whenever you'd normally type Steelers.

 

[tomdog]

Guys,i am looking for a DVD of the superbowl,the entire game,commercials included.Can anyone here point me in the right direction?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Steelers sign linebacker Fox

Monday, April 06, 2009

Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers signed another one of their own free agents today when Keyaron Fox came to terms on a two-year contract for $1.8 million.

Fox, a backup linebacker and one of their best special teams players, received a $380,000 signing bonus. Fox signed a one-year contract as an unrestricted free agent from Kansas City last year.

First published on April 6, 2009 at 10:35 am

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Three college prospects visit Steelers

Monday, April 06, 2009

Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Three more college prospects are paying visits to the Steelers today: Center Alex Mack of California, defensive tackle Fili Moala of Southern Cal and guard Herman Johnson of LSU.

First published on April 6, 2009 at 10:55 am