There's been a lot of talk among local radio analysts who think that Limas Sweed is going to have to step up and prove that he can be a viable third receiver in order for him to take over for the newly departed Nate Washington.  I completely agree, and the competition between Sweed and rookie Mike Wallace should prove to be an interesting storyline to follow come late-July/early-August. 

The second year player that I'm most intrigued by is Tackle Tony Hills from the University of Texas.  If you are like me, you found yourself raising an eyebrow at the Steelers selection of  Defensive Tackle "Ziggy" Hood in the first round of the draft.  A pick, might I add, that the coaches believe is "light-years away from being able to play."  Although I disagree with the pick, I understand that the Steelers draft philosophy is that you draft the best player on the board at the time.  With that said, I seem to remember Big Ben being sacked the second most number of times in the league last season.  Furthermore, I seem to remember both Max Unger and William Beatty both being on the draft board during the first round of the draft when it came time for the Steelers to pick...

I must, however, let my personal views on the draft go, and accept the Steelers current thought process.  It seems clear, at least, in my estimation, that Tomlin wants to develop the current crop of offensive lineman, and it IS true that we won the Super Bowl with them.  With that being said, that is exactly why Tony Hills intrigues me.  I really think that he could challenge, and possibly win a starting offensive line spot, possibly over Darnell Stapleton.

As was the truth with any Gator Nation fan, I was excited to hear that Tim Tebow was going to stay for another season and help the Gators win yet another National Championship.  As I was listening to the analysis before Tebow had made his decision to stay, some of the pundits were suggesting that Tebow make the switch from QB to H-back to up his draft stock.  This got me thinking about how Tebow could make the switch, and honestly, I think if Urban Meyer designs a package of plays for Tebow to be used as an H-back, that it would benifit the Gators.  For those plays, you could install Cameron Newton (listed at 6'6" and 240) in at QB, or possibly John Brantley. 

Like I said, it would only be for a package of plays, but I think it would benefit Tebow, who many talking heads think is too big to play QB in the NFL, in addition to not running a "pro" style of offense while at UF.  Tebow will still be the starter at QB, and thus be able to use his unprecedented leadership skills, not to mention his arm.  But this package of plays would showcase Tebow in a way that could make him attractive to scouts, and ultimately successful at the NFL level.

It works out for Florida as well.  You'd get to ease the QB of the future, (whoever that may be) into the lineup.  If I recall correctly, Tebow was "eased" into playing when Meyer installed the two QB system during Chris Leak's senior season.  This type of two QB system could keep Florida on a considerable "roll" and might contribute to its continued dominance of college football.

I'm writing this to go along with my last post about the Steelers running game because I think that another good point came up in the discussion thread.  Part of the reason the Steelers have been somewhat ineffective when running the ball this season is because of a downright pourous offensive line.  In my opinion, I'd like to see the Steelers spend not just one or two, but a handful of picks on offensive linemen.  Additionally, a big fullback who could block for Parker would be nice to have in the backfield.

With all due respect to Bruce Ariens, I'd honestly like to see the Steelers return to their old smashmouth ways of playing football.  I think anyone would agree that Ben, and any other quarterback out there does better with an effective ground game.

...an effective ground game, however, begins with a stellar offensive line...hence my point above...

Let me start off this post by saying that I am preparing for my inevidable crucifixion by Steeler fans across the nation, and I ask Steeler Country to go easy on me as I lay out the following bold statement.

Willie Parker is not the solution when it comes to the Steelers running game.  I am sorry to have to say it, but it's been my opinion ever since he came into the league.  With that said, I think it's a little unfair to judge Fast Willie Parker (FWP) based on his '08 stats, because he has missed some games due to injury.  So I went back to his 2007 stats, when he had arguably his best year with team, nearly winning the NFL's rushing title before being injured in the game against the Rams.

In 2007, FWP finished with 1,316 yards on 321 carries; an average of 4.1 yards per carry.  As you look back further into FWP's stats from '06, '05, and '04, you will notice that his yards per carry increased.  The translation, and I really hate to say it, because I know there are a lot of die hard FWP fans out there, but Willie Parker does better when he is in a complementary back role.  I think Willie Parker is a great player, and I think his yardage stats speak for themselves.  But when it comes down to it, the Steelers are a hard nosed, grind it out, punch-you-in-the-face kind of football team, and in my opinion, that type of team needs a bruiser at running back, and at 5'10" and 209 pounds, FWP is as Jerome Bettis once said, "like a Ferrari...when you get a little dinged up, you come out of the game and the bus comes in."

Why do I feel this way?  While FWP stats are amazing in terms of his yardage, I think yards-per-carry is more important.  Willie Parker's vision is not the best.  On several occasions against the Cowboys, FWP would hit the wall of offensive linemen when he could have easily cut back and hit the hole for a big gain.

So where does this leave us in terms of the solution.  Two words...Brandon Jacobs.  I understand that Jacobs just recently got injured, but hear me out on this one.  Listed at 6'4" and 264 pounds, Jacobs has already rushed for over 1000 yards this season and 12 TD's.  Last season when FWP almost won the rushing title, FWP only had 2 TD's.  Simply put, I think that Jacobs has the body type to be a Steelers workhorse.  He's rushing for an average of 5.1 yards-per-game, and I know its only a difference of about a yard, but with a 264 pound frame, Jacobs can literally run OVER defenders, not to mention wear them down.  WIth regards to Jacobs' knee injury; the fact that he was able to walk off the field under his own power is huge.  Additionally, I'm not looking for instant gratification.  I know that a trade for Jacobs is possible a few years down the road, and I think the Steelers should really consider it if the idea should come across anyone's desk.

I really think that the Steelers could aquire Jacobs if they wanted to.  I'm not sure when Jacobs' contract is up, but I think we've got some good value that we could trade for Jacobs.  With all of that said, go easy on me Steelers fans, after all, it's just my opinion, and it's not like I'm in any position to do anything about it.

Texas is lucky in my mind.  To have quarterback Colt McCoy return is a huge boost to their hopes next season.  As the Mack Brown era continues to wind down, I'd really like to see the man win another national title, and with McCoy at the helm, it's definately possible.  He has the opportunity to probably be a first rounder in the upcoming NFL draft, but, assuming he stays healthy, McCoy will be a solid first round option for any team in the NFL in need of a franchise QB.  Personally, I'm glad to see McCoy come back, I just worry about his risk of injury.  I really don't think it will be an issue, especially with McCoy's scrambling ability, but I'd hate to see his draft stock plummet because of a knee.  For now though, hook 'em Horns.  Maybe the BCS won't screw us over next year.

One would tend to think that losing Tom Brady to injury in week one of the '08 season was unfortunate, but he'll be back next year, and in top form right?  Well consider this; although Colts QB Peyton Manning didn't tear anything in his knee, he did have surgery on his knee to clear out some scar tissue.  The Colts are currently sitting at .500 with three wins and three losses, proving just how tough it can be for a franchise quarterback to comeback from an injury. 

But Tom Brady is Tom Brady right?  Granted, both Mannings along with Brady are Super Bowl MVP's, but we're talking about one of the best, if not the best in the league.  Love him or hate him, Brady's stats speak for themselves.  Which is why I beg for you to consider this fact as well.  Has anyone read the story on former Bengals Linebacker Reggie Williams on NFL.com?  Better yet, have you seen the picture of his knee?  That picture was taken after multiple knee surgeries to try to control/prevent infection after a similar major surgery to the one that Brady has undergone.  Up to this point, Brady has had four surgeries.  One to fix his ACL, and three to try to prevent (and at this point, probably prevent the spread) of infection.  If Brady's knee turns out the way that Williams' did, his career could be in serious jepardy.  Which begs me to ask you the SB Nation fans, are the Pats soon going to be in the market for a new quarterback?  Now, this is not a slap to Patriots backup quarterback Matt Cassell, who's played admirably up to this point, but it seems clear that Cassell is at best, a backup.  If the Patriots are in the market for a new quarterback, who do you think could be the next Patriots "franchiser?"

The Steelers have payback on their minds as the enter this primetime contest with Jacksonville on Sunday Night.  The last time that these two teams met was in the playoffs at Heinz Field, and the Steelers were stopped short of another Super Bowl run as they watched David Gerrard run the football in a crucial fourth quarter drive.

Tonight the Steelers come into the game looking less than healthy, with free agent acquisition Mewelde Moore lining up in the backfield, and a familiar face in Najeh Davenport as a third-down back.  Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is also banged up and will be playing with a sore shoulder against the Jags.

One of the big questions for tonight's game is weather or not the Steelers secondary can hold up against Gerrard, who has completed every two out of three passes thus far this season.  Also, how effective can the Steelers pash rush be without defensive end Brett Keisel and defensive tackle Casey Hampton.  Will they be able to stop the duel threat rushing attach of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew?

For more news and information on collegiate and pro-football, head on over to The Pigskin Report.  TPR offers news and analysis on both the college and pro level game, and also provides up-to-the-minute scores, rankings, and polls in College Football Gameday Central and NFL Gameday Central.

Among all the questions coming into this week regarding weather or not the Penn State University Nittany Lions were "the real deal," I have to pose another question.  I was watching the PSU-Purdue game today, and I understand all the traditions that are carried by the PSU football team, but would it be too much to ask for PSU to put the Nittany Lion logo on their helmet?  Or, if you don't want to put the logo on the helmet, what about just a plain block letter "S" in Nittany Lion Blue?  I don't know, but the plain white helmet just seems like it has something missing.

Additionally, for news and scores on the Collegiate and Pro-Football level, head on over to The Pigskin Report.  It offers news and analysis from college and pro level games, as well as scores, rankings, and polls in College Football Gameday Central, and NFL Gameday Central.

Before I get to my question of the week, I'd like to congratulate Mizzou's Chase Daniel for another spectacular performance in which he passed for 439 yards and completed a Big 12 best.  As it stands right now, Daniel looks to be the clear cut front runner for the Heisman (based on stats alone, mind you).  I don't want to get too anxious yet, however, because It is fairly easy to put up those kinds of numbers when the toughest team on your schedule to this point was Illinois.  The next three weeks will be very interesting, and could make or break Daniel's ligitimacy, as Mizzou travels to Nebraska, heads back home for Oklahoma State, and then travels to Texas to take on the Longhorns.  I'll consider Daniel ligit if and when he comes away with wins from those teams.

As for this edition of College Football Question, I hail from outside of Pittsburgh, and with Pittsburgh being part of the Big East, I thought I'd gear my question towards that conference.  As it stands right now, the only team ranked in the top 25 is the University of South Florida.  Yes, you heard me right, USF.  The Mountaineers of West Virginia University keep laying eggs against teams that they should flat out beat.  Pittsburgh isn't doing so well.  Even though they did win on Saturday against Iowa, they won by a point, and had to battle back to do so.  Additionally, the Panthers already have a loss against Bowling Green.  Right now, it seems to me that the Big East is the weakest conference in college football, which is why I pose the question how strong is the Big East conference?  Do you think that it can rebound from its near complete departure from the world of "rankedhood?"

They say in college the weekend begins on Thursday and often goes through until Wednesday.  Thursday Night Football on ESPN and ESPN 2 helps to solidify that fact by broadcasting some interesting match-ups in prime time.  Thursday Night Football serves as a way for some of the lesser known programs in college football to get their schools some quality air-time.  This season, some lesser known schools, as well as some big name programs, will be featured in the time slot.  The gods of college football don't flake out on the fans either.  There are some big time games on Thursdays this year, including a huge PAC-10 clash between USC and Oregon, as well as a titanic Big-East game between Pitt and South Florida.  There's also the ever popular Lone Star Showdown between Texas and Texas A&M.  Here's the complete schedule for the 2008 season of Thursday Night Football.

August 28
North Carolina State at South Carolina (ESPN)
Oregon State at Stanford (ESPN2)
September 4
South Carolina at Vanderbilt
September 11
North Carolina at Rutgers
September 18
West Virginia at Colorado
September 25
USC at Oregon State
October 2
Pittsburgh at South Florida
October 9
Clemson at Wake Forest
October 16
Florida State at North Carolina State
October 23
Auburn at West Virginia
October 30
South Florida at Cincinnati
November 6
Maryland at Virginia Tech
November 13
Virginia Tech at Miami
November 20
Miami at Georgia Tech
November 27 (Thanksgiving)
Texas A&M at Texas
December 4
Louisville at Rutgers

Out of these games, which game are you most looking forward to?