Johnny Knox WR 6'0 185 from Abilene Christian ran a 4.34/40 at the combine.  He had the honor of being the fastest WR at the combine.  At his recent pro day he wowed scouts with his ability to catch the football.  With his speed, and now his hands, he could eventually be an upgrade from Nate Washington.  He may be available to the Steelers at the bottom of the 3rd due to his level of competition in college.  

Jarius Byrd CB 5'10/207 Oregon had been projected as a mid to high second round draft pick.  He was an outstanding CB for Oregon and MVP of their bowl game, but he injured a groin and wasn't able to run at the combine or at his Pro Day.  He was a player interviewed by the Steelers at the Combine.  His bad luck could be the Steelers good luck.  Like Heath Miller, Jarius Byrd could slip to the bottom of the second round.  If the Steelers do not grab a CB in the first round, they could grab a bargain at the bottom of the second.  He is a Steelers kind of CB.  He has the weight and is good against the run.  He also grabbed 5 INTs this past year.

This may sound like  treason, but look at the facts.

We have 5, potentially 6 starters at LB;  Lamarr Woodley, James Farrior, Larry Foote, Lawrence Timmons, James Harrison, and Bruce Davis.  The Steelers have even been looking at Cody Brown, LB from Connecticut.  They have resigned two of their back up LBs.  It looks like they might be getting themselves ready to make a big move.

James Harrison is in his prime, was named defensive player of the year, but he will turn 31 in May.  He will never be worth more and the Steelers seldom pay big money to a player over 30.  Harrison will want to be paid like a defensive player of the year. 

The Steelers did talk to Jason Smith OT from Baylor at the Combine.  In an earlier post, I said they would have no chance at Smith.  He may go number one in the draft.  But trading Harrison could bring us great protection for our franchise QB.

During the NFL Combine, the Steelers were reported to have interviewed several players who are listed below.  This may give us a glimpse at the Steeler's thinking for the upcoming draft.  A few names that are missing are Jarron Gilbert DE, Max Unger C/OG/OT, and Eric Wood C.  It will be interesting to see who is brought into Pittsburgh for visits, and who Tomlin goes out to see at Pro Days.

List of players that the Steelers  interviewed at the Combine:

Alex Boone - Off field problems but very big, strong and athletic.  He may be a value in the 3rd round - OT, Ohio St. 6'7/328  304    225 lbs/33 x

A.Q. Shipley - Awarded the best Center in College football in 2008 but very short.    Probably a 4th or 5th rounder  C    Penn State   6'1/304   5.19/40    225 lbs/33 x   31VJ  4.4/SS

Alex Mack  He had a great season and Senior Bowl but hurt his ankle and will have to impress at personal workout to climb back into the 1st round.   C/OG   California  6'37/311

Jason Smith  He is a top 10 left tackle.  Unless the Steelers are looking to trade away their draft, there is no way he will end up in black and gold.  OT  Baylor  6'5/309  5.22/40   225 lbs/33 x

Tyronne Green  He is short but very athletic and one of the best pulling guards in the draft.  He may have the potential to move to center.  Probably a 4th rounder  OG Auburn   6'16/309  5.39/40   225 lbs/22 x

Herman Johnson  Some teams have taken him off their draft boards.  He is a giant but has a tendancy to gain wt. and didn't show much strength at the combine, and was rather slow. OG   LSU  6'7/364  5.53/40  225 lbs/22 x

Ron Brace  He is the biggest Nose Tackle in the draft.  A real space eater.  Strong but not very fast.  Probably a second rounder   DT Boston College  6'3/334  5.47/40 225 lbs/32 x

Terrance Taylor   One of the best players on a poor Michigan team. Rather short but very strong. A true NT on a 3-4 defense.  DT  Michigan  6'0/306   5.24/40  225 lbs/37 x

Fili Moala  He was rated at the top of the draft at the beginning of the season but has dropped into last 1st, to mid 2nd.  DT/DE  USC  6'4/305  5.09/40  225 lbs/25 x

Coye Francies  One of the top 5 rated CBs going into the combine but he will have to run a much faster pro day to play CB in the NFL.  CB/S  San Jose State  6'03/185 4.59/40  225 lbs/24 x

Darius Butler  A corner who may have elevated his status into a late first rounder with a very good off season.  CB  Connecticut   5'10/183    4.53/40  43.0 VJ  11'2"LJ

William Moore  He was the top rated safety after the regular season but his draft status has dropped into the 2nd or 3rd round.  FS  Missouri  6'01/221  4.56/40


  "Ziggy" Evander Hood  After a great season and an outstanding combine, he may have put himself into the first round.  He could be our next great DE  Missouri  6'27  300  4.91/40  225 lbs/34 x

Don Carey  A possible late round pick or FA.  CB  Norfolk St.  5'11/192  4.54/40

Vontae Davis  He will go from the mid to late first round on skill and potential.  He was highly regarded but benched for awhile as a senior.   CB  Illinois  5'11 203  4.49/40  225 lbs/25 x   4.07SS

Cody Brown  A college DE that projects to a 3-4 LB.  LB  Connecticut  6'2   244  4.84/40  225 lbs/26 x

QB Drew Willy

There has been no word about progress made with any Steelers unrestricted free agents.  Do we franchise a left tackle, Max Starks, or risk losing 3 left tackles, Starks, Smith, and Essex?  We could also lose Chris Kemoeatu.  Do we franchise Bryant McFadden or risk losing our starting CB.  Gay may be able to take over but Townsend is getting long in the tooth.  Nate Washington will be hard to replace.  He has stretched the field and opened up the medium passing game.

The clock is ticking.  The deadline is up Thurday afternoon.

The Steelers often sign players who have little name recognition. The following players are restricted free agents, who will require little to no compensation from the Steelers but would fill needs, at least as young backups.

Brandon McKinney DT  6'2"/324     Baltimore Ravens Age:25  Draft Status:06 CFA
Earl Cochran           DE  6'5"/284     Houston Texans   Age:27  Draft Status:03 CFA
Erik Pears                OT  6'8"/305     Denver Broncos    Age:26  Draft Status:05 CFA
Stephen Bowen      DT  6'5"/303     Dallas Cowboys   Age:24   Draft Status:06 CFA
Anthony Montgomery DT 6'6"/315   Washington Redskins Age:24 DraftStatus:06/05/153
Fred Evans              DT   6'4"/305     Minnesota VikingsAge:25   Draft Status:06/07/212
Montavious Stanley DT 6'2"/303      New Orleans Saints Age:27 Draft Status:06/06/182

Chris Kemoeatu is beginning to look like a beast.  The Steelers don't negotiate during the season, but his price will only go up, as he continues to replace Alan Faneca.  The Steeler's line was supposed to be our weakness, but is doesn't look like that now. We have the potential to have a great season and then lose a huge chunk of our offensive line after the season to free agency. The Pittsburgh Steelers need to offer Chris Kemoeatu a fat contract now.

Dre Moore, Defensive Lineman from Maryland was one of the player that the Steelers tried to move up in the 4th round to pick.  He came to town to visit with the Steelers prior to the draft.  He was cut by Tampa today.  I hope the Steelers are watching the waiver wire.  We need some young blood on the DL.  All of our lineman are in their 30s.  Unless we start developing some talent, this unit will slip quickly.

Round 1
Brandon Albert
Jeff Otah
Gosder Cherilus
Jonathan Stewart (toe surgery)
Antoine Cason
Quentin Groves (3 broken toes last year, & heart surgery on 3/29/08)

Round 2
Jerod Mayo
Aqib Talib (character issues may drop him into round 2)  
Tracy Porter
Malcolm Kelly (Ran a 4.65/40)
James Hardy
Red Bryant
Mike Pollack
Charles Godfrey
Chris Johnson
Antwaun Molden

Round 3
Cliff Avril
Dre Moore
Shawn Crable
Kendall Langford

Round 4
Orlando Scandrick
Mike McGlynn

Round 5
Dennis Dixon
Cody Wallace

Round 6
Mario Urrutia
Keilen Dykes  
Ryan Torian

Free Agents
Bryan Smith
Matthew Slater
Ryan Mundy
Eric Foster
Brandon McAnderson
Jehuu Caulcrick

The NFL Network stated that Quentin Groves had heart surgury for a rapid heart beat caused by
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome on 3/29/08.  Please see links below for more info. Teams are still projecting him in the first round but this may cause him to move down a bit.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NFL&id=4675&line=1 14891&spln=1

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4785