The wrap-up of the players I had been looking at since January up until the draft. Below was my final thoughts and picks leading up to the draft, and how they compared to how it actually played out.

Save Ben, Pt. III

Pre-draft thoughts......

If not DeCastro, I want Zeitler, he can start at LG and fill in for Pouncey should he go down with another injury.

Osemele is a big, nasty boy who we can have in case Colon gets hurt again.

Cyrus Gray, 3rd down back, character guy, team player.

Have been high on Chris Greenwood’s potential for a long time. Was hoping he could be drafted later, but it looks like his stock is elevating.

Did some research on Bethel after I heard some talk of him and Greenwood both coming from smaller schools. Have liked everything I have heard.

Donte Moss is coming off an ACL surgery in January and probably won’t be available in 2012. Kid would have been a 1st rounder if he did not get into some trouble a few years back, did not get injured and had gone back for his senior year. All the tools are there.

Robinson, I’m already a fan of his. Good motor, team player, great work ethic, workout warrior and a high character guy.

• 1 (24) Kevin Zeitler OG Wisconsin~ We got OG DeCastro! Zeitler went 27th to the Bengals.
• 2 (56) Kelechi Osemele OT Iowa State~ We took OT Adams! Osemele went 60th to the Ravens.
• 3 (86) Josh Chapman DT Alabama~ We took LB Shane Spence! Chapman went 136th to the Colts.
• 4 (119) Cyrus Gray RB Texas~ We took NT Ta'amu! Gray went 182nd to the Chiefs.
• 5 (159) Chris Greenwood CB Albion~ We took RB Rainey! Greenwood went 148th to the Lions.
• 6 (193) Justin Bethel FS Presbyterian~ Traded away. Bethel went 177th to the Cardinals.
• 7 (231) Markus Kuhn DT NC ST~ We took WR Toney Clemons! Kuhn went 239th to the Giants.
• 7 (240) Donte Moss DE UNC~ We took TE David Paulson! Moss-Paige went undrafted.
• 7 (246) Blair Walsh K Georgia~ We took CB Terrence Frederick! Walsh went 175th to the Vikings.
• 7 (248) Adrian Robinson OLB/DE Temple~ We took OG Kelvin Beachum! Robinson went undrafted.

Had 5 players go within 16 picks of where I had slotted them. Reached to much for 2 players (Chapman and Gray), underestimated where Blair Walsh would go, and although 2 compensatory picks were not selected, one of them (Adrian Robinson) has signed as an UDFA with the Steelers.

This is the latest list of UDFA we have signed:

Brandon Lindsey, LB, Pitt

Drew Butler, P, Georgia
Robert Golden, DB, Arizona
Marquis Maze, WR, Alabama
Desmond Stapleton, OG, Rutgers
Adrian Robinson, DE, Temple
Alex Tanney, QB, Monmouth
Grant Ressel, PK, Missouri
Ryan Lee, OG, Furman
Jake Stoller, DL, Yale
Connor Dixon, WR, Duquesne

Rams need a WR. We have one that does not want to be here (or if he does he wants to hold us hostage). If he signs his tender only, he will walk next year and all we will get is a 3rd round pick as compensation. Since we just played the Rams last year, we won't see them again until 2015.

How about the Steelers call the Rams, we give them Mike Wallace (better than any WR they are going to get now) and a 3rd, for their picks at 39 and 45. With those picks we draft:

39. Mychal Kendricks, Cal, ILB

45. Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State, OT/OG

56. Alameda Ta'amu, Washington, DT

Or whomever the BPA is.... All for a player who will not be here (I would bet) after this season.

What do you guys think?

Here is where I think the Steelers can make the weakness of the last few years into a strength for years to come. With the 56 pick int he draft, if he is still there, I would draft Kelechi Osemele OT Iowa State.

Osemele Video

He will need to be coached up, but his skill set is there, he can play RT (with Gilbert moving to LT), can play G (imagine a line of Gilbert, DeCastro, Pouncey, Osemele, Colon from left to right). I would move DeCastro to LG cause he can pull/trap effectively, whereas Osemele was never asked to do so.

Further, you would protect yourself as each DeCastro and Osemele give you postiton flexibility, as DeCastro can play C, G, RT, and Osemele can play G and RT. This would be helpful should Colon suffer another injury this year.

From NFL Scout: Osemele may be stronger than he is big, which is saying something. While some players use a strong base and others rely on a powerful upper body, Osemele has both. He has incredible reach (35??-inch arms and an 85??-inch wingspan) and massive hands (10 3/8 inches) that make him hard to escape. He seems to enjoy using that strength most on run blocking, where he overwhelms defenders. He is a bit more tentative as a pass blocker and must work on recognizing what is happening there. A hard-working student on and off the field.

They only other position I would consider drafting in the 2nd would be ILB, and the only player with a grade high enough here would be Mychal Kendricks. If both are available I would be torn but to me it is far more important to keep Ben upright, so I would still pick Osemele.

This would go along with Neal Coolong's thoughtful post about the Ravens jumping the Steelers for Hightower.

Neal's Post

I would not at all be surprised if Indy trades up to get Hightower. Think about it, their HC now was the Ravens DC last year, and he knows the value of having Ray Lewis as a teamer leader and running that D. Further, if Baltimore feels so highly about Hightower, you can beat your rear end Chuck Pagano does too. And if you are rebuilding your team, you get your signal callers on offense (Luck) and def (Hightower) in the same draft and set yourself up for 8-10 years of stability at those positions. It would be a brilliant move by the Colts. The only thing I am wondering, will they want to jump up those 10 spots and cost themselves some draft choices, or will they sit tight and hope Coby Fleener falls to them to give Luck his safety blanket.

It is hard to believe the Colts, in need of size on the def front 7 with their switch to the 34, and the impact Hightower could bring to that side of the ball, I can't see how this is not a scenario the Colts have been driving themselves crazy over.

As is with most Steeler fans, I ended up coming back to defense, defense, defense. Many of my thoughts/concerns I had with depth at some positions we taken care of with some FA signing. Thus, I have found myself thinking more of our defense, knowing our offense is in the capable hands of Big Ben (and I really like the Haley hire). I would bring in a few OL in the draft, and upgrade at LG and an OT to groom. So, here is the evalution of my thought process and my mock drafts as the months have gone bye.

Save Ben, PT. 1

Save Ben, PT. II

For my first two posts, I had figured the Steelers on a few things:

The Steelers would not franchise tag Mike Wallace, nor would they sign him to a long term deal. I also believed he would not be a Steeler this year, figuring someone in the later rounds would give up a 1st round pick for a proven WR. Since this has not happened yet, I will go with the assumption he will be a Steeler next year.

They would look to draft a TE and/or FB for reasons of possible suspensions/ their own RFA/ added QB protection.

They would resign Cotchery, Legursky and Foster.

Going forward from here, I believe a few more things:

Mike Wallace will not be back following this season. He will eventually sign his tender, and Pittsburgh will get a 3rd round compensatory pick for Wallace next year when he signs elsewhere as a FA. I doubt his demands will come down (Larry Fitzgerald money), and the Steelers have to consider both Brown and Sanders will be RFA next season.

I believe, in the not so distant future, the Steelers will use many more 4 man fronts, if not return to the 43 defense. Offenses are being given so much, in terms of rules changes and where and when you can hit them, it will force defenses to try to apply pressure with the front 4 while dropping back 7 into coverage. Think Giants against Pats in each of the two Super Bowls they played in.

Finally, while I would try everything possible to get up to obtain David DeCastro, I just don’t see it happening, and he will not slide back far enough for us to get him without giving up the farm. If those scenarios hold true, I would trade back with someone in the top 1/3 of the 2nd round (Miami?). They also have two 3rd rounds picks, we switch 5th rounders and acquire their 7th.

Miami Dolphins picks at 2/40 (500), 3/73 (225), 5/145 (33.5), 7/215 (5.4)= (763.9)
Steelers at 1/24 (740), 5/159 (27.8)= (767.8)

These would be my picks with the above trade:

• 2 (40) Kevin Zeitler OG Wisconsin
• 2 (56) Kelechi Osemele OT Iowa State
• 3 (73) Alameda Ta'amu DT Washington
• 3 (86) Josh Chapman DT Alabama
• 4 (119) Cyrus Gray RB Texas
• 5 (145) Chris Greenwood CB Albion
• 6 (193) Justin Bethel FS Presbyterian
• 7 (215) Drew Butler P Georgia
• 7 (231) Markus Kuhn DT NC ST
• 7 (240) Donte Moss DE UNC
• 7 (246) Blair Walsh K Georgia
• 7 (248) Adrian Robinson OLB/DE Temple

• 1 (24) Kevin Zeitler OG Wisconsin
• 2 (56) Kelechi Osemele OT Iowa State
• 3 (86) Josh Chapman DT Alabama
• 4 (119) Cyrus Gray RB Texas
• 5 (159) Chris Greenwood CB Albion
• 6 (193) Justin Bethel FS Presbyterian
• 7 (231) Markus Kuhn DT NC ST
• 7 (240) Donte Moss DE UNC
• 7 (246) Blair Walsh K Georgia
• 7 (248) Adrian Robinson OLB/DE Temple

If not DeCastro, I want Zeitler, he can start at LG and fill in for Pouncey should he go down with another injury.

Like I said, I think the Steelers will use more 4 man fronts with offense using the pass more often and neglecting the run. You put 4 big boys in there to go after the QB. Have Ta’amu and Chapman in the middle (Kuhn to add to the rotation), they both would command a double team in a 34 defense, allow Keisel, Hood and Haywoood to come from the outside (McLendon and Woods for depth), Timmons at MLB….

Cyrus Gray, 3rd down back, character guy, team player.

Have been high on Chris Greenwood’s potential for a long time. Was hoping he could be drafted later, but it looks like his stock is elevating.

Did some research on Bethel after I heard some talk of him and Greenwood both coming from smaller schools. Have liked everything I have heard.

Butler and Walsh, both from UGA, competition, not real comfortable with either of our kickers in big games. Can’t wait until next year, Quinn Sharp from OK St.

Donte Moss is coming off an ACL surgery in January and probably won’t be available in 2012. Kid would have been a 1st rounder if he did not get into some trouble a few years back, did not get injured and had gone back for his senior year. All the tools are there.

Robinson, I’m already a fan of his. Good motor, team player, great work ethic, workout warrior and a high character guy.

This is an update of this previous post from January 16th (Link below). My thoughts were of trading Wallace and rebuilding the OL, upgrading the running attack and to supply the offensive with a few new weapons who might be groomed this season to take over for veterans in the seasons to come.

Save Ben, Pt. 1

In the month since the above post, it would seem the Steelers (while wanting to try to sign him to a long term deal) will not franchise Wallace. To do so would cost the team $9.4 million this year, place them in the same position next year, where another tag would run them over $13 million. Unless he agrees on something reasonable for long term, the Steelers will never invest that type of money on a WR.

Now, if someone offers him a contract at less than $9.4 million, the Steelers will have the option to match it, thus saving themselves some money. If nobody signs him, the Steelers will save $2.7 million (I believe that is the difference between the franchise tag and the 1st round tender). If someone offers more than that, the Steelers can let him walk, and get the 1st rounder. If Baltimore or New England make an offer, the Steelers can decide if they want to match it or let him go to a rival.

In my opinion, Wallace will not be a Steeler much longer. I think the Steelers might be better served allowing Wallace to sign elsewhere and get the 1st rounder for him. Then, cut Hampton, trade up to get David DeCastro, and look at drafting one (or both) of those Arkansas WRs in the 3rd- 4th round (Joe Adams and/or Jarius Wright).

Based on the above, I would draft the following:

1st. David DeCastro OG Stanford

2nd. Stephon Gilmore CB South Carolina (Added 2nd pick back in from the original post)

3rd. Joe Adams WR Arkansas (moved him up a round)

4th. (From Seattle) Ladarius Green TE La.-Lafayette (moved him back a round)

4th. Jarius Wright WR Arkansas

5th. Josh Chapman NT Alabama (Changed from Chad Diehl)

6th. Adrian Robinson OLB/DE Temple

7th. Chris Greenwood CB Albion

The trade of picks 24 and 31 to net Seattle’s pick at 11/12 and their 4th round pick. Based on the Draft Value Chart, the trade would be a wash:

24~ 740
31~ 600
11~ 1250
107~ 80

Drafted 2 wideouts to replace Mike Wallace and Hines Ward. I would resign Cotchery.

I would draft Chapman, and would even consider him higher, but from what I have seen in mocks et al, he seems to have a 5th round grade on him (we'll see how it plays out after the combine). This kid is is a run stuffer, a 2 down player who will clog up the middle. He is stout and strong! He will not get pressure on the QB, he will not run down anything, but he will keep those big OL off our LBs. Perfect! Rotate him with McClendon and I like the future of our DL!

Taking flyers with the last 2 picks..... Robinson was a sack machine and played all over the field for Temple. Greenwood is a taller, physical corner who can flat out fly (unfortuantely he was not invited to the combine)! I think he would get to much interest as an UDFA for us to sign him that way, he is a project with an upside.

I reluctantly dropped a FB from the last mock to this one. I was going to replace Robinson in the 6th with another Temple product, FB Evan Rodriquez. I think the organization wants to get back to being able to run the ball when needed (something that was lacking last year), and having a FB to block not only for the RB, but to pass protect will go along way to preserving Ben.

Finally, in free agency I would look for quality veterans to come in a help out now, especially at ILB and OT. I think this draft would solidify the left side of our OL for the next 8-10 years. Gilbert, DeCastro (who can pull) and Pouncey in the middle, sounds great to me! We would get a young CB in the 2nd round who is a zone cover guy, and a raw, talented CB to develop. Those two Razorback wideouts can play, and the TE could replace Miller when the time comes and a massive NT who does exactly what we need, clogs up the middle.

Found this while going through some NFL stuff.......

As the NFL readjusts to the problems that arise from spending that once again will be approaching the annual salary cap, there’s an important provision of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement that needs to be highlighted.

Under Article 13, Section 6(b)(v) of the CBA, each team may carry over any remaining cap room from one year to the next by submitting written notice, signed by the owner of the team, to the league office no later than 14 days before the start of the next league year. The written notice must indicate the maximum amount of cap room that the team wishes to shift from one cap year to the next.

Interesting that I had not heard of this before, had anyone else?

After watching the playoffs this Sunday, it seems the football Gods are finally back to their senses. The old addage, defense and rushing wins Championships seems alive and well. This video game football fantasy world we live in now saw the two best fantasy teams fall to what should have been lesser teams. In the end, the ability to run and play defense won out over high flying passing attacks with incredibly weak defenses! There are 2 teams left in the playoffs that finished the year in the top 10 in both rushing and total defense, and there are two that did not.

Baltimore is a very well balanced team, and when they use Rice (why they forget about him at times is beyond me) and don't let things rest on Flacco, they have great success! Further, the 49ers play a great brand of def and with Gore and Hunter they can pound the rock. These teams also possess dynamic threats at the TE position, causing mismatches in both the rushing and passing attacks. Neither team have a great receiving corp, and this is where Pittsburgh can separate themselves, as our wrs are outstanding.

Finally, we have got to protect Ben. With a healthy Ben we can win any game, no matter the circumstances. Without him, we are in deep trouble. We need to get back to pounding the rock, we need to upgrade the OL, we need look at the success teams like Baltimore and San Francisco are having, and get away from the video football they are playing in now.

My thoughts on the draft, possible trades and restricted/unrestricted players.

First, I would make a trade with St. Louis to get the 2nd pick. They need a top-flight WR, we have one who is better than any WR in this draft and he is a restricted FA. I would offer St. Louis the following: Mike Wallace, our 1st (24) and 2nd (56) in 2012 and 2nd round choice in 2013 for their picks in the 1st (2), 4th (98) and 6th (162) in 2012 and a 4th in 2013.

I would then turn around and trade with the Dolphins (Ross wants RG3), I would offer them: St. Louis' 1st (2) and Our 6th (184) and Our 4th in 2013 for their picks in the 1st (8 or 9) and Mike Pouncey.

I would try to keep Jerricho Cotchery but I would not offer him a lot of money, if he stays great, if not so be it. I would keep Ward for another year if Cotchery walks, if only to help tutor the new WRs drafted, as he did with Brown and Wallace.

I would keep Legursky and Foster, they are both restricted, I would let Essex go. Starks I would keep for another year, I doubt he will be offered a ton of money from anyone else. Can we just cut Kemoeatu, please!

I would keep Carlie and Byron (again neither of them would I pay a lot of money to), let Dixon walk.

Now, for the draft.

1st. David DeCastro OG Stanford

3rd. Ladarius Green TE La.-Lafayette

4th. (From St. Louis) Jarius Wright WR Arkansas

4th. Joe Adams WR Arkansas

5th. Chad Diehl FB Clemson

6th. Adrian Robinson OLB/DE Temple

7th. Chris Greenwood CB Albion

DeCastro is why I would do all the trading around, if we could put him at OG with Mike at the other G and Maurkice in the middle, we would be athletic enough to pull and trap and psychical enough to blow people off the line. Now, there should be a few good LTs available here, like DeCastro's teammate Jonathan Martin, but I would draft DeCastro, he has a mean streak to him and he is massive for a OG, we need that against the Ravens and Ngata.

Green is a fast, athletic TE, split him out or keep him in line.

Those two WRs from Arkansas, without Wallace and Cotchery getting these two would be great. And Adams is a heck of a returner, we would have to protect Brwon as he would be our number 1 receiver so I doubt haveing him return punts would be wise. Plus, both those guys can fly! With Sanders in the mix, our future at WR would be bright.

Chad Diehl is a fullback, and can he block! He can pick up blitzes and is an outstanding lead blocker. With a rebuilt interior OL, and a big bruising FB leading Mendenhall/Redman, those all out blitzes against Big Ben will be a thing of the past.

As for Adrian Robinson and Chris Greenwood, ton of potential, ideal size and upside. They like projects too, and Greenwood could develop into a very good corner.

With the new additions on offense, this would help them become much more balanced, being able to run out the clock later in games. Running the ball also eats up clock, thus decreasing the amount of possessions for each team during a game, thus saving our defense from extra plays run against them and keeping them fresher.

Next year, without a doubt it will be time to work on the defensive side of the ball, but if Ben does not get protected now, it won't matter what our defense does.

I think the core of our defense has another run in them, retool the offense, protect Ben, establish a running attack and go for it!

The Steelers didn't catch any luck from Cincinnati yesterday, but maybe they can in a few weeks. I am hoping the Bengals and Steelers both win next weekend so Pittsburgh can take on Baltimore in the divisional round. They beat us twice, and I do not want to avoid them, I want them right away. Here are my predictions for the 2011-12 NFL Playoffs.

Wild Card Weekend:

Cincinnati @ Houston, Saturday, January 7, 4:30pm

Detroit @ New Orleans, Saturday, January 7, 8:00pm

Atlanta @ New York Giants, Sunday, January 8, 1:00pm

Pittsburgh @ Denver, Sunday, January 8, 4:30pm

Divisional Round:

New Orleans @ San Fran, Saturday, January 14, 4:30pm

Cincinnati @ New England, Saturday, January 14, 8:00pm

Pittsburgh @ Baltimore, Sunday, January 15, 1:00pm

Atlanta @ Green Bay, Sunday, January 15, 4:30pm

Championship Weekend:

New Orleans @ Green Bay, Sunday January 22

Pittsburgh @ New England, Sunday January 22

Super Bowl

New Orleans @ New England, Sunday, February 5

Sorry, as much as I want to be a homer and predict the Steelers win the Super Bowl, I just can't see them going into Gillette and beating Brady. Even if they did, they would have their hands full with New Orleans or Green Bay. I'll still be cheering loudly for them, and I hope I am wrong. Maybe, if the Bengals win this weekend, they can go into New England and give them hell. Nothing wrong with a Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh AFC Championship game. :)

Watching the Ravens leave the field against the Steelers last weekend left me wondering.  What happens when one team puts so much thought and effort into beating another?  What happens when one team is all consumed with its failures in critical games against their rivals?  What happens when the little brother finally rises up and beats his bigger brother?

Listening to Harbaugh after the game talking to his team, you would have thought they just won the Super Bowl.  All they did was win a regular season game in November!  Sure, it gives them the tie-breaker over their most hated enemy, but that is all it did!  To act like the NFL would now just pave a way for you to a championship based on two victories over Pittsburgh BEFORE the 10th week of the season is a bit fool hardy!

The Ravens, in their zest and zeal to dethrone the Steelers as baddest team in the AFC North forgot the NFL season is 16 games.  Losing to lesser opponents is what happens when your goal is to beat one team, not win a championship.  The Ravens should never have believed their path to that was its just reward for beating Pittsburgh.  

Baltimore has put so much into beating Pittsburgh, they get so high and emotional for those games and for those victories, they come out flat against inferior opponents.  Those two games they beat Pittsburgh have been offset by three loses to common opponents which Pittsburgh destroyed. 

Now, all their hard work and effort against Pittsburgh has led them to lay two enormous eggs (following Steelers games) against Tennessee and Seattle!  And for good measure throw in Jacksonville, on a national stage, everyone watching (me in attendance), the Ravens played terrible football!  Pittsburgh outscored those three teams a combined 79-30, yet against the Ravens, those same teams outscored Baltimore 50-37.  Now, granted it the Steelers had all those opponents in Heinz while the Ravens had three away games, but three away games against inferior opponents, three away games an AFC power should have beaten.

Further, the combined record of the teams that have defeated Pittsburgh is 19-9, Baltimore has lost games to teams that are a combined 11-16.  Blaine Gabbert and Tavaris Jackson have beaten the Ravens this year!  

Now Pittsburgh is on a bye, and their upcoming schedule (and while no game is played on paper) looks pretty easy.  The hardest games they will have is a home game against the Bengals and a road game against the 49ers.  They will have 11 days to prepare for San Fran, and San Fran would have clinched their division by then.

Baltimore has 2 games with Cincinnati, one at home with San Fran and one on the road against San Diego.   

They each have a Thursday night home game upcoming.  Each will play the Sunday before at home against the Bengals, after that the Ravens get San Fran, Steelers get the Browns.

For the Ravens there is solace, they still control their own destiny, win out and they have the division, but does anyone see that happening?  For Pittsburgh the goal is clear, it begins with winning the division.  Play well, win games and line up against whomever they put against us in the playoffs.

I will say this, does anyone believe these two teams are not headed to a playoff game in January?  And if the Ravens beat the Steelers they will deserve whatever comes with them beating their Moby Dick (another game going up against Aaron Rodgers?).  For us, I can't see any team beating the Steelers three times in one year.  I do not want to play any other team come January, I will be hoping for an AFC title game, a final showdown against our most hated enemies.

Please!  I am so sick of reading this stuff, it is laughable!  We got beat by a very good football team!  The Ravens have been beating up the rest of hte NFL for a while now, in case we all missed it.  They play really well against the Pats, and we all know the troubles we have against them.

We played a very bad game, and with that said how many times did we drive the ball down field only to turn the ball over in their territory?  7 turnovers?  Yeah, this was a divisional game that got away from us, nothing more.  We were not going to beat this team every time we played them (with Ben playing).  Further, if I am not mistaken, they beat us at our place last year to hand us our first loss.

Fear not Steeler Nation, our division will come down to the game against the Ratbirds in Heinz.  We will make Seattle pay this weekend, and then last weekends game will just be a bad memory.

First, I would like to say I was very animated in my belief the Steelers should have drafted more OL over the past few years.  This year, I was hoping Pouncey would fall to us, but after thinking some about it, looking at our schedule, and looking at our roster, I have come to a much different conclusion.  I think we need to address our DB situation now, for the following reasons:

1st) It takes a year or 2 to learn LeBeau’s system.

2nd) If Ike is not resigned, we really do not have any decent CBs.

3rd) Our schedule is not loaded with pass happy teams, heck as it stands, we have 5 games against teams that do not have a qb right now (Bengals 2x, Titans, Cardinals, 49ers).

My feeling is get talented kids in there now and let them learn on the fly.  Even if we try to go after CBs in free agency, any CB that is good is going to command a lot of money.  I think if you want to bring in a CB or two for a year or two, that is fine, but I would still draft and play the younger guys on the team.

With that said, here is who I will be looking at, with interest, as the Steelers pick.

1 (31) Stephen Paea DT, OSU~ I was going back and forth between Paea and Phil Taylor, but after the concerns about the problems with Taylor’s feet, I would not pick anyone here with any red flags.  Paea is strong and he is a run stuffer.  He can take over for Casey in the future while giving him a blow on plays now.

2 (63)  Bruce Carter OLB, UNC~ All I can think of is in a few years having a LB group of Woodley, Worlids, Timmons and Carter.  Talk about fast and athletic!  I would take it easy on Carter, let him learn while making sure his knee is fine.  Timmons took a while to learn, let this kid do the same thing. 

3. (95) Brandon Burton CB, Utah or Marcus Cannon OL, TCU~ I really like Burton, but I do not think he will be available here.  If Carter goes before 63, I would take Burton @ 63 then I would take Cannon @ 95.  From what I have heard/read, Cannon could fall into the 4th round because of his medical condition.  That being said, he should be fine in a few months, and to get a talented guy projected to go much higher in the draft here, well that would be a steal.  If he is here, I would take him.

4. (128) Rob Housler TE, FAU~ I attended FAU so I have gone to quite a few of their games over the years.  Rob Housler is going to be a very good TE in the NFL.  He is fast, he can catch, he can get up the seam and pressure a defense.  He would be a huge upgrade over Speath.

5. (162) Rashad Carmichael CB, VT~ In the games I have watched, he has played well.  He also knows how to play zone and he is fast.

6. (196) Kendric Burney CB, UNC~ He is not fast, he is small, yet whenever I watched a UNC game, he was always making plays.  A nickle/dime back, covering the other teams 3rd/4th WR, I think he would be an upgrade over what we have.

7. (232) Aldrick Robinson, WR SMU~ Okay, well, maybe the Steelers remember this guy from watching Sanders last year.  He is fast, June Jones said he is the fastest player he has ever coached.  Could possibly become slot receiver taking over for Ward.  Robinson is a good route runner and very effective on slant routes. 

I read a lot of stuff on the Jets page about the "gift" given to the Steelers and Sanchez's arm was going forward, thus it should be an incomplete pass.  My thoughts as I was watching it, and after watching the video numerous times...... it could never have been an incomplete pass!

If they say his arm was going forward, then by rule, it has to be a LATERAL!  The ball landed behind Sanchez, in which case Gay's TD would have stood.  As I watched it with my wife, and Jim Nantz said I think they will reverse it, I told her the same thing.... it landed behind him, lateral, recovered by the Steelers and returned for a TD!

So please, Jets fans, stop complaining.  You guys played a great 2nd half, you played your heart out!  I thought you would fold it in, but you showed a lot of heart, and Rex, say what you will about him, he was a class act in the post game.

Since the merger, the Steelers have won 12 or more games 7 times.  Each time they have, they went on to (at least) the AFC Championship game.

1975, finished 1st in the AFC Central with a 12-2 record.  They beat the Colts in the divisional round 28-10, the Raiders in the AFC Championship game 16-10, and the Cowboys in the Super Bowl 21-17.

1978, 1st Central 14-2, beat Broncos 33-10, beat Oilers 34-5, beat Cowboys 35-31.

1979, 1st Central 12-4, beat Dolphins 34-14, beat Oilers 27-13, beat Rams 31-19.

1994, 1st Central 12-4, beat Browns 29-9, lost to Chargers 17-13.

2001, 1st Central 13-3, beat Ravens 27-10, lost to Patriots 24-17.

2004, 1st AFC North 15-1, beat Jets 20-17, lost to Patriots 41-27.

2008, 1st North 12-4, beat Chargers 35-24, beat Ravens 23-14, beat Cardinals 27-13.

In those 7 years, in the playoffs we are 15-3:

Divisional Round: 7-0

AFC Championship game: 4-3

Super Bowl: 4-0

Vs Ravens in Playoffs: 2-0

Vs. Divisional Foes: 5-0

We are undefeated in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, we are 5-0 against teams from our division (Houston Oilers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens) in those playoff years, 2-0 against the Ravens, and 3-0 against Baltimore (if you count the '75 Colts).

However, of the 3 losses, 2 of them came at the hands of the Patriots in the AFC Championship game..... GO JETS!

Anyway, let's hope the streaks in the divisional round and against divisional foes continues!

GO STEELERS!

Ps..... Something else I learned as I was going through the Steelers playoff history (since the merger), they have never lost to a divisional foe, regardless of round played.  

Against Baltimore the Steelers are 2-0 outscoring them 50-24.

Against Cleveland, 2-0, outscoring them 65-42.

Against Cincinnati, 1-0, outscoring them 31-17.

Against Houston (Tennessee) 3-0, outscoring them 84-34.  The Titans did beat Pittsburgh in the playoffs, but that was after they moved to the AFC South.

In the playoffs, against our division, we are 8-0, outscoring them 230-117.

Besides Pittsburgh, New England and Oakland!

Obviously, we need a NE win, and if Baltimore wins, we will also need a Jets loss.  For the Bengals to have anything to play for (and claiming the 3rd seed would mean avoiding Indy in the 2nd round and hosting the Pats in the Championship game should both make it that far), they would need the following to happen:

The AFC North to win out, and 4 of the following 6 games to go their way (bold teams).

Green Bay @ Arizona

Kansas City @ Denver

Indy @ Buffalo (counts 2x)

Tennessee @ Seattle

New Orleans @ Carolina

So, IF Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore win, and any combination of 4 teams (bold) above winning (Indy will count as 2x because the Pats beat Buffalo twice), then Cincinnati would claim the 3rd seed over the Pats, even if the Pats win.

Based on the outcomes of a few games this weekend, it would be possible for the Bengals V. Jets game to be meaningful for Cincinnati, even if the Pats win.

Right now the Pats hold the Strength of Victory tiebreaker.  The Pats are 65-85, the Bengals 61-89.  If the entire AFC North wins this weekend, and the Pats beat the Texans, the standings would look like this: Cincinnati 75-97, New England 74-96.  Since Chicago is playing Detroit, and Atlanta is playing TB, both teams will go 1-1 in those game. Cincinnati 76-98, NE 75-97.  

That means these following games could decide the 3rd seed (should the AFC North and NE win).

Green Bay @ Arizona

Kansas City @ Denver

Indy @ Buffalo (counts 2x)

Tennessee @ Seattle

New Orleans @ Carolina

If in those games, 4 of them go the Bengals way (bold teams), they will win the SoV tiebreaker over NE and will capture the 3rd seed.

*Strength of Victory is the 4th tiebreaker, Strength of Schedule is the 5th.

Based on the outcomes of a few games this weekend, it would be possible for the Bengals V. Jets game to be meaningful for Cincinnati, even if the Pats win.

Right now the Pats hold the Strength of Victory tiebreaker.  The Pats are 65-85, the Bengals 61-89.  If the entire AFC North wins this weekend, and the Pats beat the Texans, the standings would look like this: Cincinnati 75-97, New England 74-96.  Since Chicago is playing Detroit, and Atlanta is playing TB, both teams will go 1-1 in those game. Cincinnati 76-98, NE 75-97.  

That means these following games could decide the 3rd seed (should the AFC North and NE win).

Green Bay @ Arizona

Kansas City @ Denver

Indy @ Buffalo (counts 2x)

Tennessee @ Seattle

New Orleans @ Carolina

If in those games, 4 of them go the Bengals way (bold teams), they will win the tiebreaker over NE and will capture the 3rd seed.  They won't have a 2nd round game against Indy, and they would host NE in the Championship game should both make it.  A lot might be on the line Sunday Night, even if NE wins.

*If the whole AFC North doesn't win, or only three of the above games go the Bengals way, and they tie the Pats in SoV, the next tiebreaker is Strength of Schedule and NE will win that.

Thanks to BigRed and his post for inspiring me........ 

Obviously we want Cincinnati and New England to win.  Would the Bengals even bother winning its game if it knows it could play the Jets at home in the Wild Card with a loss?  Who knows, but I would think they would try to beat the Jets, secure the 3rd spot and avoid the Colts in the next round and possibly going to NE in the Championship (if both made it that far).

So, if the Pats win how can the Bengals secure the 3rd spot?  Strength of Victory, here's how:

Tonight's game is important.  We want Chicago to win!  Cincinnati beat Chicago and lost to Minnesota so a Vikings win would hurt the Bengals.

In next week's game, the Atlanta V. Tampa game (unless it ends in a tie) will give the Pats one win and one loss (they beat each of the teams playing) and the Chicago V. Lions game is the same for the Bengals, one win and one loss.  

We want all AFC North teams to win.

With those results, the Strength of Victory would stand at: Pats 75-97 and Bengals (depending on a Bengals win over the Jets next week and not counting tonight's game) 75-98.

Games that will affect the SoV of the Pats and Bengals, and who we want to win:

Minnesota @ Chicago (tonight)~~~~~~~~ Bears!

Green Bay @ Arizona

Kansas City @ Denver

Indy @ Buffalo (counts 2x)

Tennessee @ Seattle

New Orleans @ Carolina

Of the 7 outcomes of those games above, Cincinnati must have 5 of them fall their way (including all AFC North teams winning) to secure the tiebreaker over NE. 

However, if NE beats Houston, we can always hope the 4 pm games fall to Oakland over Baltimore, then we don't have to worry about the Bengals. So obviously these games are the most important:

New England @ Houston

Pittsburgh @ Miami

Baltimore @ Oakland

Man, cheering for the Pats AND Raiders this weekend is going to be brutal!  However, if the Ravens win, remember the above scenario!  All won't be lost!

Update!

Excellent!  The Bears won last night!  

The up-to-date SoV is:

New England 65-85

Cincinnati 61-89

The NFL flexed into the late game next Sunday the Bengals and Jets.  This really hurts us (although not as badly as us losing to the Chiefs, Browns or Raiders)!

New England and Cincinnati are fighting for the 3rd spot, which means they won't get Indy a week after playing in the Wild Card round.  By flexing the Bengals into the late game, from their earlier start time, the Bengals will already know the outcome of the Pats game, and whether anything can be gained from playing their starters in what might be a meaningless game for them.

Now, the best case scenario for us would have been both teams play at 1:00 (which was the original schedule) play their starters and hope to win the game.  Now that is not the case.  So, based on that, I would venture to say only one of those teams will win on Sunday.  If the Pats play hard and beat Houston, Cincinnati will rest their starters because they will have nothing to play for and lose.  If the Pats lose, the Bengals will have a chance to gain the 3rd seed, will play hard and win (some might think 3rd seed, big deal....... it is!  If both the Bengals and Pats beat the top two seeds in the divisional round, the championship game would be at Cincinnati, not NE).

Now, which is better for us?

If Houston beats NE (and the Jets lose to the Bengals)...... Both Baltimore AND Denver would have to lose!  In that case, Houston would finish 5th and Pittsburgh would finish 6th.  Am I sure?  We own the tie-breaker with Denver....... The problem is Houston!  If we finish in a tie with Baltimore, Denver and Houston, head to head is out the window.  Baltimore will get the 5th seed, and Denver would get the 6th!  If Baltimore wins and Denver loses Houston gets the 6th. If Baltimore loses and Denver wins, Denver gets the 5th and Houston gets the 6th. Finally, if Baltimore wins and Denver loses then Baltimore is 5th and Houston is 6th.

With a Houston victory, Pittsburgh WILL need losses by both Baltimore and Denver!  Do I think this will happen?  No, not both of them.

If Houston loses to the Pats (and the Jets win)...... our season will rest on one game, Baltimore at Oakland.  It won't matter what happens anywhere else.  We would win the head to head with Denver, so we would be the 5th seed.  A Jets win would give them the 5th seed, so we would have to finish in 2nd in the North then we would capture the 6th spot.

With a Jets victory, Pittsburgh will need only a Baltimore loss.  Do I think this will happen?  No... but it could, and it would eliminate the outcome of the Denver game, so this is our best shot.  Hopefully it won't come to this, but I can't see both the Bengals and Pats winning this week when the teams they are playing have so much to gain.  So a Pats victory is more important to us.  A Houston victory will pretty much kill our hopes.

Should both the Texans and Jets win, we are eliminated.

Should both the Texans and Jets lose, we are in with a win.

Bumped from the fanposts. A nice and succinct and (I believe, at least) accurate overview of the AFC Wild Card picture. First things first, the Steelers must win this weekend. But if they do, they may very well control their own destiny heading in to Week 17. Crazy to think, but it's true. Take a gander. Go Steelers, Go Patriots, Go Eagles, Go Colts, and once more for good measure, Go Steelers! - Blitz - (Michael B.)

***************

Possible ways the Steelers make the playoffs:

FOR THE 5TH SEED

1) Steelers win out.

2) Titans win out OR Houston loses one.

3) Jags, Jets and Denver lose or tie one game and Baltimore loses to Pittsburgh AND loses or ties the Raiders.

Results:

5th seed: Pittsburgh 9-7 

6th seed: Denver 9-7

7th seed: Titans 9-7

We claim the 5th spot based on a head to head sweep of the Titans and Broncos.  Denver claims the 6th based on better conference record than the Titans.

FOR THE 6TH SEED:

1) Steelers win out.

2) Titans win out OR Houston loses one.

3) Jags, Jets and Denver lose or tie one game  (Baltimore 5th seed, Pittsburgh 6th)

OR

3) Jets and Denver lose or tie one game and Baltimore loses to Pittsburgh AND loses or ties the Raiders. (Jags 5th, Pittsburgh 6th)

OR

3) Jags and Denver lose or tie one game and Baltimore loses to Pittsburgh AND loses or ties the Raiders. (Jets 5th, Pittsburgh 6th)

OR

3) Jags and Jets lose or tie one game and Baltimore loses to Pittsburgh AND loses or ties the Raiders. (Denver 5th, Pittsburgh 6th)

********

I believe this covers all possibilities.

Tennessee must finish in 2nd in the South unless the 2nd place team is 8-8.

We must finish ahead of the Jets and Jags, as we would lose tie breakers against them.

Hey, we lost.  It sucks, I had trouble keeping down my food, but we are still in a great spot.  We are only 1 game behind Cincinnati, and we are the 5th seed in the conference right now.  The Bengals still have games @ Minnesota, @ San Diego and @ New York Jets (Ryan knows the Bengals).

What I am most upset over yesterdays game is the lack of running in the second half.  First possession of the 3rd, 2 runs for 8 yards, then on a 3rd and 2 a Bengals pick.  From there, it was mostly passes, with Cincinnati applying a lot of pressure.  Even though the Bengals didn't have much seccess running, they kept at it, made some first downs, kicked some field goals and won the game.

Hopefully we get another chance at the Bengals, if not, you have to hand it to them, they swept both us and the Ravens this year.  Congrats to them on a job well done.

GO STEELERS!

I am a Steelers fan and I live in Ocala.  I am old enough to say I remember the Bucs first season, and that I was hoping they would beat the Rams so they could play the Steelers in Super Bowl XIV.  My favorite Bucs players where the Selmon brothers, and Hardy Nickerson (wish the Steelers never let him go).  

Just wanted to stop by and congratulate you and your team for a great game yesterday.  I'll be cheering you guys on in Miami next weekend, I got tickets down in section 126.

By the way, I like the new uniforms, but there is something about those old ones....... the pirate, the colors, alone terrible, together.... well, I love it!

Since the AFL/NFL merger, the Steelers own a regular season record of 365-237-2, 2nd best to the Miami Dolphins.  The Dophins have a one game lead with a record of 366-236-2.

With a Steelers victory this weekend over the Detroit Lions, and if Miami is defeated by the New York Jets on Monday Night, the Pittsburgh Steelers will own (tied) the best record in the NFL since the 1970 merger.

GO STEELERS!

Wow! Andrei Markov will be out for 3-4 months after tearing a tendon when he collide with Carey Price in the 3rd period last night. What a big blow! He is not expected back until after the Olympic break!  Apparently they are going to call up Yannick Weber from Hamilton and Roman Hamrlik will return to the line-up for tomorrow's tilt against the Sabres.  

Get well quickly Andrei!

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=293425

I am one that whole-heartedly believes we have been neglecting our OL and it will come to bite us sooner or later.  Starks is a sorry excuse for a LT and there was a reason he lost his job in the first place.  To take it one step further, our starting OL for Super Bowl XL was RT Starks (3rd round pick), RG Simmons (1st), C Hartings (1st), LG Faneca (1st), and LT Smith (1st).  We replaced 4 1st round picks with: Kemoeatu (6th), Colon (4th), Hartwig (6th) and Essex (3rd).  Max Starks went from RT (then) to LT (now).  Anyway, the complete lack of thought to the OL on the first day of the draft has led to our running problems and lack of protection.

As for this year's addition....... I have been sick the last two weeks, but after calming down and watching the games again I have come to the following:  We are a few plays away from being 0-3, yet we are a few plays away from being 3-0.  A dropped pass in the end zone last week along with some questionable playing calling (going for it, not going for it), and against Chicago, a WR stepping out then catching the ball, and two missed field goals, that is pretty much how close we are to 3-0.

Now, with that said, as close as these games have been (and on the road), we are playing without our defensive playmaker, we have had no pressure on the QB and we have no turnovers (while we have a INT returned for a TD against us and the turnover ratio -4), yet we still have been in position to win each of these games.  

Chicago and Cincinnati did exactly what they had to do.  They played it close, took our best shot and managed to score enough in the end to win.  I doubt this treend will continue!  I doubt the Steelers will not force turnovers or get pressure and sacks and force opposing teams into 3rd and long situations.  They have got to get Troy back, bench Sweed and let Wallace and McDonald play.  McDonald is a vet who runs good routes and hangs onto the ball!  

We are okay, as bad as these last two weeks have been, we are okay.  We just have to get a few victories, catch our breath and get Troy back.  

GO STEELERS!

I posted this as a reply to another thread, but I would really like to hear what everyone thinks so I posted it as a new post....

Should we pass all the time and give up the run?  Why do we have problems with teams that run a 4-3? 

Forget the run and lets pass?

We tried that a few years back......

Everyone fell in love with Tommy “Gun” Maddox and Bill opened up the offense.

In 2002, once Tommy took over after the bye week (in the third week of the season), he went 10-3 in the regular season and 1-1 in the playoffs (the loss came to the umps, I mean the Titans). In the last 7 games he played that season, he threw 11 ints and as a result the D was on the field a ton and eventually broke down and yielded 31, 33, and 31 points over its last 3 games.

In the 2003 year, things turned ugly quickly! A 6-10 record, an ugly loss to Cleveland in Pittsburgh, and a 3-3 division record. That year Tommy threw the ball around like some schoolboy at the local play ground. 519 pass attempts with 298 completions,17 picks with only 18 TDs! By the end of the year we were back to trying to establish the run, with Tommy only attempting 45 passes the last two games of the year, a win against San Diego (18 attempts) and a OT loss to Baltimore (27 attempts).

In 2004, it was back to the run, with Tommy winning the first game of the year against Oakland (22 attempts) before getting hurt in week 2 at Baltimore. In came Ben!

Since then, Ben has never come close to the year Tommy posted 519 attempts. His attempts have been 295 in 2004, 268 (‘05), 469 (’06), 404 (‘07), 469 (’08). Now, in 2005 we relied heavily on the run and Ben was entrusted to manage the game and not turn the ball over. The next year (’06) he was given the reigns and they thew a ton, the result? 23 picks and a 8-8 record!

In 2007 the attempts came down, Willie was leading the league in rushing until he got hurt against the Rams and missed the last two games of the season (all of the Rams game and a loss to Baltimore) and the playoff game with the Jags. Steelers finish the year with 10 wins and get beat by the Jags in the playoff game. With no running game Ben is forced to throw the ball against the Jags 42 times. In the regular season match up, Willie rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries, but the Steelers did get their butt whipped (Fred Taylor had 147 yards rushing and the Jags had 224 total yards rushing). In the playoff game, Pittsburgh had 43 yards rushing, lost one fumble, Ben threw 3 ints and we would have been smoked had our defense not played a heck of a game. After Fred Taylor ran at will against them in the regular season, the Steelers held him to 48 yards rushing on 16 carries.

In 2008, Big Ben’s attempts did go up again to 469, but the big difference was he did not throw 23 ints (like he did in ’06). Further, if you look at the stats, the Steelers lost the games last year that he did. Giants game, Big Ben had 4 ints, Steelers lost. Indy, 3 picks, Steelers lost. Titans, 2 picks, they lost…… In every game he threw multiple ints last year, the Steelers lost! The exception was the Philly game, only because he had no time to throw, the OL forgot to show up that game. In the playoffs he threw 1 pick in 3 games and they won the Super Bowl.

Problems with a 4-3 defense?

Now, if you say just forget the run (which is absurd), you invite teams (especially with good DL) to pin their straps back and blow by our OL! Those games we lost last year look at the DL those teams have! Why did Ben throw ints? Bad decisions? No Time? Trying to make something out of nothing? Why do you think they have so much trouble with a 4-3 defense!

Look, it is simple. Our OL stinks! A team that plays a 4-3 that has a good DL is going to pressure Ben because they do not have to worry about the run. They do not have to blitz people to get pressure and they can leave 7 in coverage. I do not care who the QB is, no time to throw with 7 defenders in coverage is not going to lend itself to success!  

Again, look at the losses last year:

Eagles game: we had 3 turnovers, 32 yards rushing, 180 total yards, TOP was 27:26 and Steeler QBs were sacked 9 times!  Our defense at least made the final score look like the game was close.

Giants game: we had 4 turnovers, 95 yards rushing (MeMo played great!), 154 total yards, TOP was 25:36 and we were sacked 5 times!  INt in 2nd led to a Giants FG, Int in 3rd led to a Giants FG in the 4th, and the Harrison snap led to a safety and a TD.

Colts game: we had 3 turnovers, 55 yards rushing, 271 total yards, TOP was 34:05 and we were sacked 3 times.   In this game, Big Ben threw an interception and the Colts started at the Steelers 30, 7 plays later Manning hit Dallas Clark for a 2 yard TD with 6 secs left in the first half!  With the momentum Indy takes the opening kickoff and takes it down the field for a Vinatieri FG.  In the 4th, Big Ben throws a pick (with the Steelers leading 20-17) and Indy starts at the Steelers 32!  A few plays later Manning to Rhodes for a 17 yard TD with 3:04 left in the game and a 24-20 Colts lead!  Finally, Big Ben picked off in the end zone with no time left on the clock and the STeelers at the Colts' 27 yard line!

Titans game: 4 turnovers, 71 yards rushing, TOP 30:51 and 5 sacks.  Turning points in this game; Big Ben fumble at Titans 1, Big Ben fumble after a sack on the Steelers 40 (Led to Titans TD),  Reed misses a 33 yard field goal at the half, Big Ben picked off Titans start at Steelers 37 (led to a TD), Big Ben picked off for 83 yard TD.  They left or gave away 31 points in this game, a game they should have won, in part because the Titans DL totally mauled our OL. 

Against good teams that run a 4-3 we are going to have trouble.  Our OL is not what is expected in Pittsburgh, it can be dominated by a good 4-3 DL thus causing pressure on Big Ben.  Until our OL can block someone, this will continue.

Now, we are lucky that we have an incredible D, and Big Ben.  This can overcome the many short falls our OL has, and against lesser teams the problems are masked.  However, against those elite teams that run a 4-3 with offenses that can manage to scratch out points against our D our weaknesses are exposed.

All I can say is welcome back!  Those punts looked great tonight.  What a difference from last year..... 

Our punt coverage team looked so much better tonight.  Last year whenever our punter ran on to the field, I crossed my fingers and asked Myron for a little help.  I was anxious for this game tonight, just to see where Sepulveda was at.  He did not disappoint!  I feel so much better about our special teams now than I did last year.

(1.32) Alex Mack, C, California (6-4, 307).   Named first team All Pac-10 in 2006 and 2007. 3 year starter. Hand and arm length: 33.0, 10.8in.