Steelers Draft Review
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Mon, 04/27/2009 - 03:56
The steelers during this off season need to address a few issues for 2009. The loss of CB Mcfadden and WR Nate Washington in Free Agent market left the champs filling some holes. Plus a def line that is showing some age. The Colbert/Tomlin draft went very well, and I feel not only added depth, but filled the holes I spoke of.
1st RD - Evander "Ziggy" Hood DE, 6-2 300lbs Missouri
This kid is a hard worker. after he wasnt happy with his combine numbers, he took himself back to the gym, and improved all his numbers. With all steeler starting DE/DT in their 30's, ziggy will get plenty of chances to get dirty, and playing for dick lebeau. Hard charger, will team up real nice with harrison/woodley LB in blitz package.
3rd RD- Kraig Urbik OG 6-5 1/2 330lbs Wisconsin
Started 50 games for badgers, played 34 games as guard, 16 as tackle. Can compete this summer for starting RG. Steelers may even try him as a center. Will provided great depth to a rejoined off line coming off SB year.
3rd RD - Mike Wallace WR/KR 6-0 199lbs Mississippi
4.3 Speed, with excellent hands. He will get a great chance to compete with 3rd WR limus sweed for duties. Has great upside and a very coachable player. will gain valuable lessons with SB 40/43 MVP's as his teachers.
3rd Rd - Keenan Lewis CB 6-1 205 lbs Oregon State
High School team mates and best friends with Mike Wallace. Perfect size to play CB in steelers secondary. Body and style compared to Ike Taylor. Was a 4 year starter. Provides depth right away for loss of Mcfadden.
5th RD - Joe Burnett WR/KR 5-9 198 Central Florida- Playmaker, will make claim as special team returner.
5th Rd - Frank Summers FB 5-10 242lbs UNLV - steelers still looking for short yardage guy, could make a case with size, and has decent hands.
6th RD - Ra'shon Harris DL 6-4 303lbs Oregon- Slim chance to make team, only hope is age of def line, maybe practice squad.
7th RD - Allen 'AQ" Shipley C 6-1 302lbs Penn State- Lack of Centers gives him a chance, a pittsburgh native.
7th RD - David Johnson TE 6-2 270lbs Arkansas State- Steelers have plenty of TE's so his chance is FB or Hb goaline, which he did play in college.
Overall, steelers did very well in my opinion. This past week, Hines Ward was given a new 4 year contract. This keeps ward a steeler for life, which is what he and I always wanted. This also will provide the steelers an extra 5 million to the salary cap. Im really excited about the top 4 picks of the steelers. I do believe all 4 could have a great impact on the season. With teams in the AFC North not looking a threat, and the schedule looks alot easier, I like our chances in 09. GO STEELERS!!!!!
Mon, 04/27/2009 - 19:28
#2
The rich get richer. There Steelers get there guy more time than not and I think they did it again. Just curious, Wallace has 4.3 speed and excellent hands why not picked before rd 3? Sound like he could be a steal in the draft.
The Steelers are the model franchise in the NFL. They have done very well in the draft over the years. Being the Super Bowl champions, they didn't have too many holes to fill, so they could go with guys they felt could fit their system/needs & add depth to certain areas. I don't know much about a lot of these players, but I give the Steeler organization the benefit of the doubt.
Their biggest need area IMO was to shore up the Offensive Line. It looks like they made 2 selections to do just that in this draft. I think Urbik's success/failure will be critical in grading this draft in the future. If he can prove to be a good 3rd. round pick, it will make an immediate impact on the field this season.
I don't know if the Steelers will repeat (it's hard to do), but I certainly think they will breeze through the AFC North. (I think the Ravens will miss Rex Ryan...and the Ohio teams have far to go.)