Colbert told Bouchette:

[Coryea]

That we could pick any position with our first round pick, except QB or TE. He also told Bouchette that we need to two good RB's. I know he's not going to tip his hand, but I find it interesting he didn't list LB along with QB or TE, and what does that say to Davenport that he specifically pointed out that we need another good RB to put behind Parker?
Although I don't know why we would look for a RB, Davenport is the kind of guy we need in this offense and we would see the running game pick up with Davenport as the starter. ;)

[Irv24]

That we could pick any position with our first round pick, except QB or TE. He also told Bouchette that we need to two good RB's. I know he's not going to tip his hand, but I find it interesting he didn't list LB along with QB or TE, and what does that say to Davenport that he specifically pointed out that we need another good RB to put behind Parker?
Although I don't know why we would look for a RB, Davenport is the kind of guy we need in this offense and we would see the running game pick up with Davenport as the starter. ;)

I predict this webite will explode if they draft anything other than O or D line in round 1

[Coryea]

IMO, the only position in the draft where a player could come right in and have a chance to start is an OLinemen, that should be the direction we go. I know you draft for the future, but our first rounders have contributed right away over the past 9-10 seasons for the most part.

[fcfury]

I predict this webite will explode if they draft anything other than O or D line in round 1



I would be very surprised if OL is not the first pick in the draft, and yes the board will explode

[BLITZ 43]

I predict this webite will explode if they draft anything other than O or D line in round 1


You can bet your ass if I am not in a hospital bed from a heart attack I will be on here bitching about it. The first pick had better be an olineman!

[Steelerman]

Steelers eye several positions for first-round pick

Tuesday, January 15, 2008
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


The Steelers can use help everywhere and would consider drafting at any position in the first round this year except quarterback and tight end.

But they won't use free agency as a primary way to restock their roster, following a long-standing philosophy.

"No, I don't see any reason or any scenario where we wouldn't follow the same path we have," Kevin Colbert, the Steelers' director of football operations, said yesterday.

Colbert said the process and priorities will remain consistent with what they've done before. They will first talk to their own players who can become unrestricted free agents, including guard Alan Faneca, and then to others under contract they would like to extend, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

While the Steelers could put the franchise tag on Faneca and keep him another year, it's not likely they will do so.

"We haven't closed the door," Colbert said of Faneca. But ... "Again, we know once you get to free agency or are that close to free agency, obviously you're going to have competition. The price most likely has gone up. We haven't closed the door nor will we until we know for sure that we're not going to be in it."

Faneca and linebacker Clark Haggans are the only starters who can become unrestricted free agents. Former starting tackle Max Starks also can become an unrestricted free agent Feb. 29, when the NFL's new calendar year begins.

Colbert said he and others in the organization are in the process of determining how much salary cap room they will have in 2008 -- some incentives earned from last season count this year, for example -- and which players they want to keep and which they do not.

They also will look at free agency; even though they rarely make a splash in free agency, they normally sign a few players, and usually add one starter.

Starters they've added through free agency in recent years include center Sean Mahan (2007), safety Ryan Clark (2006) and receiver Cedrick Wilson (2005). In this century, they also signed free agents who became Pro Bowlers, linebacker James Farrior in 2002 and center Jeff Hartings in 2001.

Colbert said Roethlisberger's impending new deal -- which will easily be the most expensive in club history -- has no bearing on the team's approach to free agency this year.

"Ben is now in that area where he's two years out and that's when we've traditionally addressed the quarterback," Colbert said. "And we will look at guys who are one year out too, in that order."

Among those with one year left on their contracts are Farrior, Wilson, tackle Marvel Smith, quarterback Charlie Batch, tight end Jerame Tuman, cornerback Bryant McFadden and a handful of players who would become restricted free agents after next season.

Colbert agreed with coach Mike Tomlin that the team likely will need help in the offensive and defensive lines, but he did not think the offensive line was as big a problem as many make it out to be.

"Obviously, the sack numbers [47] were something that were up and were unacceptable. But you also have to realize it's the same line that blocked for the league's leading rusher before his injury and it's the same line that allowed the quarterback to have his best year ever.

"To say you need that position and that it is a glaring need, I don't think it's really fair to that group of guys. That being said, sure you want to add depth -- you realize you can lose two unrestricted free agents, and if you do, maybe that changes your focus as you move forward. But I think you have to keep in mind that group did some good things too."

Colbert said the Steelers could draft virtually any position in the first round, and that includes a running back. Willie Parker led the NFL in rushing until his right fibula was broken in the 15th game in St. Louis.

It's not the injury that might prompt them to draft a back -- Colbert said Parker should be as good as new and he would have returned to play in 2007 if the injury came earlier in the season.

Might they draft a back in the first round?

"Heck, yeah, absolutely," Colbert said.

Why?

"LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Turner [of San Diego], Kevin Faulk and Laurence Maroney [of New England], Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw [of the New York Giants]. Just looking at the teams that are still successful -- look at what Ryan Grant's doing for the Packers after they lost their guy. Unless you have a superstar, and even in San Diego's case, that's as good as it gets but it's still nice to have another guy."

[Chicoman]

Anything but an O-linemen in the NFL Draft is just INSANE!!!

If we draft anyone but an O-linemen whoever is responsible should be fired immediately.

[TMC]

IMO, the only position in the draft where a player could come right in and have a chance to start is an OLinemen, that should be the direction we go. I know you draft for the future, but our first rounders have contributed right away over the past 9-10 seasons for the most part.

Timmons hardly touched the field. Holmes played, but was not the starter until late in the season. Miller took the starting job. Roethlisberger started because of injury. Polamalu saw time, but he struggled, even had passes go through his hands for receptions. Now, before that, most started.....but that was also Cowher and company. We really have no way of knowing how Tomlin views the rookies. It appears he will play them if they are good enough (Gay played, Woodley played).

The thing is, if you draft a first round RB, he could end up seeing significant time the same way Roethlisberger saw time....through injury. Over the past 5 seasons, we have had Miller start outright, Holmes see time because of talent, Roethlisberger start because of injury, Polamalu see duty on passing downs, and Timmons sit. If not for injury, we would have our first rounders on the bench more than they would be in the game.

And, if we drafted a first round RB, I am sure he would take Davenport's carries.....maybe even some off Parker. A first round WR should, at the least, become our slot guy. A defensive end would spell the starters, at the very least. If there was a first round LB, I would think he would see more time than Timmons did. A first round corner would have to challenge McFadden and potentially challenge Townsend.

Now, with that said, I would think that Colbert is not going to sit down and go through each position specifically and point out his exact needs. I think we could go anywhere in the first, actually, and then focus on positional needs as we move through the draft. It is obvious that Colbert may not put the priority on 1st round linemen that some do....because he has only drafted 1 in his tenure here, and that was Kendall Simmons. Marvel was taken in his first draft, but he was taken in the 2nd round. Max Starks was taken in the 3rd. Essex was also taken in the 3rd and Colon was taken in the 4th.

He has spent the majority of his offensive early picks on skill positions....WR, QB, and TE.

Last season, I was begging for the Steelers to take Aaron Sears or Samson Satele and we should trade Faneca then. Everyone pointed to how we needed outside linebackers. Odd how Harrison removed some of that need and EVEN if they had not drafted Woodley OR Timmons, we would not have been that much worse off this season (Timmons hardly played and while Woodley sets us up for next season, his impact this season was minimal). What kind of line would we have had if we had drafted ONE interior lineman.....or traded Faneca and drafted 2.

You draft for the future. If we overdraft on the offensive line this year, we will pay for it at another position next season. IMO, 2 offensive linemen are the most we should take and one of them better damn well be a franchise left tackle.

[Irv24]

Steelers eye several positions for first-round pick

Tuesday, January 15, 2008
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Colbert agreed with coach Mike Tomlin that the team likely will need help in the offensive and defensive lines, but he did not think the offensive line was as big a problem as many make it out to be.

"Obviously, the sack numbers [47] were something that were up and were unacceptable. But you also have to realize it's the same line that blocked for the league's leading rusher before his injury and it's the same line that allowed the quarterback to have his best year ever.


I guess the fact that the QB was having his best year while running for his life means little to Colbert. If they are about to break the bank to pay Ben's new contract it would be wise to give him the kind of line that Tom Brady stands behind or something close to it.

[Superman]

fuck Ben. we need a QB who can throw from the prone position. Obviously Ben can't and makes our OL look bad with this inability.

[CoolieMan]

what if none of the OL available when the Steelers draft are as good a prospect as others still on the board? why reach...take the best available player at the time you draft...or trade the pic.....you can not go in thinking..."I gotta get an OL or else".....

That being said...I hope the first pic is an OL

[TMC]

what if none of the OL available when the Steelers draft are as good a prospect as others still on the board? why reach...take the best available player at the time you draft...or trade the pic.....you can not go in thinking..."I gotta get an OL or else".....

That being said...I hope the first pic is an OL

That is absolutely how they should do it. You rank your guys based on their talent. Then, when it is your turn, you look at the guys grouped together......if there is a linemen ranked highly, you take him, but if you have a franchise RB that is sitting there and no other guy close, you have to take the talent.

If Adrian Peterson would have fallen to us last season, would you pass on him now?

If Timmons was the stud OLB they felt, shouldn't they have passed on Woodley for another position?

[Chicoman]

what if none of the OL available when the Steelers draft are as good a prospect as others still on the board? why reach...take the best available player at the time you draft...or trade the pic.....you can not go in thinking..."I gotta get an OL or else".....

That being said...I hope the first pic is an OL

We need 2 O-linemen early in this draft. The Draft is full of O-linemen but I find it hard to look past the need for an tackle and guard. I hear what yer saying but damn....the O-line is what makes it all work. Just remember 2002 vs 2003. The difference was the O-line play.

[Coryea]

what if none of the OL available when the Steelers draft are as good a prospect as others still on the board? why reach...take the best available player at the time you draft...or trade the pic.....you can not go in thinking..."I gotta get an OL or else".....

That being said...I hope the first pic is an OL

Exactly, that's why we didn't take an OL with the first pick last year either, none worth the pick. I wouldn't reach either, I'm hoping there is a OL that falls a bit or grades out right around pick #23. I wouldn't be against trading down either, this seems to be a pretty deep draft.

[Coryea]

We need 2 O-linemen early in this draft. The Draft is full of O-linemen but I find it hard to look past the need for an tackle and guard. I hear what yer saying but damn....the O-line is what makes it all work. Just remember 2002 vs 2003. The difference was the O-line play.

You can make that 2002-2003-2004, our line was solid in 2002-horrible in 2003- and really good in 2004.

[Superman]

so, you're sitting there in the third.

You've taken an OT and a DT.

you're now faced with taking a guy like Felix Jones while there are still top-flight OGs on the board still. What do you do?

[Mud Dog]

Kevin doesn't want to hurt the OLinemen's feelings...are you kidding me? And yes Kev lets not go after linemen in free agency "because that's not the way we've done it here in the past". We have a franchise QB entering his prime so you're right I see no reason to try and do everything in one season. Lets do it the way we always have...get one weak lineman in free agency and another one on the second day of the draft....that should fix it.

[Coryea]

so, you're sitting there in the third.

You've taken an OT and a DT.

you're now faced with taking Felix Jones while there are still top-flight OGs on the board still. What do you do?

Easy, if it's me, I'm going OG. Kemo we don't know what we have yet, Simmons is a starter, who do we have behind either of them?
We have Willie, Davenport, and Russell(who was a rookie last year), IMO that's a very easy call.

As for the Free Agency thing, Hartings and Gandy were both Free Agents who we brought in here and were pro bowl players, and in Hartings case all-pro.

[TMC]

Exactly, that's why we didn't take an OL with the first pick last year either, none worth the pick. I wouldn't reach either, I'm hoping there is a OL that falls a bit or grades out right around pick #23. I wouldn't be against trading down either, this seems to be a pretty deep draft.

I think that Tony Ugoh and Joe Staley showed they were easily worth a mid-first. Ugoh was in the top 5 rookie vote getters for the Pro Bowl. Joe Staley took the starting spot from Kwame Harris and is now considered San Fran's best lineman.

I think both of them would have proven worthy of the 15th pick.

[carbonsteel]

You will hear my screams of anger from the backwoods of PA if we do not go with an OL in the 1st round.

You will never hear the Steelers tip their hand as to what they really are going after, but it is going to be very frustrating listening to the smokescreen go up between now and then.

What day is the draft scheduled ?

[TMC]

I can tell you this now, there is not ONE single OG in this draft that is the football player Felix Jones is, not ONE.

No f'ing way do I draft an OG in front of Felix Jones. IMO, there is not even an OG worthy of a first round selection this year. The top OG won't go until the middle of the 2nd. This draft is solid for guards, but does not present you with that can't miss guard. IF Robinson declares, he may go near the top of the 2nd......Felix Jones, in any other draft, is a mid-1st round back.

[Sean]

what if none of the OL available when the Steelers draft are as good a prospect as others still on the board? why reach...take the best available player at the time you draft...or trade the pic.....you can not go in thinking..."I gotta get an OL or else".....

That being said...I hope the first pic is an OL

Exactly...

However, what do you expect Kevin Colbert to say? "We're committed to picking an offensive lineman in the first round"? He sure as fuck doesn't show his hand in April, and we ought to know better when it comes to January.

A lot can happen that can change the stock of many different prospects. There's still a lot of time where they can get in trouble or be bit by the injury bug...

Relax.

[Superman]

ok, 2nd round. Jones has dropped (someone always drops). He's available. You've drafted an OT.

Take him in the 2nd?

[Coryea]

I think that Tony Ugoh and Joe Staley showed they were easily worth a mid-first. Ugoh was in the top 5 rookie vote getters for the Pro Bowl. Joe Staley took the starting spot from Kwame Harris and is now considered San Fran's best lineman.

I think both of them would have proven worthy of the 15th pick.

Yeah after the seasons they had, I would've loved to have taken one of them, but Staley went at 28 and Ugoh when early in round 2, they didn't grade out at 15 on our board, and 13 other teams passed on Staley, so they weren't graded out as mid first rounders.

[dobre shunka]

Colbert said the exact same thing last year. Did anyone get the sense his board was wide open, cept for QB and TE? Yeah, me neither.

And he has also said OL is the easiest positions to evaluate. Really? Honestly, I can't find one constant quality in what he looks for in an OL. He raves about long arms, then picks a stubby-armed stubby OT like Colon. Overdrafts Essex because of his sweet feet. Takes Starks about the same spot, who doesn't have great feet, and I'm still waiting for visual evidence regarding Essex. Smarts is a quality many look for in OL, and he has taken a couple (again Essex and Starks), but he has also taken his share of meatheads (Kemo, Simmons, Smith). He picks big maulers and he picks finesse zone-blockers. If there's a common denominator, I don't see it.

This class is deep at OT. Helped by a junior exodus. Suggesting next year's class won't be as strong or deep. If Colbert misses the boat this year, no telling when it comes around again. Last year's is a little better than expected. This is the strongest tackle class I've seen since 97 or 94.

[LetMePlay]

I can tell you this now, there is not ONE single OG in this draft that is the football player Felix Jones is, not ONE.

No f'ing way do I draft an OG in front of Felix Jones. IMO, there is not even an OG worthy of a first round selection this year. The top OG won't go until the middle of the 2nd. This draft is solid for guards, but does not present you with that can't miss guard. IF Robinson declares, he may go near the top of the 2nd......Felix Jones, in any other draft, is a mid-1st round back.

I tend to agree. I dont take a OG over Frank Okam either. I want 2 OL in this draft but I'm not going to get all Alonzo Jackson over it.

[TMC]

You will hear my screams of anger from the backwoods of PA if we do not go with an OL in the 1st round.

You will never hear the Steelers tip their hand as to what they really are going after, but it is going to be very frustrating listening to the smokescreen go up between now and then.

What day is the draft scheduled ?

What? They tip their hand every year. Tomlin flat out called out Revis before the draft, it is why NY jumped us. They professed their love for Timmons early as well. In fact, if you read some of the local reporters, they peg the pick a day or two before the draft.....we chose not to believe it, but they do it. Secondly, I went back earlier this season and did some research, and confirmed that the Steelers have brought in EVERY first day pick for a visit, except one.

Not that they did not bring him in, I have people telling me they did, but I could not confirm it.

Now, IMO, that is obviously tipping your hand.

[TMC]

Yeah after the seasons they had, I would've loved to have taken one of them, but Staley went at 28 and Ugoh when early in round 2, they didn't grade out at 15 on our board, and 13 other teams passed on Staley, so they weren't graded out as mid first rounders.

Then the problem was not the players, it was that teams missed on their evaluations. You still think Tom Brady should have been a 6th rounder and Ryan Leaf should have went 2nd overall?

Where they grade and what they become are two different things. Shit, why would we ever want to draft a guy that "grades out" as a mid-first if our grading system is missing Pro Bowlers and drafting bench sitters. The flaw lies in our grading out, not in the player. Staley and Ugoh proved they should have went higher. The issue was with the teams, not the players. San Fran gave up a 2nd and a future first for Staley. Obviously they felt he was worth it. In fact, I would be willing to bet that if Willis was gone, Staley was in their sights. If they won the Super Bowl this season, they are still giving up a mid-2nd and a 1st round pick for Staley.

[LetMePlay]

[QUOTE=dobre shunka;36957]Overdrafts Essex because of his sweet feet. Takes Starks about the same spot, who doesn't have great feet, and I'm still waiting for visual evidence regarding Essex.

He picks big maulers and he picks finesse zone-blockers. If there's a common denominator, I don't see it.
[QUOTE]

1) Thats the pick I trashed the most because I saw Essex play in college quite a bit. I never thought he would even start a single game. He has been better than I thought but that does not make him good. Did I have a better idea? Probably not but I'm not an expert.

2) Its why out OL sucks now. We dont have the OL that can zone block. We dont have enough maulers to be a power running team. When you are not really good at one then you have the worst of both.

[thatrain]

I can't imagine us drafting a RB in round 1. I.. I just can't fathom it. It makes me sick to think about.

[Coryea]

Then the problem was not the players, it was that teams missed on their evaluations. You still think Tom Brady should have been a 6th rounder and Ryan Leaf should have went 2nd overall?

Where they grade and what they become are two different things. , why would we ever want to draft a guy that "grades out" as a mid-first if our grading system is missing Pro Bowlers and drafting bench sitters. The flaw lies in our grading out, not in the player. Staley and Ugoh proved they should have went higher. The issue was with the teams, not the players. San Fran gave up a 2nd and a future first for Staley. Obviously they felt he was worth it. In fact, I would be willing to bet that if Willis was gone, Staley was in their sights. If they won the Super Bowl this season, they are still giving up a mid-2nd and a 1st round pick for Staley.

You're not telling me nothing I don't know. The entire league missed on Brady, still the fact remains if a team would've taken him on Day 1, everyone including yourself would've bashed that team endlessly right? It's not just our grading systemt that's flawed.

When all the talk started about Timmons, I suggested trying to trade down because I didn't want Timmons, or taking Staley, and a few people here went on about how that would be a reach because he was projected as a low first rounder.

[steelberger1]

That we could pick any position with our first round pick, except QB or TE. He also told Bouchette that we need to two good RB's. I know he's not going to tip his hand, but I find it interesting he didn't list LB along with QB or TE, and what does that say to Davenport that he specifically pointed out that we need another good RB to put behind Parker?
Although I don't know why we would look for a RB, Davenport is the kind of guy we need in this offense and we would see the running game pick up with Davenport as the starter. ;)

Like it did against Jax?

I like Dookie as a backup, but he is not a starter on this team.

Edit: I think I just looked right past the sarcasm there, didnt I?

[LetMePlay]

I can't imagine us drafting a RB in round 1. I.. I just can't fathom it. It makes me sick to think about.


Does not bother me as long as its an impact player that will see the field his first year. What makes me sick is drafting players in the first round and not getting them on the field. I dont mean starting, I mean getting them on the field for 10-20 plays a game from game 1.

[Coryea]

Like it did against Jax?

yeah and Baltimore.

[pourman]

Anything but an O-linemen in the NFL Draft is just INSANE!!!

If we draft anyone but an O-linemen whoever is responsible should be fired immediately. I think what TMC is saying is...that's not how you "win" drafts.

If this draft is as deep with OL as it looks, then a really good "can't miss" player at another position of need may fall to our spot, and we can take more OL later to make up for it since the talent is so high.

[LetMePlay]

Davenport is OK. Its funny when he returns kicks and he does a decent job as a backup but I would definately like a more explosive back (cutback) if we are going to be throwing the ball all over the field and trying to take advantage of zone blocking.

[FistfullofRings]

I have no problem drafting any position other than QB or TE in the 1st round. In the modern day NFL, if you don't need a player at a given position this year, you're probably gonna need one next year, take the BPA.

Colbert saying the OL wasn't as bad as perceived I think is his way of saying Ben holds onto the ball too long.

Davenport is another in the line of Bam Morris/Richard Huntley/Fu type Steeler RB's.

[BermudaSteel]

Wow...too much expert advice for me...

But I will say this - 1st rd = OL or best available player...

Personally I would like a Limas the big guy from TX at WR; but if Ben's on his back...why pick a big WR???

[BermudaSteel]

I forgot something...

Gary Russell is STILL UNPROVEN - he looked hella good (you can thank SG for that Westcoast slang) in preseason last year...

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

All this will change if we somehow resign Faneca and/or Starks. I wouldn't bet the bank on OL with the 1st round pick. OL is deep in this years draft and several quality options will be there between rounds 2 and 4. Pick number 23 will be the best player available at a need position or we will trade down to acquire more picks. I still say maybe you see WR taken in the first. We'll see.....

[papa lazarou]

There are all manner of direction that the Steelers could go in the first OL, DL, WR, RB, S. As long as they do not reach for a position and take the BPA I will not be shouting for Tomlin's or Colbert's heads.

This draft seems to be deep at OT, RB and DL. I think it is actually thin at WR, so we may not pick here until the fifth. I don't think LB or CB will be a priority position for the first, my guess is since it has not happened that often in the last 20 years, the Steelers will probably go to shore up the DL in the first and go RB in the second looking to the OL or WR afterwards. Casey Hampton was the last DL taken in 2001 at No.1, before that if I'm not mistaken, it was Aaron Jones in 1988.

I would not complain if the Steelers signed a competent free agent OL, perhaps Jake Scott or Ryan Lilja (not another Mahan, obviously) and took Ryan Clady, Felix Jones and Jordy Nelson then looked to the remainder of the draft for a DE, back up LB, Back up FS. They will likely also be drafting with an aim to repairing the Special Teams, if so, that means they will be looking for speed and agility which tend to come from the DEs, Ss, LBs, WRs, CBs and RBs. This may also cause them to actually trade down in the first round or out of it all together for additional 2nd and 3rd rounders.

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

This draft seems to be deep at OT, RB and DL. I think it is actually thin at WR, so we may not pick here until the fifth.

I think this is exactly why they would consider WR in the first.

[FistfullofRings]

Again, why not CB in the first round?

If Ike doesn't step up his game, I could see him being a cap casualty in 2009, Deshea isn't getting any younger, and teams with a lot of good CBs seems to be advancing in the playoffs.

[SteelerShane]

Yes, offensive line is by far our biggest need(there are many other gaping holes, but this is the most obvious one). The reason Colbert said this though is because in this game, you can't always just select for need in the first round. The reason most teams are successful at drafting prospects is because they get great value from every pick. If there is a run on offensive lineman before the 23rd pick in the draft and the kind of player we are looking for is not available at that position, I think you have to go to our other needs and draft a better rated player at that position. You get in trouble(Troy Edwards) when you draft players just for the reasoning that you need help there. I think it's also a good tool to keep teams guessing because no team is going to come out(except maybe the #1 overall pick and I still doubt it) and tip their hat and just proclaim to everyone that we're drafting offensive line in the 1st round no matter what, you can mark it down. That wouldn't be a good technique at all. I'm sure my points have already been made but I didn't read through all the pages of this thread, just wanted to throw my two cents out there

[Steelersrule]

With Aaron Smith healthy, what costs us games? Not having a RB to punch in for a TD, so we become predictable in the red zone.

Too many sacks on the QB, from Ben holding the ball too long, the plays called, and the protection provided. For the most part, a top notch center would have given us two more games easy. If the center is being run over, the guards try and help and comprimise their job, plus makes it tougher to get runs up the middle.

It is not so much we need Guards and Tackles, as it is we need a great center and a power RB

FYI Felix Jones also works special teams, which cost us at least two games.

Center is a weak position in the draft. At 23rd, we may not get what we need. Should look to Free Agency

Chargers have Michael Turner who may be a free agent RB, but will cost.

I am in favor of drafting a RB in the first round as long as we are getting best athelete type power RB, and not reaching for him. I would also put Center ass a higher priority than RB, but am a believer in best athelete available analysis.

[JohnnyO]

I predict this webite will explode if they draft anything other than O or D line in round 1
If that happens I'll meet the rest of you outside Heinz Field with torches and pitchforks.

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[5RINGS]

Sign Starks and get Mahon's ass away from the center position and our OL could be good, but we would have little depth at OT.

[Irv24]

Sign Starks and get Mahon's ass away from the center position and our OL could be good, but we would have little depth at OT.

I had questions about Mahan from the begining since one of his last QBs got his spleen ruptured during a game.

[papa lazarou]

I think this is exactly why they would consider WR in the first.

I don't think so, imo, it's an over-rated crop at the top. OT, RB, and DL are likely to be the first three positions the Steelers will check through as the draft seems deepest here in terms of quality. WR would appear to be a bit of a luxury item and would be reaching in my opinion. RB seems best for blue chip talent this year. So I would not be surprised to see a RB taken by the Steelers in the first like Felix Jones. The only problem with taking a RB at No 1 is that you already have Willie Parker who was on pace to be the No.1 rusher in the NFL before his injury, so you have to weigh that decision against taking an OT who will blow holes open for him and project Ben. I think they will have to go OT in the first. The rest is just posturing. They will need a replacement for Faneca too but I'd guess that will be dealt with later on.

[Steel Dino]

Yes...Colbert comments about the O-lIne was surprising...

I don't think the guy is into throwing players under a bus....that was why he was being kind...

I also think that we are vey seriously interested in a Day one running back....and rightfully so....

Willie needs some help...and we need to start thinking about what kind of contract Willie is going to command if he continues to perform like he does...SO basically, we need a "plan B" runningback to lessen the load on Willie and to have an option come contract time for Parker down the road...

[south dakota STEEL]

[QUOTE=FistfullofRings;36999]
Colbert saying the OL wasn't as bad as perceived I think is his way of saying Ben holds onto the ball too long.

[QUOTE]

He seems too...hopefully he studies that more in the off-season and figures it out...

[Blind Official]

what if none of the OL available when the Steelers draft are as good a prospect as others still on the board? why reach...take the best available player at the time you draft...or trade the pic.....you can not go in thinking..."I gotta get an OL or else".....

Why should Colbert change how he does it now? That's been his MO for years

[The Iron is Steel On!]

I think the only RB worth a pick is McFadden but he'll be long gone. I think Ray Rice will be the steal of the draft and could be there in round 2 when we pick again. He's very Westbrookish but tougher.

OL in RD1 and Ray Rice in RD 2. We need to sign a top center if we can get one or need to get a guy in the draft.

[Stlrs4Life]

I predict this webite will explode if they draft anything other than O or D line in round 1

I think the entire City of Pittsburgh will explode!

[Thorndike]

I think we go BPA...and I'm starting to lean toward that being a WR in round 1. Particularly if one of two guys happen to fall to us. Think about it...Hines has missed a bunch of time these last two years to injury. We don't stretch the field very well at all. The Pats, for example, have Moss and Stallworth on the outside, with Welker in the slot. Any of those players can stretch the field. Right now we have Holmes...and that's it!

I've come to think that our limitations on offense have at least as much to do with the defense's ability to bring eight to the box that it does with our OL play, currently. That said, the 'currently' part includes Faneca...who is likely gone. It also includes Marvel Smith who's injury status and future are in question. And Starks...who is likely gone as well.

My guess is that the FO thinks that Faneca and Starks are goners, but we can hold up with Smith and Colon and Kemo. We draft the BPA at either WR, OT, or RB in the first. And the way things are starting to look, I would bet that BPA that falls is a WR. Then we take the best OT available in the second and go either DL or RB in the third.