This will be fun

It will be fun to watch how the careers of running backs Felix Jones and Rashard Mendenhall play out in Dallas and Pittsburgh, respectively. For that matter, it will be interesting to see how the respective careers of all four first-round running backs compare over time.

Darren McFadden of Arkansas was the consensus first choice, and with good reason. Still, much of the pre-draft talk highlighted concerns about McFadden's off-field distractions (we have a feeling he'll be just fine), and whether he will be anything more than a straight-line outside rusher in the NFL (we have a feeling he'll be exceptional).

Most mock drafts projected Mendenhall would be the second running back taken and would land in the top 15.

The second back taken, however, turned out to be Jonathan Stewart of Oregon, who was selected much higher than most people anticipated, despite still being in a walking cast after off-season surgery on his foot. He has an injury history. If he's healthy, he should have a tremendous career – but you hate to have that "if" in there for such a big investment.

The real drama, and this is where it get really interesting, is how the careers of Felix Jones and Rashard Mendenhall will compare. These two will be forever linked simply because they were selected with consecutive picks (Jones by Dallas at No. 22, and Mendenhall by Pittsburgh at No. 23).

Dallas owner Jerry Jones obviously made a conscious decision to draft Jones over Mendenhall.

Much of the pre-draft speculation had Jerry Jones him taking Felix Jones at No. 22 – but there's no way he could have foreseen Mendenhall would also be available, as Mendenhall was the higher-rated player.

Even last year, after Jerry Jones swung the 2007 Brady Quinn deal with Cleveland that netted him an extra first-round in the 2008 draft, there was widespread talk that Jerry Jones (who, like McFadden and Felix Jones, attended the University of Arkansas) would try to maneuver into position to land McFadden; or, sit tight with his two picks at 22 and 28 and gladly draft Felix Jones. And that's exactly what he did.

His choice of Felix Jones over Mendenhall suggests he was fixated on the one player (Felix Jones). It's as if Jerry was so set on landing Felix that he just couldn't recalibrate his thinking to envision of the possibility of Mendenhall in a Dallas uniform.

Sometimes you get the feeling, too, that Jerry Jones likes to show that he is smarter than everyone else. It's called "hubris."

He explained his thinking afterward and, yes, we understand his rationale. Jerry envisions Felix as a speedy scatback complement to Marion Barber, the team's bruising workhorse feature back. Jerry concluded that because Mendenhall's style was closer to Barber's, he wouldn't represent as dramatic a change of pace or style as Felix Jones.

That is to overlook several salient points, however, not least of which is this: Mendenhall is actually faster than Felix Jones. And, with an additional 20 pounds, Mendenhall gives every indication he will be the more rugged, durable back, as well.

Why wouldn't Mendenhall be just as good a complement to Barber?

You can debate the old football axiom, if you want, but there is some merit to it: Faster is better than slower, and bigger is better than smaller. Rashard Mendenhall is faster and bigger than Felix Jones (or Jerry Jones, for that matter).

In Dallas, there has been considerable second-guessing of Jerry Jones' decision to draft Felix Jones over Rashard Mendenhall (see the links below). Lots of reasons, including Marion Barber's touchy contract situation, are in the discussion.

In Pittsburgh, on the other hand, there's been virtually no second-guessing about the decision to draft Mendenhall. A radio talk show host asked Steelers' personnel director Kevin Colbert
what he might have done had Dallas selected Mendenhall instead of Jones. Colbert tactfully evaded giving a direct answer, but it seemed clear the Steelers would have passed on Jones.

Paraphrasing here, he said, essentially:

• Dallas was looking for a certain type of back to complement Barber, and Jones fit their criteria for a change-of-pace scatback to stretch defenses. Fair enough.
• While Jones complements Barber nicely, his style of play more closely resembles Parker's. In Pittsburgh, therefore, Mendenhall fits the Steelers' scheme better and will complement Parker perfectly.
  
• Besides, the Steelers had other needs.
• Colbert, of course, would not tip his hand about which other player the team might have chosen, or whether it would have traded out of the No. 23 slot to add extra picks.

So, we're left to speculate, but it seems clear the Steelers would not have selected Felix Jones had he been available.

While discussing Felix Jones, by the way, Colbert was complimentary. No disrespect, none at all He noted that Felix Jones reminds him of Eric Metcalfe, who had a fine career as a similar type of speedy, role-playing, third-down change-of-pace scatback.

It seems a fair comparison.

Keeping in mind, however, that if styles make the match, Steelers offensive coordinator compares Mendenhall to a young Edgerrin James – and that seems a valid comparison, too.

So, Steeler fans, who would you rather have? Thought so.

Again, nothing against Felix Jones. He's an exciting player, and we wish him luck in Dallas. It's just that we're thrilled to have Rashard Mendenhall in Black 'n Gold.

Yes, styles make the match. And it will interesting to see how the Cowboys and Steelers match up when they play each other Dec. 7 at Heinz Field..

Yup, this will be fun to watch.

--------------------------------------

Links From the DFW Metroplex:
"Mendenhall -- the best back in this draft -- was the right pick for Dallas"
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/04/mendenhall-vs-jones-the-final-word.html

"Wrong selection for the Cowboys? You don't draft a complementary player in the first round when you have an opportunity to select a franchise back. Ever. But that's what the Dallas Cowboys did Saturday by picking Felix Jones over Rashard Mendenhall"
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/042708dnspotaylor.3bb4d8c.html

"I wouldn't have picked him (Jones) over Rashard Mendenhall. I would've gone with the guy who is bigger, a shade faster, just as quick and catches the ball just as well, although he doesn't return kicks. T he Cowboys could build their offense around him if Marion Barber were ever unavailable."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/043008dnspocowboysnewletter.2c729e1.html

"Wrong back for the Cowboys?"
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/columnists/randy_galloway/index.html

Pre-draft scouting report on Mendenhall, including very interesting commentary from Reggie Hayward, his position coach at Illinois:
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/03/prospecting-rashard-mendenhall.html

A Dynamic Duo

Steelers fans and coaches are still pinching themselves over their good fortune on draft day.

Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians appears positively giddy with visions of Rashard Mendenhall paired with Willie Parker in the same backfield. Arians, who was an assistant coach in Indianapolis when Edgerrin James was in his prime, likens Mendenhall to James, who has been one of the game's elite running backs during his distinguished career.

Not to get ahead of ourselves – Mendenhall has yet to don a uniform in the NFL – but the comparison seems right on. James and Mendenhall have very similar styles of running; and, if anything, Mendenhall may be a tad faster and a little bigger than James.

Mendenhall's likeness to James is striking. Both players even wore the same uniform number (No. 5) in college (James at Miami; Mendenhall at Illinois).

The prospect of having a young Edgerrin James in his prime, with his whole career ahead of him, and running out of the same backfield as Willie Parker and Ben Roethlisberger …oh yeah, that's exciting for Steelers' fans.

Parker himself welcomes the addition of Mendenhall. Of course he does. After all, the Steelers cannot keep giving Parker 370 carries a year and expect him to last very long, or be optimally productive. Mendenhall can only help Parker's productivity and longevity.

Like everybody else before the draft, Joey Porter's Pit Bulls had no idea Mendenhall would fall all the way to the Steelers at pick No. 23. It seemed impossible. Figuring the Steelers would address offensive line later in the draft, and having reservations about all the top wide receivers as first-round picks, and having qualms about most of the defensive players likely to be available, we advocated drafting Miami safety Kenny Phillips – our rationale being, among other things, that pairing the best safety in the NFL (Troy Polamalu) with the best safety coming out of college (Phillips) would give the Steelers better value at that point in the draft than other options.

This is way more exciting. Pairing Parker (the NFL's leading rusher until his broken leg, from which he will be fully recovered by training camp) with Mendenhall (one of the top running backs, and arguably the best running back coming out of college) presents possibilities for a truly Dynamic Duo.

Matt Morris & Barry Zito: Funny. Money.

Joey Porter's Pit Bulls get annoyed when we hear curmudgeonly old-school sportswriters (Ron Cook, Bob Smizik) in the mainstream media chastise Pirates' fans for feeling bad that the Pirates had to eat the $10 million contract (plus a $1 million buyout) of pitcher Matt Morris, who was clearly at the end of the road and whom the team released on Sunday.

"It's not your money," the sportswriters say. "That's Bob Nutting's money. It's not coming out of your pocket."

We beg to differ. Because a major league team is, in a sense, community property, the money does, in a sense, come out of our pockets. And, really, isn't it naïve to suggest costs like this won't get passed along to the fans? Have you tried to buy a beer at PNC Park lately?

Now, this is not to denigrate Matt Morris. By all accounts, Matt Morris conducted himself with humility, honor, grace and dignity during his brief career with the Pirates. His teammates praised his willingness to help them any way he could. He just couldn't pitch any longer.

Too bad for him, and even worse for the Pirates' new front office team, which inherited Morris from the inept, hapless and clueless regime of former general manager Dave Littlefield. When the San Francisco Giants were desperately trying to find a taker for Morris at last season's trade deadline and by all accounts were more than willing to pay a substantial portion of his substantial salary just to get rid of him, Littelefield swooped in and saved the day.

For the Giants.

Littlefield not only agreed to take on Morris's entire contract, he threw in a player (Rajai Davis) from the Pirates' roster. Now, Morris is gone, and the Pirates are stuck paying off his $10 million salary, plus the $1 million buyout.

So, although curmudgeonly local sportswriters (Ron Cook; Bob Smizik) tell fans it's not our money, and that we shouldn't care -- well, in a way, it is our money, and we most certainly do care.

We don't like the idea that our team got fleeced, that our buffoon of a general manager got suckered, that our team is mired in a 16^th straight losing season, and that our team is out more than $11 million it could have spent on scouting, player development and, say, oh, the drafting of uber-prospect Matt Wieters, who is positively tearing it up in the minors for Baltimore, instead of Littlefield's choice, Daniel Moskos, who most assuredly is not tearing it up in the minors for Pittsburgh.

For as bad we might feel as Pirates' fans, however, we can be glad we're not Giants' fans. Before the 2007 season, the Giants compounded their mistake of signing Morris to an overpriced contract by signing lefthand pitcher Barry Zito to a n even more obscenely overpriced, seven-year, $126 million contract. He was to be the team's ace.

As it turns out, Zito has been a Giant flop. With a record of 0-6 record and an ERA of 7.53, Zito has been relegated to the bullpen. There is legitimate speculation that his arm is dead. His career over. Kaput.

But that contract's not over, nor is the Giants' obligation to pay Zito. Nope, not by a long shot. Talk about sunk costs and dead money.

So, just imagine being a Giants' fan, and how they must feel. Of course, for them, it could have been even worse.

They could have been stuck with both Zito and Morris. They should have been, and would have been, if not for Dave Littlefield.

The Giants and their fans should send Littlefield a sincere "thank you" card for taking Morris off their hands. And a second card, too, for drafting pitcher Matt Lincoln (who promptly got hurt, naturally, in keeping with the pattern of pitchers chosen by Littlefield in the first round of the amateur draft) in 2006 instead of star pitcher Tim Lincecum, who is being described in San Francisco as "a modern-day Steve Carlton," for cryin' out loud (the legendary Carlton, a former Phillie, is a Hall of Famer).

So, to re-cap: Dave Littlefield not only cost the Pirates $11 million+ by engineering the trade for Matt Morris; he also passed on the Ruthian Matt Wieters (in favor of Daniel Moskos); and he also passed on the Steve Carlton-like Tim Lincecum (in favor of Matt Lincoln).

Yup, as Pirates fans, we have every right to feel bad. Still, how pathetic must it be to live as Giants' fans … and have Pirates' fans taking pity on them?

Then again, they do have the "modern-day Steve Carlton." And we have Matt Lincoln. Somewhere. In our farm system. Somewhere?

At least he's not Barry Zito.

Life is good.

More and more ...

Some interesting new Steelers (Rucker, Legursky, Bryant and Woods are undrafted free agents who just might have a chance, and a half-decent one at that) ...

• Another tall receiver for Big Ben: At his school's pro day earlier this spring, wide receiver Micah Rucker of Eastern Illinois had an excellent workout: At 6-6, 221 pounds, he ran a 4.47 40, had a vertical jump of 39 inches and performed 20 bench press repetitions at 225 pounds. Rucker finished the 2007 season with 777 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 55 receptions. A third-team All-American, Rucker had 104 receptions, 22 touchdowns and 1,743 yards during his two-year Eastern Illinois career after transferring from the University of Minnesota. Here are some comparisons with higher-profile receivers:
  

1. Plaxico Burress: Height: 6.5.06, Weight: 233, 40 time on MSU pro day: 4.56, Vert: 33inch, Broad Jump: 9’7”
2. Limas Sweed: Height: 6.4.06, Weight: 212, 40 time at the Combine: 4.48 (4.5 at his pro day), Vert: 35inch at combine (37.5inch at his pro day), Broad Jump: 10’8"
   
3. Micah Rucker: Height: 6'6". Weight: 221. 40 time on EIU pro day: 4.47. Vertical leap: 39 inches. 20 bench press reps at 225 pounds.

• Marshall center Doug Legursky, who was on the JPPB pre-draft radar, says the Steelers plan to work him at guard, along with center, his position at Marshall. "Pittsburgh has been in contact a lot and I've watched a lot of their film all through college. I think their line fits my style well. It's the best fit and it was the best offer. Everything fell right in." The "right fit" includes shifting Legursky to guard from center. He played both with the Thundering Herd, but primarily was a center and was an All Conference USA selection at the position. At 6-foot-3 and 300-plus pounds, Legursky's athleticism best will be utilized at guard at the next level. "Right now they're looking at me more as a guard and a backup center going in," Legursky said. "I'm going to be working hard to earn the respect of the veterans and coaches and find my way to the top."

• Wide receiver Dorien Bryant, from Purdue, looks like he will compete at the slot receiver poistion.

• Donovan Woods, a linebacker who led Oklahoma State in tackles last season with 82 total, six tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception, and two forced fumbles, and also was the Defensive MVP in Oklahoma State's 49-33 win over Indiana in the Insight Bowl. Woods, who is 6-2, 235 pounds, also played quarterback and safety during his Cowboy career. Several teams had shown interest in Woods who tested well on the OSU Pro Day, but it was the Steelers that employ a 3-4 defense that made the strong move to sign the former Millwood High School star from Oklahoma City.

Over at DraftGuys.com, here is what they had to say about Limas Sweed and Tony Hills, both of whom are from the University of Texas.

"Anyone who's heard me on the Audible or stood within 50 feet of me at any bar in Austin knows I consider Sweed an overrated wideout who tends to fade from the ball, plays mechanically, seldom gets separation, and can get pushed around for a player his size."

"But at the end of the 2nd? He's well worth it. By all accounts, he's a great kid who works hard and wants to be great. And he got better every season at Texas. Combine his physical talent with that work ethic and you've got someone to build on. I didn't feel Sweed merited the first round pick status most folks wanted to bestow upon him, but this is value for the Steelers. He's the jump-ball red zone threat they lack and will learn the craft from Hines Ward."

"Tony Hills was tremendously undervalued in this draft. He only allowed a single sack in 2007 despite his QB's struggles with quick passes, and he thumped opponents for 68 pancakes. Is he a tear-your-face-off guy like Lichtensteiger? Heck no. But is he *that* much different from Bears' first-rounder Chris Williams? Not at all. He's also very active in children's charities and should be one of the team's finest public citizens. The Steelers' draft has to be graded as at least an A- so far."

At least.

This is good, very good ...

We are absolutely okay with this pick. Who wouldn't be? Uh, except for, say, Najeh Davenport? Carey Davis?

Yes, it is a hoary cliche, but, yes, we were stunned to see Rashard Mendenhall still available at 1.23. Needless to say, there were some, shall we say, curious, selections earlier in the day.

Yes, we get it. We understand that the Bears need help on the offensive line, and we really like Chris Williams. In fact, we were kind of hoping he might fall all the way to the Steelers, although it seemed unlikely.

It seemed even more unlikely that Mendenhall would fall to the Steelers, let alone get past the Bears. Even before the draft, we thought the Bears would be crazy to pass on Medenhall, and we still can't believe they did.

Carolina, too. Philadelphia. Arizona. By all rights, Mendenhall should have been a top-15 pick. But he is a perfect Steeler. This guy has "Steeler" written all over him. A perfect fit.

Limas Sweed in the second round? Lucky, lucky, lucky day. Unbelievable. We had reservations about taking him in the first round but never thought he would last all the way to pick No. 53. No-brainer.

Great draft. Yes, there are still many holes to fill. But no complaints with these two picks. None at all. Unless you're Najeh Davenport.

By the way ...

Note to Jim Wexell: Get over your infatuation with Gosder Cherilus.

If Gosder Cherilus was so good, he wouldn't have been stuck at RIGHT tackle until his senior season. He would have been playing at LEFT tackle, which is where college teams put their best OTs.

And when the Boston College coaching staff finally moved Cherilus to left tackle, he struggled mightily. He is a right tackle, and a right tackle only. He has no "position flexibility."

He does not fit Mike Tomlin's criteria for an offensive lineman who can play at multiple spots along the offensive line.

We don't see the Steelers selecting Gosder Cherilus at 1.23.

Here we go, Steelers, here we go ...

When the Steelers go on the clock tomorrow, they will have some tough choices. On Wednesday, we predicted the team will trade down to add draft picks, some of whom might be spent on players such as the ones we listed in one of yesterday's posts. That would be one way to go, and it could be a very good way to go.

Another way to go would be to pick the best player available. Ed Bouchette's latest mock draft predicts Jonathan Stewart, the talented running back from Oregon.

Here at Joey Porter's Pit Bulls, we could see a case for Stewart, but we believe running back is not the Steelers' most pressing need. On the other hand, you'd hate to pass on a rare talent like Stewart, if he's available. Yet again, however, we're more than a tad concerned about Stewart's injury history and current health status (he is still in a walking cast).

We're even more concerned about the defense: Age and lack of depth on the defensive line; the prospect of James Farrior becoming an unrestricted free agent after the 2008 season; and all kinds of issues in the secondary, particularly at the safety position, which we detailed in some depth in posts on Wednesday and Thursday.

For those reasons, we believe the Steelers should strongly consider selecting one of four defensive players, with North Carolina DE Kentwan Balmer and Miami safety Kenny Phillips at the top of our list. We've previously explained in some detail why Balmer or Phillips would make sense for the Steelers in the first round. It's a close call, even if Mel Kiper projects Phillips will drop all the way into the second round, and most Steelers' fans would say we don't need a safety.

It may be a moot point. Balmer may well go in the top 20. He should. And, notwithstanding what Kiper says, there's a decent chance that Phillips will be gone by the time the Steelers pick at 1.23.

The Washington Redskins, still reeling from the murder of All-Pro safety Sean Taylor last year, may select Phillips at 1.21. The Dallas Morning News reports that the Dallas Cowboys have Phillips on their radar at 1.22 but are more likely to go in another direction with that pick. Still, the Cowboys reportedly would love to see him still on the board when their second first-round pick comes along at 1.28, shortly before the New York Giants, their division rival and Super Bowl champion, go on the clock at 1.32. The Giants need a safety who can step in and play now.

By all accounts, Phillips will do just that.

The Dallas Morning News does an excellent job profiling numerous prospects, including Stewart and Phillips, and providing comments from their respective position coaches. Here is what Phillips' position coach, Miami secondary coach Wesley McGriff, had to say about Phillips:

"The first thing I noticed (upon arriving at Miami last spring) is he's the best safety I've ever coached. And the next thing was that he could be really special with some fundamental and technique work. He had the size, speed, attitude and intellect. With a little work, he could be something else. ...The similarities between Kenny and Brandon (Meriweather, another safety at Miami and a first-round pick by the Patriots in 2007) is that they're both playmakers and you look at both, they are natural safeties, and they're smart; I thought Meriweather was a little more athletic, but he was a little smaller than Kenny. With Kenny's size and speed, he's just as good a safety. What we did with him last year, he played both in the boundary and field in coverage. We'd put him in a spot where the offense would attack.

"He might have been our best player on defense, and he was certainly our best player on the back end, so we put him in position to affect the game. He had the intellect to do a lot of things. We moved him around and gave him the freedom to go to the boundary or the field, depending on where he thought the offense would attack us. He was that smart, he knew where to go, and could switch on the fly.

"He's a sure tackler in space, and could diagnose plays quickly to get to the ball. ... He was a tremendous leader. His demeanor, in the meeting room, here's a guy going into his third year, and he took notes like a true freshman looking to get on the field, and that made guys step up. And in practice, talented as he was, guys like him might cut corners, but he didn't. He didn't need reps, but he'd work just as hard on every practice snap as anyone, and he'd get upset when we'd take him out in practice. That showed the guys that everyone needed to work hard. He wasn't so vocal, that came by example. ... We wanted to match him up on the best inside receiver, and that was because he was our best cover safety. In our blitz packages, he'd match up one-on-one on the inside, just find that guy's jersey number. Against Florida State, he was on Preston (Parker). And we repped him at corner in practice.

"He could go in and play corner for you right now. He has great cover skills. He may not have that extra step in closing speed. But he plays fast, and he's aware of what's around him, and that makes up for that step. ... He's a sure tackler, a good open-field tackler. Now, he's not going to give you that thunderous hit. But when the ballcarrier gets there, he's going to be there to make the tackle. He took pride in that. I remember against Georgia Tech, I had him down for a missed tackle, and I had to go back and show him on tape where it was. He was that upset that I had to prove it to him. He had that desire. ... I think when makes he makes contact, he needs to drive his feet more, and play lower. As far as fundamentals and technique, he needs to be playing with a lower pad level. That could be the difference between him being good and great - Playing with more pad level and when he strikes, he needs to uncoil. He's a tackler, I'd like to see him as more of a hitter. ... He can flip his hips, and come out of his breaks, he has it to play corner. He's really agile. ... He should be a free safety.

"Whatever team drafts him will upgrade their roster immediately. He watches a ton of tape, has a passion for the game, you're not going to find too many mistakes. He'll study. He's ready out of the box to play. ... He's a great kid, one of those young men, when you get a phone call and something's wrong, you know it's not Kenny. He's a great guy, and he had no problems. He never missed class, never missed a study hall, never did anything wrong. ... I think Kenny took pride in being better than previous guys to come through here. He wouldn't say it publicly, but his motivation is to match or be better than the safeties that have been here. He didn't want to let that legacy down."

That assessment jibes with just about every other perspective on Phillips that we've read.

Jonathan Stewart sounds intriguing, too, despite his injury history, as does Kentwan Balmer. So, too, does Antoine Cason, the nifty cornerback from the University of Arizona, and Chris Williams the impressive tackle from Vanderbilt (although we are convinced the Steelers plan to address the offensive line later, rather than sooner, in the draft).

Any of them would be excellent choices. We just think either Phillips or Balmer would be the best choices.

More details, here, from the Dallas Morning News.

We're Ready

If the Steelers stay put at 1.23, they should have a chance to draft a player to fill a specific need -- and they have plenty of needs, which is why it makes sense to trade down and add picks. As detailed in Wednesday's post, we believe the Steelers have very strong leverage for negotiating extremely favorable deals.

By trading down, we might miss out on guys like Jeff Otah and Gosder Cherilus, but we might improve our chances of adding some of the following players (in no particular order).

Owen Schmitt, FB, WVU, who pretty much never gets tackled for a loss.

Martin O'Donnell, G, Illinois, a pile-driving road grader who paved the way for Rashard Mendenhall and the Illini's productive, power running game.

John Greco, OT, Toledo, whom the Steelers brought in for a visit. Greco succeeded Nick Kaczur at left tackle at Toledo after Kaczur was drafted and went on to start for the New England Patriots. Tough guy who can play any position on the line.

Red Bryant, NT, Texas A&M: Arguably the most effective run-stuffer in college football.

Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida: Often described as a faster, quicker Hines Ward.

Donnnie Avery, WR, Houston: With 4.28 speed, Avery caught 91 passes for 1,456 yards last season, including 17 plays of 20 or more yards. A poor man's DeSean Jackson.

Craig Steltz, S, LSU: A leader on the national championship team and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the nation's top defensive back.

Eric Young, T, Tennessee: Not as high on the draft radar as he should be because his senior season was cut short by a torn quad muscle that caused him to miss the final six games. Prior to the injury, he had registered 58 knockdowns with 11 touchdown-resulting blocks. He was rated the SEC's top offensive linemen with an 86.4% grade for blocking consistency, and was considered one of the most dominant position blockers in college football.

Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian State: He could be an ideal slot receiver in the mold of Antwaan Randle-el. Clocking 4.35 in the 40, Jackson averaged 22.9 yards per catch as a senior and lit up Michigan with touchdown receptions of 20 and 68 yards.

Kirk Barton, OT, Ohio State: Entrenched at RT for the Buckeyes since his freshman canmpaign, Barton is a battle-tested veteran who has competed at the highest level for several years. Not as much upside as Otah; but not much of a learning curve, either, with this guy.

Doug Legursky, C, Marshall, who can handle long-snapping as well as every-down center duties.

Cliff Avril, LB/DE, Purdue: Yet another in a long line of premier pass-rushers out of Purdue.

Corey Lynch, S, Appalachian State: A safety in the mold of John Lynch, although not quite as big a hitter. Known as a team leader and clutch player, he blocked the kick at the end of the Michigan game.

Ahtyba Rubin, DT/DE, Iowa State: Just nasty. That's all you need to know about this guy.

Kansas State WR Jordy Nelson: The consensus All-American shattered school and Big 12 Conference season records in 2007, hauling in 122 passes for 1,606 yards (13.2 avg.) and 11 touchdowns. He scored twice on five punt returns for 264 yards (52.8 avg.) and registered a school record 140 points. He hit on 2-of-4 passes for 45 yards and a pair of touchdowns, finishing with 1,863 all-purpose yards, an average of 155.25 per game.

In 36 games at Kansas State, Nelson started 32 contests. He ranks second in school history with 206 receptions for 2,822 yards (13.7 avg.) and is third in KSU annals with 20 touchdown grabs. He returned six punts for 267 yards (44.5 avg.) and three scores, as he also completed 3-of-6 passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns, adding seven tackles (six solo) on special teams.

In our defense ...

If the Steelers stay put at 1.23, Joey Porter's Pit Bulls believe the best options are the following players (if they are available, of course):

1. Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

2. Kentwan Balmer, DE, North Carolina

3. Quentin Groves, OLB, Auburn

4. Dan Connor, ILB, Penn State

All defense, we know. The team already signaled that it plans to address the offensive line later in the draft. Each and every wide receiver on the board has issues, limitations and question marks. RB Jonathan Stewart is still in a walking cast, which makes him another question mark, and no other RB has a first-round grade. No need for a QB or TE in the first round, so it's Defense. The team should add a cornerback sometime this weekend, and we like Arizona's Antoine Cason, but we believe any of the four players listed below would make more sense for the Steelers at this time.

Taking a closer look, in inverse order:

4. Dan Connor: We're concerned about what happens after the season when James Farrior becomes an unrestricted free agent. It would be great if the Steelers re-sign Farrior, the defensive captain and signal caller, but if he goes away … well, that's why Connor is on this list. That, plus he's a safe choice (you know what you're getting) and a deserving player, anyway. He's a first-round talent who is arguably every bit as good as (and maybe better than) Paul Posluszny.

3. Quentin Groves has had some medical issues but is healthy now. He could be an explosive pass rusher coming off the edge. We're not sure how would be in coverage or against the run. Still, dynamic pass rushers don't come along every day. As noted in last Saturday's post, we like Groves, a lot. If Farrior leaves via free agency, the Steelers could move James Harrison inside and have Groves and Lamarr Woodley on the flanks. We're still not convinced Lawrence Timmons will ever amount to much more than a role player, if that.

2. Kentwan Balmer has had notable success for only one year, so there may be a question as to whether he will continue that high level of play in the NFL. We like his chances. Playing at defensive tackle, he showed last year that he can provide a steady inside push. He has a lethal punch and his hands are lightning fast -- keys to getting off blocks. In the Steelers system, he would play defensive end. As noted in Monday's post, you could make a very strong case for Balmer.

At 6-5, 308, Balmer is an Aaaron Smith clone, and every bit as athletic. It's conceivable Balmer could start at end in place of Brett Keisel, freeing up Keisel to take better advantage of his athleticism in some sort of new, hybrid-rover position. That probably wouldn't happen this year, however. This year, Balmer would step right into the defensive line rotation, and he would surely bolster the run defense, which sprang alarming leaks late last season.

1. Kenny Phillips is probably the safest choice of any player that might fall to the Steelers at 1.23 (although we suspect the Redskins might grab him at 1.21). As noted in Tuesday's post, the Steelers have almost no depth at the safety position.

Phillips is the best player at his position in college football. He's been the best player at his position at every level of play all his life. He has all the skills and attributes you could want in a safety. As is the case with Connor, Phillips would be a safe choice -- you know what you're getting.

No doubt about it: After Ryan Clark went down last year, the defense struggled. Yet at this point, we're not sure we can count on Clark to return or stay healthy for a full season; or Troy Polamalu, either, for that matter. We're not writing off Anthony Smith. There's a place for him on this team, absolutely. We just believe Phillips would dramatically improve the overall defense. Teaming the best safety in college football with the best safety in the NFL: It could only help.

A closer look ...

By the way, if you are wondering about the Steelers' depth at safety, look at the current roster (sorted by position, look for "FS" and "SS").

A little thin, isn't it? Mike Lorello?

Considering Ryan Clark's questionable health status, this lack of depth is a big reason, and an alarming one, why we believe the Steelers need to think long and hard about selecting Kenny Phillips, if he's available at 1.23 (as outlined in Tuesday's post).

That, and the fact that he's the top-rated safety in the draft, and the players at virtually all the other positions (OL, LB, DL, WR, RB) that many mock drafts have going to the Steelers -- each and every one has issues and/or question marks (except for Branden Albert, and he ain't gonna be there).

Kenny Phillips and Dan Connor would perhaps be the safest, "sure-thing" choices available when the Steelers go on the clock.

Our nod would go to Phillips. Teaming the best safety in college football with the best safety in the NFL: It could only help.

And it wouldn't mean giving up on Anthony Smith. This team needs quality depth, now, at this most crucial of positions.

We'd still trade down, for what it's worth.

About that offensive line ...

About the Steelers' O-line – here's an interesting observation from AOL Fanhouse.

A Game Plan for Draft Day

We're convinced: The Steelers must trade down, and they will trade down. They will have excellent options on Saturday, and they should wait until they are on the clock to do a deal. No blinking, no wavering, in this poker game.

The Steelers are in a very sweet spot indeed for adding excellent picks in the second, third and fourth rounds, as well as (possibly) draft picks next year and even the year after.

Here's why ...

Atlanta, Miami and Carolina all need quarterbacks and will be jockeying to swing deals with teams sitting in the mid-20s of Round One. Baltimore might be in that mix, as well.

Four teams, all vying for three quarterbacks: Louisville's Brian Brohm, Michigan's Chad Henne and Delaware's Joe Flacco.

The Steelers, at No. 23, are in the ideal spot and carry the most trade leverage of any team late in the first round. The Steelers hold all the cards.

Atlanta would be an ideal trading partner for the Steelers. Atlanta, which holds the third and sixth picks in Round Two (numbers 34 and 37 overall), must be looking to move into the mid-to-late first round to position themselves for selecting Brohm, Henne or Flacco. That's because the Falcons, who hold the third overall pick in round one, are unlikely to select Boston College's Matt Ryan. They still need a quarterback to fill the on-field and public relations void opened last year by the Michael Vick fiasco.

The Steelers could conceivably swap their pick at 1.23 for Atlanta's two second-round picks at (34 & 37 overall), and ask for Atlanta's second pick in the third round (a compensatory pick, No. 98 overall); plus, say, a No. 6 pick from next year's draft (or a No. 5 two years down the road) as a throw-in. They might not get all that, but they could ask.

A trade with Atlanta would be ideal. A deal with Carolina could be good, too. The Panthers hold the 12^th pick in the second round and have two third-round picks (67 & 74 overall).

In any case, with the leverage the Steelers hold, they could play Atlanta vs. Carolina vs. Miami vs. Baltimore (possibly).

In fact, the Steelers have other potential trade partners, too, including …

St. Louis. It looks like both Tampa Bay and St. Louis are eyeing DeSean Jackson, the small but dynamic wide receiver/punt returner from the University of California, whom the Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac "drafted" for the Steelers on Stan Savran's SportsBeat TV show last week. Tampa head coach Jon Gruden has stated plainly he'd like to upgrade both his receiving corps and return game. Jackson could do both for Tampa, which holds the 20^th pick. If Tampa opts for somebody other than Jackson, however, St. Louis could well be interested in moving up to grab him, thinking he won't last till their second-round pick at No. 33 overall.

Thus, the Rams may be willing to trade up into the first round -- like, say, to pick No. 23, if Jackson is still available when the Steelers go on the clock. The Rams have extra sixth and seventh round picks. If the Steelers were to deal their first-round pick to the Rams, Pittsburgh might obtain St. Louis's second-round pick (No. 33 overall); swap positions in the third or fourth rounds; and obtain one of the Rams' picks in the sixth round, preferably the first one, which is the 14^th pick in the sixth (No. 180 overall). Either that, or add a pick from next year's draft, say a third-rounder, which wouldn't be bad either.

There's extra motivation here for the Rams. Next up on the clock following the Steelers, at No. 23, are the Titans with the 24^th pick. They, too, need a wide receiver and also may be eyeing either Jackson or Malcolm Kelly – which means St. Louis may want to jump ahead of the Titans by making a deal with the Steelers.

What makes the Steelers position at No. 23 even more enviable is that at least two teams behind them are also looking to trade down.

Seattle is one. Like the Steelers, Seattle has only six picks this year and is looking to trade down from the 25^th pick in the first round.

Seattle GM Tim Ruskell says several teams with no shot at Boston College QB Matt Ryan in the first round are calling to ask about moving into Seattle's spot to put them in a position to draft Brohm, Henne or Flacco.

If the Steelers could screw Seattle out of a deal that would benefit the Seahawks, it would make it all that much sweeter for Steelers' fans, and another bitter pill for crybaby Seahawks' fans.

Also looking to trade down is San Diego, with the 27^th selection. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Chargers are trying to pick up second- and third-round picks for the rights to the 27th spot. The Steelers can do better.

Ahead of the Steelers, however, the Redskins, who hold pick No. 21, also are open to trading down.

According to The Washington Post,

"The Redskins have nine picks, including three compensatory picks -- an extra one in the third round and two additional seventh-round picks. They do not have a fourth-round selection. Washington has needs along the offensive and defensive lines, at wide receiver, cornerback and safety."

With so many picks, the Redskins plenty of flexibility to maneuver on draft day. Again, The Washington Post:

"The age and the health of the Redskins' offensive line is a pressing concern. Washington wants to add a versatile lineman who could challenge for time at guard immediately and potentially could start at tackle soon, said sources involved with Washington's draft process. Virginia guard-tackle Branden Albert (6-7, 315) is highly regarded by the Redskins."

So, for what it's worth, the Redskins appear to be targeting some of the same players that almost certainly interest the Steelers, specifically Virginia guard-tackle Branden Albert, Miami safety Kenny Phillips and Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly.

We already know about Albert, and he'll be gone by the time Steelers go on the clock at No. 23. The Redskins would be crazy to pass him up, if he's still available when their turn comes around at No. 21.

If Albert is gone by the time the Redskins pick, Kenny Philips would be an ideal fit for the safety position left vacant by the murder last year of All-Pro Sean Taylor. Still, the Redskins have other needs and might feel they can address the safety position just a bit later in the draft, if they trade down. Which could put Phillips square in the Steelers' lap and would make for a tough decision whether to select him – the best player in the draft at his position – or trade down.

For what it's worth, Malcolm Kelly just may have run (slowly) and talked himself (loudly) all the way out of the first round, according to some reports. He's run sluggish 40 times in workouts this spring and had at least one mouthy outburst that characterized him as a finger-pointing, me-first player, which reportedly turned off several teams.

The Redskins (like the Steelers) would like to add a tall, speedy, physical receiver and brought Kelly in for a visit last week. Kelly, at 6-4, 224, fits their need for a tall, physical receiver.

Again, from The Washington Post:

"Kelly, who declared for the draft after his junior season, is second on the Sooners' all-time list with 2,285 receiving yards and fifth with 144 receptions. At an April 9 workout for NFL scouts at Oklahoma, Kelly had a disappointing 40-yard dash. And after being clocked at 4.68 seconds, Kelly criticized the surface and how Oklahoma's staff conducted the workout. Kelly ran for scouts again last week at Oklahoma City and posted times of 4.69 and 4.63 seconds, according to Oklahoma's media relations department. Kelly's agent, Chad Speck, said his client acknowledged he acted immaturely after the initial workout "and he knows he made a mistake. He was just frustrated, but he was the first one to say he didn't handle it in the right manner. It's not something that's going to happen again."

Merling a Question Mark

Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson, who has been unable to work out for NFL teams since undergoing sports hernia surgery in March, but he will have an on-campus workout for at least 15 clubs on April 24, agent Jimmy Sexton said.

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Pittsburgh' s Picks As They Stand Today

Round 1, Pick 23 (23)

Round 2, Pick 22 (53)

Round 3, Pick 25 (88)

Round 4, Pick 24 (123)

Round 5, Pick 21 (156)

Round 6, Pick 22 (188)

Something to Consider

The Steelers have so many needs, and so few draft picks, they should strongly consider swapping the number 23 pick in the first round for a high second-round pick and another, lower-round pick, if there are any takers for such a deal.

The Steelers have so many question marks at various positions, however, that they also must ask themselves, "What if the very best player at his position is available at 1.23?"

Which brings us to: Kenny Phillips, safety, University of Miami.

Joey Porter's Pit Bulls have been focused on other positions of need, and there are plenty of those: offensive line, defensive front seven, cornerback, and receiver (not necessarily in that order). One could make an argument for spending the team's first-round choice on a highly rated player at any of those positions.

One could also make a case for selecting Phillips, who is universally considered the best safety, by a wide margin, in this year's draft.

The drop-off from Phillips to other safeties is said to be considerable. Which is not to say you couldn't find a serviceable player later in the draft. But the premier player? It's Phillips.

The prospect of Phillips pairing with Troy Polamalu would be interesting, if not troubling, for opposing offensive coordinators, Carson Palmer and other NFL quarterbacks.

Phillips is accustomed to being hailed as the very best safety at whatever level he has played throughout his career.

But what about the Steelers? Do they really need a safety? Not sure, really. Given all their other pressing needs, if the Steelers were to select Phillips, it would reveal or point to a variety of factors: Lack of confidence in Anthony Smith. Continued health problems for Ryan Clark. A lack of depth at the position – although Tyrone Carter is a capable backup, he is a stopgap starter, not a long-term answer. Plus, one more question, and a legitimate one in light of last year: Can Troy Polamulu stay healthy all season?

So, if the team has qualms about entering the season with the prospect of Clark on injured reserve (or retiring), and a camp competition between a shaky, reckless Smith and a limited, aging Carter … well, then, maybe, just maybe they'll take a damn close look at the best safety in the draft, Kenny Phillips, who is supposedly being targeted by the Eagles (1.19), Redskins (1.21) and Giants (1.32).

So far, about the worst we've heard anybody say about Phillips is that he is the best of a weak draft class at safety. The weakness of the rest of the draft class is not his fault.

We've also heard that the coaching staff at Miami described him as a cross between two other former Miami safeties, Sean Taylor and Ed Reed.

Hyperbole aside (following the 2006 draft, Syracuse coach Greg Robinson described Anthony Smith as a cross between Dennis Smith and Carnell Lake), Phillips does have a track record of success to back up the effusive praise. He also has demonstrable playmaking abilities, is a sure tackler, has excellent size/speed ratio, strong coverage skills – pretty much everything you'd want in a safety.

Like Penn State LB Dan Connor, he'd be a safe choice: With both Connor and Phillips, at least you know what you’re getting. And there's a lot to be said for that.

So, as flaky as it sounds at first thought … maybe, just maybe, it would make sense for the Steelers to draft Kenny Phillips.

Maybe not, but pairing the best safety from college with the best safety in the NFL is something to consider. The Steelers could do worse.

Max'd Out

The more I think about The Max Starks effect on the Steelers' salary cap and 2008 draft plans, the more baffled, infuriated and exasperated I get.

Kevin Colbert is the voice and face of the Steelers' front office, so he is left to explain the decision to apply the transition tag to Starks. The contract guarantees Starks $6.9 million this season, making him the team's second-highest player behind Ben Roethlisberger.

Yesterday, I heard Colbert explain on a radio talk show that Starks was the Steelers' second-best lineman last year. Colbert didn't say who he thought was the team's best lineman (Alan Faneca?).

Colbert's statement confirms just how bad the Steelers' O-line was in 2007 (as if anybody needed further proof), considering the coaching staff thought so little of Starks at the beginning of the season that he was relegated to backup duty until pressed into service at left tackle when Marvel Smith went down with his bad back (and keep your fingers crossed on that front – it remains to be seen whether Smith returns to full health).

Colbert and the Steelers extended the transition offer to Starks with the intention of having him sign a long-term deal that would over-ride the transition contract.

Unless I am missing something here -- a distinct possibility -- where is the team's leverage? And why would Starks want to do that?

Consider for a second: Starks plays for one year at a guaranteed $6.9 million, which is an amount probably higher than any signing bonus he would receive in a long-term deal, and he becomes an unrestricted free agent after the season -- one in which his contract virtually guarantees him the starting spot he needs to prove himself worthy of an even bigger long-term contract on the free agent market.

Yet the Steelers want him to restructure the transition contract? Would you?

Didn't think so.

Starks is an affable, genial and articulate fellow, and he has always struck us as being intelligent. Apparently, he is very lucky, too, because this contract was a gift.

Or, a gaffe, as in a colossal blunder by Colbert and the Steelers' cap-management team.

According to Ed Bouchette in today's Post-Gazette, even Starks couldn't believe his luck, which is why he delayed signing the offer.

"What took him so long to sign it? He wanted to make sure the transition-tag offer was guaranteed. He said he first thought the guarantee only applied when a team made someone its franchise player and not its transition player. NFL Players Association representatives assured Starks that the full amount of the tender was guaranteed, a change that occurred with the 2006 collective bargaining agreement."

The trouble with Starks' contract, or one of the problems with it, is that it hamstrings the Steelers cap flexibility and options for selecting an offensive lineman in this weekend's draft. As noted yesterday on this site, it pretty much tips Colbert's hand that he won't pick an offensive lineman in the first round, which would reiterate Colbert's oft-stated assertion that this is the deepest draft for offensive tackles in the past 25 years.

No center coming out of college this year is worthy of a first-round pick, and the only guard who is sure to be selected in the first round is Branden Albert, and he'll be gone by the time the Steelers' turn comes around at number 23. But there are lots of solid offensive linemen who should be available in the second, third and fourth rounds.

That leaves us to think Colbert made the curious offer to Starks after it became clear that Alan Faneca was going to leave via free agency, although it wouldn't have cost a whole lot more to apply the franchise tag to Faneca, despite the fact that he might not have liked it.

Starks, on the other hand, has to be positively ecstatic about his situation.

Well, anyway, what's done is done. Unless the Steelers miraculously persuade Starks to restructure the deal this week, they enter the draft stuck with Starks at right tackle (or maybe left tackle, if Smith's back problems continue).

The team's best move, probably, is either to pick the best player available at positions other than quarterback, tight end and, unbelievably, offensive line … or …

Or, trade down.

And, really, at this point, trading down probably makes the most sense.

Reading the Tea Leaves

Late in the 2007 season, as the Steelers struggled through four losses in their last five games, lack of depth on the defensive line became glaringly apparent. After having gone more than 30 games without allowing a 100-yard rusher, the Steelers run defense was shredded in games against the Jets and Jaguars (twice), and was pressed by several other running attacks, including Cincinnati and Baltimore.

Run defense is a team effort, particularly with the front seven in a 3-4 defense, but with the Steelers, run defense always starts up front, on the defensive line.

Stalwart All-Pros Casey Hampton and Aaron Smith have anchored the D-line for years. and veteran backups Travis Kirschke and Chris Hoke have also served admirably. New starter Brett Keisel stepped in last year and performed well, too.

A closer look at the Steelers defensive line, however, reveals it is aging badly and, worse, lacks depth. When the 2008 season starts, Kirschke will be 34, Smith and Hoke will be 32, and Hampton will be 31.

NFL Players over 30 tend to break down and become more injury-prone as they continue to age, so it is imperative the Steelers infuse the defensive line with new talent this year.

It sucks that the team has only six draft picks this year. If ever there was a year to have supplemental picks, this is it. The Bengals and Ravens have multiple supplemental picks, and the Steelers have none. It seems inequitable, but that's how it is.

While there is no clear consensus as to what makes sense at pick number 23 in the first round, it's clear the Steelers would do well to add two players to the defensive line mix, and that would be a full one-third of this year's draft class.

By our reckoning, three top defensive line prospects may be available when the Steelers pick in the first round: Florida DE Derrick Harvey (6-5, 252), Clemson DE Phillip Merling (6-5, 272), and North Carolina DE Kentwan Balmer (6-5, 308). Harvey and Merling excel at the pass rush. Balmer is more of an all-round, every-down player in the mold of the Steelers' own Aaron Smith.

In a prior post, we dissed Balmer by noting he was pretty much off the radar until he emerged in his senior season under head coach Butch Davis, and we're skeptical of anybody associated with Butch Davis.

To be fair, that's not Balmer's fault; and, to his credit, he did blossom during his senior season after a previously undistinguished career. Whether that development will continue in the NFL is the $23 million question. That, along with the question as to whether he will even be available when the Steelers pick.

If Balmer is there at 1.23, the Steelers would have to seriously consider selecting him, even if the smaller, pass-rushing Harvey and/or Merling are available, both of whom are more suited to playing end in a conventional 4-3 defense, and neither of whom is considered to be particularly stout against the run. Of the two (Harvey & Merling), Harvey has the better pedigree and would be the more intriguing pick, based on his success in the SEC as a sack specialist at Florida. Of the three, Balmer probably fits the Steelers' scheme best. You're always looking to improve the pass rush, of course; but with the Steelers, stopping the run comes first.

Balmer certainly has the right size for defensive end in the Steelers' 4-3 scheme, and he looks athletic enough — again, in the mold of Aaron Smith.

Most importantly, and here's the kicker, the Steelers absolutely need an infusion of youth, muscle and athleticism on their defensive line. Balmer would be a classic "need pick," to be sure, but he would (presumably) add desperately needed youth, depth, athleticism and muscle to the defensive line rotation. Then there's this observation from one of the scouting reports: "He has a strong hand punch to shock and jolt blockers, evident by his solid play in containing the run in 2007."

While veteran journeyman Nick Eason proved last year he can be, eh, okay in the rotation, there's certainly room for improvement. We saw what happened when Eason was pressed into a starting role after Aaron Smith went down. The Steelers suddenly became vulnerable to the run, and the team absolutely cannot allow that vulnerability to continue or fester, under any circumstances.

That's why Joey Porter's Pit Bulls believe the Steelers are beginning to lean toward making Kentwan Balmer the team's first-round selection on Saturday. Disclaimer: Joey Porter's Pit Bulls don't necessarily endorse this pick. We have concerns about Balmer's short track record of success, as well as a dodgy hamstring that limited his workout during North Carolina's Pro Day. We just think this might be what the Steelers are thinking.

Also on the Defensive Line

On Sunday, with a later pick, we'd consider adding NT Red Bryant (6-3, 328), Texas A&M.

And here's why, from NFL.com:

"One of the terms used to describe a defensive lineman is that the player is an efficient "run stuffer." Perhaps no one player has been more important to his team in shutting down the opposition's running game than Joseph "Red" Bryant.

In the eight games that he appeared in for the Aggies in 2006, they allowed just 75.35 yards per game on the ground. In the five contests Bryant sat out due to a knee injury, TAMU was tagged for 229.2 yards per game rushing.

Selected one of the squad captains as a redshirt freshman, Bryant has dominated vs. the run since his first start in College Station. In three seasons in the middle of the Aggies' defense, Bryant has made 83 plays vs. the run, holding the opposition to only 46 yards (0.55 yards per attempt).

As a sophomore, he was a force, making 31 running plays that saw his opponent be held to an incredible minus-27 yards (minus-0.87-yard average). He followed that performance with 19 running plays for 12 yards (0.63-yard average) during his injury-shortened junior year."

With Hampton, Kirschke and Hoke all over 30, it's time to shore up the run defense on the interior line. Bryant looks like he could help.

Together, Balmer and Bryant would count for 33 percent of the Steelers' draft board. We don't like it – in fact, we'd hate to commit two of six picks to one area of need – but stopping the run is just that important. Stopping the run will help the defense get off the field and re-set the crucial time-of-possession ratio that had the Steelers at an unfamiliar disadvantage all too often last season. That, in turn will help the offense.

Which brings us to …

The Offensive Line

On the other side of the ball, protecting the quarterback and improving the running game go hand-in-hand as parallel top priorities on offense. Improvement in each area starts at the point of attack, on the offensive line.

Right now, the O-line looks like a mix 'n match patchwork crazy-quilt, and that is a major concern. In fact, it might be the major concern, notwithstanding what we said above.

Three months ago, we advocated spending two of the Steelers' first three picks on the offensive line. That might still happen, but if does, it appears those picks would be in the second and third rounds.

Reading the tea leaves in statements by Kevin Colbert, we're beginning to think the Steelers will address the offensive line later in the draft, rather than sooner.

Here's why …

We cannot fathom what the Steelers' braintrust was thinking when they applied the transition tag to Max Starks, but their deal with Starks really hamstrings their flexibility on draft day. But it's done, and unless they somehow persuade Starks to re-work his deal, he will be the team's second-highest player with a one-year, guaranteed salary of $6.9 million. Starks, a player who was relegated to backup duty for much of last season, now almost has to start at the vital right tackle position this season.

With Marvel Smith hopefully returning to health at left tackle, it almost doesn't make sense to draft a tackle with the first pick — which is not to say the team wouldn't improve itself with an infusion of talent at the tackle position. It just appears that Kevin Colbert firmly believes his oft-repeated assertion that this is the strongest and deepest draft at the tackle position in 25 years. With that in mind, it appears he believes he can get a more than serviceable tackle, guard and/or center with lower-round selections deeper in the draft.

Scary thought, but locking Starks up with the transition tag tips their hand: It looks like they're not going to draft a tackle in the first round. Nor will they draft a guard because Branden Albert, the only guard who justifies a first-round grade, will be gone before the Steelers pick.

Gosder Cherilus (6'7, 315), whom most mock drafts predict will be the Steelers' first-round pick, is a tackle. Some "experts" project him as being able to play guard in the NFL, but if this description from the scouting report on NFL.com is any indication, he's a tackle – and a tackle only: "limited change-of-direction agility."

All of that's unfortunate because, with Alan Faneca gone, there's a major question mark at left guard, which may or may not be manned by Chris Keomatu, and we really don't know how effective he will be as a fulltime starter. Sean Mahan will be relegated to backup duty at center and guard (actually we hope Mahan will be relegated to "cut," but that's not realistic, given the ridiculous contract the Steelers gave him as a free agent last offseason). Mahan will be a liability no matter where and when he plays.

There's no assurance Justin Hartwig will be much of an improvement at either center or guard. Kendall Simmons isn't getting any younger, or any healthier, and it's long past time to end the Trai Essex experiment. Willy Colon is a bit of a wild card, who may or may not play tackle, guard or center. At backup center, we have no idea whether Darnell Stapleton, last year's undrafted free agent from Rutgers, can play or even merits taking up a spot on the roster.

It's clear the offensive line has become a liability. It needs starting talent, as well as depth.

Right or wrong, it appears the Steelers plan to address those concerns later in the draft.