I'll guess it'll be the Vikings if Farve is back. If not the it'll be the Steelers. Either way it should be a ratings bonanza for T.V.

Yeah....no longer the defending champs are the steelers.

This is now a passing league and will be until defenses can stop it. Ya get a franchise QB, like BR, and you need to put guys around him to be successful. Miller, Holmes and Wallace are a good young nucleaus with Ward aging but still effective.

I also want to see this to be heavy on the defensive side and OL. Also, Id like to see the team run the ball a little bit more. .Doesnt need to be 50/50 but closer than it was...I think that will help the team close out games by controlling the clock later in the game.

Go defense in the secondary. The league will continue to go toward the passing game so the defenses will need to keep up. Steelers have always been a team to put pressure on teh oppsing QB's, but as us steelers fans know the key is a quick passing attack. Doesnt allow the rush to get to the QB. I look for teams to to go further away from the run and the steelers will need to shore up their secondary.

I also want this draft to be defense heavy.

I'm wondering now if the Steelers might be leaning towards Earl Thomas.

They will probably try to sign Hampton before giving him the franchise tag. If they are able to sign him for more than one year there wouldn't be as much of an urgency to draft NT in the first round. They also have Chris Hoke, who can still start and be very productive.

Thomas was a safety at Texas and a good one but he has excellent coverage skills and many scouts believe he may end up as a cornerback. I believe he had eight interceptions last year and creates some turnovers and that was an area the Steelers were lacking last year. They may draft Thomas without knowing exactly where he'll fit in but it's ok since they need help at free safety and cornerback. He's also known as a smart player which the Steelers would also like. This is starting to make more sense.

Cam Thomas, the defensive tackle from North Carolina, is an underrated prospect compared to Dan Williams and Terrence Cody but I think he could end up being another Shaun Rogers or Casey Hampton. Very strong and difficult to handle one-on-one. They may be able to go Earl Thomas in the first round and Cam Thomas in the second or third round.

Non wrote: I'm wondering now if the Steelers might be leaning towards Earl Thomas.

They will probably try to sign Hampton before giving him the franchise tag. If they are able to sign him for more than one year there wouldn't be as much of an urgency to draft NT in the first round. They also have Chris Hoke, who can still start and be very productive.

Thomas was a safety at Texas and a good one but he has excellent coverage skills and many scouts believe he may end up as a cornerback. I believe he had eight interceptions last year and creates some turnovers and that was an area the Steelers were lacking last year. They may draft Thomas without knowing exactly where he'll fit in but it's ok since they need help at free safety and cornerback. He's also known as a smart player which the Steelers would also like. This is starting to make more sense.

Cam Thomas, the defensive tackle from North Carolina, is an underrated prospect compared to Dan Williams and Terrence Cody but I think he could end up being another Shaun Rogers or Casey Hampton. Very strong and difficult to handle one-on-one. They may be able to go Earl Thomas in the first round and Cam Thomas in the second or third round.

I dont xpect the steelers to be able to sign Big Snack for multi year deal. Imagine they will franchise him He ll get a huge salary for the one year. I think they are leery...he is a bit older and dont wanna commit to anything long term for a guy like him especially when ya dont know what type of cap going forward there may be.

I wouldnt extend him out too long with a contract. Im not sure he can be a great player to fulfill any long term thing

Non wrote: Well, just looking at their o-line I'm not sure where they need the most help.

Probably right guard because they had Essex, more of a 6th man, playing there this year. They could also use a center for the future. I'd lean more towards somebody that is an interior prospect. The best in this draft are Mike Iupati from Idaho and Jon Asamoah from Illinois. Iupati got mixed reviews at the senior bowl but I guess that would be the guy they should target leading up to the draft, see how he does at the combine.

Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida might be a good option but probably not at No. 18. He's looking like in the late first round or early second. He could be a guard or center.

CBs I'd rank

1. Joe Haden
2. Patrick Robinson
3. Donovan Warren

I like all three.

My money would be on one of those two.

Oakland is shopping their entire roster, including CB Nnamdi Asomugha. Any of you Steelers fans think the Pittsburgh front office will try to work something out to get him? His contract is pretty hefty though.

Him on the Steelers would be disgusting.

^Highly doubt it.

Where's Non at?
What's the chance of LT or Westbrook coming to the Steelers to replace Parker? I know it's not the Steelers method, but if they could pick one of them up on the cheap it wouldn't be a bad idea.

According to Ed Bouchette, the Steelers and Ryan Clark are far apart on a deal, sounds like he will leave.

His agent believes that Clark is one of the top safeties in the league and should be paid accordingly. He may very well be among the top safeties but the Steelers simply won't pay him that much.

I say let him go. Good player but somewhat old. They still have Mundy, Keenan Lewis possibly and in the draft guys like Earl Thomas (Texas), Terrell Skinner (Maryland), Kendrick Lewis (Ole Miss), Chris Cook (Virginia).

Clark said he was offended that he hasnt had an offer.

They talk about they have had talks and certain paramters have been set. Very well could be that the steelers feel they cannot come close to the paramters he wants and instead of lowballing him they may let him go.

who knows. I expect them to flash an offer before the deadline but i dont expect him to be resigned.

Al Capone wrote: Where's Non at?
What's the chance of LT or Westbrook coming to the Steelers to replace Parker? I know it's not the Steelers method, but if they could pick one of them up on the cheap it wouldn't be a bad idea.

I don't see them making a push for those two -- and it doesn't look like there is much else in free agency at running back. Chester Taylor would be about the best but his price tag will probably be too high.

If Clark does leave he'll have to be careful where he goes because of his condition. I guess he can rule Denver out.

I think that's correct. Their price is so low compared to the agent they don't even want to make an official offer.

Unfortunate but that's just the business side of it.

I think Clark is actually one of the better safeties and the agent is probably accurate in labeling him as that, but the Steelers want to get him at a hometown discount (good situation, successful team, etc.). I think the Steelers were hoping that's how it would go but Clark and his agent had other ideas.

I can recall it happening in the past where BOuchette reported that it was likely steelers didnt offer certain guys becuase they couldnt come close.

KInad like trying to buy a house...ur looking to pay around 100K but the listing is 350k. Is iit really even worth trading offers?


With no cap nxt year I think someone will bit and overpay Clark. Def gonna need someone in the secondary becuase TP gets hurt often. Dont wanna have to play without TP and Clark.

QB was one of the positions the Steelers were not expected to address during the draft.

Maybe they should.

BR put himself and the whole organization into a true bind here. Dixon isnt gonna get the job done. May be a suitable backup but not someone I think can run the team in this pass happy NFL.

At this point here are the best options for the Steelers in the first round.


Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
...If you look back at the past few years the Steelers have drafted DB Polamalu, QB Roethlisberger, TE Miller, WR Holmes, LB Timmons, RB Mendenhall and DT Hood. That's basically every level of the team, offense and defense, except offensive line in the first round. Iupati is a mauler in the run game and is good at pulling. Steelers haven't had this since Faneca left and they seem eager to find a similar guard.

Earl Thomas, S, Texas
...Even at 5-10, 197 pounds, Thomas is a just a good football player. Smart. Good in coverage and he brings the ability to intercept passes which the Steelers desperately need. He offers a potential replacement at free safety as well as the potential to cover in the slot.

Joe Haden, CB, Florida
...Haden has primarily been projected in the Top 10, but his struggles at the combine may have dropped him into the 10-18 range. He's still probably the best pure cornerback in the draft.

Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
...I have not heard anything from a credible source or somebody who regularly covers the Steelers, but some rumors out there are that the Steelers want McClain and might be willing to trade up with a team like Jacksonville. He would be a great replacement for Farrior because he brings the talent and leadership you want in an inside linebacker and defensive captain.

Taylor Mays, S, USC
...I have not heard Mays linked to the Steelers much, but why not? They need a safety and he showed at the combine he has the speed and agility to play free safety.

Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
...Weatherspoon is a terrific athlete with good range. He's also a very vocal player and a guy others rally around, as he showed at the senior bowl. This would be a very safe pick, IMO.

Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
...He tore up at the combine but didn't always play up to his tremendous athleticism and potential. Could be a boom-or-bust and I think the Steelers are better off looking in a different direction.

Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
...I didn't like how Robinson played in some of the games I watched last year but the FSU defensive line struggled and it may have had a major impact on the entire defense. Robinson looked really good at the senior bowl. He covered many different types of routes and had the speed to be right with his man on every pass his way. He hasn't been projected that high in the mock drafts which would make No. 18 seem a little early but I'm not sure it would be when you consider the Steelers need for a top corner and his high ceiling.

Guess they showed interest in Leigh Bodden is what I was told....

as the norm......i wont follow it much....what happens....happens...

organization has done a good job for us fans in knowing what to do.

I think they realize that a lot of these guys in free agency are past their prime or overrated.

At safety, for example, there is nobody who would be a better option than somebody they would get in the draft so they might as well wait.

Teams traditionally overpay in free agency. Ya either have young talented players who want an absolute shit ton of money or an older vet who doesnt have as many great years left...if any.

Evenr worse.....early on in FA teams tend to overpay even more before everyone gets a firm grip on the actual market for said players.

Look for the steelers to not do much, but if they do it wont be right away. Theyll let some of the prices come down on vets.

Gotta believe they are looking at the Ravens and what they have done bringing in Stallworth, who could be solid, and Boldin. Bengals may be bringing in a big WR as well. Gotta see if they will adjust becuase this is a passing league now. Ya GOTTA have bodies in the secondary and a lot of them.

Have to believe Townsend will come back at a cheap rate. No one else will wanna bring him in at his age.

Posted this on the free agency thread but Gerry Dulac confirms that Arnaz Battle will visit the Steelers on Monday.

They liked him the last time he was a free agent and then he re-signed with the 49ers but hasn't done much. Only 29 catches combined the past two years.

He's 6'1 and 208 and 30 years old. He was once compared to Hines Ward but the production hasn't lived up to that comparison.

Steelers are looking for a 4th receiver to go along with Holmes, Ward and Wallace.

You wonder if Art Rooney II should have a chat with Ben and tell him to straighten up.

Whether he's guilty of sexual assault or not, he's putting himself in bad situations, the same as Jeff Reed only the Steelers have a heck of a lot more invested in their QB.

Non wrote: Posted this on the free agency thread but Gerry Dulac confirms that Arnaz Battle will visit the Steelers on Monday.

They liked him the last time he was a free agent and then he re-signed with the 49ers but hasn't done much. Only 29 catches combined the past two years.

He's 6'1 and 208 and 30 years old. He was once compared to Hines Ward but the production hasn't lived up to that comparison.

Steelers are looking for a 4th receiver to go along with Holmes, Ward and Wallace.

A former ND player. Nice.

killer_ewok wrote:

Non wrote: Posted this on the free agency thread but Gerry Dulac confirms that Arnaz Battle will visit the Steelers on Monday.

They liked him the last time he was a free agent and then he re-signed with the 49ers but hasn't done much. Only 29 catches combined the past two years.

He's 6'1 and 208 and 30 years old. He was once compared to Hines Ward but the production hasn't lived up to that comparison.

Steelers are looking for a 4th receiver to go along with Holmes, Ward and Wallace.

A former ND player. Nice.

Anybody is better than Sweed.

I have to think this is somebody the Steelers really like, for their own reasons, or they wouldn't have been so quick to bring him in. That's not usually their style.