I like that Iupati as the first-round pick.

He looks like a guard that's going to anchor the run game. Even next year if he doesn't start they can bring him in as an extra blocker in short yardage and get him acclimated that way.

I'd be fine with that pick, except cornerback is still the most pressing need.

Haden should be gone.

So then what? Earl Thomas might be able to convert to CB but the next pure CB is probably Patrick Robinson, who hasn't been projected quite that high. A lot of mock drafts have him going late first or early second.

That raises the question should the Steelers trade down to maybe 23-27 something like that, pick Robinson and maybe add another third or fourth rounder. Not a bad idea, actually, if Robinson is their guy.

As much as I love the steelers....(damn season tix are due soon I think...) I just dont get into whom they should draft. I dont pay attnention to college.....never look at a mock draft...and dont really care to actually. To me its a waste of time. I couldnt give you 5 names taht are draft eligible to be honest.

I do, however, give thoughts on what positions they should draft and i think CB, DL and OL and look for a diamond in the rough at RB later one if FWP doesnt resign.

Thing about moving down.....sometimes in the past that was for$$ purposes if a guy u wanted you get later..and usually a draft pick.

Could possibly move down...always an option for the steelers to get an extra pick and not a bad idea if they feel they can get the guy they want and an extra pick..and a lil less $$

I like the evaluation and scouting of players at basically all levels of football from high school to college to the NFL. I can watch every second of the NFL Draft, actually. But I agree that the three months of mock drafts with them constantly changing is overdoing it.

I think any pick in the first three rounds is good value. As I posted on another thread, between the time the college season ends to the actual draft you might have 80 players considered, at one time or another, to be late first round or second round caliber. So if the Steelers had four picks in the first three rounds instead of three, they'll definitely be better off. They have enough needs such as CB, OL, LB, RB to name a few.

If the Steelers are at No. 18 and they sort of like a few different players but not one is overwhelmingly the favorite, maybe another team around No. 25 wants a specific player and is ready to move and the Steelers go to 25 still get one of the players they like in the first round and add another pick likely in the third.

That said, I'm not against moving up either. If there is one player you really like, such as a Troy Polamalu, and you're confident that's going to be a cornerstone player, don't even think twice about trying to move up. Most of the picks in rounds 5-7 turn out to be misses if you look at it year-by-year and undrafted free agents end up beating a lot of those late rounders out for spots.

thavoice wrote: I think they should bring in Delhomme.

One...to show they mean business to ben.....
two...to see if they can bring him in as a backup....(which i kno he wont do...paper said he wasnt into Clev much cause he wasnt gonna be given th job.
three.....maybe make another team spend too much on him..like cleveland. he would use the steelers as a way to get a bigger contract.


I know..wont happen..but hey..

They might want to show interest in these QBs right now. It's uncertain what's going to happen with Ben but the chance to start might be there for a player like Delhomme. He might be willing to take his chances. Even though the Steelers may prefer to go with Dixon they can advertise it as being an open competition for No. 2, which could ultimately be No. 1 for a pretty good team.

Foote will visit the Steelers Monday.

You wonder about bringing back players who may be on the downside but Foote is only 29.

It is being reported that Larry Foote has signed with the Steelers. 3 yr deal.

Steelers wrap up three-year deal with Larry Foote

Good move IMO.

They have some flexibility now inside with Timmons, Farrior and Foote

Timmons essentially could move to OLB with Foote starting inside if an outside linebacker starter goes down

DE-Aaron Smith
NT-Casey Hampton
DE-Brett Keisel
-----------------------
DE-Ziggy Hood
NT-Chris Hoke
DT/DE-Sunny Harris

OLB-James Harrison
ILB-Lawrence Timmons
ILB-James Farrior
OLB-LaMarr Woodley
-------------------------------
ILB-Larry Foote
ILB-Keyaron Fox

CB-Ike Taylor
CB-William Gay
SS-Troy Polamalu
FS-Ryan Clark
--------------------
CB-Joe Burnett
CB-Keenan Lewis
CB-Anthony Madison
FS-Ryan Mundy
FS/SS-Will Allen

I'd say the defense is in good shape other than one cornerback for William Gay.

Foote should do well.

I'm curious what they will do in the draft now. Will they target a olineman, rb, or corner?

OL or CB in the first round I think

CB in the second round if not the first

I think Iupati is the player they like most specifically in the first round, even though the CB position may be a greater need

With Haden dropping, they may have a shot at him but I'm not sure I like him either now.

There isn't really a must-have cornerback. They could get one in round two that would bring long-term potential. I think they'd have to move up to late first, early second to get Kyle Wilson (Boise State) or Patrick Robinson (Florida State).

Where they're at in the second round, they may have some options such as Dominique Franks (Oklahoma), Kareem Jackson (Alabama), Chris Cook (Virginia), Donovan Warren (Michigan).

I know they'll be high on Maurkice Pouncey (C/G) from Florida, but again it would be a stretch for him to be there in the second round if they tried to go CB in the first round and Pouncey in the second.

Both of those scenarios would require moving up in the second round.

Other than the Big Ben soap opera, I think the Steelers have had a very impressive and productive offseason.

They didn't lose anything significant.

They were able to keep Casey Hampton, Jeff Reed and Ryan Clark.

They improved the special teams with Will Allen and Arnaz Battle.

They improved the depth on the offensive line with Jonathan Scott.

They improved the depth at receiver with Randle-El.

They improved the linebacker depth with Foote.

The key departures are Willie Parker, who has had his best years, Tyrone Carter (declining), Deshea Townsend (nearing the end). Charlie Batch (nearing the end).

Obviously Ben would be a huge loss but we'll have to wait and see how that goes.

The Steelers showed in 2007 and 2009 that they can be in playoff contention with the defense banged up and not playing at its peak. They finished 10-6 in 2007 and 9-7 last year, barely missing. But we saw in 2008 when the defense played outstanding in the regular season how much that set the tone for a 12-4 year and a serious run to the Super Bowl. Hopefully it can return close to that form.

They have a lot of age on defense but as long as they're not injured and out for the season, I think they'll play tough again. It would be nice to add more youth in the draft, but don't just pick guys that sit out the entire first year. Get a few that can run around and make some things happen and spell the veterans to keep them fresh for the late season.

I'm thrilled that they brought Foote back. Solid player.

They definitely need to sure up their secondary. It has been a weakness that their outstanding pass rush has covered up for years.

Out of curiousity, why is Haden dropping? I haven't followed much of the draft stuff yet.

wes_mantooth wrote: They definitely need to sure up their secondary. It has been a weakness that their outstanding pass rush has covered up for years.

Out of curiousity, why is Haden dropping? I haven't followed much of the draft stuff yet.

40 time.

I wish they could draft Eric Norwood from South Carolina. Linebacker.

They don't really need another OLB but he's tough and would be a good Steelers linebacker. I guarantee it.

Same as Golden Tate at receiver. If they didn't have other needs.

Great to have Foote back. He had some good comments..how the losing killed him and hes glad he only signed a 1 year deal up there!

The corp should be good now and have flexibility! OLB gets hurt I think Timmons would be Ok to move out there and Larry at ILB with Farrior.

I think the team is better this year than last. Of course with TP back, hopefully. Clark was a must. Adding ARE will make this a very strong WR corp with Wallace and gives flex with Ward getting older.

Team has a very, very good chance at returning to prominance. They werent that far away last year.