Steelers 2009 Draft Weekend

[el loco]

Coach Mike Tomlin: Ziggy Hood is a Steeler type of player – there are no holes in this guy. We felt good about the information that we acquired on this man after the Combine that he really wasn’t under consideration to come in here for a visit. He is a high character guy; he plays; he has a hot motor. He loves the game of football. He was described by many members of his team who went high today as their guy. He is a captain, leader and good football player. We are excited to add him to our fold. He is a guy that will fit in pretty quickly from a personality standpoint. What he is capable of doing on the football field will help us.

Why did you trade down?

Kevin Colbert: It was a chance to pick up some extra picks. It was a nice group of guys left and rather just taking one of those guys a think we will have a good chance at getting three. It was inviting. Like I said hopefully we’ll come out of it with three quality guys tomorrow.

Kevin Colbert: Thank you guys for sticking around. The action in the second round got fast and furious. Quite honestly, we were entertaining trying to go up. Really, we didn’t want to vacate the premises. We are extremely excited and happy to get a young man like Evander “Ziggy” Hood. I think that is the last time that you will hear him referred to as Evander. He goes by Ziggy; I think that is the name of his grandmother. He is a special guy – he really is. That was evident the first time that we met this kid. We liked him from a football standpoint when we saw him play in the fall. It was exciting to see him available when we were picking at (number) 32. He was just somebody that we felt good about from the first time that we scouted him until when we saw him at the Senior Bowl. When we met up with him at the Combine, everything kept adding up that this is a high-quality player and person. The nice thing is that he is a defensive lineman. He has a lot of versatility. We think that he can play defensive end; we think he can help at nose in our scheme; we think he can be a real good inside pass rusher in our sub (packages). I am probably over-stepping my bounds so I will let the coach expound on that. Again, he is a high-quality guy. He has already graduated. There are so many superlatives about this kid that we are excited to get him in here and get to work.

[el loco]

Pick 226: A.Q. Shipley, Center, Penn State, 6'1" 305lbs


After waiting entirely too long, Allan Quay Shipley was finally selected, in the 7th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, his hometown team. If there’s any 7th rounder who can compete for a starting job, immediately, it’s Shipley, who just epitomizes tough work, drive, and winning.

Video Clip: Combine bench press, He has some short arms, but he is another blue collar guy
http://nl.truveo.com/AQ-Shipley-bench-p ... 2908114403

[el loco]

Pick 241: David Johnson, Tight End, Arkansas State, 6'2" 260lbs 4.7 Forty


At the NFL combine he worked out as a fullback, so he might be our next blocking back, and he could also be used as an extra blocker in a double tight end set.

I can't find a lot on him or Ra'shon

[el loco]

I really liked this draft for the Steelers. We addressed every team need imo.

Defensive line, we got two talents, one is a good talent the other is a project

Offensive Line, we got a guard and a center both of which are blue collar guys and both should challenge for starting jobs.

Defensive Backfield: We took 2 cornerbacks with size and I expect one of them to slide over and play some safety.

Return game: two of our picks can return kicks, and Joe Burnett can return punts, he was top 10 in the nation in return yards in each category

The Steelers also found a replacement for Nate Washington, with a speedster who can also return kicks.

The guy I am most intrigued with out of all of our picks is Frank The Tank I look for him to get some snaps this year, especially in short yardage situations.

I know you can't really judge a draft for a few years, but I like what I see on paper.

Nice Job Steelers.

[SD2042]

http://www.steelers.com/draft/

The Steelers did what they do best. Draft what they felt were the best players to fit their team and to bolster their future with some of their defensive players getting on up in age.

On thing that's interesting to me is the drafting of WR Mike Wallace. With Limus Sweed already in place. Is the pick for Wallace a sign that maybe the Steelers are losing some interests in Sweed or simply think he needs some motivation to step up his game to be a contributor to the Steelers WR core?

[el loco]

http://www.steelers.com/draft/

The Steelers did what they do best. Draft what they felt were the best players to fit their team and to bolster their future with some of their defensive players getting on up in age.

On thing that's interesting to me is the drafting of WR Mike Wallace. With Limus Sweed already in place. Is the pick for Wallace a sign that maybe the Steelers are losing some interests in Sweed or simply think he needs some motivation to step up his game to be a contributor to the Steelers WR core?

I don't think that has anything to do with it. Don't forget we lost Nate Washington who could also fly and get past the secondary, I don't think Sweed can do that, but Sweed will have a role on this team. Wallace was drafted to do what Nate did even if Big Ben only goes to him every once in a while the opposing team still has to respect his speed and cover him, which makes Holmes and Ward more effective because they can't be doubled, and I don't think many corners or linebackers can guard Holmes one on one in the open field.

I am liking the Tank, which brings up another question. With Mendenhall, Moore, Tank, and Willie, who is going to get the bulk of the carries? 4 quality backs and they will all want the ball.

[SD2042]

That was an issue I brought up within the last month. They have four quality RBs'(2 vets, 2 rookies) on the roster and not enough to go around. One of these players may not be happy with the lack of potential carries they may occur later on when the season begins in September.

[el loco]

That was an issue I brought up within the last month. They have four quality RBs'(2 vets, 2 rookies) on the roster and not enough to go around. One of these players may not be happy with the lack of potential carries they may occur later on when the season begins in September.

If Mendenhall comes back, and does what we all thought he would do as a rookie. Willie will be the odd man out imo. I think we will use Frank the Tank as the short yardage specialist, like we did with (sp)Ma'Afala, is that right. You know who I am talking about I hope. Mewelde is just insurance. So, the bulk of the carries this year will be there for Willie and Menedenhall. or so I think. Next year Willie might not be brought back if that is when his contract expires, I am not sure if it does or not, but the steelers have been pretty loyal when it comes to honoring contracts if it goes longer.

For a fifth round pick he was worth a shot to be the short yardage guy. I remember we were talking about finding a long term solution to this position in one of the game threads last year. I have seen us get some good grades and some not so good grades for our draft. I like it.

[SD2042]

Willie being an potential odd guy out next year would be interesting considering how much he put in with the Steelers. What would put him that situation could be the injuries. If he misses a major amount of games like he did last season, then his career as a Steeler would be in doubt. As for the draft, the Steelers don't care about the critics grading them on the draft. They just go there and draft the players that best fit their blue collar style of play.

[SD2042]

That's the Steelers MO for you. Ziggy definately has the time to learn what he can from the vets during the offseason and the regular season. He will make a difference as a starter within the next season as the aging vets may eventually become the backups.