Grade the Draft

If the comments on this blog are any indication (see Satuday's post, below), Steelers fans weren't too happy with the team's day one draft picks.

How is everyone feeling now that the draft is complete? I would say it's a surprise that the Steelers did not address the running back position, and maybe cornerback too.

Feel free to post your comments here.

Steelers' second-day selections

Fourth round: Daniel Sepulveda, P, Baylor.

The Steelers traded up in the fourth round to acquire this player, swapping fourth round picks with the Green Bay Packers (No. 119) and giving up a sixth round pick (No. 192).

Fourth round: Ryan McBean, DE, Oklahoma State.

Fifth round: Cameron Stephenson, OG, Rutgers.

Fifth round: William Gay, CB, Louisville.

Seventh round: Dallas Baker, WR, Florida.

Steelers address defense in first and second rounds

First round: Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State. We were hoping the Steelers would be able to trade down and still get Timmons, but perhaps no other team would cooperate.

Second round: Another defensive player; LaMarr Woodley, DE, Michigan.

Third round: In something of a surprise, the Steelers selected a TE: Matt Spaeth, Minnesota.

Feel free to post your comments about today's draft picks...

Browns pass on Ohio-bred QB, again

In the 2004 NFL draft the Cleveland Browns passed on Ohio-bred Ben Roethlisberger. Three years later the Browns still need a quarterback. Yet, minutes ago the Browns again passed on another top local QB, Brady Quinn, selecting LT Joe Thomas (Wisconsin) third overall instead. This must be very frustrating for Browns fans. While I'm not totally sold on Quinn, I think selecting him would have been a risk worth taking for the Browns. A left tackle--no matter how good--isn't going to change Cleveland's fortunes, not in a division that features Roethlisberger and Carson Palmer.

Postscript: The Browns traded for an additional first round selection and were able to acquire Quinn with the 22nd overall pick.

The Gold and Black?

In 2007 the Steelers won't necessarily be the "black and gold." For two games, at least, the Steelers will be the "gold and black," thanks to the throwback helmets and uniforms they will wear in honor of their 75th anniversary. According to the Steelers' offical Web site, the team will wear the throwback uniforms (1940s, 50s and 60s era look) for two home games: September 16 vs. Buffalo and November 5 vs. Baltimore. Click here to see photos of the new/old jerseys.

Vote for the Steelers' 75th anniversary all-time team by clicking here.

Steelers' Draft Day Sweepstakes

Can you predict who Pittsburgh will select with its first-round draft choice on Saturday? If so, you may win tickets to a 2007 Steelers game (or various other prizes). Click here to enter the contest. The deadline is Saturday, April 28 at 10:00 a.m (Eastern).

Steelers sign UFA Nick Eason

Today, the Steelers signed UFA DE Nick Eason to a one-year contract. Eason (6-3, 305) was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. For the past several seasons he has played for the Cleveland Browns.

2007 Schedule

Sep 9 at Cleveland
Sep 16 Buffalo
Sep 23 San Francisco
Sep 30 at Arizona
Oct 7 Seattle
Week 6 BYE
Oct 21 at Denver
Oct 28 at Cincinnati
Nov 5 Baltimore
Nov 11 Cleveland
Nov 18 at N.Y. Jets
Nov 26 Miami
Dec 2 Cincinnati
Dec 9 at New England
Dec 16 Jacksonville
Dec 20 at St. Louis
Dec 30 at Baltimore

Steelers' draft position

As of today, the Steelers own nine picks in the 2007 NFL draft (April 28-29), including two compensatory selections (rounds 4 and 5) that cannot be traded. Pittsburgh is scheduled to select 15th in round one, and also owns the 46th, 77th, 119th, 132nd (compensatory), 156th, 170th (compensatory), 192nd and 227th selections.

While there has been some speculation that the Steelers will have the opportunity to swap first round picks with the Arizona Cardinals (#5 overall) if Pittsburgh is willing to part with RT Max Starks, that proposal seems like the product of someone's overactive imagination.

For what it's worth, the Steelers have not had the opportunity to pick higher than seventh (RB Tim Worley, 1989) in the first round since drafting Terry Bradshaw first overall in 1970.

Pittsburgh to Play Two Nationally Televised Preseason Games

In addition to playing the Hall of Fame game against the New Orleans Saints on August 5 (NFL Network), the Steelers will also be televised nationally (NBC) on August 26 at Heinz Field versus the Philadelphia Eagles (week 3).

The Steelers' other preseason opponents will be Green Bay (week 1) at Washington (week 2), and at Carolina (week 4). Exact dates and times TBD.