Wax On, Wax Off...Jim Wexell to Chat with Master Lloyd...

For those of you who missed it, Steelers guru/beat writer, Jim Wexell is currently on a cross-country trek that will hit a number of different locales in which reside the families of some of the Steelers premier stars, including -- Heath Miller, Hines Ward, Ike Taylor, Alan Faneca, Casey Hamption, Troy Polamalu, etc. etc.

Today, Wexell checked in from the road to fill us all in on how the journey is progressing thus far and what the agenda is for the coming days.

Here's the update: SO far, Wexell has interviewed family members of Heath Miller, Willie Parker, and Lawrence Timmons. Particularly entertaining was his discussion with the Millers, who apparently are quite wary of the media, feeling they tend to come looking for the "coal-country hillbilly stereotype." Definitely not gonna find that with this one folks...But that's not really the interesting part...Apparently Wexell's time with Mr. and Mrs. Miller was spent at the local Applebee's where they have an entire corner of the restaurant devoted to the best TE this side of the Mississippi. If that doesn't say you've made it, boy, I don't know what does...Just kidding. Hey, it's not like they have a Cotter corner at Applebee's...yet...

Anyways, Wexell also discusses his interaction with Willie Parker Sr. and [former Pitt Basketball player and father of Lawrence] Lindsey Timmons, who both sound like typically Pittsburghese in attitude. Empassioned, hard-working and understanding (see link above for more details).

And here's an interesting tidbit: UNC has a picture of wild man Jeff Reed in their NFL honors section...but no Willie Parker. Perhaps feeling a little resentful in Chapel Hill?

So where's the next stop on this spirited journey through Steeler Nation (aka the United States) for Jim Wexell?? -- The ever treacherous [hot]Atlanta, GA, where he'll meet up with Hines Ward's mom and the JuJitsu (exact discipline not important) Master himself, Mister Greg Lloyd. Can't wait to hear how that goes...