Max Starks, Secured!

I wonder which weighs more - Max Starks's 345 pounds or the $8,451,000 he just got when the Steelers franchised his ass?

Either way, we've got Big Max Starks for at least one more year, at a somewhat heavy price. It's cool, we'll just have to stop feeding Anthony Smith. Sorry, buddy. In this economic climate, concessions must be made.

I would've reported this earlier, but I was too busy getting lost on Canal St., which consequently can die in multiple fires, and getting AIDS/Syphilis/Chlamydia/Terrell Suggs disease on the E train.

Good times.

Reactions? Happy? Sad? Hungry?

PS - Go vote for me. Let this be your reminder!

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Who's It Gonna Be At Number 23?...

Could be a Lineman
Could be a D-back
Could be a Safety
Am I on the right track

Whoever it is
We fans will do as we must
And embrace he who is worthy
In Kevin Colbert we trust

Alright friends. It's 3 PM, do you know who your team will be drafting?

Domski has already proposed that we execute a blockbuster trade sending Big Ben and Troy Polamalu to Cleveland in exchange for Brady Quinn. So on that note - let's commence draft day discussion...

Have A Little Faith in Me Kevin Colbert...

"We wanted to go into this draft and not be need-specific."
- Kevin Colbert

Look man, here's the deal. I understand the philosophy and mindset Kevin Colbert has going into this year's draft - we're picking at #23 and we have a lot of needs (need to get younger, need to add depth, etc. etc.). But honestly, I think the Steelers might just want to be at least a little bit need-specific when it comes to the 1st couple of rounds.

Simply put, I'd be really surprised if there was any Steeler fan out there on these internets who doesn't think we need help on the O-line.

Tagging Max Starks was a step. But that is a far cry from fixing the protection issues the Steelers had last season. And while I know things can change drastically from year to year, I can't help but think you need to address positions in order of importance to the team's success. O-line is of paramount importance. Hence, 1+1=3 2, right?

Sure you can get a good Offensive Lineman in the later rounds, but are we willing to take that chance? Of course, this assumes that any lineman taken in the 1st couple of rounds would be a sure thing...and in football, as in life, there ain't no such phenomenon.

But, what do you all think? Is picking the "best available" player the Steelers best strategy? Would you be opposed to drafting some cheerleaders (for christ's sake)? Let the discussion begin...

PS - Despite what I say here, In Kevin Colbert I [and we all should] Trust...

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Steelers Alter Their Draft Strategy [Post-Gazette]
Colbert: Easy Call on Starks [Tribune-Review]
Faneca Gone, Starks Deal Likely...[SteelCityInsider]
A Long Talk with Steelers Official [ESPN]

Commence Draft Speculation...

"To say you need that position and that it is a glaring need, I don't think it's really fair to that group of guys. That being said, sure you want to add depth -- you realize you can lose two unrestricted free agents, and if you do, maybe that changes your focus as you move forward."
- Kevin Colbert

I guess since the season is over, and the "who's ass is on the line" discussion should be as well, all we've got left now is draft speculation, right? Enter Kevin Colbert, Steelers draft guru and resident Brian Billick look alike (seriously though he really does kind of look like him).

Most recently Colbert somewhat controversially said that the Steelers could be eyeing a Running Back in the 1st round of the upcoming draft. At least it might have been controversial if anyone was paying attention to the Steelers right now besides me and presumably you all. But I guess having heard this, the first question is - would that be a wise use of a marquee pick?

My answer is - probably not.

Personally, I love Willie Parker. However, even I can acknowledge that we just can't give him as many carries as we did this past season and expect him to stay healthy. Frankly, even if he was a more beefy back, there are few runners in this league that can sustain that kind of wear and tear and stay strong through an entire 17 week regular season, not to mention playoffs. It certainly couldn't hurt to draft a back to spell Willie once in a while.

But in the 1st round? I have to say no way. Our biggest need right now is on the Offensive line. Even if Faneca doesn't leave, we are still in desperate need of a capable Center. And I'm not all that confident the Steelers will re-sign Max Starks either, in which case we could use a good Left Tackle. So while I understand the philosophy, I would have to respectfully disagree with Colbert there (should he make that kind of decision).

As far as I can tell, our priorities should lie thusly:

1. O Line ~ you can disregard some of the sacks Ben took this year as being the result of either him holding the ball too long or receivers not getting open, but it's pretty clear that our #1 priority ought to be protecting our Pro Bowl QB. Not to mention blocking for our Pro Bowl running back. That's just how I see it.

2. Wide Receiver ~ Ben recently insinuated that it's tough for him to throw to a lot of the Steelers current receivers since he's, well, 6'5," and most of them are well, less than 6'5". Plus, Cedrick Wilson was pretty worthless this season anyhow. So hopefully we can drop that dead weight and get a guy in the 2nd or 3rd round that's over 6'1". Why not?

3. Kick Returner ~ actually, this could even be combined with #2. Nonetheless, you've seen what guys like Devin Hester and Joshua Cribbs can do for a team. The role of the return man has taken on new meaning in this NFL era, and the Steelers would be apt not to let this pass them by. I can't even imagine how happy I would be to watch a Steeler run back one or more kicks/punts for a TD. Can you? (and no one even mention Rossum's run back this year...that ain't what I'm talking about)

4. Fullback ~ Dan Kreider's injury was no joke. At 30, he certainly isn't getting any younger, and the possibility exists that his best playing days have passed him by. Carey Davis is ok, but I was never really sold on him to begin with. I just think if you're not going to hand the ball to him or throw him a few screens, why waste a roster spot? The fullback is a blocking back in my mind. There is no substitute for a Dan Kreider type fullback. Hence, I strongly suggest the Steelers try and grab Owen Schmitt. Objections?

5. Defensive End ~ let's just say hypothetically that Aaron Smith isn't the same man he once was. We all bore witness to what Nick Eason/Travis Kirschke could do near the end of this season. And while it wasn't awful, clearly neither are the answer at DE. My assessment of this sitch is that with Keisel's speed and power on the one side and Casey Hampton/Chris Hoke tieing up multiple guys in the middle, we should be looking to get another pass rushing DE. Just a feeling. Thumbs up or thumbs down?

6. Free Safety ~ obviously Ryan Clark has some durability issues. Tyrone Carter ain't a long term solution, and Anthony Smith...well, he really let a lot of us down this year (not to say he can't come roaring back next year). So I just think it would be great to add some depth here and get another strong guy back there to help out our Corners. Troy is so all over the place that we need a Safety who isn't going to get tricked easily. A Safety that is ready to make a play in coverage at any time. And it wouldn't hurt if he hit people, hard. Suggestions?

And there you have it, the quick and dirty OFTOT "unofficial 2008 draft needs." However, this all being said - I admittedly have not spent nearly enough time scouting prospects to be able to rank our needs versus this years draft pool (minus the RB spot as mentioned).

So I make you all a solemn promise that over the next couple months I will do my best to read/watch as much as I can and report back to you all that I glean. Too bad I don't have NFL Network...that really sucks. Guess I'll have to rely on Domski to step up and scout the NFL Network. Then again, I'm still not sure he knows how to navigate the internets, so that may be of no use whatsoever. Everyone keep your fingers crossed and someone teach him how to use a keyboard...

Your turn dudes and dudettes (do any women even read this blog? BnG Girl?) - Who/What are your draft wants/needs for the team in April? Any gems you think no one has thought to mention yet? You think the Steelers would consider drafting a 26 year old, 6'2" 180 lb. nerd who writes a Steeler blog?

PS - Happy freakin' Friday! Hope you all are as excited as I am about the weekend. Go Chargers/Packers!

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Steelers Eye Several Positions for 1st Round [Post-Gazette]
Steelers Must Address O-Line Draft [Tribune-Review]
Steelers to Eye RB in Draft? [Behind The Steel Curtain]
Mock No. 1... [Nonstop Steelers]