heels, sox & steelers
I do like the sound of "surrounding Ben with as many weapons as possible" as a strategy. Seems very Maddeny - line up five wide, and try to get the Hail Mary off before you get sacked.
I have high hopes for Kemoeatu to step up this year. Larry Zierlein has faith in him, so I guess I do too. For the moment.
Mendenhall was assigned number 34. I guess that seals Haynes as Ver-gone.
Others (according to the Trib):
2 -- QB Dennis Dixon
14 -- WR Limas Sweed
29 -- S Ryan Mundy
53 -- LB Bruce Davis
55 -- LB Mike Humpal
66 -- OT Tony Hills
Question of the Day:
Among the Steelers' signings of undrafted free agents, whom do you think is most likely to stick with the team?
I'll preface this by saying I love FOs stuff usually but they're constant praise of Davenport is silly. Comparing Davenports limited carries in a specialized role to Parker's carries on 1st and 2nd down just don't make any sense.
I think we were all familiar with the Steelers offense of run, run, please-single-handedly-pick-up-the-first-down-Ben. When Davenport was the starter after Parker got hurt he didn't do much.
Steelers fans are pretty split on Parker (I'm a Parker apologist for the record) and I think the thing I like most about Medenhall is that he'll give a valid comparison for Parker. I want to see what another feature caliber back can do behind that offensive line.
re: previous QOTD:
from the PPG chat:
Suburban_Rhythm: I know it's a long way off...but based on the draft, which veterans are in jeopardy? Ty Carter?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, Tyrone would be one. Najeh Davenport, perhaps. That's about it, though.
Seems like leaving Reid off this list is a mistake, but otherwise ok.
I guess it's a good sign that Ty Carter is the quality of player that may get cut, rather than Ricardo Colclough. That's probably a positive indication about the overall quality of the group.
QOTD: I think it's going to be tough for any UDFA to make the cut. I like Doug Legursky, but think he'll be a developmental guy we keep on the PS. I think Micah Rucker is a nice sleeper WR to compete for a spot, so I'll go with him.
I think the Najeh horse is almost dead, but I'll beat it one more time. I agree with Eric that FO exaggerates Najeh's performance. I would not for a second pick him as the starter over FWP, who is a Pro Bowl or borderline Pro Bowl back. But his overall numbers for a back up were good. And in the only game in which he got a starter's number of carries, he went for 123 yards on 24 carries for 5.1 average and 1 rushing TD, and 2 catches for 44 yards and a TD against the Rams. That was certainly a decent fill-in job.
I agree it comes down to Najeh vs. Russell, and Najeh could lose out due to money and age. But I don't think it is a foregone conclusion that he's gone. Of course, if FW is right and he can command something decent in a trade, that would be fine, too.
Of the 29 Steelers who have made the Pro Bowl since 1993, here is the round they've been picked in:
1: 6
2: 7
3: 5
4: 0 (maybe Robo can change this)
5: 2
6: 1
7: 0
UDFA: 8
From: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/0...5/876100-
66.stm
It sounds like it is worth considering trading the picks from r1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 for three picks (and 5 total) in rounds 2 and 3 and then being aggressive with undrafted free agents.
And here's an interesting article on our success with UDFAs. I didn't know that there is one dollar pool for draft choices and UDFAs. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/0...2/875224-
66.stm
Suffsit to say that Parker and Davenport have very similar 1st down DVOA and Davenport blows Parker away on the other downs. Pittsburgh were 19th in ALY, Davenport was 18th in running back DPAR, Parker was freaking 38th.
Oh, and Davenport's carries by down:
1st: 41, 2nd: 38, 3rd/4th: 28.
As Eric points out, the Steelers generally threw the ball on third or fourth last year. Which is unsurprising for reasons you'll have to buy PFP to find out about.
I would indeed start Davenport over Parker - we don't *need* a home run threat at RB, that's what we have a passing offense for - and Davenport is far, far more consistent and much better at not leaving Ben in 3rd & forever and letting the pass-rushers go to town.
I'm sorry, I understand the FO stats and I like them very much because they give great insight to the game, but there is no way that Najeh should be starting over FWP.
Who are we kidding here? The Steelers had the leading rusher in the league in FWP, and yes he is boom or bust, but what does Davenport bring to the table? Improve the blocking ever so slightly and FWP looks much much better.
I just don't remember any game, besides the St. Louis game, where Davenport was consistently pumping out 4 yard carries. I'm not saying it didn't happen, but I have no recollection of this event.
I don't know where to get this stat, but the one thing about Davenport that I really liked last year is that he generally didn't have negative-yardage plays, and had far fewer no gain plays than Parker. I can see both sides of this debate, and honestly I think it comes down to personal preference. With that said, I very much hope that Dookie is on the team this year, because I think he's a valuable guy to have around. At the very least he can be a backup to BOTH tailback and fullback, as I seem to remember him playing that role pretty well in Green Bay behind Ahman Green. Who wouldn't want to have him lead blocking over Carey Davis if you can't have Dan Kreider doing it?
Wexell really liked the draft and is in love with Bruce Davis.
http://www.tribune-democrat.com/
..._121000325.html
I think it's hard to argue with the FO numbers, so I won't. For the most part.
Except to say that I'd guess Najeh faced fewer 8 men in the box situations on 2nd and 3rd down. Teams key on Parker, rightly or wrongly, whereas Najeh -- not so much. Now I know DVOA accounts for this to a point. If Najeh runs for 7 yards on 3rd and 11 against a dime defense, DVOA won't look kindly on a run that fails to gain the 1st down. But I still think that Willie is likely to have been stuffed on 1st and 2nd downs when teams stacked up against the run, and stuffed on 3rd down because he is not a great short yardage guy. (He is tougher than people might think, but doesn't have great vision or instincts in my view.)
Najeh, on the other hand, likely ran more on passing downs when teams were not stacked up against the run. I know the numbers show that he also carried 41 times on first down, but as you noted he and FWP had "very similar 1st down DVOA" numbers, so that seems like a wash.
None of these "observations" of mine, if it's fair to call them that, are based on game charting or anything other than memory and perception, so maybe I'm way off. (An interesting split to see, however, would be something like the Steelers passing DVOA on 2nd down with FWP in vs. 2nd down passing DVOA with Najeh in. If teams put 8 in the box for FWP but not ND, I'd expect the passing game to work better when FWP is in -- despite what I'd think of as Najeh's superior receiving skill set.)
In any event, isn't one of the FO mantras that DVOA is better at measuring what has happened than at predicting what will happen? I tend to think that Parker still has a couple years of improvement in him -- meaning that his physical decline will start later than it does for most RBs and his instincts/smarts as a runner will peak later than most RBs -- because of his dearth of carries in college. Whereas Najeh is Najeh: a nice back unlikely to improve a ton from what we've seen.
In the meantime, while he's learned on the job, FWP's done well. We certainly don't "need" a high risk/high reward RB, true, but while boom and bust doesn't sustain drives as well, getting big plays helps scoring drives too. I think.
Yours in no time to actually go look up the numbers while I pontificate,
Stuart,
Remember the main tenet over at FO: "Numbers are no substitute for your eyes."
I'm sorry, while I almost always agree with what DVOA says there just isn't anyway the Davenport should be starting over Parker. For whatever reason DVOA is not reflecting what I, and apparently other people, saw during the games.
When Najeh got a chance to start he had 27 yards on 12 carries against the Ravens and 25 yards on 16 carries against Jacksonville. Say what you want about Parker but at least he managed to average better than 2 yards a carry over the first 14 games.
Wow. Even though I think Dookie's pretty good, I'm very surprised that there is any talk of starting him over FWP, especially from someone as smart and well-versed as Stuart. But I do think the way Najeh is used suggests that FWP should be used differently -- more like the way LDT is (which is closer to how Najeh is used). By this, I mean more screens, more throws in the flat, more pitches (although Ben needs to practice his tosses), more sweeps and fewer runs right up the middle next to a mediocre center. FWP is mediocre at runs right up the middle but could be spectacular at the rest.
I also love, make that LOVE, the idea of FWP and Rocket Rashard in the backfield at the same time (as the PPG said might happen). I think someone like Tedy Bruschi would start wearing Depends to play the Steelers if they do this. The ripple effects for guys like Heath and the WRs could be huge, too. I'm getting tingly like a little girl just thinking about it.
Guys,
This shootout between Willie and Najeh is interesting, but what's the point?
The question is, which running back is on the bubble? Parker sure isn't. This debate should be between Davenport and Russell.
If you want to argue that Davenport's actual production is greater than Russell's potential production, I'm all ears.
Even though Davenport is 29 years old, he's a healthy 29-year-old. He has great hands and he has produced on the field in the role he has been given.
I agree with Russell's critics in that I can never remember seeing him during a real game last year do anything that made me think we were witnessing the second-coming of Jim Brown.
Someone mentioned that Davenport is slated to make $1 million this year. Assuming that's true, it's not as if the Steelers will save that $1 million. Why? If they cut Davenport but keep Russell, his salary will count about $350,000 against the cap, so the savings are really only $650,000, which in this day and age of the NFL, ain't much. Also, if Davenport were given the "choice," he'd most likely relent and allow his salary to be re-structured. So let's ignore the difference in salaries for a moment.
Don't get me wrong. Maybe Russell will be a solid performer--someday.
But if you're asking me which of these two guys I want to see on the field when Parker or Mendenhall get hurt or need some air, I can understand the argument that Davenport makes more sense.
Do you prefer steady, albeit unspectacular, performance that's been proved on the field, or the potential upside of the unknown?
>> "I think someone like Tedy Bruschi would start wearing Depends to play the Steelers if they do this."
Ha! Easy, you bet! Poor little Theodore will develop one fierce case of taco-pants as he looks across the line at this killer crew.
Randy, never heard taco pants before... There's a run for the border joke in there somwhere but I can't thik of it. Also, now that we have a rookie with huge upside, I'd lean toward keeping the steady vet. But I won't cry if Russell has the better camp or Dookie is traded or they need the 650k for a June 1 signing of a good DE or interior OL...
For the QOTD: don't we only have 2 TEs? If so, the UDFA TE should have a good shot.
Suburban_Rhythm: I know it's a long way off...but based on the draft, which veterans are in jeopardy? Ty Carter?
Ed Bouchette: Yes, Tyrone would be one. Najeh Davenport, perhaps. That's about it, though.
Seems like leaving Reid off this list is a mistake, but otherwise ok.
I suspect that Reid hasn't played enough for Ed to count him as a veteran. I mean, it's not like he's Lee Mays or anything.
Looks like the Pats will beat the Cowboys in the Super Bowl and we'll win the Division:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/d...%26id%
3d3372132
RE Only 2 TE's, I believe JONATHAN DEKKER is still on the roster. He dressed for the Bengals game last year.
JB,
Great use of all caps there. I had totally forgotten about my rule on that.
I really like this team right now. I'm still concerned greatly about the OL, but I'm of the opinion that it won't be worse than last year. And if Marvel stays healthy and Starks plays like he did at the end of the season, then it will be better than last year.
My other concern is the DL depth. The Steelers are basically one injury away from Eason again. That isn't good. I wonder if any of the UDFA DL they brought in can play?
I've mentioned this before, but I think the defense will be better this year, even if they aren't ranked as high statistically. Adding Timmons and Woodley to LB makes them younger and faster. Getting a healthy Polamalu and Clark back will also be a huge boost.
The owner of deadspin was on Costas Now debating. Looks from the video like he got jumped by Costas and a writer, including printouts of articles posted. My favorite points were the overemphasis on the horrible writing of comments (which didn't seem to be relevent) and some blog posts, and why access can lead to good stories. I was dying for someone to read a CPW nominee from the Trib or something similar. Bad writing is bad writing, good writing is good writing; if good writers write newspaper articles or blogs or comments, they will be written well, bad writers will write bad stuff wherever they write.
http://deadspin.com/385770/bissi...inger-vs-
leitch
Drew
A good site for some commentary on this is Firejoemorgan.com
Check it out, funny and informative.
Drew
A longer thoughtful take is here, by Joe Posnanski.
http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/...s-get-answered/
"I guess it's a good sign that Ty Carter is the quality of player that may get cut, rather than Ricardo Colclough. That's probably a positive indication about the overall quality of the group."
Ricardo plays for the Panthers...
Following ELSM's lead, how about "Rocket Rash" for a nick name??
Ask T. Bruschi why...
Looks like the Pats will beat the Cowboys in the Super Bowl and we'll win the Division:
--SteelerBill
Cowboys score..yeah, baby!..no wait..I hate the freakin Cowboys..but they are beating the freakin Pats..I know..I know... But its the freakin `Boys..I am in a continuous loop of hate!(red alert, imminent mental breakdown..he's going to blow!!)
>> "I wonder if any of the UDFA DL they brought in can play?"
Cols,
It's highly doubtful, but we can always hope. Even if we do strike gold with one of these guys, no way he plays next season. Sadly, what we have on the roster now is most likely what we'll have for the season.
But as other, smarter posters than I have already noted, every team has problems such as this. Nobody can afford great depth at every position. I'm not as worried about our O-line now (probably wishful thinking), but, yes, if one of our DEs goes down, we're in trouble.
Truth be told, however, with Clark Haggans gone we were more vunerable at OLB than DL. Look at the guys who were backing up Harrison and Woodley before the draft. Yikes! And this is only Woodley's second year. Why are we so quick to expect a Pro-Bowl performance from him? That's why the Bruce Davis pick was so important.
I don't know about pro-bowl, but I'm pretty sure he will at the very very least provide what Haggans did last year.
Based on the STeelers record with UFAs, I would agree it's doubtful that any of the DEs can play right away, but I might not go as far as "highly doubtful." Just splitting hairs though, I guess.
Eason is bad, and Kirschke is up there in age, but I guess the fact still is that at least we have 6 guys (or 5 and Eason) and that is all that they're going to dress on Sundays anyway. So yes, injuries would be a problem, but barring injuries they could be just fine up ther ewhil McBean heals and improves.
I don't want to go all SCI message board on you all, but this huge WR they signed sounds pretty impressive.
http://blogs.trb.com/sports/
foot...cah_rucker.html
Cols714..Rucker sounds promising..6' 6" 220? and a quality person to boot. You just don't know..A Colston can be found out there at times.
A friend of mine who would give some of you very knowledgable guys a run for your money said all last year to me that
(a) yes, the O-line is struggling but also (b) Ben needs more weapons. I am beginning to see the light, especially after watching Brady and Manning throw to their plethora of supremely talented receivers and backs.
So he phoned me up (he lives in the USA now) and just raved about Mendenhall and Sweed. He's a very astute observer and usually is loathe to over praise ..well.just about anything presented to him. I am coming around to the idea that we did well in the draft.There..I said it...lol
So if Rucker is the bees knees why didn't anyone take a 7th (or higher) round flier on him?
From the PPG's #s, we've had 8 guys make the Pro Bowl since 1993 who were UDFAs. They don't list them all or when they left college, so we can't do exact odds. But if the past is a predictor of the future (and, of course it isn't) there's roughly a 40-50% chance that one of our 2008 UDFAs will make the Pro Bowl for us at some point. Rucker and the center seem like reasonable early guesses.
And Rene, I like combining your idea with mine and Randy's. Call him Rocket Rashard, and whenever he gives someone like Bruschi taco-pants, call it getting Rocket Rash.
Eric
I agree which is why I don't get my hopes up too high. But on paper this guy looks pretty good for a #5 WR / developmental guy.
Get your brooms ready Pens fans.
I am currently rocking a Lemieux jersey on a plane back to New York (was in DC for work).
3 comments already, and I've only been on the plane for 6 minutes.
Per Rucker, Wex had this to note during a thread at SCI...
"Micah Rucker is slow. And he falls apart in the red zone, like Burress did."
Wex also included this analysis from SCI's head scout, Tom Marino:
Tom Marino ranked Rucker the 170th wide receiver. From his pre-draft rankings on Rucker:
"Big and very slow. No quickness. Long strider who can't get in and out of a break. Good but not exceptional hands. Has just an outside chance to go to camp as a free agent"
And Wex added this note at the end:
"Really, on paper this is the worst free-agent class I can remember."
Well that explains why he wasn't drafted.
Ryan/men....
Anyone familiar with this guy/site? I just read about it in SI (the actual magazine):
http://thehuddlereport.com/
He provides Draft Grades for the Mock's...:
http://www.thehuddlereport.com/
F...op100mock.shtml
"And Rene, I like combining your idea with mine and Randy's. Call him Rocket Rashard, and whenever he gives someone like Bruschi taco-pants, call it getting Rocket Rash."
ELSM, I like it!..
On the UDFA's, I would keep my eyes on Martavius Prince DT from Southern Miss. That school has a tendency to put out some gems (Ray Guy, Adalius Thomas, Louis Lipps, Hanford Dixon, and, Brett Favre). He is supposed to be a very good run stuffer AND smart, and 6'3" 287 is definitely doable at DE in the 3-4. He might even be able to rush the passer, though at DT he probably never had the chance.
You heard it here first... or something.
Question of the Day:
Of our seven players drafted this year, whom do you think will be the first to get cut?
QOTD: Dixon. I hope he makes it, but he could have Eric Crouch/Major Harris written all over him.
QOTD -- I think all these guys have a good shot to make it, but if anyone does not I wouldn't be surprised to see Dixon cut. I like him from what I've seen, but if he's not fully healed or if one of the other two guys looks more ready to be a No. 3 QB, he may be in danger. Hills, Humpal, and Mundy all look pretty safe to me because I can't see that there's much standing in their way. Perhaps Trai Essex will have a monster camp . . . .
I was excited by Rucker's numbers too. Saying he is slow -- the interview I saw with him said that he ran a 4.47, putting speed questions to rest; but maybe he plays slow, doesn't take that 4.47 out onto the field in pads, what have you.
Matt
The problem with most big WR is that they aren't quick enough in and out of breaks to get any sort of separation with the DB. It's not that they aren't fast, just not quick.
On the QOTD, I think every player makes it. But, like everyone else, I could see Dixon getting cut. The best idea, to me at least, is to stash him on IR or whatever it is called in the NFL for a year to fully heal his ACL.
From most likely to least likely to get cut:
Dixon, Mundy, Hills, Humpal, Davis, Sweed, Mendenhall.
I mean, it's not like he's Lee Mays or anything.
Israel | 05.01.08 - 4:41 am
That is pure comedy Israel.
I am thinking Davenport stays. I think the team will treat the RB position like they did the LB position last year. Look at Woodley last season as an example. I think the depth chart will be Parker, Davenport, then Mendenhall. I see Mendenhall and Davenport splitting time behind Parker. Not sure why people knock Parker. I think he does a hell of a job for an UDFA. My guess is that Parker is the starter this year, and will have to take a pay cut next year, or be dealt or cut, if Mendenhall comes on.
FWP makes very little for a guy with his stats and speed. Unless he isn't able to recover from the broken leg, can't see him being asked to, or willing to, take a pay cut.
Agree with Cols' ordering, although I hope Hills is good enough to stick. It wouldn't be shocking if they all made the roster. Also, I'm hoping we get some ST insanity out of Davis and Humpal.
The most surprising thing in seeing video of Dixon is how slight he is. Ray Lewis would snap him in half by looking at him. The wind from Peezy's mouth might knock him down.
Quick thought:
The Steelers success with turning UDFAs into starters is one of the more underplayed stories in the NFL. We hear alot about the 2nd day of the draft and NE's supposed complete mastery of the draft, but the Steelers consistently have come up with good players who were undrafted.
In unrelated news...Breaking News on ESPN TV - Marvin Harrison was involved in a shooting in Philadelphia. Someone was shot, Marvin Harrison was not shot nor has he been named the shooter....
Found it on-line:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/ne...tory?
id=3378829
Ok....who had Dorien Bryant in the First to be Cut Pool?
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/0...3/878671-
66.stm
Men....
Go to View Gallery and look at picture 3.....
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/...s/
s_565501.html
No fair, SteelerBill. You should have warned us that Mahan was featured prominently in picture 3.
Here's to hoping that Hartwig remedies that right quick. I think it was just deference to the outgoing starter that placed him in that first group.
Shame about Bryant. He seemed to have a chance as a KR/PR. Go Bloom, go!
I finally figured out who Mendy looks like.
Compare picture 1 in that same gallery to this picture of actor Dule Hill.
Pretty close, no? Although Dule is built more like Dennis Dixon than like a power back.
I'm not sure if you can count Bryant as being cut, I'm guessing that he was never on the roster because he never passed his physical. Any indication why he did not pass and if he has a chance to latch on with other teams still??
From what I've read thus far this morning Bryant was very popular among several teams when it came time to sign free agents after the draft - he must really have something wrong with him...
This should make someone's head explode this morning - according to Wex (and paraphrased) '...counting tight ends the Steelers have seven receivers taller than 6-4 1/2....Sweed is the seventh tallest'
Wex continues that Sweed can't believe how big everyone is and Heath feels small...
....one more item to note, Wex said that the 5-11 Holmes was the best receiver out there...
One thing to brighten your offseason (and mine): A reminder thaT...
THE PATRIOTS LOST THE SUPER BOWL AFTER GOING 18-0!!!
Makes me smile every time I think about it.
Jeebus, it turns out Marvel was playing in the JAX game without feeling in one leg. Now why the eph did the coaches let him play at all? For the love, sometimes a player is too hurt and it helps the team to put in his backup. See also Ben in 2006.
Grow some balls and make the tough call to sit a starter when they are that hurting.
With the zillion mocks, did any get a Steelers pick right by both round and player?
It looks like the Steelers have signed Dorien Bryant's replacement - and he's really short (relatively speaking of course):
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/...s/
s_565628.html
Mendenhall has a hamstring:
http://news.steelers.com/article/89225/
Anonymous up there was me.
FWP makes very little for a guy with his stats and speed. Unless he isn't able to recover from the broken leg, can't see him being asked to, or willing to, take a pay cut.
Easy Like Sunday Morning | 05.02.08 - 2:08 pm
I thought Parker got re-negotiated. Maybe it was someone else.
I watched the Bob Costas NOW on HBO the other day, and Hines Ward was on there for a few moments. The point of the show was athletes and the media. Ward said that Mark Madden has it in for him because Ward and Bettis didn't go on air with Madden several years ago. Apparently Madden calls him Whines Hard since then. The next Bob Costas show is going to be about race and sports, which could be very interesting. It is a difficult subject.
As for the QOTD: Legursky makes the team.
As for veterans who get cut: Carter, Reid, Davenport, maybe Essex.
As for Dennis Dicon: He goes to PUP, maybe IR. They know that now. That's why they're bringing five QBs into camp, which is unprecedented.
The Dorien Bryant thing is a mystery. He seemed like he had a decent shot to step in at slot receiver. Uh, any candidates there?
I like Legursky, but in 2008 team terms, he's not liekly making the team. Of course, who'da think Stapleton makes the team as #3 OC and then Marv Philip gets the boot? But still, I think Hartwig and Stapleton vie now; next year we look for Stapleton to step up and Legursky to push to make the team from the PS. Legursky's too raw right now, IMO. But who knows. Who knows.
I liked him and Bryant and Rucker, and Bryant flunked. So I'm already down one, LOL.
Finnegan..tis the season of dreams..if you cant hope that some kid makes the team..whats the point of sports?
Keep on keepin on..
Why the speculation Essex will be cut? He can play LT and RT, has played reasonably well when in, Colon might play G, Hills is coming off an injury and is a rookie, and 2-3 OTs are FAs after this season. Is there reason to think he's on the bubble?
Essex..I dont know that I would worry about losing him too much, but maybe I should given the state of our depth. I hope guys like him finally make it and become productive players..Nate W. and McFadden too..Starks..
Sometimes guys you have given up on have the light go on. Just never know when that might happen.
Men....need motivation on a Monday morning? I highly encourage you to read Peter King's column today.
It is May 5th and he has ranked the teams 1-32 - the Pats are #1, Browns #9 and Steelers #14.
It obviously doesn't matter - but if the Steelers were looking for a 'chip on their shoulder' this year - all the talk about the Browns should suffice.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com...ings/
index.html
Aren't the Steelers converting Legursky(?) from center to guard? I'm pretty sure I read that somewhere.
Eric
That's what I read also.
If Hills shows that he can backup the LT as well as Essex, then I imagine Essex is gone.
Check out who's sitting rinkside at the Pens game:
http://mondesishouse.blogspot.com/
(First picture.)
Good news on Ryan Clark, he's back working with the 1st team. Also Tomlin says that Timmons is competing with Foote.
Bad news is that Sean Mahan is still the starting center.
I was at Game 1 of the series, and Max Starks was at that one.
On Essex, he played reasonably well last year when called upon; prior to that, I think not so much. If Colon does go to guard and we lose Mahan (fingers crossed) then I think Essex does stick as the backup tackle ahead of Hills. I just don't think there's a place on the 53-man roster for Essex as a 4th tackle.
I nominate Ryan Clark for the No Name Wall of Fame, based on his Ty Carter-like roundhouse kick to his health problems, described by Ed. B here.
I also wonder which of these two would be a more worthwhile thing to see: Polamalu in "heavy shoes" or Ben in a sombrero.
Is that Deshea next to Big Snack at the Penguins game? It looks like him to me, but I can't quite tell because he's behind the divider in the glass.
Ben was at the game yesterday as well, he was in a box. Mike Tomlin was at game one.
I can see it now:
Big Ben, Tomlin, Ward in one box
McNabb, Dawkins, Samuel in another...
...and all watching the "Fliers" getting served a big can of whoop-ass.
According to one of the threads posted today on SCI, Wex thinks Timmons will easily replace Foote at linebacker this year.
"Timmons will win this one going away," he notes.
Why? "Speed. Speed. Speed."
Randy
Great info. As I said before, if Timmons becomes a productive starter, it makes the 2007 draft a pretty good one.
Does anyone know of any public database that might list the players on NFL rosters and how long their current contracts last? I know USAToday.com has a salaries database but it lists only current figures (broken down by salary, bonus, cap value, etc.).
I ask this in part for general interest but also because I think I need to buy a new jersey (currently own a #7, a #36, and a #43 that is too big to me that I let my Dad wear) and is wondering who's safe and for how long (kind of want to get a #98, but wonder if he's a little too old).
I'm aware that #61, #23, and #44 are probably not the safest.
Thanks . . .
Hi JB. check out steelersalarycap.com. He breaks down each player's contract including term. #10 (5-6 year deal with only two used up and a likely re-sign.) Also #91 since he re-signed last year.
Looks like Mendenhall was robbed this morning:
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2...denhall-robbed/
Yikes. Hamstring hurt, then a gun pointed at him. That's horrible. Let's hope they figure out a way to remove the hex.
Does anyone else suspect that Dookie has a voodoo doll?
Hey, everyone. take a look at this pic I located while reveling in the Pens Game 5 win over NY. It's a pic of Hossa, Dupuis, and Letang celebrateing after Hossa's game winner. I could be wrong, but doesn't the guy behind them in the upper right corner look like the Hampburglar? http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/
i...pens_11_330.jpg
A new nickname for Mendelhall: "BLT"
...for "Bad Luck and Trouble"
Oops. Mendenhall, that is.
3 Visitors Online
Commenting by HaloScan
