Draft
Draft 2000
Molding the Future
Steelers Y2K Draft Class
For info on each player, click on their name.
RND
NAME POS SCHOOL
1
Plaxico Burress WR Michigan State
2
Marvel Smith OL Arizona State
3
Kendrick Clancy DL Mississippi
3
Hank Poteat DB Pittsburgh
4
Danny Farmer WR UCLA
5
Clark Haggans DL Colorado State
5
Tee Martin QB Tennessee
6
Chris Combs DL Duke
6
Jason Gavadza TE Kent

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2000 NFL Draft
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Fan Comments
The following articles are listed in the order they were received (with the most recent entries at the top). This isn't a "guestbook" format... I read and manually insert every message, so you may not see your submission show up immediately. Thanks a million for your comments, people!
Submitted by Brian
Hey Tim!!! I've been on your site for quite some time now, but this is my first time posting up a comment.

I'm really phsyched about next year. I say we go atleast 10-6. It's a strong possiblity to make it back into the playoffs. We can only hope to win the divisional title once more. Here's how I see it goes. We'll beat Balty atleast once, sweap the Browns and Bungholes, beat Philly, the Keyshawnless Jets, the Giants, the disfunctional-QB chargers, and Oakland, where Kris brown will match up with Janikowsky, that's a 10-6 redord right there, goof enough to get into the playoffs. I really hope we utilize our rookies earlier in the season.

About the draft, I'd say we ad one of the best drafts than most other teams would've in our situation. NFL.com ranked our draft as second best, right behind the 49ers. Burress was an obvious pick. Marvel Smith was a steal, people had him rnaked higher than Stockar McDougle on draft boards. Clancy and Poteat were a nice touch. Both will have plenty of game time. Danny Farmer REALLY opened my eyes. I was saying: "What!?!?!?!?!!!! He's been on the draft all htis time?!?!?!?!" I mean, he DID lead UCLA to the Rose Bowl, and he DID break J.J. Stoke's record for recieving yards in UCLA. He'll generate lots of regrets form teams who passed him by. Tee Martin was another eye-opener. Leading his team to the NCAA champs was a feat not even Peyton Manning could do. If Stewart flops, I'd like to see Tee Martin try out for the starting job. He's like Stewart, except he's a stronger, more accurate QB. Both can run crazy scrambling, and kordell can catch, but Tee has that exttra leadership ability. He's well-liked by his players, because he respects his teammates. I think his leadership guided the vols to the champs. Haggans was an interesting pick, he'll be an excelent backup, and perhaps the next startup LB, like Porter. Gavadza and Combs were decent. I'm impressed with Gavadza's spead, and if he can learn to block and catch, he may be starting in the next couple years. But I really hope one of them turn out to be another late-round steal, like Kirs Brown was last year.

Well, I'll talk to you later, and thanks for having such an awsome website for us fans!!!

Brian.
www.Swib.com



Submitted by Art Lyon
Just read everyone's "pre-draft" comments. Just proves the point of how much we all care, and the knowledge of our fans. You all made very good points and I read a lot of emotion out there. Too bad so much of the negative we write about is true. Going in, I wanted Plaxico Burress or Chad Pennington. If Cowher knew something about Stewart we aren't seeing, I knew they would pass on Pennington. I guess they feel he was good enough to lead them to the AFC title game with all weapons at his disposal, so that's where they hope to do again. It's hard to believe in him the way he's played the last two years! Cowher's job is on the line with this decision, so he's got more invested in it than we do, that's for sure. Hope he's right!

I've ALWAYS wanted the Steelers to have a big wide receiver! I wrote in last year about picking the "short" Edwards and was proven right during the season. He had flashes but lacked consistency all season. With Burress, we have the big receiver now. Wish he had more speed, but we'll see. I'm a little worried, too, after reading David Pressick's comments. Those close to the situation usually know what they're talking about. Marvel Smith is in our backyard here in Arizona. He's a load with potential. Tee Martin? Don't know what to think about him. All the reports make him sound like another Stewart. An athlete, but lacks in the brain department. Overall, they drafted most of the positions that we needed help in, which is about everywhere. Let's hope they can help immediately, because we all know when they develop, they will be playing somewhere else!

Later Days,
Art Lyon



Submitted by Bob Carapella
GREAT DRAFT... I LIKE SOME OF THE LATE PICKS LIKE TEE MARTIN AND DANNY FARMER. I EVEN LIKE SOME OF THE UNDRAFTED PLAYERS LIKE AL LUCAS AND SEDRICK CURRY. BUT AS FOR REACHING THE NEXT LEVEL, THE PLAYOFFS, FORGET IT. WE ARE AN 8-8 TEAM AT BEST... WE NEED 2-3 GREAT PLAYERS TO GET US BACK INTO THE PLAYOFFS. SO LETS NOT GET CARRIED AWAY. WE STILL HAVE TOO MANY HOLES TO FILL LIKE AT NOSE TACKLE, QUARTERBACK AND SAFETY. PUT ME DOWN FOR A 8-8 SEASON

BOB



Submitted by Gil Robitaille
I am totally ecstatic with the Plaxico Burress pick. Danny Farmer was alright as well. I'll finally be able to find out if the last two years were Kordell's fault. I think he will return to his old form with a few weapons to work with. Marvel Smith should be our starting LT for years to come. Gandy better pull up his socks!

Talk to you later, Bro,
Gil Gil's Pittsburgh Steelers Page



Submitted by Dave Pierce
Well, I get to see if I know my draftees. I wanted them to take Plaxico and I got it. Either I have a new job next year, or get even more flame mail!

Why Tee Martin? We now have 3 Kordell Stewarts. The Pro game requires an accurate passer and nothin more. And we got three inaccurate guys who can run, but who lets a QB run? Maybe we ought to have all three play and run the wishbone. Put Huntley and Bettis back there too, no one will ever figure out who has the ball.

I like that last pick, perhaps he would make a great fullback that can catch. And lots of speed.

Dave Pierce



Submitted by Todd Walker
Anyone ever heard of Randy Moss? I think Plaxico has more potential than Moss. There are a lot of comparisons from size to attitude, but I think the potential is there. There was a great sigh of relief as we finished up draft-morning breakfast of bacon, sausage, ham, eggs, hashbrowns, doughnuts and fruit when number 8 was announced as Plaxico. Up until draft morning, I was wavering from Burress to Pennington. But Saturday morning, I woke up with my gut (and heart) saying Plaxico. Just imagine, a burner on one side, a tall fast guy on the other and a wiley Hines in the slot. We snap the ball and Huntley takes the pitch for twenty yards. This scenario is only presented to illustrate the options having a big (tall) threat gives us. I am also hoping that the direction we took in the draft leads to a contract extension with the Bus. This draft can only give him confidence on how the Steelers feel about his position with the team. The draft is only a small part of the equation. We will see how things turn out a few months from now when camp opens. All I can say is Go Steelers!

War Black & Gold!



Submitted by JUNE2792
Always enjoy your web site. Some comments on the off-season and the draft: (1) Donahoe: Other than the Bettis trade, not much to brag about - Drafts were not that productive while he was here - Couldn't believe he said the team had the players to win last season when it was obvious they didn't - Is the reason the Steelers now restructure contracts because he's not there? - Like the chemistry now. (2) Bye-Bye, Roye - would have like to see him stay, but out priced himself - will be interesting to see how he does with the Browns now that they have "The Brown." Don't think moving him inside will work that well - bet he's a cap causality in a year. (3) Graham's the Man- Wish Tomzak could have stayed as a player coach but they getting Graham took the pressure off to find a QB in the draft. A good alternative to Kordell (4) Kordell - Still haven't given up on him. Maybe the answer was found in the draft in big targets. Still would give him a year to prove he can't do it. If the defense plays better and the offensive line improves maybe it will work out. It took a few years and a great offense for "The Terry" to improve to the point he could take the team to four rings. (5) Draft 1st RD- Love the first pick - best player available - immediate help to the team. (6) Draft other picks - N Got needed help for Def and OL - Poteat gives depth and maybe - finally a kick returner - Farmer could be a real steal. Concerned that WR core still has no speed burner. Maybe someone will be cut in June that could be picked up. (7) Mel Kiper's favorite wine is Pennington - reminded me off Dilfers free fall a few years back. Guess we will see, but Pennington doesn't impress me that much - I think he's this year's Dilfer.

Feeling Optimistic
Go Steelers!!!



Submitted by Barry Fox
These draft picks were all needs, which is great! I really hope that these players are ready, because now you're with the big time. I like all of the draft players. I really hope that Hank Poteat can be a great cornerback and return man. Could you imagine if he returns kicks and punts for touchdowns? Chris Berman will come up with a name for him. How about "quick feet" Poteat. Some Steelers fans are probably thinking I'm getting ahead of myself. You know what? I am not getting ahead of myself because I'm a true Steelers fan.



Submitted by Kelly Kremer
I am a bit nervous for the draft tomorrow. I keep hearing from my friends that Burress is the way to go, but I have to tell ya, I am leaning toward Pennington. People familiar with Big Ten football have some pretty negative things to say about this guy. I think that you can get a receiver in a trade, take Pickens for example, but a quarterback like Pennington doesn't come around that often (at least when we are in a position to pick him!). I also have to say that I have been unimpressed with the Steelers free agent signings. Alot of guys, but no gamers, ya know. I look at who Tampa Bay has picked up this off season and it just seems to me that there are programs commited to winning, and programs commited to fielding a team. We seem to fall in the latter. Well, time will tell.

Catch ya later, Kelly



Submitted by Johna
With the draft on Saturday, I thought it was time I weighed in with some comments. I don't think any of them are overly original... from everything I've read, everyone is in agreement with what we have to do. These are just some things I have shared with another Steeler fan and wanted to pass them on.

Well, whereas I do like the idea of Pennington coming in as QB (Graham, quite frankly, isn't good enough and Kordell just isn't getting it done), it's obvious that our concentration should be on the offensive line. We need better blockers to give Bettis, and even Huntley, room to run. We are not primarily a passing team; we're a ground team. We need to remember that and focus on gaining yards with the run instead of trying to pass on 1st and 2nd downs - that's not an effective way for the Steelers to play.

Plus we need some help on defense. Kirkland (always a great player) is getting run down - he just can't do it all by himself.

On the positive side, I think Joey Porter is gonna be a monster. He's a talented kid and with Emmons gone, he's gonna break out and show everyone what he can do. That's something I'm looking forward to seeing.

We also need receivers, but let's work on the OL first.

Another important thing is Dermontti Dawson needs to be healthy and back on the line. That's something else we learned last season: we need Dawson. I think the outcome on some of the games would have been a bit different if he had been there for the last half of the season.

Steelers Head Cheerleader
West Coast Division



Submitted by Jim "J.C." Patterson
I think it will be either Dez White or Travis Taylor wearing the black and gold next season. Dez White sounds a lot like Troy Edwards--he has deceptive speed and excellent deep acceleration, and can pull away from the defender. I definitely hope we pass on Corey Simon (too many injuries) and Plaxico Burress (no discipline). Surprise pick?--how about Brian Urlacher?? Late pick?--take Fresno State QB Billy Volek--the kid's tough, an extremely accurate thrower, and a gamer!!!! He'll remind ya of Jake Plummer in size and cockiness.

Jim "J.C." Patterson
Fresno, CA



Submitted by Barry Fox
Is it true that Plaxico Burress did not show up to dinner with Bill Cowher? If it's true, I don't want to see him in black and gold. Only a 33 inch vertical. He's acting like a superstar before he even has a chance to become one. My bruthas, please say it isn't so. If it is true, then I would pick a offensive linemen first before picking a receiver. Maybe we don't need Burress. I want someone with some confidence that knows what he's doing... not arrogance, but confidence. I must have voted for Burress too many times until I heard this rumor. I really hope it is just a rumor!



Submitted by Barry Fox
Pittsburgh just needs the receivers they have and a couple more receiver picks to get open and catch the ball. Some speed receivers that have soft hands would be nice. My guess is, they're still looking at picking a wide receiver with their first pick. We don't need to pick up any running backs... maybe pick a fullback in the later rounds. I see they are adding more depth to the offensive line. I hope some of those guys can step up and be starters... I'm not a big fan of Wayne Gandy. Maybe he will show me something better this year. I am hoping Chad Scott can stay healthy and grab some interceptions this year and take them back for touchdowns. I wish the same for Washington. Scott Shields will be ready this year to (arm tackle) better than he did against those ugly birds (Ravens). So, hopefully, we will also get some defensive backs with speed and good hands that can tackle. Yes, I'm asking for a couple of Rod Woodsons to show up this year and some Carnell Lakes. I might be asking too much, but I'm sorry, I want some wins this year. We also need a couple more linebackers. So if the steelers know what they are doing in the draft, they will hopefully get lucky and get some really good picks.



Submitted by Steve Pavlik
It all starts (and in recent years ends) with the quarterback. The Steelers MUST draft Pennington or register another losing season. Let's face facts. The gap between the Steelers and the Jags and the Titans will take years to close. At this time the Ravens are a much better team than the Steelers are. In reality, Pittsburgh is one of the worst teams in the NFL - and this is coming from a fan who bleeds black and gold. Burress might be a great receiver, but it makes no difference if you don't have a quarterback to get the ball to him. The Kordell Stewart experiment has proven to be a dismal failure, and Graham has never been anything but mediocre throughout his career. Neither of these quarterbacks are capable of winning consistently. Last year was the most embarassing year in recent Steeler history. The only saving grace to that nightmare of a season is that we "earned" the right to a number 8 pick in a year in which no team drafting ahead of us needs a quarterback - and most importantly, a "fanchise" quarterback will be available in Chad Pennington. For the Pittsburgh Steeler, this is the "now or never" draft. If Pittsburgh does not draft this potentially great quarterback this year, none of us will see another Super Bowl in our lifetime, or until, and perhaps this is really what is needed, Rooney sells the team to someone who really cares. My prediction? Pittsburgh will draft Burress or maybe an offensive lineman, they will drop even lower in the division - 5th behind the already mentioned teams and Cleveland (yes, you heard me correctly), the Bus will be gone the following year, Cowher a year or two after that, and Rooney will be sitting in his grand luxury box, in his big new stadium, lamenting the disloyalty of all of those future Hall of Famers who left Pittsburgh to play elsewhere.

Steve Pavlik
Tucson, Arizona



Submitted by Jonathan Pasterick
It's tough to know where to start, because the problems are so numerous. I think the biggest holes to fill are at O-line, D-line and WR (that's all, you say?). Anyway, I'm from down here in Skins land (about 25 minutes from the Jack or whatever they call that place) and I can tell you right now that Peter Warrick has a better chance of being around at the 8th pick than Chris Samuels does. If the Browns take Arrington or Courtney Brown (which they are sure to now with Warrick's 40 time), the Skins are taking the one of those guys that isn't drafted and Samuels for sure. It is highly doubtful they'd take Warrick. The only way that they don't take Samuels is if the Browns take Warrick (which they won't anymore), in which case the Skins MAY take Brown and Arrington. Even in this case, Samuels will be the next pick. Bottom line: don't hold your breath for Samuels... he ain't gonna be there at 8. But back to the Steelers. Burress looks awesome on paper, but like our friend from Lansing said, I have questions about his noggin. Given that it is usually unwise to draft receivers so high anyway, Burress could be a risk for several reasons. And as the newest Fat Boy, Jamain Stephens, showed us, it doesn't matter how talented you are at the NFL level... if you don't work hard, you're not going to succeed.

Personally, if Corey Simon were still around, I'd take him. He's a dominant D-line guy, and he could come in and start from the get-go, with or without Joel Steed. If he's gone (another likely scenario), I'd take either Shaun Ellis (another good D-line pick), or Chad Pennington. I'm not a big Kent Graham believer, and given Kordell's last two seasons, I think that Graham will be the starter sooner rather than later, unfortunately. (Johna's submission about Tomczak was right on the $$. He was a true Steeler, and I loved the guy. At the same time, they have to move on and prepare for the future at some point.) In any event, your horizons are so limited with those two guys, why not take a kid that has some real potential? Pennington has a great arm, he showed he could put up big numbers even without Randy Moss, and he's a 4.0 student (as well as a Rhodes Scholar candidate), so you know he has a head on his shoulders. If Burress doesn't interview well with the Steelers, and they have questions about his character, there is no WR left after him and Warrick that are worth using the #8 pick on, so they're better off taking either Ellis or Pennington. Ellis could shore up some serious D-line deficiencies, and Pennington might actually be able to get the offense into the end zone every once in a while. That's my take.

Jonathan Pasterick



Submitted by THEOMILL
At pick 8, we will be left with Simon, Burress and/or Pennington. That will be the decision. Trade down? Maybe. If Simon is there & healthy, he would be my pick... OL & WR can be addressed in rounds 2 & 3. We need some bodies up front if we entertain any thoughts of taking on the Jags. And Boselli vs. Sullivan is not a good match-up... need to get talented up front! Cross your fingers...



Submitted by Deronne Felton
Personally, I believe that we need to take a long hard look at Michigan State's Burress or Samuels. Primarily because as some one else alluded to, these players are only going to be around for about 4 years max. So why not get the immediate impact player that you can milk for all he's worth? Apparently at the eight selection, a Burgess or Samuels should both be available. Do we want filet mignon or escargo? You cannot go wrong with either pick!



Submitted by Barry Fox
I believe that Steelers will go with an offensive linemen or a wide receiver on their first pick. Though Plaxico Burress reportedly has some work ethic problems, I feel Cowher will nip that in the bud. They need a '74 draft like I need a free vacation! If we were to luck out and get that defensive end from Penn State, that would be a miracle. If it was my draft pick, I would have to weigh the options between DE, WR, and OL. We need all of 'emt no matter what order they come in.



Submitted by David Pressick
I know the Steelers need help on the offensive line, defensive line, and in my opinion, defensive secondary. The one person everyone is talking about is Plaxico Burress. Now, having worked for Michigan State University over the last four years and living in Lansing, Michigan most of my life, I can absolutely say that the Steelers MUST pass on Burress. That's not a pun there folks. If brains were dynamite, well, you know the rest. The guy doesn't have two brain cells to rub together. Couple that fact with his attitude and you have one big problem child. His work ethic isn't the greatest either. The whole MSU team needs a swift kick in the pants that way. Any of you think Underwood last year was a strange state of affairs? That's a typical thing around here. I can't speak strongly enough when it comes to the draft, I pray the Steelers will look somewhere other than MSU this year. Now in another couple of years, there is a kid here who would fit right in with the Steelers. Josh Thornhill... remember his name, because at linebacker, he's a Steeler-style force.

That's my take.
David Pressick



Submitted by Johna
As far as the draft goes, I think almost anyone we pick up will be a welcome addition to our team. There is a lot of talent out there at the college level and hopefully an injection of fresh blood will rejuvenate the veterans and bring us back up to form. That is as long as our picks aren't reminiscent of initial contract hold-out Alan Faneca. Sure, he did an OK job, but I don't recall him piling up blazing statistics. And whoever that new blood turns out to be, I hope that they know that they need to respect their situation. By that I mean that they should be upset and hanging their heads when they lose instead of having a party atmosphere in the locker room as some of the veterans were mentioning from this season. 6 and 10 is certainly nothing worth partying about.

That said, I want to voice my sadness over the loss of Mike Tomczak. I know that he's getting up there in years, but who cares? He obviously still has the ability. And by his comments made to the press about wanting to stay in Pittsburgh, he has a love for his team, pride for his city, and passion for the game. I understand from a business standpoint why they had to let him go, but I am still not happy about it. I think Tomczak was a solid QB. The year of "The Quarterback Controversy", when Neil was gone and Stewart wasn't ready (and apparently still isn't), we came back from a Superbowl loss to the Cowboys and won a playoff game with Tomczak at the helm. That was not a fluke. That year, when all my friends were bagging on him, I was the only one who stood up in his defense. And in the past two years, when Kordell was obviously not getting the job done, Tomczak stepped in and showed him how to do it. Sure, I've seen the photos in SI and the clips on ESPN showing Tomczak getting nailed by a defender, but I believe that if he had better pass protection and an experienced WR (a la Thigpen), he could have led this team back to greatness.

Perhaps I am biased, because as a female, I am not completely oblivious to his boyish face and little boy smile, but in that I saw a man who loved the game so much, he was thrilled just to be there, and he was having the time of his life doing it. That is what I think the game should be about; not contract negotiations and sneaker deals.

Another great Tomczak memory happened when I was an intern at WTAE-TV. Since that is the ABC affiliate for Pittsburgh, we had Monday Night Football. And as Pittsburghers, you know that before Steeler Monday Night games, there is a full hour live show. I was lucky enough to be able to work the live shows. It was the 93-94 season. Our home Monday Night game was light up night in the Burgh, and I was at the stadium to do the live show with Sally Wiggin and Tony Zarrella from the end zone. After the show had been broadcast, but before the start of the game, I was standing alone near the end zone with our camera equipment. No one else was in the entire stadium. Suddenly, out of the tunnel to my left, from the locker room came Merrill Hoge, Neil O'Donnell, and Mike Tomczak. I stood there and watched the three of them play ball on the five yard line. Merrill was the QB, Neil the receiver, and Mike the blocker. It was like a pick up game you play in your neighborhood. They were in their uniforms, tossing the ball around and having fun. The only time the noticed me was when they headed back into the locker room and briefly said hello as they passed. And though all were very polite, none struck me as much as Mike Tomczak. Our team went on to pummel the Bills that night. And I think the only time Tomczak played that night was when I was watching from the end zone.

So for that brief moment, and for all of his years as a Pittsburgh Steeler, fairwell, Mike. I will miss seeing your athletics on the field and your smile on the sidelines. May God bless you in your future as he blessed our team with your presence and experience.

Steelers Head Cheerleader
West Coast Division



Submitted by Jeff Barker
Here's my 2 cents.

I would love for the Steelers to get that "speed" receiver we've been lacking for too long. Plaxico would be great to get! The O-line looks to be getting better, although not the Steeler line I'm used to seeing. I wish Justin S. could have healed up. I feel whomever the Steelers draft, it will help, except for Pennington. I just don't know about that. Plaxico, Burress, Samuel, or Simon would be great. I would hope they get someone on the offensive side. The defense got tired late last year and gave up. I believe if the Steelers can control the clock and keep our defensive guys off the field, they would be better.

Burress, the speed guy, Edwards the middle guy, and Ward/Johnson as the possession receiver. Now that would be good.

Out on the limb-> Steelers could trade Bettis for some draft picks, that would reduce cap. Get another big back like Dayne and pick up some lineman. I started thinking that way when they signed Huntley after Huntley turned down the Dolphins. Something's up there. I wanted them to keep Bettis/Huntley combo.

Jeff



Submitted by Bob Carapella
WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IN THE DRAFT IS AS FOLLOWS: IF PLAXICO BURRESS OR COREY SIMON OR CHRIS SAMUELS ARE GONE BEFORE WE DRAFT, WE SHOULD TRADE DOWN AND GET ANOTHER 3RD ROUND PICK AND TAKE EITHER DEZ WHITE, OR TRAVIS TAYLOR OR SYLVESTER MORRIS. AFTER WE DO THIS WE SHOULD PACKAGE SOME DRAFT PICKS MAYBE A 3RD 4TH AND 5TH PICK AND GET ANOTHER 2ND ROUND PICK. AND TAKE IN THE 2ND ROUND BOTH MARIO EDWARDS CB AND OR MAO TOSI OR ROBAIRE SMITH DEFENSIVE ENDS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?



Submitted by Paul Paulsen
We just signed a veteran QB in Graham, so does that all but rule out Chad Pennington? It's a damn shame... that kid has what it takes to be a great one. I'm a native of Pittsburgh, but I've lived down here in West Virginia since '92. I've watched that kid play since he started at Marshall and he has the brains, leadership, and tools to be a top-rated QB in the NFL. Anyway, who're we taking in the first round? Just looking for opinions.

Paul Paulsen



Submitted by LMarth5468
I would like to make a push to draft a CB with our first pick to replace the joke we have in DeWayne Washington. Everytime we see this guy, he's chasing someone because he got *&$#@ burnt. I have a kid at my local high school the Steelers should look at. I'm like everyone else in that I'm finding it hard to be a Steelers fan. What's the chance of us signing a FA we've actually heard of? Look, get Kordell another WR and let him run and improvise like he did against Cleveland last year.



Submitted by Bob Carapella
WHY WORRY ABOUT WHO WE DRAFT IN THE FIRST ROUND? THEY WILL ONLY BE GONE IN FOUR YEARS. THE QUESTION IS, WHAT PLAYER DOES THE REST OF THE NFL NEED US TO DEVELOP FOR THEM? LET'S SEE... PHILADELPHIA HAS CHARLES JOHNSON, CINCINNATI HAS JAMAIN STEPHENS, JACKSONVILLE HAS LEON SEARCY, BALTIMORE HAS ROD WOODSON, RECENTLY THE JETS HAD ERIC GREEN AND JACKSONVILLE HAD DEION FIGURES. LETS SEE... MAYBE WE SHOULD DRAFT CHAD PENNINGTON, DEVELOP HIM IN FOUR YEARS, AND LET HIM GO IN FREE AGENCY. I AM SURE BY THEN, THE JETS, MIAMI, OR THE GIANTS WILL NEED A GOOD EXPERIENCED QUARTERBACK. ARE YOU SEEING WERE I AM GOING? BUT NOT TO LEAVE ON A SOUR NOTE. PITTSBURGH SHOULD DRAFT DOWN A COUPLE OF PICKS FOR TWO REASONS... ONE, THE TALENT DROP OFF ABOUT PICK NUMBER 6 AND TWO, THE STEELERS ARE NOT KNOWN FOR GIVING OUT BIG BUCKS, SO TRADE WITH TAMPA BAY AND DRAFT EITHER DEZ WHITE OR SYLVESTER MORRIS OR IF YOU NEED A OFFENSIVE TACKLE DRAFT CHRIS MCINTOSH. WITH THE EXTRA 3RD ROUND PICK USE IT ON A LOCAL BOY, LEANDER JORDAN INDIANA UNIV (PA). BUT WHAT EVER WE DO, LET'S MAKE SURE THIS KID IS A GOOD TO SOLID, OR EVEN A ALL-PRO TALENT. NO MORE TOM RICKETTS, TIM WORLEY, HUEY RICHARDSON, OR JAMAIN STEPHENS.

SIGNED
HOPEFUL BOB IN ROCHESTER



Submitted by Slash
TAKE CHRIS SAMUELS. TACKLE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN THIS TEAM'S WEAK SPOT SINCE LOSING JOHN JACKSON. WE NEED TO PROTECT WHOMEVER WE DECIDE TO GO WITH AT QB. I THINK WE ALSO NEED A DB... I'M NOT SOLD ON DESHEA IF SCOTT GOES DOWN AGAIN. WE ALSO NEED A GUARD IN THE LATE ROUNDS TO DEVELOP FOR THE FUTURE. I THINK FREE AGENCY CAN HELP US ON YHE D-LINE, BUT I WOULD DRAFT THERE, ALSO.

SLASH



Submitted by Petrie
With the new stadium opening soon, why not start with a new QB? I live close to Marshall U. and have probably seen all of Chad Pennington's games. If this kid falls to #8, Pittsburgh could not go wrong for the future. Now the way Mr. Rooney is running this ball club at the moment, next year does not look bright. Pennington, if he got some receivers, could have a year like Manning! Ever since I was a kid in the early '70's, defense was what attracted me to Steeler football and I am having a hard time with what's going on with this group. Impact players on defense are key here, and the pass rush is 0, so the secondary looks worse than they really are. By the time pick #8 comes around, impact players will not be there. So though it may be wrong, we will have to cut or package a trade: Bettis and Kordell come to mind. Keep Steed and restructure his contract. Something has to be done to free up some money and if they dont do something soon it looks bleak. Building through the draft is lost in $$$.



Submitted by Kenny Campbell
Just heard on the radio that the Steelers have offered their 1st round number 8 draft pick to St. Louis for QB Trent Green. Any thoughts on how good a QB he is?

Kenny



Submitted by Jimmy Grant
I think the steelers should trade down on draft day and take either Redman or Pennington. According to the mock board, you could probably move down and get either of them, plus extra picks. Let's get a quarterback and start from there. Keep Tomczak take your lumps this year and try to be competitive with a decent running game and and defense. In the meantime, move Stewart to receiver or cut his ass. That is what I would do, and I would perhaps consider moving the Bus (my favorite Steeler) on draft day for picks as well. That is where this team is going to be rebuilt... through the draft. That way, by the time we move into the new stadium, we may have a competitive product and money to compete.



Submitted by Travis Davis
I am a big fan of you site and refer to it often. In this era of uncertainty at the Quarterback position, I am very interested in your take of the situation. How do you think that we can right this ship? I mean, day in and day out, I am bombarded by fans screaming for the "Trent Green Solution?"

Frankly, this idea disgusts me. Should we trade the future of the team for an UNPROVEN player? Have we fallen so far that STEELER fans are going to settle for mediocrity? Sure, we could trade our picks for him (and inherit his bloated salary). We might even have marginal success with him. The point that I am trying to make is that trading for Trent Green is not the long-term answer. I do think that we need to sign another QB to replace Tomczak, but I would rather rebuild around a rookie than bring in another "Scott Mitchell."

The bottom line is that this team needs much more than a QB, so rebuilding is not out of the question. I would rather suffer through some horrendous seasons (2-14, etc.) and return to glory rather than just be a mediocre (8-8, 6-10) team year in and year out.

As far as "heir to the throne," I think that Marshall QB Chad Pennington (www.herdqb.com) is the best player to fill the position. The problem is that I go to Marshall University and the freakin' 49ers have invaded and are drooling over him and his "Peyton Manning Skills." If he is not available, then I would go after ANOTHER WR (Sly Morris, Jackson St., 6'3, 210, 4.29-40) to help the Air Corps, then draft some Linemen. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

GO STEELERS in 2000!!!
Travis



Submitted by Dave Pierce
I can't wait!

As a Michigan State student, I think 6'6" speedster Plaxico Burress is the correct pick. However, if Shaun Alexander was there, it would be tough.

I have seen Burress out-finesse DBs, speed past DBs, and pancake them on a block off the line. Awesome to see him shove a DB to the ground like Boselli on a DE. Shaw is brainless but decent, Edwards is fast but 5' 9" (not a goto at that size), and the rest could be fed to the Jaguars, Ravens, Titans, etc.

Assuming Huntley is the real deal, don't take a back. Let Zeroue do the scat thing and Huntley hit them in the middle. Get a TALL, FAST WR, a DB or two, and some serious line help. Bettis appears old, but if not, so much the better.

Oh yeah, sign a real QB. Like that's going to happen. One good year does not make a QB. He had a whole year to learn the offense, and Tomczak put him to shame. Tell Stewart to shut up and catch passes. Stewart has not played well for two years. In Michigan, we call that "Scott Mitchell" syndrome. Don't be a Wayne Fontes and keep playing him.

Dave



Submitted by Tom Bragg
There is not one single position on the Steelers roster that they could not afford to spend a number one draft choice on. The only exceptions would be placekicker, punter and runningback. With the eighth overall pick in the upcoming draft, the Steelers ABSOLUTELY MUST come away with a Pro Bowl-caliber player! No excuses and no exceptions, it has to be a CAN'T-MISS type of pick. It also must be a player that can contribute NOW, not some kid that may produce two or three years down the road. If the Steeler organization hopes to turn their very troubled franchise around, then the upcoming 2000 Draft must be one of their best in years. All of this team's needs cant be fixed soley with free agency... the draft must also play a huge part as well. With the impending free-agency period and the NFL Draft, the next few weeks promise to be one of the most crucial and critical points in the history of this franchise. This organization's whole future is hanging in the balance! The Steelers must be agressive, but they must also be smart during this critical period.

Tom Bragg
http://community.webtv.net/francoharris/TomsPittsburgh



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