| the Steelers 99 Draft |
| Submit your reactions to the Steelers selections in the 1999 NFL Draft! |
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! Draft Tommy Coleman Nat La Borde P.S. Draft Tommy Coleman (a.k.a., Fleetwood & Julio)... he seems like a PSYCHO!!! Galloway Only 5'10''... No Splinters in HIS Ass... Pittsburgh did fine. We won't know, of course, until a few years down the road. But Troy Edwards is a solid pick. I personally would have preferred David Boston (even above Torry Holt) but I think Edwards will produce this season. And I don't even want to bother with those "he's too short for the NFL" arguments because every year there are one or two or three guys that were supposedly too small who make a name for themselves in the league. Joey Galloway was 5-10, 188 coming out of college. I haven't seen him pulling many splinters out of his ass. Same with Zach Thomas, just to name two. Troy Edwards produced big-time in college. I think he will in the NFL as well. This year. My sleeper pick is Chad Kelsay, taken in the seventh round. Although I hadn't heard of him before last season, I saw him a few times in '98 and he's one of those "motor's-always- going" types. The Steelers may use him as a situational player rather than a full-time starter this year but I think he'll contribute well. He's got the attitude. JUST THREE MORE MONTHS!... Sheldon We Will Surprise a Lot of People This Year I thought it was a great draft. At first I was confused because they took so many players that no one was high on, but I have come to realize that the experts (idiot sportswriters) are usually wrong. I think they got a lot of speed from this draft that will help the special teams and they took a lot of players that were tape measure flawed but are "players". Better a Zach Thomas than a Huey Richardson. Edwards, will I think be a great player both on returns and as a receiver. What he gives up in height and burner speed he makes up for in quickness and toughness. How many other receivers torched a top 20 school like the lit up Nebraska? He has the potential to be another Jerry Rice and I think he could be the receiver that will make the most impact. I like Famous Amos as the back out of the backfield that will surprise people with his toughness and power. I think it was a solid draft that will mean the exodus of a lot of mediocre veterans and make for a faster team. I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of the free agents make the team as well. Of course time will tell, but I think the coaching changes were significant and with the new young talent we will surprise people this year. Super bowl-maybe not this year, but I think the core is being rebuilt. Great web site!!! Steeler Dan Look Out... For anybody out there who thinks Troy Edwards is not worth being excited about, think again. Every person who thinks he was a bad choice... well... let's just say that you will be humbled. You will wish you didn't say the things that I am already reading on this page, cause it will make you look foolish, and "lacking" football knowledge. "He's too small"... "He came from a small school"... bla bla bla. By the way... how tall was Charles "overated" Johnson? This kid is going to blow Johnson's numbers out of the water! Be excited folks. The one thing that I am very excited about, is the fact that Troy is a talker. People, we need this right now. We need a cocky, loud mouth, arrogant guy on our team. Especially on offense. Troy is the man. Picture this for one moment... Steelers vs. Dolphins in the 99 playoffs. Steelers down by 10 in the fourth qtr. We have the ball at the dolphins 25 yard line with 3:00 left. Kordell steps back, looks, and fires a rocket pass to Troy Edwards... It' caught, he's running... TOUCHDOWN! The way this kid behaves, and the words he chooses to say to his teammates (maybe opposing team as well) after such a play in such a situation just might be the difference between winning and losing this kind of game. Boston doesn't have this, nor Holt, ... but Edwards does. All I can say is... ...look out. Size Isn't Everything! I hope all of you will give this some thought. Give the guy a chance. He needs all the positive feedback he can get. Don't turn your backs on him the way you did Kordell (especially considering he hasn't even played yet). Save your criticism for the regular season. Until then, let's hope we just drafted the next Lynn Swann. Go Steelers 99' Dennis Wright Las Vegas,NV How Tall Was Lynn Swann, People? 11 Reasons (At Least) This Was a Good Draft In round 2, we got 2 extra picks from Minnesota (see above reference to needed depth), and still got our man for the round. The extra picks enabled us to get our guy for OLB (Porter) and steal the Outland Trophy winner in round 3 as well (why are people so down on this guy? He couldn't have won the award for nothing. By the way, he allowed a whopping 1 sack in these last 2 years at UCLA). Topped off day 1 by getting Amos, an exciting pick. By this time, the front office was back to drafting the best player, instead of drafting for needs. Our 4th and one 5th rounder were both rated much higher than we got them - 2 more potential steals. Johnson has good size at WR, and a good attitude. This could be one of those sleeper picks. All in all, what looks to have been a pretty good draft, addressing our most pressing needs. Ron (a.k.a., Bleed Black & Gold) The "Experts" Are Wrong... Draft Grade: A One other point to make on Steelers draft is the two 3rd round picks of Kris Farris of UCLA and Amos Zereoue of West Virginia. Both of these players will make an impact in 1999. Farris is capable of stepping in and starting right now. As for Amos Zereoue, this kid is deinitely the real deal. Being a West Virginia native, I had the privilige of watching Zereoue on many occasions and all that I can say is backup running back Richard Huntley better be looking over his shoulder, because his days will definitely be numbered when Amos Zereoue gets into town! DRAFT GRADE... A Thomas D. Bragg "Famous" Amos Zereoue... the Most Interesting Pick Only Time Will Tell Later Pal, Mike Pittsburgh Steeler Gridiron https://members.tripod.com/~mik8s We Picked Up People We Can Use But I like a lot of the picks. We needed help in a lot of areas and we couldn't afford to try to sign one big name in Boston or Holt even if we could have traded down to get them. We got a lot of talent picked and a number of future stars. And they won't cost us Fort Knox this year. We'll use them where we can. Don't get too frustrated here, my friend. We got a lot of training camp to wade through and a lot of talent will show there. Either by picks or FA signings. I am very optimistic this year. Moreso than last year. Why? Because Stewart had as bad a year as anyone could have he can only improve, the front line suffered through injuries and we got some young blood there, we added two new receivers with good prospects, we have a couple of raw and unproven talents, Chad Scott has been rehabbing for a year and we picked speedy guys with hitting capability on defense!! So those are my opinions. I could be so far off base that we tank the whole season or we could end up with the very first undefeated 16 game schedule. It's way too early for me to tell and I am so optimistic sometimes, but hey, gotta stick with 'em 'cause I luv 'em so much. Just my two cents. Tim? Robert? Your turn(s). Dave Clifford D.C.U.P.S.S. http://www.dcupss.com Here we go Steelers, here we go!!! I Don't Understand Their Thinking DAVID W. BEERS Just a "Little" Disappointed Later Days Boston Gone... I'm Gonna Puke! The following comments were submitted BEFORE the '99 Draft. As Predicted Months Ago, Boston Will Be the Guy Lets talk draft for a minute. Way back, I posted something on your draft page. Matter of fact, I was the first post. Go back and see who I predicted. A couple of more days and we'll see if the BOYZ will pick David Boston. I believe it would be a big mistake if they didn't. I don't believe Holt will be there. That's OK with me, because Ohio State has produced some big name receivers in the past, and I have a feeling that Boston is the next Rice (baring injuries of course). Being from Delaware, Ohio, I followed this kid closely. If Boston gets to wear BLACK and GOLD, I'll go on record to predict the season for the Steelers, to include the playoffs. You are exactly right..................STEELERS WILL BE IN THE SUPERBOWL THIS YEAR. Regards, Terry, a.k.a. M1A1HVY Draft Day Pressure Building The Steelers must address their wide receiver needs first. The players that can remedy this problem once and for all are Torry Holt or David Boston. It is 99.9% certain that the team will draft one of these two players with the 13th overall pick in the first round. Their is no way the team can go wrong by drafting either of the two players mentioned, because both will be EXCELLENT players at the pro level. Each should be in the Pro Bowl within their first three years in the league. The Steelers second round pick must be offensive tackle, because with Justin Strzelczyk probably out for the year after reinjuring the same knee he tore up last October, the team has a glaring need at right tackle. The Steelers cannot afford to go into the season with Jamain Stephens as their right tackle. By the time the Steelers make their second round pick, the "premier" tackles will be gone. However, one that comes to mind that should still be on the board is Soloman Page of West Virginia. This guy is roughly 6'6" and well over 300 lbs. He could prove to be a HUGE asset (literally) for the Steelers if Justin Strelzcyk does not return in 1999. Thomas D. Bragg I Dunno About the Van Dyke Trade I'm psyched! Bring on the draft... and the Brownies! Take care. Sheldon WR Should be Priority Right now, none of Pittsburgh's leading receivers would be anything other than a third down receiver on any playoff team. Proof positive of this is that the supposed "fastest receiver" on the team last year, Jahine Arnold, was unceremoniously cut yesterday to make room for a safety. They need a receiver first and foremost. The problem is that, although the receiver crop of this year's draft class is good, there are no prototypes. Torry Holt is the most explosive, but he is coming off a knee injury and is of a rather slight build (and everyone knows that Steeler receivers have to be able to block). David Boston is bigger, but may not have game-breaking speed. Troy Edwards may run the best routes and has great hands, but is only about 5-10 at best. Regardless, the Steelers HAVE to take one of these guys. My pick is Torry Holt, because he's a blazer, and he can get stronger over time. Plus, last year he torched the Florida State secondary, and that's no easy task. And he didn't come from a system that was totally geared towards him and the passing game, so you know his numbers aren't artifically inflated. In any event, the Steelers will likely do well in the draft; they always do. Plus, its always exciting to try to figure out which late round they'll pick their gem in. Invariably, they find a great player in the 4th to 7th round. Keep up the good work, Tim. Your site kicks ass. Jon Pasterick O-Line is the Key Man, I can't believe all the shit on your page. Can't wait for the Lambert stuff. I was checking out the story on the mock draft. I'm going to tell you right now, if the Steelers are able to get Chris McAlister from Arizona, I will be a very happy camper. I watched him here all year and I'll tell you right now, except for Ricky Williams, I think he's the best impact player in the draft. You never know how a college player will do in the pros, of course, but he made so many big plays here that I think he's a sure bet. I think he's as good as Woodson in Oakland and could be better! Hope I'm right. Hope we get him. We are really going to need something if Flowers bolts too!!!! Later Days Lyon "STEEL" from Prescott Valley O-Line is the Key ARNKIDS O-Line is the Key Where were the holes for Bettis this year? IMO, we must settle our offensive line and THE BUS will lead us to One For The Thumb! We do need a receiver over 6'3", but if Kordell ain't got the time, he ain't gonna get squat! We need a veteren lineman... just one, and we are on the right track. If we can do that in free agency, then Boston is our man. But if y'all think about it, why is Pittsburgh so good? 'Cause We Run The Damn Ball! THREE YARDS AND A CLOUD 'O DUST, FOLKS... THAT'S STEELER FOOTBALL!! Think Defense in Draft! With that said I'd take Jevon Kearse (LB, Florida) or Chris McAlister (CB, Arizona) in round 1. Kearse if he's available over McCaliister but I think one of them will be around at #13 as I see most of the teams above us taking offensive players. Second round I'd go for a wideout with good size and power who we can rely on over the middle. Bates would be ideal but he might not last that long. Kevin Johnson perhaps might be around too. In the third round I'd take the best corner or pass rusher (depending on whether we got McAlister or Kearse in the 1st round) and with our supplemantary pick (I think we still have one this year???) I'll take a big OT as a prospect. Ben Morgan Bring on the Vets! We used to have such players. I'm talking about men like Kevin Greene and Greg Lloyd in recent years, and guys like Jack Lambert or Mel Blount in years past. I think we need at least one of these battled seasoned vets in the worst way, the kind of guy who pukes at the very thought of losing. What I saw in the 98 Steelers was a bunch of guys who really didn't mind losing. We need someone to shake the tree, someone who will drag a slacker under the bleachers and kick their butt if warranted. This season about 3/4s of the way through, I read where Levon Kirkland was heard to say, "Maybe we should call a team meeting." We need an on-field leader to not mention that maybe we need a meeting, but to throw the coaches out of the locker room, slam the door and instill holy terror in the team. (NOT a slam on Kirkland, he is a great player, but a nice, quiet personality, not the type to kick teammates' butts). I would rather see the Steelers trade a high draft pick for a kick-ass vet who is at 80% of their prime, if they will provide the leadership we need. I did not see a serious lack of talent on the 98 Steelers, just a serious lack of attitude. Hopefully the new coaching staff will help, but I'm not overly confident they will. Here's to a greatly improved 99 Team! HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!!!!!!! Doug Fredericks Boston is the Guy I love my Steelers, and I will back them up no matter who they select. Peace. A Left Tackle is a Must If both are gone, I would like to see a LT at #13 - seems to be quite a few good ones available. I like WR Darnell McDonald in round 2 if we go OT in round 1. I hope that we don't make the mistake of drafting a LB in round 1. We need some offense! Biggest priority right now is to re-sign Lake!! I wonder why there is no news about contract negotiations going on right now? Paul in Raleigh Take Full Advantage! I agree with Terry Ingle that the team must go for a wide receiver with the first pick. The current group of receivers on the team is just not good enough to get the Steelers' offense back to where it needs to be. Also, there is no legitimate deep threat anywhere on the team for Kordell Stewert to throw the ball to at the moment. The three best receivers in the draft are Peter Warrick, Terry Holt, and David Boston. As far as the Steelers are concerned, Warrick and Holt most likely will be gone when the Steelers make their choice. David Boston, however, should still be on the board waiting to become a Steeler. If this scenario works out, then David Boston is your man! In regards to Mr. Ingle's comment about Yancey Thigpen, I totally agree that Yancey showed a MAJOR lack of loyalty by taking the money and running the way he did. On the other, hand you cannot argue with Thigpen's numbers on the field when he was playing and healthy. His absence this year was a major reason Kordell Stewert and the passing game SUFFERED BIG TIME! Personally, it KILLS ME to have to say that but, those are the COLD HARD FACTS! Thomas D. Bragg Keep Players (Heros) We've Got! DAVID W. BEERS Snag WR David Boston! Boston reminds me of Thigpen, (his ability, not his lack of loyalty). I would appreciate some feedback from true Steeler fans to make sure I am moving in the right direction. As always Tim, great job and keep it up. Long off season ahead for us. Regards, Terry |
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