The Arizona Cardinals Are The Pittsburgh Xplosion

Yes, you read that right. I did just compare a tiny local basketball team to an NFL squad. If you can call the Arizona Cardinals an NFL squad, that is.

Recently, I heard that Arizona had picked up former Steeler Clark Haggans. I loved Clark Haggans. Completely respect everything he brought to our organization, but there wasn't cap space to sign him, and LaMarr Woodley is waiting in the wings.

So he went to Arizona, which is basically the football equivalent of Pittsbugh's basketball team...the Xplosion. In that I mean that local castoffs are forced to play for these teams when there is no other option.

First, the Xplosion. Not only did the team boast local star (WV is close enough to be called local) Kevis Pittsnogle last season, but this year added former Pitt "greats" John DeGroat, Antonio Graves and Carl Krauser. Krauser was even mentioned to be an NBA prospect. That turned out beautifully.

The Cardinals subscribe to a similar theory, mainly because their coach used to work in the Steel City. After taking the Arizona job, Whisenhunt added Jerame Tuman, Sean Morey...and now Haggans. This is in addition to local kid Steve Breaston and Pitt standout Larry Fitzgerald.

Haggans played the free agency field...and was unable to garner an offer. Honestly, its a crime...and Arizona just got a good LB on the cheap. By signing Haggans, though, Arizona adds to their Xplosion-esque mentality of signing the Pittsburgh kids out of familiarity. Nothing against Tuman or Morey...but I doubt that they had multiple offers on the table at the onset of their signing with the Cards.

However...only best wishes go to Clark Haggans. And to the Xplosion...what...the Xplosion were just eliminated from the playoffs? That's more than the Cards can claim, though.

Woodley Is Getting Good. Real Good.

Don't ask about the picture. I found it here.

The good news about the Steelers second rounder is that he's been getting rave reviews across the board. Even from the guy he is likely to replace.

"He's strong, man," outside linebacker Clark Haggans said. "He's got great explosiveness, and he plays with great leverage. He's only going to get better."

That's some big words of encouragement from Haggans, the starting LOLB who is in the final year of his contract. If the Steelers opt to let Haggans go, Woodley would probably be there to take his spot.

Woodley joins an incredible list - Jason Gildon, Joey Porter and Haggans - as players who adjusted from college DE to pro OLB.

And Wood doesn't have all that much time to keep practicing. The Steelers help open the NFL preseason with the Hall of Fame game against the Saints in Canton, Ohio.

That's on this coming Sunday night. Steelers season is here, whether you like it or not. And if you don't like it, you can leave PSaMP now.

Woodley says he'll be ready for however Iron Mike will use him on Sunday. The former Michigan standout will rely on his technique to compensate for his size. Plus, with Lawrence Timmons destroying the bench as of late, Woodley will be thrust into the spotlight early and often.

Drew Brees (or Jamie Martin or Jason Fife or Tyler Palko) better watch out.

Please Pray For Alianna Marie Haggans

I try to refrain from overly-serious posts, but this needs to be addressed. Clark Haggans, an outstanding linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is facing a possible tragedy, as his infant daughter fights for her life in Las Vegas.

Alianna Marie Haggans was born premature, and is battling complications from her birth. Haggans has been one of my favorite Steelers, although he has spent a majority of his time with the team as a backup to guys like Joey Porter and Jason Gildon (remember him?) towards the end of their years in Black and Gold.

I was born premature. I'm lucky to be here in good health, 23 years after being born a month and a half too early. My mid-August birth came as a surprise, as my parents were expecting me to arrive in late September/early October. Premature births are nothing to laugh about. Haggans and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers everyday.

Aside from the off-the-field worries, Haggans is entering the final year of his contract. Now, the Steelers are notorious for waiting until the last minute to re-sign guys, and even let guys go too early rather than too late. But I like Haggans. His blend of speed and athleticism are a great fit for the 'Burgh. However, the team did draft future linebackers in the first and second rounds of the '07 draft, and Polamalu and Roethlisberger are contract priorities. Its up to the Rooneys to keep Haggans. I respect every decision they make, because their choices are rarely wrong.

Haggans, though, can provide veteran leadership to a linebacking corps that will be loaded with youth in the coming years. PSaMP is reaching out to the Steelers organization to keep Haggans beyond '07-'08.

Steelers Use 1st Round Pick on Lawrence Timmons

The Steelers used their 1st round pick on Lawrence Timmons, LB From Florida State.

This seems like a relatively safe pick. Adding depth to our LB corps was a must, following the departure of Joey Porter.

Also, with the stellar play of Clark Haggans and the continued maturity of former super-backup James Harrison, Timmons won't have to rush the development of Timmons.

More Timmons analysis later.

Some Hints To My Pick

So I'm not allowed to reveal my pick for Awful Announcing's Complete Sports Blogger's NFL Mock Draft Version 1.0. I can, however, reveal that my pick has been made. Here are some of the reasons for my pick.

With the 14th pick in the 2nd round, and 46th overall pick, the Pittsburgh
Steelers and PSaMP select not to fill the glaring needs at DE, Linebacker, DB,
or the cool-name category, but instead...will pass up a need to take the best
available player in the draft.

Furthermore, my pick:

...also survived playing...in the state of Colorado. The last three players
the Steelers drafted from the state of Colorado, Clark Haggans, Aaron Smith and
Joey Porter, have all been solid contributors. I would’ve included the last 5
players from the state, but #4 was some dude named Ryan Olson (?) and #5 was
Kordell Stewart.

So that's probably all the information I can give you. Check out AA's round 2 of the Complete Sport's Blogger's NFL Mock Draft Version 1.0. The picks should be up before the end of the work week. I'll re-print my full pick once the 2nd round finds its way to AA.

And before any feelings are hurt, I just want to say that my pick in no way reflects who the Steelers should actually take with the 46th overall pick. It was made in good fun. You may disagree mightily.