Marshall Trying to Make Hometown Team

Does this guy look familiar? Pitt fans probably know him. WVU fans definitely know him. Rasheed Marshall is hoping that all Steelers fans will get to know him in the upcoming season.

Scott Brown of the Tribune-Review reminds readers of the former Big East Player of the Year, as he tries to make a Steelers team that presumably can't use another wideout.

Pittsburgh has proven vets in Hines Ward and Cedrick Wilson, and used their first round selection last year on speedy Santonio Holmes. Dallas Baker the Touchdown Maker was drafted in the final round of this year's draft out of national champion Florida. Plus, Willie Reid is hoping to make an impact after a season-ending foot injury in his rookie campaign. PSaMP is also hoping that this is the year Walter Young, a talented wideout with great size, comes into his own. He has a T.O. build, and displayed some good hands during last year's preseason.

Where does Marshall fit in? He spent his rookie season in San Fransisco, where he racked up 575 yards primarily as a return specialist. Reid seems destined for that role this season, but Marshall could be an insurance plan if Reid's foot decides to fail him again. I sure as hell don't want to see Holmes waiting for kicks anymore. Sure, the guy started to show some progress at WR towards the end of the season, and even had that longass touchdown to beat the Bungles in overtime, but as a kick returner, Holmes might make me pull out all of my hair. He excelled at tOSU at the position, but doesn't have the quickness or the moves to run back kicks in the NFL. And I'm not even going to mention the fumbles.

Unfortunately for Marshall, he spent 12 games as a 49er, which is too many to be considered for any professional practice squad. He needs to display his skills quickly, or fear getting axed into free agency.

Will Marshall make the club? Only time will tell. Reid has yet to fully prove himself, so maybe Marshall can create a niche for himself in the Steelers' '07-'08 roster.

Mini Pony of the Day 4-29-07

Today's MPotD is actually 5 cool tiny horses, one for each of the Steelers' 2nd day draft picks. I guess that's Daniel Sepulveda on the left, Ryan McBean next to it, Cameron Stephenson in the back (slightly obscured), William Gay in the shadow of the foreground, and Dallas Baker on the right.

Name one other sports site that has a cooler picture of its day 2 draft picks. I'll wait...

7th Round: Steelers Pick Dallas Baker

In the 7th round, the Steelers used their final draft pick on Dallas Baker, WR from Florida.

Baker averaged over 13 yards per catch as a junior in 2005, which was his lowest yards per catch total of his career. This past year, Baker made 1st team all-SEC (Pretty impressive) with 10 touchdowns, including one in the national championship against tOSU.

That pretty much wraps up PSaMP’s “unprecedented” access into the Steelers’ 2007 draft. Mike Tomlin was able to coexist with Kevin Colbert, and the two geniuses concluded an overall successful draft.

The Steelers clearly helped the DE and Linebacker position, while also picking up some help for the O-line. Plus, Pittsburgh picked up a Chris Gardocki replacement, as well as a Cornerback and a Wideout.

When all is said and done, Pittsburgh fans can rest easy, knowing that Mike Tomlin stepped up to the plate and delivered a quality first draft.