Do It

The Steelers need O-Line help, and a bunch of mock drafts have a guy like Cal C Alex Mack still available at pick 32. Apparently, winning the Super Bowl totally screws with your draft position.

Look, I don't put a whole bunch of stock into mock drafts 2 months before the ACTUAL draft, but Mack's name keeps popping up as a potential Black and Gold prospect. Its no secret that the team will look for depth on both the O and D Lines, and this was pretty much confrimed when Tomlin used his first two picks on highest-talent-available skill guys like Mendenhall and Sweed last year. We made do with our terrible O-Line this past year enough to win the damn Super Bowl, but I'd have to believe that circumstance was the exception, and not the rule.

So in order for the team to continue to be successful and vie for Lombardi Trophies, its clear that we need some linemen. The D-Line needs depth, but with staples like Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel and Casey Hampton along with venerable backup vets like Chris Hoke, we can afford to put off high draft picks on this side of the line til maybe next year.

Which is why a guy like Mack could make an immediate impact.

It seems like the team is going to keep Kemoeatu as the LG, which is a move I fully support so long as we rid ourselves of Willie Colon. Drafting Mack could expedite this process. By drafting Mack, you have one of two scenarios. The Steelers could hold onto Hartwig for another year, and let Mack play RG in place of Colon. This would let Mack get valuable playing time, all while he readies himself to be the C of the future. Or, should the Steelers like Mack over Hartwig, you have your C of the future already in place. I like option number 1 better, although Mack would be game-ready from the get-go.

PS...totally forgot that Jessica Alba was on The Secret World of Alex Mack. What's Alex been up to?

Penguins Sign Janne Pesonen

The Penguins have signed F Janne Pesonen (h/t to Faceoff-Factor), who most recently played for Tron.

I'm serious, look at these threads:



I might have an epileptic fit.

Actually, after being drafted by Anaheim in the 9th round of the 2004 entry draft, but has only played in Europe. According to the Post-Gazette:


[Pesonen] had 34 goals and 44 assists in 56 games with Karpat in Finland's Elite League last season, placing him sixth in the league scoring race. His totals were up from 22 goals and 33 assists in the same number of games in 2006-07.


Nice numbers, and flanking a Sid or Geno-centered line could only be positive for the young Fin. According to his HockeyDB page, he's never played more than 56 games. If the Penguins are looking to make a run at the Cup, Pesonen had better train his ass off to avoid the Evgeni-Malkin-end-of-season-lull.

UPDATE**Pesonen signing update here**

Evgeny Grachev Wants To Be Like Evgeni Malkin

Wanna feel old today?

Evgeny Grachev, drafted by the Rangers in the third round last week, made sure everyone knows the player he's trying to emulate.

Evgeni Malkin.

Grachev is 18. Malkin is 21, soon to be 22. I can't think of any 18 year old wanting to be like me when I was 21. Except for the kids who couldn't get served at the bar. But even then, it was a totally different emulation.

This shows just how far our young stars have come in the past 2 seasons or so. We could easily attribute failure to having a young team, or the fact that our players weren't battle-tested. Not anymore. What with Sid destroying last year's NHL awards ceremony and Malkin finishing second in the MVP race this year, its easy for top prospects to admire the kids. Couple that with the recent Finals appearance, and you've got heroes who struggle with growing facial hair.

Sure, Grachev and Malkin are countrymen and have similar builds, but I'd attribute Grachev's respect of Malkin to Geno's on-ice accomplishments.

Rashard Mendenhall Doesn't Like Ron Zook, Illinois

(picture blatantly stolen from Kiss 96.1)

From Foul Balls via Deadspin comes news that Steelers first round pick Rashard Mendenhall is not a fan of former coach Ron Zook. The story comes full circle for Pittsburgh fans, as their newest player is upset with a former Steelers special teams coach.

Foul Balls links to this article, and pulls some very interesting quotes:


"Everything always looks good on the outside," Mendenhall said. "Nobody really knows except for the people who are there and involved with it. The only thing being on the outside that you can know is what people allow you to know from talking to me or from talking to (Ron) Zook or anybody within the organization."

Bottom line for Mendenhall was that he didn't enjoy the season the way you think he might have.
"When you find things that were said, you can kind of read between the lines and see that everything wasn't as it appeared to be," Mendenhall said.

Mendenhall's current relationship with the Illinois football program can best be described as strained. You won't see him on the sidelines of Illinois games during the upcoming season. Or in future years either.

"To tell you the truth, as long as Ron Zook is there it will be hard for me to support the University of Illinois football team," Mendenhall said.

Reached Saturday afternoon, Zook said "I feel bad that he feels that way."


Wow, tough words for Zook and the Illinois program. I wonder what actually set him off? FB speculates about playing time for both Rashard and Rashard's brother, Walter, who just transferred out of the program.

Either way, Rashard Mendenhall won't be cheering his former team, or making any appearances at his alma mater.

Some Of Rashard Mendenhall's Shit Got Lifted

...From his person.

Mendenhall was robbed on the South Side of Chicago. He's now short a phone and a wallet.

He wasn't hurt, but was obviously startled. I woulda been too, man. I woulda probably sharted.

He has until the 16th, when he's due in Pittsburgh, to deal with this situation. Take the time you need, dude.

Robberies suck.

Who Did The Steelers Draft, Actually?

What better way to better understand your 2008 Steelers Draft Picks than from the mouths of bloggers?

I asked several NCAA football-team-focused blogs to chime in with a quick blurb about the Steelers draft pick coming from their respective school, and several were kind enough to share with you, the reader, exactly what kind of players now wear the Black and Gold.

Let's do this:


Limas Sweed - Texas
May end up being one of the best picks in the draft, without the wrist injury Sweed goes much higher and doctors don’t believe it will linger. Good team player who risked his NFL draft status to try to play through a painful injury for his Longhorn teammates. May not be the fastest wide receiver in the draft but runs very well (4.52 forty) for a 6-foot-4 receiver. Limas uses his size and leaping ability very well, and knows the benefits of a subtle push off to create separation. Should contribute to the Steelers early, especially in the red zone, and has the ability to become a true #1 receiver as he matures.


Tony Hills - Texas
Hills was a 4th round selection based on potential as much as performance. Was inconsistent at Texas and despite his measurables may not have the mean streak to be a dominating tackle in the NFL. Hills has good size and his frame should allow him to get bigger without losing any quickness. Is a good pass blocker thanks to his long arms and good feet (he was recruited as a 5-star tight end) but must get stronger to be an above average run blocker. If the light comes on for him, he has the intelligence, size, and athleticism to be solid left tackle for the Steelers.

- Brian from Bevo Sports


Dennis Dixon - Oregon
When I heard Dennis got drafted by the Steelers, I thought it was a perfect fit. He has all the tools to be an NFL QB. He's got the physical tools (size, arm, mobility). He's got the leadership ability. He's got the toughness (dude played on a shredded knee). And he's got the smart (scored an unreal 29 on his Wonderlic). The big question on him is his accuracy. He didn't throw the most accurate ball at Oregon, but got away with it because his receivers were so wide open in the spread.

If he can fix the accuracy thing, he could be a damn fine NFL quarterback. But, even if he's not a QB long term, he could still be a damn productive player. I look at former QBs such as Hines Ward of Antwaan Randle-El and Dennis is as athletic and as fast as those guys. If he doesn't work out at QB, I have no doubt he could switch to receiver and do some damage there.

Its a pretty good pick by the Steelers, because it offers multiple chances at success.

- Dave from Addicted to Quack


Mike Humpal - Iowa
All state sprinter still adjusting to his weight. Replaced Iowa's defensive MVP in both production and leadership after the MVP's injury in the middle of last season. A definite asset to a locker room. If he can stay healthy, he'll contribute for a few years, either as a weakside backer or on special teams. Great pick, great guy.

- Adam from Black Heart Gold Pants and Fanhaus


Ryan Mundy - West Virginia
To be perfectly honest, Mundy was viewed as a surprise pick by Mountaineer nation. A very solid college player, rarely out of place or beaten on any play, Mundy was still expected to catch on as a free agent after the draft. As a 6th round selection, the Steelers have drafted a player that will bring maturity and work ethic to the secondary positions (most likely safety). He may never be a star (or even a consistent starter), but he has the talent and drive to stick around in the league and contribute for the Steelers.

- Charley from West BY GOD Virginia


We can only assume Bruce Davis (UCLA) and Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois) are future Hall of Famers. Should the bloggers from each school get back to me, I'll update this post.

Many thanks to the participating bloggers for their insight.

Steelers 2008 Draft Class Recap

First Round
- Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois

Second Round
- Limas Sweed, WR Texas

Third Round
- Bruce Davis, DE/OLB UCLA

Fourth Round
- Tony Hills, OT Texas

Fifth Round
- Dennis Dixon, QB Oregon

Sixth Round
- Mike Humpal, LB Iowa
- Ryan Mundy, S West Virginia

Steelers Select Ryan Mundy

In what should be their final pick in this year's draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected S Ryan Mundy out of West Virginia.

The first words I saw when Googling Mundy was "injury prone."

Still, Guaranthony Smith might start hearing footsteps with this pick.

Mundy is originally from Wilkins Township, PA.

Barring some trade that gives us a 7th Round pick, the Steelers can close up shop early and start thinking about the upcoming season.

Steelers Select Dennis Dixon

Consider my mind blown.

In the 5th Round, Pittsburgh selected QB Dennis Dixon from Oregon.

Dixon was a one-time Heisman favorite this season before ending his collegiate career with a knee injury.

The depth chart is all nutty, what with Ben getting paid, Charlie Batch on the roster, Jared Zabransky joining the team and now Dixon being drafted.

I did not see this happening.

This draft class is crazy.

Steelers Select Tony Hills

In the 4th Round, the Steelers swapped picks with the New York Giants, moving down from #123 to #130 to select OT Tony Hills from Texas.

Former Longhorn Limas Sweed should feel at home, now.

Big boy if 6-5, 309 pounds and was moved from TE (yes, tight end), to OT when he got to Texas.

Only took 4 rounds to get that O-Line help.

Steelers Select Limas Sweed

In the 2nd Round, Pittsburgh drafted a decent sized receiver in Texas' Limas Sweed.

ESPN lists him at 6 foot 5, 219 pounds while the draft tracker has him at only6 foot 3 (and 7/8) and 215 pounds.

Either way...Big Ben, you got your wish.

Steelers Select Rashard Mendenhall

The Steelers used their 1st Round pick, 23rd overall, on Illinois RB Rashard Munhall Mendenhall.

With Devin Thomas still on the board and Big Ben pleading for a tall WR, I thought the Steelers were giving serious thought to the Michigan State wideout. Rather, the team is showing its continued reliance on the ground game.

Munhall Mendenhall should compliment Fast Bill nicely. As a 'tween-the-tackles runner, Mendenhall helped Zooooook! and the Illini get to the Rose Bowl last season. His carries were down in college, so the Steelers get a low-mileage bruiser who could help immediately.

I watched Mendenhall several times this past season, and I can only say good things about his play. Yes, we didn't go O-line, but one can hardly go wrong with this choice.