On June 4th, Anthony “Booger” McFarland will hold a private workout for NFL scouts. You can count on the Pittsburgh Steelers being more than just a presence.

The Pittsburgh Steelers appeared to have two large needs coming into the 2008 NFL draft: the offensive and the defensive lines. The problem with drafting for the offensive line, is that the Steelers have a lot of money wrapped up in a lot of lineman. Marvel Smith, Trai Essex, Chris Kemoeatu, Justin Hartwig, Sean Mahan, Darnell Stapleton, Kendall Simmons, Matt Lentz, Willie Colon, Max Starks and Jason Capizzi are all signed to deals. Regardless of how you feel about the line, there isn’t a whole lot of room to crack the lineup. You can debate how good these guys are, and how good they can be until you are blue in the face, but the reality is that Tomlin has invested a lot of money in these guys, and more than likely wants to see what they can do if they are healthy. Even so, Pittsburgh did take offensive lineman Tony Hills in the fourth round, and he should compete for a job, with Lentz, Stapleton and Capizzi really fighting for any spot on the team. There is depth, although several questions about talent.

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Free Agency has come to a close.  The draft is behind us, and team practices have started up once again.  In this series — because Mike loves to write in series — we’ll take a look at players who, in spite of playing important roles in 2007, will be looking over their shoulders as competition for their spots in the lineup heats up.

In two of the last three drafts, the Steelers have selected arguably the best wide receiver prospect: Santonio Holmes in 2006, and Limas Sweed just last month.  Coupled with Hines Ward, Holmes has become one of the top downfield threats in the league, leading all receivers in yards per catch in 2007.  Sweed promises to play a critical role as well, going up for jump balls and playing the physical, scrappy receiver inside the red zone.  And, with two very capable — and enormous — tight ends, the Steelers have all the pieces in place for an outstanding passing game in 2008.

The only thing missing from that equation is Nate Washington.  Of the wide receivers, he was third on the team in 2007 in both catches and yards.  Teammates glow when they talk of his incredible jumping ability, and he has a tendency to make the ridiculously hard catches.  So, why should he be looking over his shoulder?

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Free Agency has come to a close.  The draft is behind us, and team practices have started up once again.  In this series — because Mike loves to write in series — we’ll take a look at players who, in spite of playing important roles in 2007, will be looking over their shoulders as competition for their spots in the lineup heats up.

When Najeh Davenport was signed prior to the 2006 season, the intention was to make him change-of-pace back — a guy who could fill the role vacated by the departure of Jerome Bettis, providing the “oompf” to Willie Parker’s “wow.”  No razzle, no dazzle, just hit-the-head-pin-hard pounding for the tough yards.

Unfortunately for both Davenport and the Steelers, a notable reluctance to attack holes in the line has led to a much less-than-stellar return on the investment, at least where the original intentions are concerned.  While he filled in admirably after Parker, then the league’s leading rusher, went down for the count in week 16, it wasn’t what the previous coaching staff envisioned for the former fourth-round pick.  And, after a season is in the books, I would say it’s safe to color the new coaching staff largely unimpressed, too.

This isn’t the first time Davenport has faced the task of out-performing his peers; the Steelers signed Kevan Barlow in the spring of 2007, a move that was, at the time, considered by many to be a welcome addition to the roster.  However, Barlow failed to perform in training camp and was cut well before the season started.  Facing competition only from unproven commodities Carey Davis and Gary Russell and then-third-down back Verron Haynes, Davenport ultimately was named the team’s second-string runner.

The competition for 2008 looks, on paper at least, to be considerably tougher.  Free-agency acquisition Mewelde Moore is considered by many to be a very capable back who was released by Minnesota because of a very crowded — and highly talented — Viking backfield.  Moore provides another runner in the Parker mold, though, so he won’t be performing any power-back roles.  However, he is likely to take over the third-down role, as he is an outstanding receiver out of the backfield and has a better burst than Davenport, making him a perfect fit for screens and short routes, and a much better candidate for draws.

On the power side of things, there are options there, too.  Carey Davis is likely to fill the role of fullback whenever needed unless Dan Kreider is healed up from a torn ACL and is re-signed.  Second-year runner Gary Russell has had a season to learn the playbook and is a very inexpensive alternative to Davenport.  Then, of course, there’s first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall, who was an excellent power runner in college, hits holes with reckless abandon, and has outstanding speed for a back his size.  Heck, he has very good speed for a guy Parker’s size.  Think a young Edgerin James with better downfield legs.

In all likelihood, there just won’t be room on an already crowded and expensive roster for a guy whose production has not really equaled his price tag, probably leaving Davenport as the odd man out.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Mewelde Moore earlier this offseason to a three-year deal. Presumably, Moore was signed to be the Steelers’ primary return man, and their third down back. Moore probably also took note of Willie Parker’s health, and figured he’d be the first option in the Steelers’ backfield should Parker go down.

Moore has returned 74 punts for 768 yards with two touchdowns and 26 kickoffs for 503 yards. He also has 116 receptions for 1,093 yards with three touchdowns. These are good numbers for a returner, and a third down back, and obviously were the reasons that Pittsburgh signed Moore.

Then Rashard Mendenhall was available.

The Steelers’ drafting of Mendenhall surely must have been a surprise to Moore, since it more than likely was a surprise to the Steelers themselves. No, Mendenhall likely isn’t going to return kicks, but he still brings many attributes to the table as a third down back. It’s likely that Moore will start off with this job, with the Steelers working Mendenhall in as the season progresses. Mendenhall will also share the workload with Parker, but you can be sure he’ll be sharing that duty with Moore as well.

In other words, Mendenhall would be stealing Moore’s job, outside of the return game.

Mendenhall is a rookie, and that brings a certain unknown to the situation. All signs do seem to be pointing towards the Steelers bringing Mendenhall along as Parkers partner in the backfield. I’m sure that’s a job that Moore felt would be his if he earned it. It still may be. Still, if Mendenhall produces the way many expect him to, Moore could be the odd man out of the backfield. and we haven’t even talked about Najeh Davenport.

Moore will be a huge asset to the Steelers this season, even if it’s only as a return man. You do have to wonder if Moore would have signed a three-year deal with a team that would ultimately draft a running back in the first round.

With all of that said, Pittsburgh is a better team with Mewelde Moore on it. Not only does he give the Steelers a legitimate thread in the return game, but he also gives the Steelers an option should they need one at running back. I can safely tell you that things probably would have been different in last year’s playoffs had the Steelers had Moore as an option with Parker out. Mendenhall is just a rookie, and it will take time for the youngster to earn his stripes. Combine that with Parker’s health issues, and Moore should get ample time in the backfield over his three-year contract.

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Mark Madden certainly does his job well, whether you like him or not. He’s a talking head that sprouted from the world of talk radio, and you and I both know that to make money, you have to make heads turn. Madden has done a good job of that over the years, whether you like him or not. This past week’s headlines certainly will do nothing but help his cause.

A year and a half ago, Mark Madden was dismissed from his job on WTAE’s ‘Action Sports Sunday.’ The official word given was that Madden had used the term ‘jackass,’ and it offended the Steelers to the point that they threatened to disallow Steelers to come onto their program. Madden, known for his feuds with high-ranking sports’ personalities, had recently taken aim at Hines Ward. There was speculation, especially from Madden, that Ward was at the center of his dismissal.

Ward recently appeared on Bob Costas’ HBO show Costas Now, and made comments about sports talk show hosts being negative. Ward made reference to Mark Madden’s show in particular, talking about not wanting to associate himself with that (negativity).

The Post-Gazette’s Bob Smizek, embroiled in his own feud with Madden followed up with commentary of his own on the subject.

Madden, not to be left out of the equation, followed up with commentary of his own, in a letter to the Post-Gazette’s editors.

Ah, the media becoming a story…you have to love the NFL offseason, don’t you?

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Last season the Pittsburgh Steelers had allowed defensive leader Joey Porter to leave via free agency. The move left a rather large gap in the defense that the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to address. Enter first round pick Lawrence Timmons.

Timmons was a pass-rushing, outside linebacker from Florida St., and most had him as the #1 linebacker in a relatively weak crop of outside linebackers. There were several questions about Timmons, starting with the fact that he had only started one season, having backed up all-american Ernie Sims for two seasons. Still, the promise was there.

Timmons was injured during his first mini-camp, and wasn’t healthy again until pre-season had already begun. He missed months of playing, and by the time he was able, he had fallen behind second rounder LaMarr Woodley. It became a lost season, as he didn’t become a factor at all until…well…he was never really a factor, although he did receive playing time at the end of the year.

So is Timmons a bust, or is their potential for Timmons to explode onto the scene this year, and give the Steelers in essence, a second first rounder?

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It’s now been confirmed, the New England Patriots videotaped the Steelers’ sidelines during the 2002 AFC Championship game.

Now, I could get into a long and substantial diatribe about why the Patriots should be struck off the face of the earth, and all their 2002 earthly glory should be given to the Steelers. But seriously, what’s the point. It’s gone. It’s over and done with, and there’s nothing that the NFL can give the Steelers that will make me feel any better about it.

If you remember the game, New England took a 7-0 lead when Troy Edwards was called for a illegal procedure for stepping out of bounds on a punt that was brought back. Troy Brown returned the next punt back for a touchdown. Pittsburgh’s Kris Brown made the score 7-3, with a 30-yarder early in the second quarter. Tom Brady was knocked out of the game later in the quarter, only to have Drew Bledsoe lead the Patriots to another score, making it 14-3. New England scored first in the second half, on a blocked field goal that Troy Brown recovered, lateraled to Antwan Harris, who returned it for another Patriots TD, making the score 21-3. Pittsburgh scored twice on two runs, a one-yarder by Jerome Bettis, and an 11-yarder by Amos Zereoue, and New England added the final field goal, giving them the 24-17 final score. Kordell Stewart threw two picks in the final three minutes to give the Pats the win.

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“Are you ready to be a Steeler?”

Dennis Dixon had just had a game of pool interrupted by Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin with the Pittsburgh Steelers on the clock. Dixon was about to become a Pittsburgh Steeler.

The Steelers drafting Dixon was an enigma. It wasn’t a surprise, since Dixon had visited the Steelers South Side complex on April 8th, just a few weeks before the draft. The Steelers’ front office was obviously impressed with Dixon as a person, and impressed with how far he had come after tearing his ACL during his senior season at Oregon. It was a surprise, since the Steelers had just signed Ben Roethlisberger to a deal worth $102 million.

Can Dennis Dixon make this team? Can Dennis Dixon play quarterback if he does, or would he be the next Slash? Can he become that elusive and explosive quarterback that was leading his Ducks to the Pac 10 title before the injury? Or…

…did the Steelers waste a fifth round draft pick on a position they didn’t necesarily need, on a player that isn’t necessarily ready to play?

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Special thanks goes out to the 800 fans that voted in the last poll, ‘Which new Steelers draft pick, or free agent will have the biggest impact on the 2008 season?’ There was a clear 56% majority that felt that both Sweed and Mendenhall would make a difference in the 2008 season. 26% felt that Mendenhall would make the bigger impact, while 13% felt that it would be Sweed. There was a late push for Dennis Dixon, but not big enough to talk about. Thanks for all who voted, and make sure to vote for the newest Steelers Poll!

The Pittsburgh Steelers have undoubtedly been one of the NFL’s top franchises since the early 1970’s, when Chuck Noll was the architect of one of the greatest teams in NFL history. Since then, the Steelers, led by the Rooneys, Noll, and Bill Cowher, have maintained a consistent excellence that hasn’t been matched by many others.

Over the years, the Steelers have been part of several rivalries. There’s been historic rivalries, and rivalries that have cropped up over the years. Which rivalry do you think is at the top of the list?

Click Here to select check out the Rivals

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Rashard Mendenhall is not having a very good week.

Mendenhall, home in Chicago, was walking along the south side city lakefront at 2 a.m. when two men wearing hoodies and ski-masks robbed Mendenhall at gunpoint, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The two perps attacked Mendenhall, robbing him of a cell phone, his wallet and some cash.

According to the Sun-Times, Mike McCartney, Mendenhall’s agent said,

“It was obviously a scary moment, but he is fine. He is doing great. He said he doesn’t have anything that is worth his life.”

Mendenhall, who suffered a strained hamstring during his first Steelers mini-camp practice this past weekend, isn’t due back in Pittsburgh until May 16th. Hopefully it will be in one piece.

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