The
time for testing and inspecting NFL draft prospects has ended.
The Steelers hosted their last three players yesterday. Thirty
players, the maximum allowed for each team, have visited the Steelers' UPMC training facility since March 31. Before that,
three "local" players stopped by for a visit.
Here's a look at all the players the Steelers have
seen. Most of the information was taken from NFLDraftScout.com and Scott Wright's Draft Countdown.
I
also have this underneath the opinion poll on the right side of this page, but some people, I'm not saying
who, might be too lazy to look there. So here it is:
Spencer Adkins, LB, Miami (Fla.), 5-11, 238:
I had to dig to find information on this guy. Slim are the chances of us hearing him saying "Spencer Adkins, The U"
during a team's first defensive series on a Sunday or Monday night.
Joe Burnett, CB, Central Florida,
5-10, 192: An All-American and a four-year starter at cornerback with 16 career interceptions, three punt and two
kickoff returns for touchdowns. Projects as a sixth-round pick, but it doesn't sound like he'll still be around then.
Don Carey, CB, Norfolk State, 5-10, 192: Can play corner or safety. Physical and smart, he turned
down an opportunity to attend Yale. Another late-round guy.
Jason Chery, WR, Louisiana-Lafayette, 5-11,
189: Return specialist who likely will have to wait for the call as a free-agent pickup.
Nate Davis, QB, Ball State, 6-2, 226 (Jr.): Perhaps the Steelers aren't convinced Dennis Dixon is their
backup of the future. Ball State was unbeaten last season until Davis choked in the MAC title game and GMAC Bowl. The Steelers
should give Dixon a chance.
Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois, 5-11, 203 (Jr.): Great athlete, but there
are questions about his work ethic. Stay away.
Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan, 6-0, 202: Natural
playmaker, but there are concerns about his ability to hold up against the run. Not enough of a need at safety for the Steelers
to go after him.
Ra'Shon Harris, DT, Oregon, 6-4, 300: A one-year starter. Stamina an issue. I'm not crazy about
him.
Sammie Lee Hill, DT, Stillman, 6-4, 329: Run stuffer who also lined up at tight end and linebacker
on occasion. Will be a project coming out of a Division II program, but his size alone might make him worth it in the fourth
round or later.
Herman Johnson, OT, LSU, 6-7, 364: Played as heavy as 385 pounds as a guard in
college. Could shift to tackle in NFL. Would be worth picking just to see him and Casey Hampton one-on-one (or maybe
one and a half-on-one and a half) in practice. Projects as a second- or third-round pick.
Ellis Lankster,
CB, West Virginia, 5-9, 191: Corner-safety tweener who can return kicks but isn't great at it. Might be nothing
more than a special teamer.
Andy Levitre, OG, Oregon State, 6-3, 305: Played tackle in college
but is likely to move to guard in the NFL because of his short arms. His name sounds like a drug that makes a certain body
part longer. Unfortunately it's not the arms. Still, he'd be a good second-day pick.
Philip Loadholt,
OT, Oklahoma, 6-8, 332: Projects as a right tackle. Arrested last year for suspicion of driving under the influence
and transporting an open beer can. Arrested on allegations of disorderly conduct in 2006. Too many character red flags.
Brandon Long, DE, Michigan State, 6-3, 254: Another guy I found very little info on. Had a solid
pro day on March 29, but a little small for what the Steelers need.
Alex Mack, C, California, 6-4,
311: Ranked by NFLDraftScout.com as the top center in the draft. Can also play guard. Won the Draddy Award as college
football's top scholar-athlete. It's been said that he could start on Day One. Would fit well in Pittsburgh.
Sherrod Martin, FS, Troy, 6-1, 197: Might have to move to corner as he lacks the size to be a safety in
the NFL. Nine career interceptions. Thumbs up as a second-day pick.
Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati,
6-0, 184: Bearcats' all-time leader in career interceptions (14) and interception return yards (296). Seems like
the real deal. He projects as a second- or third-round pick.
Fili Moala, DT, Southern California, 6-4,
303: A run stuffer with minimal pass-rushing skills who might have peeked in his sophomore year. Arrested in March
2008 for resisting and obstructing an officer. No charges were filed. Inconsistency+Character Concerns=Don't Pick Him.
Louis Murphy, WR, Florida, 6-3, 203: A legitimate deep threat, but as a track guy might lack the
strength needed to battle defensive backs. If he slips into the fourth round or later, maybe the Steelers can take a chance
on him.
Richard Quinn, TE, North Carolina, 6-4, 260: Only 12 career receptions. Definitely a blocker,
not a pass catcher. Potential late-round pick who could come in handy in goal-line situations. Almost like another offensive
lineman.
Dorell Scott, DT, Clemson, 6-4, 310: Disappointing senior season after averaging 50 tackles
and four sacks as a sophomore and junior. Thumbs down.
Travis Shelton, WR, Temple, 5-10, 185:
First cousin of the Bears' Devin Hester. Apparently at the family reunion every summer he and Hester race to see who's
fastest. Shelton says he always wins. Could be a nice late-round pick.
Lawrence Sidbury Jr., OLB, Richmond,
6-3, 266: Had four sacks for Spiders in Football Championship Subdivision title game, a 24-7 win over Montana. Likely
to go in first three rounds, and Steelers have more urgent needs than outside linebacker.
Alphonso Smith,
CB, Wake Forest, 5-9, 193: ACC's career leader with 21 interceptions. Can return kicks. But his lack of size
worries me.
Frank Summers, FB, UNLV, 5-9, 241: He's been called a "bowling ball"
of a running back and a "junior Bus." The Steelers would do well to take a short-yardage back in the later rounds
or as an undrafted free agent, and dumping Gary Russell could be a sign that Summers or another short-yardage back is on their
radar.
Mike Thomas, WR, Arizona, 5-8 1/2, 193: Set Pac-10 record with 259 career receptions. Also
can return punts. But Steelers have looked at four guys 5-9 and under and seven guys 5-10 and under. There should be a quota
on picking short guys. Two at the most. Seriously, this isn't mighty mites. And this is coming from a 5-7 guy.
Max Unger, C, Oregon, 6-5, 309: Just a notch below fellow Pac-10 center Alex Mack. Would be good pick for
the Steelers if Mack was off the board and no better guards or tackles were available.
Louis Vasquez, G,
Texas Tech, 6-5, 330: Three-year starter at left guard. Projects as a fifth-round pick. Steelers shouldn't take
him any earlier.
Donald Washington, CB, Ohio State, 6-0, 197 (Jr.): After only two career interceptions,
he's leaving school early because he doesn't get along with the coaching staff. Classic head case.
LOCAL PLAYERS TO VISIT STEELERS (These players don't count against the 30-player limit.)
C.J. Davis, OG, Pittsburgh, 6-2, 307: Can handle all three
interior line positions. Bit of an overachiever. OK if they're desperate for an O-Lineman in the late rounds, but it shouldn't
come to that.
Scott McKillop: ILB, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 243: Projects as a fourth-round pick. ...
Inside linebacker not an immediate need, but considering they could lose Larry Foote and James Farrior isn't getting any
younger, it couldn't hurt to take one, although I think they can do better than this guy.
A.Q. Shipley,
C, Penn State, 6-1, 304: Won Rimington Trophy as college football's top center, even though NFLDraftScout.com
ranks him as the No. 6 center. Lacks the physical tools but makes up for it with technique and a nasty edge. Funny how all
three local prospects are overachievers. If the Steelers don't get Mack or Unger, this guy's worth a shot in the mid-to-late
rounds.
The NFL
has enacted some emergency rule changes in light of James Harrison's new six-year, $51.75 million contract with the Steelers.
The league has decided that the Holding-Is-Allowed-On-James-Harrison-Rule doesn't go far enough.
Now,
players attempting to block the Steelers' linebacker will be allowed to trip, headlock, bite, clothesline, club, Mace,
lasso, handcuff, hogtie and Taser him.
And he'll still probably get double-digit sacks.
The 2008
NFL Defensive Player of the Year had a team-record 16 sacks last season along with seven forced fumbles, 101 tackles and an
interception.
And his Super Bowl-record 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Cardinals in
Super Bowl XLIII still needs a name, a la The Drive and The Catch. How about The Dash, or The Harrison 100 or The Pick?
Harrison will be 31 next season, which means with the six-year deal Silverback will likely be in black and gold until
he has silver hair, if he ever grows hair. Of course, he's smart to not grow hair, because offensive linemen would probably
be allowed to pull it.
