The Steelers always say they will take the best player available, not draft for need. If you look at their draft the past couple of years that doesn’t appear to be the case. The Steelers’ nine picks in this draft all fill needs, whether Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin will admit it. Most of the guys drafted are unfamiliar to Steelers fans, but that’s OK. I love their first round pick (more on that below). I think running back Benny Snell, who the Steelers picked in round four, could be a steal. I like that pick a lot. I just hope the guys they took to fill needs do exactly that.
• Kevin Colbert knew he needed an impact middle linebacker to make the Steelers better. He deserves a lot of credit for having the guts to make it happen. The trade up to get Devin Bush was a bold move and a necessary one. Yes, the Steelers gave up a lot (their first round and second round picks, plus a third rounder next year). Still, it was worth it. Bush is an impact player who will play three downs and roam from sideline to sideline. He instantly makes the Steelers better. I like the move a lot, and so does Steelers Nation.
• I think the Steelers made a mistake by not drafting local product Chase Winovich, who starred at Michigan. He was there when the Steelers made their first pick in round three and would have been a popular selection. He also would have filled a need for the Steelers as a pass rusher with a motor that never stops. With Bud Dupree entering the last year of his contract, Winovich could have been the heir apparent. He’ll get his chance in New England where I believe he will be a star under Bill Belichick.
• Nothing is going right for the Pirates these days. The Buccos have now lost eight in a row. The Arizona Diamondbacks, who own the Pirates these days, swept them at home. The Buccos went west and were swept by the Dodgers over the weekend. The Pirates have a ton of injuries and they are starting to catch up with them. Still, they’re just not getting it down and aren’t scoring enough runs to compete. It’s a long season, but if you are Pirate fan you have every right to be concerned.
• I’ve never seen a team leave the bases loaded like the Pirate. The past few years it seems that they always leave the bases full. I couldn’t believe it when Greg Brown was talking about this on the Saturday night telecast when the Pirates had the bases loaded with nobody out. After three straight outs the Pirates are now 0 for 16 with the bases loaded. That’s an incredible stat, and a really bad one for the Buccos. No wonder they’re not winning more games.
• It was hardly a surprise when Ben Roethlisberger signed a new deal with the Steelers that will keep him in Black and Gold until he’s thirty-nine. Big Ben wanted to keep playing and the Steelers know what they have in the veteran signal caller. He’ll make more than thirty million dollars a season, which is what it takes these days to sign a star quarterback. Roethlisberger had a great season last year and shows no signs of slowing down. His best football could still be ahead. That’s not good for Mason Rudolph, who the Steelers drafted last year as the possible quarterback of the future. If Big Ben stays healthy, Rudolph may be long gone without ever getting a chance to play for the Steelers.
• Penn State is getting much better players under James Franklin. The Nittany Lions had six players selected in the NFL Draft and had a few other guys sign with teams as free agents. That’s much better than the last few years when Penn State wasn’t the hotbed for talent that it is these days. When looking at the recruiting classes coming to Happy Valley, NFL scouts will be making many more trips to scout Penn State’s players.
• Would the Pens actually trade Evgeni Malkin? Even though Jim Rutherford hasn’t ruled it out, I find it hard to believe the Pens can or will trade their star center. Malkin didn’t have a great season for the Pens and will be thirty-three when next season comes around. Still, he’s an elite player. I do believe the Pens will make some big deals this off-season. I just don’t expect Malkin to be part of any trades.
• This is already one of the craziest playoffs in NHL history. The first round saw four division winners get knocked off. That’s never happened before. Most experts thought Tampa Bay would cruise to the Stanley Cup and they were swept in four games by Columbus. Last year’s champion, Washington, was knocked out at home by surprising Carolina. The big names are out, but the fun is just beginning. Further proof that the NHL playoffs are the best playoffs in professional sports.
• Boston should be renamed the new City of Champions. The Red Sox and Patriots have already won titles. The Celtics and Bruins also have a chance to add to the great year for Beantown. Each of the four pro teams in Boston has won titles in the last decade. It’s safe to say it’s a lot of fun to be a fan of Boston’s sports teams.
• RIP John Havlicek. The guy known as Hondo was a star for the Boston Celtics and part of eight NBA championship teams with the great Bill Russell under the legendary Red Auerbach. Who can forget the late Johnny Most’s radio call when “Havlicek stole the ball, Havlicek stole the ball.” He will be missed.
