In the comments thread of my article on ‘The Downside of Being a Football Hero' and during an exchange with BTSC regular 5020, I wrote the following (typos corrected):

The idea that so many of us subscribe to is that with enough money, perhaps a better relationship, a better job that everything would be great. On the other hand, some of the most content individuals I have ever met didn't have much of anything. One of the things I think is really great about the so called blue collar mentality is that it detaches itself from and rejects the notion that the good life is a function of position and how much you make, but rather how you approach your life and responsibilities (values); a wise position because despite the propaganda suggesting otherwise many of us rarely completely transcend our circumstances. This may be the essence of the culture of Pittsburgh.

On reflection, two things resonated with me. First, as pointed out in the article, class is defined by more than financial status, but also by a system of values. That is why, I suppose, the definition is socioeconomic class. Second, while most of us in some sense recognized those values in a ‘know it when I see it fashion', sometimes there are things that are so obvious and pervasive that in a paradoxical sense we are unable to grasp them in a meaningful way.

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Wednesday's announcement that OT Willie Colon is now LG Willie Colon creates competition for the Steelers' right tackle position. It could even influence the left tackle position.

What it ultimately does, though, is completely transform the Steelers offensive line, which is probably overdue at this point.

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Mike Prisuta reported Wednesday afternoon Steelers OL Willie Colon will move from right tackle to left guard, a move often discussed throughout Colon’s tenure with the team.

A report indicates the Steelers notified Colon of their intentions to move him to the left guard position after the draft, when they selected Stanford OG David DeCastro in the first round.

This strongly indicates DeCastro will remain at right guard, the position he played in college.

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It's been confirmed by Ed Bouchette that Willie Colon will be moving from right tackle to left guard, in an article which you can read in its entirety here, which means both Steelers rookies David DeCastro and Mike Adams will have a chance to start early.

"The move from his spot at right tackle, paves the way for their top two draft choices to start immediately. David DeCastro will be put at right guard and Mike Adams at left tackle. Marcus Gilbert, who started at right tackle last year as a rookie after Colon was injured in the opener, was scheduled to move to left tackle but likely will stay at right tackle now."

It’s been really interesting to see the reactions to discussions about the ‘character concerns’ with three of our newly-drafted players. For a distinct subset of our community, the issues with these players are non-starters. They don’t see anything wrong with smoking marijuana, and they think the NCAA rules are stupid. The people who feel this way apparently haven’t noticed a critical point, though—the Steelers organization consider them to be a problem.

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Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace has little leverage left in his contract negotiation. Not only is teammate, WR Antonio Brown, rising fast among other NFL wide receivers, but he's taking some of the spotlight from Wallace.

Two dogs, one bone. Or, two great receivers, one big Steelers pay day.

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As someone who follows the NFL Draft on a casual-to-serious level, I always find it funny how quickly I can become enamored with a certain player based on just reading a review of his measurements and skill-set, even if I didn't know that player existed all throughout his college career. I soon become convinced that this is the player that the Steelers MUST take with their first round selection. If they don't, I know I'll be severely disappointed.

It's sort of like how a little kid acts when he's at a department store with his parents and he spots a new toy out of the corner of his eye. This kid wasn't even thinking about that toy when he got up that morning, but now, that toy is the only thing that will bring him happiness. When Mom grabs him by the arm and whisks him away so she can finish the rest of her shopping, the kid loses it and causes a scene right in the middle of the store.

The 2012 draft season was no exception as I quickly became enamored with Memphis nose tackle Dontari Poe after his more than impressive showing at the NFL Combine. I didn't know who Poe was during his college career, but I was certain that the 340plus pound specimen would be the Steelers answer to the next Casey Hampton. Poe became that new toy that I hoped and prayed would fall to the Steelers had 24. Unfortunately, he was picked by the Chiefs at 11.

Thankfully, Stanford guard David DeCastro was an even shinier new toy that caught my eye as the draft progressed, and when he fell all the way to the Steelers, I soon forgot about Poe.

My brother, on the other hand, wasn't so happy about the Steelers, maybe, finding the next Alan Faneca. Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower was his shiny new toy, and when the Steelers passed on him, my brother called me up to complain about it. "I can't believe they passed on Hightower. He's going to be the next James Farrior. The Steelers will be sorry!"

Talk about a temper tantrum.

It's obviously too soon to know whether or not the Steelers will be sorry that they passed on Hightower, or if Poe will be the next great 3/4 nose tackle, or if DeCastro will be the next Alan Faneca.

One thing I do know is that every draft is a crap-shoot, and there will always be "what ifs" and "why didn't theys" when player A is picked instead of player B.

After the jump, I'll give you a brief review of some of my favorite "why didn't they" moments in Steelers drafts gone by, and how things turned out for all parties involved.

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