NFL Live Blog - Round 2
by Blitzburgh
on Apr 26, 2008 6:42 PM EDT
On to Round 2.
Steelers take Limas Sweed in Round 2. Help along the offensive and defensive line? Not yet, as the Steelers nab their second skill position player. Sweed and Mendenhall can play though. Big Ben and Bruce Arians have two new shiny toys to play with. I'm excited. Look forward to plenty of analysis and insight about Sweed from the network's Univ. of Texas blogger, PB @ BON, a Steelers fan and occasional contributor here.
Round 2:
32. Miami Dolphins - Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
33. St. Louis Rams - Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
34. Washington Redskins -Devan Thomas, WR, Michigan State
35. Kansas City Chiefs - Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
36. Green Bay Packers - Jordy Nelson, WR/KR, Kansas State
37. Atlanta Falcolns - Curtis Lofton, LB, Oklahoma
38. Seattle Seahawks - Jonathan Carson, TE, Notre Dame
39. San Francisco 49ers - Chilo Rachal, OG, USC
40. New Orleans Saints - Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
41. Buffalo Bills - James Hardy, WR, Indiana
42. Denver Broncos - Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech
43. Minnesota Vikings (via trade with Philadelphia) - Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
44. Chicago Bears - Matt Forte, RB, Tulane
45. Detroit Lions - Jordan Dizon, LB, Colorado
46. Cincinnati Bengals - Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina
47. Philadelphia Eagles - Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
48. Washington Redskins - Fred Davis, TE, USC
49. Philadelphia Eagles - DeSean Jackson, WR, California
50. Arizona Cardinals - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
51. Washington Redskins - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
52. Jacksonville Jaguars (via trade with TB) - Quentin Groves, LB/DE, Auburn
53. Pittsburgh Steelers - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
54. Tennessee Titans - Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan
55. Baltimore Ravens - Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
56. Green Bay Packers - Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
57. Miami Dolphins - Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
58. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian State
59. Indianapolis Colts - Mike Pollack, C, Arizona State
60. Green Bay Packers - Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn
61. Dallas Cowboys - Martellus Bennet, TE, Texas A&M
62. New England Patriots - Terrence Wheatley, CB, Colorado
63. New York Giants - Terrell Thomas, CB, USC
**UPDATE** Bill Parcells is at it again, stockpiling size and ability in the trenches. Jake Long + Phillip Merling = on the right track.
**UPDATE** Ok, ESPN just lost a viewer, as they seemingly just missed picks 34 and 35. During their glitch, the first WR comes off the board, but it's not the one we were expecting. It's Donnie Avery from Houston.
**UPDATE** Desean Jackson, Limas Sweed, Malcolm Kelly all still on the board. Avery and Nelson gone first, Thomas sandwiched in between. After no WRs in the first round, 3 of first 5 picks and 3 of the last 4 are WRs in Round 2.
**UPDATE** I like this pick. Fast, mean, sure tackler, well-coached in college. Lofton should quietly do some nice things in Atlanta.
**UPDATE** I was holding out a tiny sliver of hope that Chilo was going to be available later in the 2nd round. Guess not.
**UPDATE** New Orleans certainly needed a CB on Day 1. They held off in Round 1 and got other defensive help, then got a tier 2 guy early in Round 2 with Tracy Porter.
**UPDATE** Wow, the pundits totally had the WR board wrong. Limas Sweed, Malcolm Kelly, Desean Jackson all still on the board. The Bills get the tall WR they want, but it's not Kelly or Sweed. Back-to-back Hoosiers. That has to be a first right? And the Broncos get some WR help in Eddie Royal from Va Tech. Royal's pretty darn small at just 5'9". Very interesting how far off all the mock drafts were on this WR crop.
**UPDATE** More small school products flying off the board. Also, VERY surprised and disappointed by the Redskins selection. A TE? You have one of the best in the business in Chris Cooley, and a very solid back-up in Todd Yoder.
**UPDATE** The diminuitive DeSean Jackson finally drafted, by the Eagles. McNabb gets a WR. Sweed and Kelly still available.
**UPDATE** Calais Campbell could have given plenty of teams help in the trenches. The Cardinals take Campbell, and if he stays healthy, I don't think they'll regret it.
**UPDATE** I love Malcolm Kelly's potential but kinda strange to see the Redskins take 3 pass-catching threats in the first two rounds: Thomas, Fred Davis, Malcolm Kelly.
**UPDATE** Very interesting. I would have loved Groves, but the Jags snuck ahead of us at #52 and take him. So, the Steelers get their second skill position of the day, selecting Limas Sweed, WR, Texas. Being in Austin, I've seen plenty of this guy. Much more to come on him.
**UPDATE** The Titans add some beef in Round 2 along the defensive line, and the Ravens get some insurance for McGahee in the form of Ray Rice.
**UPDATE** Colts fans know nothing about the guy, but I think they'll learn quickly that Pollack is going to be a good one. We asked scout Rob Rang about him in our pre-draft Q&A , and he had good things to say about him. We're down to the last two picks of Day 1.
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Small family emergency
Man, I get called away on a small emergency (nothing major, in-laws tripped a breaker), and I miss all the excitement! I heard about the Falcons trading above us in the car, and can’t say I was too happy to hear that. I knew that them taking Ryan hurt us, though. Well, I don’t hate the pick of Mendenhall, but really was hoping for one of those OT’s to fall to us or to trade back. Time to go grab some dinner, but hopefully there’ll be a little more action around the time of our next pick.
by WolfpackSteelersFan on Apr 26, 2008 7:26 PM EDT 0 recs
well
I think we should be excited about Mendenhall. This guy could be a very special RB. And as somebody else mentioned, having a dynamic running game (which we had at times last year, but not consistently enough) helps a passing game and pass protection.
by Blitzburgh on Apr 26, 2008 7:31 PM EDT 0 recs
how good are mendenhall's hands?
looks like he had a couple of nice little grab’n runs in that video that you posted – seems like Moore + Mendenhall might give Ben a lot more dump-off options than he’s been used to…
by acrollet on Apr 26, 2008 7:34 PM EDT 0 recs
absolutely
I think we now have one of the top couple of backfields in all of football. Mendenhall does have solid hands. It’s also important to note/remember that Mendenhall played in an offensive system that ran the option frequently. You’ve got ot have two things to do well in that system: good hands and good vision. Mendenhall seems to have both.
by Blitzburgh on Apr 26, 2008 7:37 PM EDT 0 recs
Plenty of Talent Left
Who do we take…....I say Dan Connor
by TheCommish on Apr 26, 2008 7:51 PM EDT 0 recs
i tell you what
i can’t believe the mendenhall pick. .everyone had him going high.. 10 – 16.. wow.. amazing.. theres so many guys on the board right now that can help us..
groves
king
connor
holy shat
and i can tell you as a penn state die hard.. mendenhall burned the hell out of our great d last year.. just tore us to hell breaking runs.. on the hands end.. he has them.. wow.. great
by smashmouthsteel on Apr 26, 2008 7:56 PM EDT 0 recs
round 2 pick
I think we absolutely need to go defensive or offensive line with our round 2 pick. Maybe Groves, Moore, Campbell, Bryant or Pollak. I agree about Mendenhall—love getting him, and think our backfield will be one of the best in the league this year.
by nycsteeler on Apr 26, 2008 7:58 PM EDT 0 recs
Groves
would be STOKED if we got Groves, even if he’s a bit undersized on the line and more of a pass-rushing LB.
by Blitzburgh on Apr 26, 2008 8:01 PM EDT 0 recs
Off topic
Hey Blitzburgh, a friend and I started a CU blog last week and we would love to be a part of SBNation. If you get a chance would you mind asking your brother to check out our site?
Thanks.
by WoodrowWilson on Apr 26, 2008 8:10 PM EDT 0 recs
YES
I’d take sweede.. yes i would
or connor
or king
wwowooww
by smashmouthsteel on Apr 26, 2008 8:11 PM EDT 0 recs
Groves
Jacksonville can have Groves. Obviously they were scared we would take him because we worked him out. He had heart surgery before the draft. Jacksonville drafts scared!!!
by TheCommish on Apr 26, 2008 8:15 PM EDT 0 recs
wow
i cant get over this.. holy shite.eeeesss
i love the d.. but to get a guy like plax.. im sure everyone remembers bens first year.. he would just huck that thing.. oh mannn
by smashmouthsteel on Apr 26, 2008 8:17 PM EDT 0 recs
Crazy Projections
I dont know about you guys but im drinking the kool aid so fierce down here.. im thinkin next year we could have the number 1 offense in the league on one big IF.. the O LINE.. if that line can come together.. can you freaking imagine?? im talking 1970s ish here.. big ben to hines. big ben to sweede.. big ben to santonio.. willie breaking 90 yard runs.. mendenhall crushing ppl.. heath miller catching touchdowns not even givin an F.. wow. .. just wow..
by smashmouthsteel on Apr 26, 2008 8:19 PM EDT 0 recs
psyched too
Oour offense is DANGEROUS. Love it. We’ll have lots of stuff coming on these two guys.
by Blitzburgh on
Apr 26, 2008 8:20 PM EDT
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Update soon
I’m SBN’s Texas blogger, an occasional writer here (see my Mendenhall post), and a HUGE Steelers fan.
Limas is one of my all-time favorite ‘Horns.
I’ll fill everyone in shortly.
--PB--
by PB @ BON on Apr 26, 2008 8:21 PM EDT 0 recs
See above
PB, nice to see you over here. I wrote this to Blitzburgh a couple of minutes ago but I wanted you to see it as well.
Hey Blitzburgh, a friend and I started a CU blog last week and we would love to be a part of SBNation. If you get a chance would you mind asking your brother to check out our site?
Thanks.
by WoodrowWilson on
Apr 26, 2008 8:24 PM EDT
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big IF
I agree that Sweed makes us even more dangerous offensively, but that o-line is a big IF. Great value to get Sweed this late, but what about Tomlin’s comment about getting stronger/younger in the trenches. We better good plan for addressing the o-line and d-line on day 2.
by nycsteeler on Apr 26, 2008 8:24 PM EDT 0 recs
Deep
I think the draft is so deep though that we can get a lot of quality trenchers late.. I’m a huge fan of the O and D line. I think thats where it all starts.. I really think we can get some guys late and get down and dirty
by smashmouthsteel on Apr 26, 2008 8:27 PM EDT 0 recs
agreed
I thikn we can get some help in the DL in Rounds 3 and 4. Not as sure about the OL, but as we’ve been discussing, we do have lots of bodies along the OL, even if we haven’t figured out the perfect combination yet.
by Blitzburgh on Apr 26, 2008 8:28 PM EDT 0 recs
Who else had we been targeting along the DL that could be available in rounds 3 and 4
by WoodrowWilson on
Apr 26, 2008 8:29 PM EDT
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bryant or moore
could be options but both might be gone before our round 3 pick
by nycsteeler on
Apr 26, 2008 8:32 PM EDT
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picks???
I know we had 6 picks. we’ve used two.. can someone tell me what rounds our other picks are in???
by smashmouthsteel on Apr 26, 2008 8:51 PM EDT 0 recs
Thoughts???
So what are everyone’s thoughts on our picks to date??? excitement? dissapointment? confused??? what do you think?
by smashmouthsteel on Apr 26, 2008 8:58 PM EDT 0 recs
excitement!
Sure we still have needs, but we got two players that are not projects, were projected as high 1st rounders, and are good character, hard-working guys.
Our offense is going to be RIDICULOUS. If we improve the offensive line just a bit, either with an addition in this draft or by our incumbents just playing better, we’re going to be great on offense. And if Woodley and Timmons are ready to play, our defense should be young and nasty. I’m stoked, though still anxious to see if we can add some depth along the DL. That, to me, should be the #1 priority.
by Blitzburgh on
Apr 26, 2008 9:00 PM EDT
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Yes
I think everyone now is caught up in short term. What I think is that maybe we have addressed particular needs – but we have drafted great individual players. Looking long term maybe next year might not be our year for whatever reason. But we will have sweede and Mendenhall moving forward. I think we might be gearing up for a serious serious run of proportions we havent seen since 92,93,94,95 – thats what im up on. We did get the ring and weve been there. But I think we just might be pushing hard into the upper echelon right now. With a few more smart picks we can make some serious serious noise/
by smashmouthsteel on Apr 26, 2008 9:07 PM EDT 0 recs
getting excited
I’m getting more excited about our picks the more I think about it. As has been pointed out, we got guys with great talent who are also prototypical Steeler players—good character, hard working. They are definitely great picks for the long term. I do hope that we address some of our more immediate needs quickly in the next couple of rounds, though.
by nycsteeler on Apr 26, 2008 9:15 PM EDT 0 recs
good day
It seems like everyone is feeling pretty much the same that we would have liked to address our line needs but got really lucky with the players that some how fell into our laps. While we could have used some line help we definitely got excellent value for our picks.
by Vers on Apr 26, 2008 9:20 PM EDT 0 recs
Looks like our FA acquisitions
allowed us to go BPA at each point. And, they allowed us to get players that were great values at that position, especially Mendenhall. Sweed, like all of the other WRs, was up and down throughout the the time leading up to the draft. I saw that we passed on Pollak, which tells me that the FO is happy having Hartwig, and possibly Stapleton is the C of the future. It would be nice if Stapleton could step up and become a fixture for the next decade.
by WolfpackSteelersFan on Apr 26, 2008 9:20 PM EDT 0 recs
wow.
Maybe I should stop asking for all these BPA picks, eh? I can’t complain about any of the picks, except it’s now round 3 and we haven’t even glanced at the OL or DL. I hate the Jaguars. I wanted Groves. I’ll take Sweed in the second, though. I’m worried about Mendenhall. Of the three top RB’s, he was the most risky in my mind. Mayock said he might be the best in class, though, so who knows. I do know he doesn’t protect the ball very well, which really really annoys me about RB’s. I’m skeptical, but he may be a good value.
We’re still in good shape going forward. The only position we really need is DL, and those picks should be coming up soon. Trevor Laws was the only DT taken in the second and he’s a 4-3 guy, so there are a large number of 3-4 DE’s left. We should be able to grab one or 2 in the next few rounds. It’d still be nice to draft some OL’s, but apparently everyone else thinks so too. 8 OT’s in the first? Duane Brown? The Falcons trading up for Sam Baker? Geez…
One last note: we don’t seem to try to trade down very hard, this year or last.
by BadMaafala on Apr 26, 2008 9:23 PM EDT 0 recs
one last last note:
We’ve done ok so far, but if we don’t hit on our later picks, we are in really big trouble.
by BadMaafala on
Apr 26, 2008 9:25 PM EDT
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Mendenhall
I can tell you this about Mendenhall. I wouldn’t worry about the fumbling – really. The top guy for fumbling is McFadden if you can believe that. The thing that worries me about Rashard is that he didn’t start until last year, and that in previous years he couldn’t beat out a guy like Pierre Thomas (Saints) for the starting job. That might be good too though – he’s fresh and hasnt taken a beating like ray rice. I’m getting a hardon thinking about santonito and sweed wide – hines in the slot. Mendenhall and willie in the backfield with ben in a shotgun..sheeeiiittt
by smashmouthsteel on
Apr 26, 2008 9:29 PM EDT
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Need to hit on DL
but any OL that we draft now will be at least two years away from being ready for the NFL. Looks like we may be looking to work harder at locking up Starks to a longer deal before the season starts.
by WolfpackSteelersFan on
Apr 26, 2008 9:42 PM EDT
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Good picks
The Steelers did an excellent job with what they had. 2 picks which are 2 potential starters next season. I hope Hartwig is a good center, Timmons shows why he was a 1st round pick and Marvel Smith fully recovers from his back injury.
OK … I believe the Steelers Day 2 draftees will be picked from this lot (not any specific order):
D-line: DT Red Bryant of Texas A&M, DT/DE Dre Moore of Maryland, DE/DT Kendell Langford of Hampton.
LBs: Cliff Avril of Purdue, Shawn Crable of Michigan and Dan Connors of Penn State.
CBs: Charles Godfrey of Iowa, Zachary Bowman of Nebraska, Justin King of Penn State, and Antwaun Molden of Eastern Kentucky.
O-line: OG/OT Mike McGlynn of Pittsburgh, OT/OG Anthony Collins of Kansas, OG Drew Radovish of USC, OT Carl Nicks of Nebraska, OT Geoff Shwartz of Oregon, and OT Kirk Barton of Ohio State.
by TomlinEra on Apr 26, 2008 11:45 PM EDT 0 recs
who knows ...
who knows … the steelers might go after a free safety in which Charles Godfrey would be a great pick since he has experience at both safety and CB.
by TomlinEra on Apr 26, 2008 11:49 PM EDT 0 recs
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