IX-At last, it is pretty much over. The last piece of the puzzle in terms of media speculation just happened with Ben Roethlsiberger accepting his suspension without any appeal and agreeing to change, and comply with the commissioners request. I have a feeling the Rooney's said accept and comply or we will ship you to Oakland. Roethlisberger agreed, so the black and silver dead end known as Oakland picked up Jason Campbell instead.
X- Those of you that watched the first round of the NFL draft in prime-time last week probably saw Zachary Hatfield announce the Steelers selection of Maurkice Pouncey with the 18th overall selection. The 15 year old Hatfield suffered a heart attack, which is extremely rare for a kid of that age, and was eventually diagnosed with Lukemia. The Steelers official website has the entire story of how Zachary's make a wish dream come true.
XIII-Steeler Fury has a nice article on why the Steelers were so excited about fourth round pick Thaddeus Gibson. No commentary needed from me, just read it. It's Good.
XIV-For those of you who might have missed ESPN's"Outside The Lines" "report" on Ben Roethlisberger, Yahoo's shutdown corner has an overview and some links to extra information on the "story." I had not even heard about the report until Sunday Morning when I stumbled onto ESPN and I figured I should at least give it a chance. I was willing to watch until the guy ESPN chose to trot out to rail against Ben's character was former closet pooper, Najah Davenport. Seriously ESPN? The best guy you could think of to slander Big Ben's character is the same guy that was charged with sneaking into a girls dorm and excreting human feces in her closet? Oh ya, and he was charged in 2007 "with domestic violence, child endangering and unlawful restraint in a custody-related confrontation with the mother of his 5-year-old son." Yet Davenport has the nerve to get on T.V. and talk about Ben Roethlisberger's reputation?
XL-Steelers Depot has picked up on a very odd rumor that former long-time Minnesota Viking, and current Baltimore Raven center, Matt Birk, could be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rumor is definitely unconfirmed and I just don't see at all how Birk fits into the short term or even long-term plans for the Steelers unless they are planning to dump Justin Hartwig. Birk got a three year 12 million dollar deal from the Ravens last season and while his contract is reasonable for 2011, it is still a hefty price to pay in 2010.
XLIII-Many of the BTSC faithful clamored for Mike Wallace to return kick-offs last season and to stop wasting a roster spot on Stefan Logan. After the draft this weekend, Logan's chances of getting a roster spot in Pittsburgh seem very slim especially considering the two speedy receivers they picked up in the draft and the fact that the Steelers appear to being looking to Mike Wallace to possibly contribute more in that area this season.