Long Cold Off Season

If you're not in the mood for a ramble, leave now.

All others, follow me.

Well, it is just under two weeks until the NFL draft (What other draft would you be interested in?). I've been reading people's posts concerning the draft and I have to say I'm amazed at the time and effort that has been put into these predictions. Someone recently (Actually, two that I clearly remember) wrote quite a lot about how they were sick of ALL the mock drafts and overlapping opinions...After, apparently, reading every one of them. I for one have enjoyed them all, whether I agreed with them or not. My hat is off to those of you who took the time to compile your drafts, especially BigJ week in and week out.

After reading everyones opinions, reasons, justifications, disagreements, etc...I have come to my preference for a first round pick. And the selection is: Either Pouncey or Wilson. Way to make a decision, I know. While I think that corner is the position of most need, I think that Pouncey might be too good to pass up. Also, I have to think that Gay, Burnett, or what's-his-name might still have the ability to step up with another year under his belt, and a second round corner is still very good, if the coaches have their doubts too. Check out Pouncey though if you haven't already.

Please, don't anyone say the word "reach", I don't believe in the concept. If that is the player you need and he is not going to be there in the next round, then you take him. I know, some of you think taking a center in the first is sacrilege, but that went out the window when three centers were drafted in the first 50 players taken last year. I think that if you need him, you now have to take him when you're sure you can get him.

I haven't wanted to comment on Big StupidBen until I had watched and waited for a while. I think he will prevail at this point and I'm happy about that. There is a lot to think about here though. First, the outrage that everyone has expressed that this young man was intending to have sex in a club bathroom with a woman he didn't know. I say, "ehh, whatever. Young men will do that". Concerning the "Devil shirt": All I have to say is, "Wow, that was an ugly shirt". What do I think about him putting himself in a potentially bad situation? I have to say, "That's a tough one!" If we could see they were bad situations ahead of time, there would be not problem. So, now we are talking about "potentially" bad situations. That is a whole other can of worms. "Potentially" bad situations expand exponentially in number from just "Bad" situations. "Potentially" bad, could be anything. Going there could drive you crazy.

Sure, you say any girl willing to have sex in a club bathroom (I'm giving Ben the benefit of the doubt that he didn't lure her into the bathroom on the pretense of them both washing their hands and then suggest a little mutual touching) is a no-brainer "Potentially" bad situation (Disease, Craziness - whatever). I have to agree with that, but I'm a little (Okay, a lot) older than Ben.

Women reading this, you may not know this (but, I suspect you do): Young men love to have sex in strange places with strange women. Just a simple fact. Those of you who haven't done it, or wanted to do it, can express moral outrage here. Take your time, really get it out. If you must, comment on it below.

Another thought occurs to me: If you had given me 100 million ($100,000,000!) when I was his age, I don't know what I would have become. I was pretty much an idiot at that age. And I wasn't even famous! Or rich! I think the combination of the three would have done me in.

The only argument I can find here against Ben, other than if he actually did it, is why do other mega-rich mega-stars seem to stay out of these situations. It may come down to pure luck, or bad luck, plain and simple. It may not. In that case, Ben should be able to turn this thing around, if, he is so inclined. Otherwise, bad luck, can be a serious bitch to plan for.

So, for the most part, what I'm saying is: I have no moral outrage, shock or amazement that Ben got into the situation he got into. I have no position to expect him to behave any differently. I wish he would though. I would love for him to mature to be a real character guy. But those are just my expectations and aren't worth very much.

As for Santonio? I guess, he fits into the same explanation above. I'm not shocked he was out in a club. Rather, I would be shocked if a young man of his wealth wasn't out socializing. Unless he's married and she is at home tending the kids. We can't ask these guys to forego the pleasures of their labors because the "Potential" for others bad behavior, as the situation now appears to be.

I'm old enough, I have no interest in twitter, I thought, ever. But, if any of yinz know what Santonio twittered that has gotten others so upset, please tell me, so I can understand why there is talk of sending this guy packing. Not so interested I would even investigate signing up for Twitter.

For those of you who want a good song for your I-pod that you have never heard of, try: Voto Latino, by Molotov. If you like Low Rider by War, you should like this. Interesting sound.

I digress.

I don't know If I expressed it here, and I'm way too lazy to go-a-searchin', but I really thought that Willie Parker would do great under Mike Shanahan. I look for big things out of Willie. I wish him only the best.

I think it was Ed Bouchette who reported that Rooney voted for the overtime rule change "Reluctantly". How do you get a Rooney to do something "Reluctantly"? I thought the whole charm of the Rooneys was that they did what they thought was right. Maybe, they had to make a deal for something? Wonder what it would be?

I don't know how I feel about the overtime rule change. I see the points on both sides making sense. I've always thought, win the game in regular time and you don't have to worry about overtime. But, I may be leaning towards liking the whole filed goal and the other guy gets a chance thing. And, I may be leaning toward not liking the fact that if the first team makes a field goal then the second team only has to make a field goal to keep the game going. I think this could lead to injures, and injures haven't been very kind to the Steelers lately.

I loved Sean Payton's education, where in he learned that, no, in fact, he really has no real power when it comes to decisions in the NFL. Poor guy. I hope they're paying him enough to get over it. I didn't like the sneaky way the NFL did it, sending the coaches out to play golf and then voting. That felt like something Goddell, Jones and Kraft would cook up.

Hence forth, Goodell, Jones and Kraft will be known as, "The Axis of Evil".

Whoever reads this and has some musical talent, would you please re-record Jane's Addiction's song "Been Caught Steelin'" as "Been Caught Cheatin'" and send it to the Steelers to play during home games with the Hated Patriots. Please?

I think Philly will rue (Yes, I said it) the day they sent McNabb to their rivals. I think that I would not give Shanahan any help if he moved to my division. That being said, even Joe Gibbs couldn't do much with that franchise, so, until the owner is replaced, maybe there isn't that much to worry about from Washington.

Has anyone heard anything significant about the new offensive line coach? I mean, does he like his players? Does he think he NEEDS a new stud? What?

Okay, it's time for lunch and I think I have worn at your sanity.

Ramble out.

Go Steelers!