Just ATuesday Ramble

A lot has been written about the Steelers needing either a corner or an offensive lineman in this draft. I was just thinking about picking an offensive lineman and the role Sean Kugler plays. So far, he has done pretty good. I mean, the first offensive lineman the steelers picked with him as the offensive line coach was a rookie pro bowler. That gives me high hopes for the future of picking offensive linemen.

How does that concept, the one where the position coach plays a key role in finding the draftee, come into play when Tomlin is considering a new secondary coach? I don't know, but I hope it plays a role. Which leads me to this question for those of you guys that know: Was Ray Horton a good secondary coach? The Steelers didn't seem to be too good at picking corners the last few years.

If you head on over to Steelers.com, there are a couple of quick hit articles (They don't do any other kind) about Mike Tomlin. There are a couple of interesting little tidbits in there and as they don't take very long to read, I recommend you give them a minute or two.

It seems the new speculation is that Ike Taylor will be getting the transition tag. This seems like a no-brainer to me. There is no way the Steelers can afford to loose Ike, I don't care what Tomlin's philosophy is about "The standard is the standard". If we lose Ike, the standard will be much lower. I think it might be wise to dust off the "I like Ike" campaign signs and march around in front of the Stelers' office just to let them know, even the fans know how much Ike means to the team, not to mention how popular he is.

Well, Champ Bailey was signed to stupid money. I think an overpriced signing like that shows that the Broncoshave turned into a desperate team since the release of Shannahan (SP?). Are they taking lessons from Al Davis? Here's something else I don't get: Why would you sign a coach who is responsible for his last team getting the first pick in the draft? I digress. As Mr. Stephens wrote in his Daily Six, this signing of Bailey will not bode well for the Steelers picking up a quality CB in free agency. But more to the point, how will it affect the resigning of Ike?

Wait a minute, what WAS Champ getting paid? Doesn't the 30% rule apply to him? So, he couldn't have gotten more than a 30% raise, right? So how much was he getting paid?

I would like to revisit the delusional world of superstition for a minute. You see, I may have caused the Steelers to lose the Super Bowl. Yes, I said it. It night have been me. Over the last few years, I have discovered that the Steelers don't do well when I wear any Steelers apparel or have my Terrible Towel out. So, for the Super Bowl, I had everything tucked away nice and safe. Only, my buddy wanted to see my ski boots. Without thinking I got them down off the self, removing the hats that were piled on them. Also without thinking, I may have touched a Steelers hat. So now you know, it might have been me. My bad.

Now that Aaron Smithis going to be healthy to start next year, who are the starting defensive ends? Aaron is "Injury prone" as of late, but still one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the business, if not the best. Do you start Ziggy to keep Aaron fresh for the end of the game and the season, or do you start Aaron and hope he doesn't get hurt? If you do start Aaron, when do you bring in Ziggy? Is one better at stopping the run and one better at the pass rush? Can the Steelers afford to pay three defensive ends starting money? At this point, I think "Starter" is just a tittle you apply to the guy who is in the position for the first snap of the game.

Everyone likes to say that the biggest leap in performance for a receiver is between the first and second year. Man, the Steelers receiving core is going to be scary good. Put Ward, Miller, Wallace, Sanders and Brown on the field at the same time, and watch the defense try and cover them. What if the offensive line gets better in pass protection? Oh my. Add in Mendy's probable increase in production if the line gets better. The Steelers just went to the Super Bowl and their offense wasn't even as good as it can be. Nice thought.

So the Steelers franchised Woodley, does that affect Harrison? Is it more or less money than Harrison? Can the Steelers afford to pay that kind of money to both OLB's? I've heard it both ways: The Steelers will develop Worilds and let Woodley go next year, and that they can't live without him. Personally, I say do what they have to do to keep Woodley. I like the fact that he has never - not once - opened his mouth or said a negative thing about his contract or the negotiations. I think Worilds would have to be phenomenal to replace Woodley, both on the field and in our hearts.

Any of you lawyers reading this, answer me this: If the purpose of the union decertifying, as I have seen written several places, is to pursue antitrust litigation against the NFL, what is that antitrust litigation seeking to change? If the antitrust litigation is successful, how will it change the NFL? In five thousand small words or less please.

You have to know the Bengals can't cave to Palmers demands. If they do, they will never get another player to stay there again. If you let one player out, there will be a stampede. I always thought the Bengals hired low character guys because they were cheap, but I now realize it is because they can't get any quality guys to consider going there. On the bright side, Carson might make a good broadcaster. Good luck Carson.

I was trying to think of something new to do with Punxsutawney Polamalu and it hits me, f**k Steely McBeam!, Punxy should be the Steelers mascot.

Lastly, a fun question for you readers: I'm always amazed at how many participants we have from far an wide on BTSC, so I'm wondering, which of you lives the farthest from Heinz field, in miles. ESGB? No?

Okay, I'm out of babel for the day.

GO STEELERS!