Alright guys so I've thought about this year's draft for the Steelers in about a dozen different ways, and throughout my travels on the internet I have seen much of the same for us when it comes to mock drafts. So in an attempt to mix things up a bit, this time I'm going to try and give you somewhat of a unique look at what I think could happen late next week during the 2011 NFL Draft. It'll still be relatively conventional in the sense that it will address the bigger needs of the team --OL and CB -- but a couple of the picks may be a little off the beaten path. Let's get to it. Feedback welcomed and appreciated.

Round 1, Pick 31: Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia

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Many thanks to Tim for this profile. Whoever gets Acho in this year's Draft is going to be quite pleased. He's got one heck of a motor, and he's arguably the highest character guy out there. -Michael B. -

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Sam Acho Player Profile:

Ht: 6'2"

Wt: 262 lbs

Date of Birth: 9/6/1988 

Projected Position: Backup/Rotational OLB-Potential Replacement for Harrison/Woodley

Collegiate Stats:

Background:

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Last week was a very challenging week for yours truly. By Saturday, I knew I had to end it on a fairly good note. With that in mind, I decided to take in my first arena football game.  Pittsburgh's new arena football team, the Pittsburgh Power, was playing a home game against the Jacksonville Sharks at the new Consol Energy Center. I figured it would be a good way to get my football fix AND see the brand-new arena.

(Photo credit: David Kelly, owner of NewEndProductions...Many  thanks to Kelly for agreeing to let BTSC use one of his photos from Saturday's game. New End Productions on Facebook. - Michael B.- )

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No word from PCISteeler so I'll go ahead and make a selection for the New York Giants at No. 52. I know PCI is a North Carolina resident, so hopefully he and his family are safe in the aftermath of the string of tornadoes that swept throughout the region recently. Next up: the Indianapolis Colts, represented by barnerburner. - Michael B. -

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You may not have heard his name much, if at all, this draft season, but he's a guy that I think might be quietly shooting up draft boards. He's Mason Foster, middle linebacker from the University of Washington. I have had a chance to watch Foster play a fair amount since I moved up to Seattle two college football seasons ago. He's a tackling machine and a legitimate leader -- a necessary trait for ILB/MLBs.

Foster's tackle total last season (163) was the highest total for a Pac-10 player since 1989. That impressive number is also more than guys like Patrick Willis, A.J. Hawk and Rolando McClain had in their final season in college. Foster also led the conference in tackles as a sophomore in '08 (105). Tackle stats don't always tell the whole story of a player's impact, but Foster also showed his versatility while being utilized in different ways over the course of his four years at UW. He rushed the passer fairly well (7 sacks as a senior), and he showed a nose for the football by forcing six fumbles and picking off three passes during his junior season.

I know that we had the Giants selecting Akeem Ayers in the first round, but I personally wouldn't have gone with a pass rushing OLB in the first round, and instead tried to nab a solid OL or CB prospect. Even so, Foster I think would provide a solid upgrade over Jonathan Goff at MLB for the Giants.

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It’s no secret that one of the Steelers biggest needs heading into the 2011 NFL draft is acquiring help along the offensive line, particularly at the right guard spot. It’s been a revolving door at the position, with sub-par to average play from the likes of Trai Essex, Ramon Foster, and Doug Legursky.

Everyone in Steeler Nation seems hell bent on getting Florida’s Mike Pouncey to play alongside his twin brother Maurkice. While that would be an ideal situation, the fact remains that unless the Steelers are willing to trade up to get him, then they’ll need to wait to the second or third rounds before filling their need at RG. One player that could fit the bill in the middle rounds, is Will Rackley, a prospect from tiny local Lehigh College that has been gaining quite a bit of momentum throughout the draft process.

Will Rackley

Height: 6’3"
Weight: 309lbs.
40 time: 5.39secs
Bench: 29reps
Arms: 33.25in

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In case you missed the news, the NFL released the 2011 schedule earlier on Tuesday evening. John Stephen, the trusty helping hand that he is, provided some of his initial commentary about the Pittsburgh Steelers regular season schedule. As did many of you in the comment section. I'd like to share my initial reactions to the 16-game (hopefully) gauntlet that the six-time Super Bowl champs will negotiate next fall and winter, including my response to some of you all's thoughts. First though, here's the schedule again to reference easily and for those of you who may be seeing it for the first time.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2011 NFL Schedule

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And it's out. The 2011 NFL Schedule has been released just a few short minutes ago. Let's take a look at who the six-time Super Bowl champions are scheduled to play this coming season....provided there is a season.

Preliminary thoughts: That is a brutal start to the season with 3 games on the road and 3 playoff teams in the first 4 games.  Starting against the Ravens is probably the dumbest thing the NFL can do, considering how highly rated those games are.  You would think they would want to put those at the end of the season.  That way you have great games near the end and two teams that are always fighting for the division.  Moreover, I cannot wait for that Seahawks game.  I have been yearning for another game against them since all that whining from XL.  We have back to back games in week 3 and 4 against two teams that can pass really well.  It looks very plausible to me to start the season 1-3.  The end of the season looks a lot easier than the start with 5 games in a row against teams that did not break .500.

What do you all think?

A tip of the cap to Bringin' the Wood(ley) for the solid writeup and pick at No. 51 for Tampa Bay.  Having played his college ball here in Pittsburgh, I imagine a number of you had a chance to see Sheard play a fair amount in recent years. Next up: the New York Giants, represented by PCISteeler. - Michael B. -

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In the second round, after taking an Offensive Tackle in the first, the Bucs will be looking to shore up their putrid pass-rush, which ranked T-30th in 2010. I think drafting a strong, quick defensive end would be the perfect piece to their defense, especially after taking 2 DT's with their first 2 picks of the draft in 2010. Here is an excerpt from my first round write-up: "I really wanted to take a DE here, most likely Adrian Clayborn, but this draft is incredibly deep at the position, and I think with their second round the Bucs will be able to nab a guy like Jabaal Sheard or Clayborn's teammate Christian Ballard..."
 

Well, as it turns out, this draft went about as well as I could have guessed it, and both Sheard and Ballard are available at this point. After doing a lot of number crunching (from Combine and Pro Day performances, watching a limited amount of game tape and reading analysts reviews, the choice was still very difficult. Jabaal Sheard had a great career at Pitt, playing opposite of Greg Romeus, and he excelled after filling Romeus' shoes after he suffered multiple injuries. Ballard was a very solid member of a stout Iowa defense, but was overshadowed by his counterpart Adrian Clayborn. I also looked at guys like Allen Bailey from Miami, and Pierre Allen from Nebraska, but I was still convinced my choice would come down to either Sheard or Ballard.

With that being said, with the 51st pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select...

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