I've always been a big fan of Fast Willie Parker. A free agent that languished on the bench in college Parker was taken under the wing/wheel of The Bus and developed into a Pro Bowl starting RB on the Division Champion Steelers. Oh, and Parker has a Super Bowl ring and longest Super Bowl TD run in history to his credit too.

What is a real bonus and must make Bettis proud is that Parker appears to be a Pro Bowl teammate as well. Ed Bouchette writes in todays Post Gazette that Parker took 1st Round Pick Rashard Mendenhall under his wing. Mendenhall says Parker will teach him "How to be a Professional. He is showing me how to work, how to carry yourself as a professional and as a man."

We know Hines is a leader. We all know Big Ben had risen to leadership. For those wondering who else would replace the Bettis, Porter and Faneca's in the locker room FWP has stepped up.

Hey there fellow BTSC contributors. Thank you to everyone that participates. I really enjoy the Blog and the insightful opinions expressed. I even appreciate the posts that I might not agree with just because I like to hear all sides.

A HUGE Thank you to Blitzburgh for giving us all a place to come and expound our profound wisdom on football. Blitz, I'm sure you put in a ton of work in site maintenance and the payback is minimal.

It came to light recently that BLITZ HAS YET TO TAKE IN A STEELERS GAME in person. I have decided that I am starting a Send Blitzburgh to Pittsburgh Fund (or any other NFL city of his choosing) to see the Steelers in 2008. I am starting the the fund with a $50 donation. I understand everyone is at different places in life and am not pushing anyone. If you can send $5 or $1 it will all add up if there are 20 or 30 or hundreds of contributors. Maybe you have a free airline flight coupon or a free night at a Best Western or a couch in Pittsburgh for Blitz to crash on for a night or two? What about a loose sister in a city the Steelers are playing?

Please send a note with your offering or a check made out to CASH to the BTSC World HQ c/o;

SEND BLITZBURGH TO PITTSBURGH
100 E. 51ST STREET SUITE 10
AUSTIN TX 78751

On the first day NFL teams are aloud to look at potential draft picks the Steelers met with WVU DL Keilen Dykes (6-5 296) and UM DL Dre Moore (6-4 311) at Steelers HQ on the North Side.
The Steelers are desperate for help on the defensive and offensive lines. These two athletes had to have Professor LeBeau salivating. What's the take on these guys?

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette is reporting Steelers LB James Harrison was arrested for simple assault and criminal mischief on Saturday in connection with his girlfriend. Harrison was released that night.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08068/863752-100.stm

Hopefully this issue is resolved and Harrison faces no penalty from the NFL. Most importantly I hope Harrison doesn't exhibit this type of off the field behavior again.

Bumped from the diaries. Insane day for me today and tomorrow so use this thread as for all the news that rolls off the press today and tomorrow when free agency opens at 12:01 am Firday morning.

-Blitz-

The Steelers tendered 1.4 million dollar offers to Nate Washington and Chris Kemoeatu. They tendered the lower 900K offers to Trai Essex and Greg Warren. They will get compensation if Nate or Kemo are signed elsewhere. Nate Washington is now making twice the money that Santonio Holmes will get in 08. As Myron Cope would say "Hmmm Haaa"