IX- Yesterday's big news was that the Steelers resigned a linebacker with the last name of Harrison, the bad news is it wasn't James Harrison, it was Arnold Harrison. Arnold signed a one year contract after spending the 2008 year on Injured Reserve. Harrison is expected to provide depth to the Steelers linebacking unit and also contribute on special teams.
X- More news on the Steelers offseason moves as they have re-signed Fernando Bryant to a one year contract, providing some extra depth in the secondary. Signing Bryant surely sends a signal that the Steelers front office and coaching staff are very confident in William Gay going into next season. I wonder if this will change Blitz's thinking about Deshea Townsend? And as was mentioned in the comments section by Chicago Steeler in the fanpost about Bryant's signing, perhaps this move gives Kevin Colbert and the front office the emergency depth necessary to take the best player available at a specific number of predefined positions.
XIII- A.Q. Shipley was brought in for a visit yesterday. The Penn State Center and 2008 Rimington Trophy winner is projected to be drafted anywhere from the 3rd round to the 6th round. He also happens to look a cabbage patch doll.
XIV- I.C. Light Beer has made some commemorative cans to celebrate the Steelers' sixth Super Bowl championship. The special edition cans can be purchased now at select beer distributors throughout the region. On another note, when is Pennsylvania going to get like the rest of the civilized world and sell beer at grocery and convenience stores?
XL- For all you college football fans, Charles Robinson from Yahoo Sports has put together his opinion on which colleges are the best pro football factories. It was interesting to me that not many current Steelers players came from his top schools. To me that signals a great job of scouting and evaluating talent by the Steelers scouting division and front office.
XLIII- The head athletic trainer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, John Norwig will be speaking at Penn State today at noon. He is going to be talking about his path to becoming a professional trainer. I will not be attending; instead I will be getting drunk on Guinness. So Happy St. Patrick's Day to all in Steeler Nation and everyone here at Behind the Steel Curtain!
Overtime: According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette the Steelers have resigned linemen Trai Essex to a two year, two million dollar deal. This move helps the Steelers with depth and further allows them to approach the draft without any glaring major needs.