No. 1 pick Maurkice Pouncey adds position flexibility to the Steelers O-line

PITTSBURGH -- Position flexibility has always been crucial for players since Mike Tomlin took over as the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, and 2010 No. 1 pick Maurkice Pouncey certainly falls into that category.

The 6-foot-4, 304-pound Pouncey, 21 July 24, played center the past two years at Florida and was a right guard as a freshman. Tomlin believed he would be a guard with the Steelers, initially, and then possibly move to center.

Even though the Steelers have had an excellent history with centers -- including Ray Mansfield, Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, Jeff Hartings and now Justin Hartwig from Super Bowl teams -- this is the first center they've drafted No. 1 since 1941. The last offensive lineman the Steelers took in the first round was guard Kendall Simmons in 2002.

"He's a guy who we've viewed as an interior offensive lineman with position flexibility,'' Tomlin said. "Like Kevin stated, he started at right guard as a true freshman and then spent the past two years as a center.

"He's a young guy ... with a great deal of experience playing high-quality ball in the SEC. He's the type of player and has the type of demeanor that we covet. He's a physical guy. He's football smart, and we're excited about having him.''

The Steelers interviewed Pouncey at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and also watched at him at Florida's Pro Day. Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said that he while calls had come in concerning trading the pick, the Steelers were so impressed with Pouncey that they quickly selected him.