Steelers/NFL
*Kevin Colbert met the media last Friday and claimed the Steelers were a 9-7 team in 2009 and can add depth at just about every position expect Quarterback.
Colbert was right on the mark but for the first time in years, wide receiver won’t be an area of focus in the first three rounds.
In the last three of out four drafts, the Steelers have taken a wide receiver in round 1 (2006), round 2 (2008) and round 3 (2009).
While Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward and Mike Wallace have solidified their positions on the depth chart, all eyes for the second straight off-season will be on wide out Limas Sweed.
Sweed who mysteriously left the team in early December has not been written off by the Steelers organization and will be brought back by the team.
However, entering his third season, it will clearly be a make or break year for the once highly regarded wide out.
The Steelers have yet to give an official reason on why Sweed left the team but it is known that Sweed was not injured.
Those close to Sweed claim the personal issues that hindered Sweed are now behind him and he is currently working out in Texas as he prepares for OTA’s in a few months.
Steelers sign Pittman and Williams
The Steelers added depth to their offseason roster by signing cornerback David Pittman and linebacker Renauld Williams, it was announced today.
Pittman (5-11, 185) was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round (87th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Northwestern State. He played in seven games in two seasons with the Ravens and posted two interceptions in 2007 before being placed on the Reserve/Injured List and waived following training camp. He then spent a part of the 2008 season on the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans active roster.
Williams (6-0, 228) was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2004 out of Hofstra University. Williams has played in seven NFL career games, including two with the Miami Dolphins in 2004 and five with the San Francisco 49ers in 2005 and 2006. In his NFL career, he has recorded six tackles (three solo). Williams played in the CFL from 2007-2009 for the Saskatchewan Rough Riders, recording 97 tackles, 29 special teams tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble and one interception for a touchdown.
Draft Buzz
*The first step for the Steelers establishing a more consistent power running game may not be the need for a fullback but the need for a second string blocking tight end to team with Heath Miller.
Matt Spaeth is more of a liability than an asset and the Steelers need to find a Jerame Tuman type of tight end, whether it be in free agency or in the draft.
Contract Talks
*I’m told The Steelers feel that the contract Oakland Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski is going to sign, won’t hinder their ability to re-sign Jeff Reed.
The growing consensus is that a deal will be agreed upon before March 5th as there continues to be mutual interest from both sides to get a deal finalized before the end of the scouting combine.
*Joe Turner the agent for Ryan Clark is saying all the right things, that he believes the Steelers are going to take care of his client.
However, the likelyhood of the Steelers offering the kind of money that Clark can get on the open market is slim.
While the Steelers are highly interested in re-signing Clark, Turner believes that Clark will field offers higher than what Miami Dolphins safety Gibril Wilson (5 years -$27.5 million) signed for last season.
The Steelers may be willing to go $2.75 million – $3.25 million per season in base pay. It’s expected that Clark will test free agency and give the Steelers an opportunity to come close.
If Clark receives the type of interest that some expect him too, the Steelers will move on to cheaper targets.
