THE STEELERS 2008 DRAFT
With the loss of their veteran offensive lineman Alan Faneca to free agency at the beginning of this year, the Steelers were expected to use their important first round choice in this year’s NFL draft on a replacement.
With seven tackles taken in the first round of this year’s NFL draft before Pittsburgh were on the board, the Steelers were forced to look elsewhere and opted to strengthen other areas on offense.
Value was the name of the game and the Steelers certainly made sure they found that. In Illinois running back, Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers found a back with a player projected to be picked higher in round one , t he Steelers selected.
Mendenhall has been brought in to complement Willie Parker, who is at his best when used diligently. With his low centre of gravity, Mendenhall has the potential for gaining those tough yards that the Steelers struggled with last year.
If you are going to pay your quarterback $100 million plus over his career, then you might as well encourage his dreams by providing him with the tall wide receiver he has desired since Plaxico Burress left in 2005.
At nearly 6 feet 4, Limas Sweed of Texas became the Steelers' tallest wide receiver after he became their second round choice. Once again, the Steelers obtained a player that they thought would have been taken before their 53 rd overall pick.
Perhaps the real surprise for Steelers’ fans was the selection of quarterback Dennis Dixon. Out of the same mould as Kordell “Slash” Stewart, perhaps he is intended to be another weapon in Ben Roethlisberger’s expanding armoury.
The Steelers’ draft has been rated a B+ with the fans on the NFL’s web site, with only two other teams scoring an A (Kansas and Miami.) That’s a fair assessment of how the Steelers should improve this season.
They will need all the help that they can get faced with next season’s tough schedule.
STEELERS 2008 SCHEDULE
September 7th vs Houston, 1 p.m.
September 14th at Cleveland, 8:15 p.m.
September 21st at Philadelphia, 4:15 p.m.
September 29th vs Baltimore, 8:30 p.m.
October 5th at Jacksonville, 8:15 p.m.
October 12th BYE WEEK
October 19th at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
October 26th vs New York Giants, 4:15 p.m.
November 3rd at Washington, 8:30 p.m.
November 9th vs Indianapolis, 4:15 p.m.
November 16th vs San Diego, 4:15 p.m.
November 20th vs Cincinnati, 8:15 p.m.
November 30th at New England, 4:15 p.m.
December 7th vs Dallas, 4:15 p.m.
December 14th at Baltimore, 1 p.m.
December 21st at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
December 28th vs Cleveland, 1 p.m.
