I Pity the Fool

Things are certainly slowing as free agency winds down and the draft is still a few weeks away. There's plenty to talk about though, and in between writing stuff for PFP 2006 and my real job, I'm about a week behind in Steelers-related news. (By the way, suggestions on story ideas -- particularly as they relate to the AFC North -- are welcome. I have a list of things I hope to get to, but I'm always interested in ripping off other people's stuff.)

First things first, Pittsburgh's in the process of having a parade of potential draftees make their way to the South Side for workouts. According to NFLDraftScout.com here's who has made the list to date:

Maurice Drew, RB, UCLA
Joseph Addai, RB, LSU
Charles Spencer, OG, Pittsburgh
Daniel Bullocks, S, Nebraska
Darnell Bing, S, USC
Demetrius Williams, WR, Oregon
Daryn Colledge, OT, Boise State
Jon Alston, OLB/S, Stanford
TJ Rushing, DB, Stanford

In the last week or so Drew has been getting a lot more pub, and while he was initially a late Day One pick, there are some corners of the internets that think he might go early-to-mid in the second round. He's only 5'6", but he's the best punt returner in the draft, and he can catch passes coming out of the backfield. In Wexell's daily draft update he talked about both Drew and Addai on Wednesday and safeties Daniel Bullocks and Donte Whitner (who's also scheduled to visit even though it's not mentioned above) on Tuesday. By the way, I'm convinced Don Banks is back on the crack pipe. Mock drafts are easy to make fun of by their very nature, but Banks really outdoes himself. He has Whitner going 18th to the Cowboys -- which very well may be the case -- but he offers this description:

"Whitner is a newcomer to our board, but the Buckeyes junior has risen on the strength of a pair of blazing 40s (4.37 and 4.39) during Ohio State's pro day ..."

Uh, along with Michael Huff, and Jason Allen, Whitner has been the top safety in the draft since about February 6 according to most people with a pulse. The fact that Banks has him shooting up the board based on two 40-times is insane. But hey, we're talking about Don Banks here, so what can you do.

WR Demetrius Williams, who's also slated to visit the Steelers, is considered a 2nd-3rd round guy in most draft publications, but he's a step below Jackson, Holmes and Moss (although Mayock's a big fan). I know player visits don't necessarily indicate what a team might do come draft day, but if the above list is any indication, it seems like the Steelers are serious about RB, S, OL, and WR. This isn't really earth-shattering news, but guys like Addai and Drew will probably last until 32 but not through 64; probably the same for Bullocks and Bing too; Williams, Alston, Colledge and Spencer could be around at 64 (and maybe into the third as well). Rushing made a name for himself at Stanford's pro day and in addition to being really fast, he's apparently a special teams demon.

I have no idea, but if the Steelers take either Rushing or Penn State's Ethan Kilmer, it could be curtains for Sean Morey. Like I said, I have no insight into what Pittsburgh might do, but this is the same team that cut Mike Schneck because he was going to make a half million (or whatever the veteran minimum would've been). Morey's scheduled to make $712K in 2006 (and I don't think he's even signed his offer sheet yet), and that's three rookie minimum deals right there. We'll see.

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Well, just like Joe Bendel reported (of course it was on the radio, but at this point we'll give him credit -- he needs all the help he can get), the Steelers are trying to get Ike signed to a long-term deal.

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Okay, this is pretty funny. And this is pathetically familiar. I used to spend a lot of time ridiculing Fatty Arbuckle, but what's the use? It's exactly what he wants and it draws attention to the fact that he appeals to the lowest common denominator and distracts us from the real issue: he's morbidly obese, and more importantly, he sucks.

Alrighty, back to the grind, and seriously, if anybody has any AFC North story ideas, now's your chance to give free advice that won't be attributed to you if used.