Steelers Get "Big Play Waiting To Happen" in Wheaton

"I think I can go 4.3." - Markus Wheaton in his introduction conference call with the Pittsburgh Steelers after being selected 79th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft Friday night.

Do you think they purposely selected a player with the initials "M.W.?" In the third round? Also with (supposed) 4.3 speed? But, I digress...

It wasn't who we at If It Ain't Steel wanted, we lobbied hard for West Virginia's Stedman Bailey, but Wheaton still was one of the ones we highlighted as a possibility. His speed was one reason - he ran a 4.45/40 at the NFL Combine, but is confident enough to tout the above - as was his penchant for the big play.

Of him in that article we wrote, "At 6'0", 182 pounds, Wheaton isn’t the biggest receiver in the draft class, but he’s a heck of a playmaker. He’s been compared to Antonio Brown for his ability to break plays open and to run the ball on reverses. Or as CBSSports.com simply puts it, "he's a big play waiting to happen." - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY_G2PWoTMw&feature=youtu.be

The league is all about offense now, and Roethlisberger is good, but he can not do it alone. It was definitely time to get Big Ben the weapons that will fit the offense and help make this offense one of the better in the league. The big plays that will add points to the scoreboard. Wheaton adds to that. Plus, that "big play waiting to happen" is now going to be waiting at the Confluence this fall. And he believes he can play both in the slot and outside.

"I envision myself anywhere....I feel I can produce outside, Wheaton said. He emphasized that a little later by saying that he likes "being all over the place." - http://tinyurl.com/bo3rzsw

Wheaton is a track-trained deep threat who was disappointed at the NFL Combine by "only" running the time previously mentioned. And Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley says that he plays faster - runs routes and makes cuts faster - than that time. As is evidenced by 11 touchdowns in his 91 receptions in 2012 - that's one score just over every eight catches.

Quite a change from the days when true Steeler greats at wide receiver graced the Steel City. Hall of Fame wide receiver John Stallworth garnered just 45 receptions in his first three years. Wheaton had one more than twice that in one college season. Emmanuel Sanders had one fewer last season alone. This is a passing league and weapons are needed, and Wheaton is a weapon.

Per Scouts, Inc. (Gary Horton), some of his attributes include the fact that he is a "quick-twitched and sudden athlete. Fast starter that can eat up cushion. Flashes ability to burst out of break. But can be a bit tight getting in and out of cuts. Does not separate as well as he should on some intermediate routes, but does show ability to throttle quickly from top speed when running comebacks. Impressed with his head and shoulder fakes, and is doing a much better job in 2012 of changing speeds to set up routes."

And as we all know, with great talent comes great responsibility (or something like that), and he's a high-character guy who was voted team captain in 2012.

He's exciting with the ball in his hands and he's tough. He may not be our original choice for a receiver at this position, but his abilities can't be denied.

~

TIDBITS: "Who does Ben Roethlisberger credit with helping turn him into QB he is today? It may come as a surprise." (No, it won't.) - http://sulia.com/channel/pittsburgh-steelers/f/a96aa4d1-6d07-4747-b493-fc96d219e86e/?source=twitter

~

The first day of class for Steelers' rookies, as their minicamp practices commence Friday.

From Friday, May 3rd through Sunday, May 5th, the players go through non-contact drills, sort of like New England Patriots defense in 2012, as the CBA prevents players from wearing pads.

Steelers Select Jarvis Jones In The First Round, What Now?

by Jayden and Jason

Ok, so it wasn't safeties Kenny Vaccaro or Eric Reid. If It Ain't Steel never hid the fact that we felt safety should have been the first pick, but outside linebacker was also a true need. So, Georgia product Jarvis Jones it is. Welcome, Mr. Jones.

The only reasons we weren't originally high on him is because the Steelers need help now, this year, and no linebacker has ever started as a rookie in defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's system. Also because of the medical condition, Spinal Stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal column that causes pressure on the spinal cord, or narrowing of the neural foramina where spinal nerves leave the spinal column), being a potential problem. Not because of a bad Pro Day showing where he ran a 4.9 in the 40-yard dash.

The Steelers medical staff cleared Jones and therefore weren't deterred when it came to zeroing in on him.

"There was no problem," said Steelers GM Kevin Colbert about Jones' medical reports. "The kid has played two seasons without an issue at the University of Georgia. Of course, he has to go through a physical (at the Combine), and just to be sure we made another check when he came in (for his predraft visit). Certainly we're very comfortable with his medical status, or we wouldn't have made that pick. - http://tinyurl.com/d7g86k9

The Pro Day results didn't deter them, either. In fact, it encouraged them and, when the time came, the Steelers virtually ran to the podium to select Jones at No. 17. They were elated that Jones dropped that far partially because of both of those concerns.

"When he ran the 4.9, we were happy," Colbert stated. "We knew we had a chance. We didn't even talk to Jarvis at the combine because we didn't think we had a chance."

However, per Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac, another one of the main reasons they were targeting the 6'2 1/2" 245-pound Jones was because "they knew there was a big dropoff in edge rushers after him."

"This kid, when you watch him play, I don't care what he runs," Colbert continued. "He's a football player in every phase of the game, and that's what was really exciting." - http://tinyurl.com/blzzb9n

Jones himself is seemingly happy to be in the Steel City and stated so with a succinct tweet:


He also said that he isn't coming in to replace departed OLB James Harrison, whom he called "a beast," saying that "I've got a long work to get to James Harrison."

He compares himself to Harrison, though, in that he's also 'relentless, passionate and a playmaker.' He also called Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor a "mentor" and said that they trained together.

"Ike is one of my best mentors and we train together," said Jones. "He just talked about how great the program is and what their defense means up there. It means a whole lot. They take pride in what they do." - http://tinyurl.com/d9rhzah

That means he's a client of Tom Shaw at his World Wide Sports Complex in Florida. As is well known, Ike and fellow cornerback William Gay work with Shaw every offseason, and CB Cortez Allen is now a client as well.

So Jones is in good company and is starting off on a good foot.

Now that the first round is out of the way, it’s time to look at rounds two and three. Think wide receiver and safety tonight. We're not sold that they "absolutely must draft a running back before today ends," as Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette put it. A quality back can be gotten in round four as well. Texas A&M's Christine Michael and UCLA's Johnathan Franklin very well could be available. The only way it becomes necessary is if, as Bouchette also pointed out, "since none was taken in the first round....There also likely will be a run on them, so they will go fast."

If so, then go ahead and take one today. The Steelers backfield is in need of an every-down back. The only way they don't go after one at all is if they're still interested in free agent runner Ahmad Bradshaw who has now been fully medically cleared. - http://tinyurl.com/cladrza

They have to get a safety, there is absolutely no depth or viable experience behind Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark, and wide receiver is high on the priority list also. Safety first, because there only a few high-quality players remaining, whereas there are several wide receivers still available.

Below is Mike Mayock’s top 20 remaining available players:
1. Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
2. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
3. Jonathan Cyprien, FS, Florida International
4. Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
5. Tank Carradine, DE, Florida State
6. Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
7. Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State
8. Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
9. Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
10. Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame
11. Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
12. Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
13. Keenan Allen, WR, California
14. D.J. Swearinger, SS, South Carolina
15. Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
16. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
17. Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
18. Cornelius Washington, OLB, Georgia
19. Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
20. Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina

While several of those will still be around when the Steelers pick in the second round, the italicized players are those that we want or think that the Steelers might target. That doesn't include players they brought in for pre-draft visits or whose Pro Day's were attended, such as Oregon State wide receiver Markus Wheaton, Michigan State running back Le'Veon Bell, USC wide receiver Robert Woods, Georgia free safety Bacarri Rambo and West Virginia wide receiver Stedman Bailey.

Both ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper and Scouts Inc. project the Steelers to select strong safety D.J. Swearinger next. The only concern is that he doesn't have ideal speed, 4.67/40 at the NFL Combine, but Swearinger is intimidating and fits the Steelers' mold of safety.

We'll see very soon as the draft weekend continues.

The Steelers Options For Wide Receivers Are Wide Open

Now that the Pittsburgh Steelers have Emmanuel Sanders and Steve McLendon signed to contracts (see TIDBITS for McLendon's contract and his impact), they've secured depth at both the wide receiver and defensive line positions, but the move also likely impacted the team’s draft plans.

Without Sanders, the Steelers would have been bereft at wideout with only Antonio Brown, Jerricho Cotchery and Plaxico Burress, a lineup that wouldn't scare anyone. So the drafting of a wide receiver early is essential.

With Sanders, the Steelers are a better team, yes. Production, however, must now increase. Per Pro Football Focus, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's passer rating when throwing at Sanders in 2012 was just 79.6, below Brown, Mike Wallace and Cotchery. A season of 60 receptions, 800 yards and four touchdowns isn't setting the bar too high.

The other wide receivers currently listed on the roster are David Gilreath, Kashif Moore, Derek Moye and Bert Reed. But those names aren't going to scare anyone, either. As it stands, Brown is the team's No. 1, Sanders would be the No. 2 and Cotchery would be the No. 3 receiver. Even with Burress as your No. 4, it still leaves room for the drafting of one or possibly even two WRs to push, challenge and maybe surprise.

There are a baker's dozen or so who would fit what the Steelers are looking to do in their offense. Either a multi-threat WR/KR guy, or a red zone threat who can also take the top off of the defense. We list 10 below whom we feel are some of the Steelers' best options and ones who could have an impact in their first season:

(ASIDE: We've written ad nauseum about the West Virginia product, the four-year starter, the "they call me Mr. Austin in Oklahoma" wide receiver known as Tavon Austin, so we won't tarry here. We'll simply provide a link to a previous piece we wrote on him that contains a breakdown of "the Awesome one." - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/03/do-recent-pro-day-visits-indicate-who.html)

KEENAN ALLEN -
Ignore his Pro Day times, he was still nursing a PCL injury that affected his performance. Per Allen himself via CBSSports.com, he was "only about 85% back." He's a true football player who goes and gets the ball with conviction. Also per NFL.com analyst Mike Mayock, who timed Allen at 4.71 and 4.75, Allen shouldn't be judged on that and the talk of safeties repeatedly running him down from behind.

"Let me preface the whole 40-yard conversation with this," Mayock told NFL Network's "Path to the Draft." "Three months ago, I said -- if you watch this kid on tape -- if you like him, he's Anquan Boldin. If you don't like him, he's speed-deficient. So I don't really care what he runs in the 40. On tape, to me, he's a 4.55 guy all day long." - http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1737096

ROBERT WOODS -
As If It Ain't Steel said before of Woods, "he definitely has his upside, but there are also concerns."

Woods underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle in December 2011, though he looked mostly healthy throughout the 2012 season, but his long-term stability will still be under scrutiny if there is any issue with his ankles. Despite this, he's still climbing the draft boards.

He is 6'1" and 185 lbs. with sub 4.4 speed, runs a 21.07 in the 200 meters and 46.02 in the 400 meters and has true separation ability. He would be a very good replacement for Mike Wallace in that he has similar scoring-threat speed, but is a better route runner and has slightly better hands. He tends to rely on his speed a little too much in order to make plays, but, well, that didn't exactly impede Wallace, did it? - http://youtu.be/IVMbjxKZyK8



DEANDRE HOPKINS -
Though he may currently be on Hotel.com's most wanted list, he's still one of the best wideouts at the top of the draft.

Hopkins is so creative in how he's able to deceive defensive backs with head fakes, then he combines his solid route-running ability with his length, fluidity, quickness and flexibility to avoid corners in zone or to gain separation. "Nuuuk" is smooth. - http://youtu.be/13cTixvMEos

JUSTIN HUNTER -
Tall and fluid, Hunter locates the ball well and makes sure he gets it. He completely believes every ball is should be his. He has big, strong hands and knows how to catch the ball away from his body. At the Tennessee Pro Day, Hunter measured in at an eyelash under 6'4", weighed 200 pounds and had a very impressive 40.5" vertical jump. - http://tinyurl.com/cz6hhct

MARKUS WHEATON -
At 6-0, 182 pounds, Wheaton isn’t the biggest receiver in the draft class, but he’s a heck of a playmaker. He’s been compared to Antonio Brown for his ability to break plays open and to run the ball on reverses. Or as CBSSports.com simply puts it, "he's a big play waiting to happen." - http://tinyurl.com/ctz3fjf

MARCUS GOODWIN -
Fast. Goodwin only had 33 touches on offense all season for Texas, including 13 carries, but he made those touches count. In spades. There were a couple of games in particular where this human pinball machine was directly responsible for the TILT of his opponents.

Goodwin, a 10.4 100-meter speedster and Olympic long jumper, had five total touches for 132 yards and two touchdowns against Oregon State, and another four touches for 182 yards and two touchdowns against Ole Miss. Included in those stats were TD runs of 64 and 69 yards respectively. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je7sPrc4RnQ

RYAN SWOPE -
Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider said of him that he's "a steal" if he drops below the 3rd round and that he is "closer to HWard {with a} large sac." (Brackets ours) He's 6'0", 204 lbs., is tough, is a very good blocker and simply loves playing the game. And, also like Ward, he's fearless over the middle and he always gets up smiling. - http://youtu.be/howDumVCmfU

STEDMAN BAILEY -
A three-year starter, Bailey caught 114 passes for 1,622 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2012. Yet, despite his college success, despite better numbers than teammate Tavon Austin and despite being clocked at 4.48 and 4.46 in the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, Bailey is still projected as a third rounder. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/04/making-case-for-tavon-austin-and.html

Make no mistake, Bailey is the real deal. Get out the game film and watch him consistently get open. He opens up shop 10-to-20 yards down the field and works his craft against all defensive looks. Bailey is a good and quick route runner who knows how to get himself open. He has great body control and goes and gets the majority of the balls thrown his way. And when he doesn't get it, he knows how to play the defender role. - http://tinyurl.com/bpnda5o

If Steady B is still available at pick No. 79, his blue and gold could turn to Black and Gold.

As a way of an honorable mention, Tavarres King of Georgia and Josh Boyce of TCU have been to the the Steelers South Side facilities on pre-draft visits. King is a fluid WR with very good hands and Boyce has good speed and is a natural playmaker.

~

TIDBITS: Steelers nose tackle Steve McLendon signed a 3-year $7.25M deal with a $1.67M signing bonus. Per Ian Rapoport, the Steelers had $743K cap room before McLendon deal. But his RFA counted $1.323M. Now, he'll count about $1.4M with his new deal (leaving the Steelers with approximately $600,000 in Salary Cap space).

His signing was fortuitous also. Without McLendon, the trio of Alameda Ta'amu, Al Woods and Hebron Fangupo represent a not ready for primetime group at nose tackle, with the only one starter capable being Ta'amu. Drafting a defensive tackle/end could certainly still figure in to the plan, but even that player would need at least a year of grooming. So the signing was not only fortuitous, but prodigious.

~

The Steelers schedule is out: http://tinyurl.com/czuo25k


~

Isaac Redman signs tender to remain with Steelers http://tinyurl.com/cjgxawm

Making The Case For Tavon Austin And Stedman Bailey In The 2013 NFL Draft

photo by J. Meric/Getty Images
by Jayden Matthews

When the news broke Wednesday that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders signed a $2.5 million one-year tender with the New England Patriots, it divided a nation. Sanders is a restricted free agent and if the Steelers decide to not match the Patriots offer, then they would receive their 3rd-round pick in the 2013 draft. It has not been determined yet what the Steelers are going to do, but the uproar from fans on social media has been divided. Some fans say let him go and take the pick, while others are clamoring for the the Steelers to match the offer saying that otherwise this will kill the team. There have been rumblings that the Steelers are not taking care of their franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, by first letting wide receiver Mike Wallace walk, and now by only tendering Manny at his original draft round instead of using the high-round tender like they did last season with Wallace. But, the one question asked often and loudly is 'how do you replace their production?' Well, I am here to enlighten because that's what I do.

Can the production of Wallace and Manny be replaced? It's a good question because, in their time with the Steelers, these two receivers accounted for a total of 5,332 yards and 37 touchdowns, with Wallace accounting for 32 of those in his four years. So again can it be replaced? You bet your sweet backside it can be. Both the speed that Wallace brought and the overall production and skills from both he and Manny.

The Steelers were most likely going to draft a wide receiver this April, but if they do not match the Patriots offer to Manny, then they most likely will need to draft two, and there are several options for the Steelers to look at in this draft. There is Robert Woods from USC who could be taken in the third round and Keenan Allen from the University of Cal. Woods is a Wallace clone and should be available in the second or third round. And after a poor performance at his Pro Day, Allen could be possibly fall to the second round and would be a “steel” at that point. But there is a tandem that stands out to me who, like Wallace and Manny, have also played together for three years, but whose production is off the charts. They are the real deal - TDs, speed, route-running ability, can play in the slot or outside, good hands, running the ball and punt/kick returning.

That two-headed monster is none other than Tavon Austin (aka Tavon Awesome) and Stedman Bailey (aka STUDman Bailey) out of West Virginia. This tandem was responsible for 6,631 receiving yards and 70 TDs, and for 7,675 and 76 TDs from scrimmage in the three years they played together.

A lot of people knock Austin for his size...fine, let them. Because if you think that this kid can’t change a game in a hurry, then you are fooling yourself. If he isn’t changing games for the Black and Gold on Sundays next season, he will for some other team. Austin is also a great kick and punt returner (and with AB being the No. 1 WR now the Steelers need a guy like that). He returned 97 kicks for 2,407 yards for a 24.8 yard average and four TDs, and 34 punts for 433 yards for a 12.7 average and one TD in his four years. He also had 1,031 rushing yards and six career rushing TDs to his credit. Yes, he can the ball too. Don’t believe me? Go take a look at his highlights. Hell, watch the highlights from the game against Oklahoma alone. The Big 12 is known for its defenses, but Austin made them look mediocre at best that night. And as Fox Sports analyst Charles Davis said, they had no answer for the “Awesome One.” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3_UNFZHSQU

Austin himself accounted for 572 total yards, including 344 rushing yards, and 2 TDs against Oklahoma, and Bailey accounted for 205 receiving yards and 4 TDs. So again, the production of Wallace and Manny can’t be replaced? Um...yeah, it can. So if Manny does leave, then the Steelers will need players like these two that can help a team right away. The extra third-round pick would potentially allow them to get both players, and their familiarity with one another also means won’t have to learn to work together because they have been doing so for so long now. It would be a win-win situation.

Austin is projected to go in the first round, with several mocks having him going at No. 16 to the Rams. Even though they are are projected to take him, it does not mean they will. Jeff Fisher likes his tall receivers after all. He may go earlier, like possibly to the New York Jets with the 9th pick. But they are a hot mess on offense and in general, so who knows? The New Orleans Saints may take him with the 15th pick, which is also rumored, but if he is sitting there at No. 17 when the Steelers pick they absolutely should pull the trigger. With all the questions the Steelers now have on offense, and knowing that they always take the best player available, well...you do the math. Some fans may not like that pick and will complain, but once Austin takes the field and does his thing, he will silence his critics.

Just imagine all that talent and then you throw Antonio Brown in there to boot. An offense that is pretty well dead-in-the-water and has Big Ben pulling his hair out, with those two would go from dead to deadly. If WVU QB Geno Smith could do all that damage with those two, just imagine the damage that Big Ben could do. (And that is by no means a knock on Geno, because I love me some Geno, but truth is truth.)

Even if they don’t nab Austin, I am still optimistic that they will take Bailey, who is projected as a late second-to-third rounder. It has also been said that he will transfer well from college to the pros. His numbers do not lie, and drops were rarely an issue. His style of play (both, actually) is in line with the style offensive coordinator Todd Haley has brought to Steelers offense, i.e. short passes that produce yards and control the clock - Bailey had over 300 yards and five TDs against Baylor from an array of catches lineups - and the occasional deep pass to keep the defense honest - he averaged 15.3 yards per reception in his three-year career. You get both with Bailey. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TWLXrlF8SE

Look, I know this is a bit of a pipe dream, especially with both of them. In the last 162 draft picks, approximately 20 years, the Steelers have drafted exactly two WVU players: running back Amos Zereoue and safety Ryan Mundy. But I am hoping that things line up and that this little dream can become a reality. Big Ben would be happy, Haley would be happy and some Steelers fans may not be happy at first, but they'd come around. But it would end the question once and for of whether or not Wallace and Manny can they be replaced.

Do Recent Pro Day Visits Indicate Who Steelers Will Draft?

by Jayden and Jason

No matter how you say it -- "Be more efficient on offense" ... "Move the football better" ... "Take advantage of opportunities presented" ... "Get more playmakers!" -- it all still means the same thing: score more points.

At various points in the 2012 season, all of those were challenges. Failing those challenges, and now facing the exodus of some key players, puts the team in a unique position: to rebuild rather than to reload. Certain recent pro day visits may just shed some light on where the Pittsburgh Steelers may be looking in 2013 NFL Draft. And despite the contention of previous posts from this blog, those looks might just be toward offense.

Regardless of the losses sustained in the recent week, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said at the NFL's annual spring meetings that they won't knee jerk themselves into feeling must replace needs. "I don't like to use the word 'need,'" said Colbert. "I never did. I never will. It's going to be 'wants.' We don't know yet. We don't know until we get through free agency. We're going to continue to monitor every guy who's available."

Those "wants" were hinted at via visits to Michigan State and West Virginia respectively.

The inability to find a stable running back amongst the stable of running backs last season was a pet peeve for both Steelers fans and head coach Mike Tomlin. He said as much while answering media questions in Phoenix at aforementioned NFL meetings.

When asked about the running back situation, the loss of Rashard Mendenhall and tendered RBs Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman, Tomlin said, "Obviously, we need to add to the pool of talent we have at that position." - http://tinyurl.com/bun5lzr

Could their visit to East Lansing last week be an indicator as from where the 'adding to that pool of talent' might come? Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell hopes so.

Hopefully they pull the trigger," said Bell, who used Wednesday's pro day 'to show off his hands and route-running abilities in receiving drills.' The Steelers were well represented at the pro day, with Tomlin, Colbert, running backs coach Kirby Wilson, and tight ends coach James Daniel being in attendance. Tomlin had even taken Bell dining the previous night, possibly being a further sign of the team's interest in him. - http://tinyurl.com/cey879k

If so, the Steelers would be getting a strong 6'1", 230-pound back with quick feet, very good balance and knows how to run low to the ground through contact. Deceptively light on his feet, yet tough to bring down. A smooth accelerator and downhill runner, he ran a 4.6/40 at the NFL Combine (though, he's also been clocked at as low as 4.52).

He seems to like the number three - 3,346 career rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in three years at Michigan St. and will likely be found in the third round - and isn't lacking in confidence when recounting his abilities.

"I feel like I can do everything," Bell said. "I can be in the game on third-and-1, I can be in the game on third-and-10 or I can be in the game on first-and-10. I can be a punt returner and a kick returner, I'm great in pass protection and get a consistent 5 yards every carry. I just feel like I'm one of the more complete backs."

Bell wasn't the only one wined...well, just dined that Tuesday night. As was stated, tight ends coach James Daniel was in attendance at the pro day and as the previously quoted article pointed out, the 6'5" 280-pound Sims would seem to be an option "for a team that plays a hard-nosed, physical style like the Spartans do."

Sims' possibility of being drafted by the Steelers dropped dramatically with the re-signing of Matt Spaeth. But the addition of the sixth-round compensatory pick in this year's draft allows that possibility to remain, however small it may be.

As we've said before, speed can be replaced. As awesome as Mike Wallace's numbers and accomplishments were, there was a bit of a 'Reggie Jackson effect' involved with him: along with the home-run bombs, there were also the strikeouts - dropped passes, fumbles, subpar route-running ability and an overall attitude.

The former, speed, can be found in the draft, the latter they can do without. We've already highlighted several who would be viable choices. Wide receivers highlighted to this point have been Cordarrelle Patterson, Robert Woods and Ryan Swope (http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-steelers-at-nfl-combine-week-in.html), as well as Marquis Goodwin and Tavon Austin (http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/02/whether-offense-or-defense-steelers.html).

Being West Virginia Mountaineers football fans at If It Ain't Steel, we know those players very well. We've actually written more than once on first-round prospect Tavon Austin and his 1,289 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, 643 rushing yards and three touchdowns and 978 return yards and two touchdowns. Or in other words, Tavon Awesome. Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider and Steelers Digest hasn't exactly been reticent on Austin, either. - http://tinyurl.com/cp9uwrw

But on his "Young Soon-To-Be Money" teammate, Stedman Bailey, we've been negligent. Though the first choice of one half of If It Ain't Steel (Jason) was Bailey, the better half (Jayden) preferred Austin from the beginning. Well, it's time to shed light STUDman's way.



Bailey, who projects as a third rounder, had 114 receptions and led the country with 25 touchdowns in 2012 (39 total in his career). WVU's most reliable and productive receiver the past two years, Bailey combines precise route running, above-average blocking, great eye-to-hand tracking of the ball and durability in a 5'10", 193-pound package that puts one in the mind of a young Hines Ward.

Bailey's speed isn't world class, but he's steadily increased it from a reported 4.57/40 in college, to a 4.52 at the NFL Combine, to a 4.48 at the other pro day being considered in this article. - http://tinyurl.com/ctd4w76

Colbert and Tomlin spent a good amount of time with both Austin and Bailey, and the latter could be a choice in the third round if the former is gone by pick No. 17 in April. But don't just take our word for it, John Harris of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. - http://triblive.com/sports/johnharris/3680790-74/bailey-steelers-austin#axzz2O3ZYsXxK

Either player would be a great fit for the Steelers. Austin being ideal for the West Coast-style offense, turning a four-yard hitch into a 40-yard gain, or taking a GO pattern to the house: "I'm a smart runner, whenever I touch the ball I turn into a running back....I'm the best all-around player in the draft. - http://tinyurl.com/c8q8ptr

Going deep with Bailey would be different as he doesn't quite have the explosive, break-away speed that Austin has. What he does have, though, is the ability to track the ball as well as anyone, and to go up and fight for it and catch it with his hands. Thus allowing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to improve on the 8-37 and 317 passing yards in splash plays (21+ yards) from 2012.

So whether it's Austin (Jim Wexell: "Whoever passes on that kid is going to regret it. Don't care if he's 4-8"), Bailey (Dave-Te' Thomas of Scouting Services, Inc.: "Bailey is the best value pick in the draft, and the best route runner"), or Bell (Todd McShay: "He's a guy that - even though he's bigger, and a physical back - that you can flex him out in the slot"), expect the Steelers to draft one of them.

All three wouldn't be bad, either.

~

TIDBITS: Tomlin tells critics "See you in the Fall." We won't see Max Starks or Casey Hampton, though. - http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/tomlin-to-steelers-critics-see-you-in-the-fall-679961/

~

Tomlin also isn't afraid to say that the Steelers are a team in transition...despite what Colbert attests. - http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/3685449-74/tomlin-steelers-season#axzz2O3ZYsXxK