After "day one" of the draft had ended, I went home and scoured the internet for one measly site that listed Essex as being slotted earlier than Round 5...to no avail. Dozens of sites had him listed as either a sixth or seventh round pick, and just as many had him listed as a potential rookie free agent. After literally four hours of perusing the internet, my search netted (sorry for the pun) not a single mock draft that had Essex going anywhere near Round 3. I went to bed, stressed, exhausted, and confused. Then, two hours later I arose to get ready for day two of the draft...tired and achy.
Then, something fortunate occurred: Chris Kemoeatu was finally drafted, in Round 6, by the Steelers. I could not believe that this kid lasted that long. Kemoeatu plays with a mean streak, the kind of mean streak that Mike Webster had, that Russ Grimm teaches, and that Alan Faneca and Kendall Simmons both possess. In other words, this kid will fit in nicely on the Steelers. The term "steal" is used way too often (see Gibson, below), but in Kemoeatu's case, it is quite appropriate.
And, for those of you still scratching your heads about the Essex pick*: tell yourself that he was selected in Round 6 (and Kemoeatu in Round 3), and you will feel a lot better.
*(Note: To clarify, even if Essex turns out to be a seven time All-Pro, it does not change the fact that he would have been available in a later round. In other words, I have no problem with the player, but I have qualms about the round in which he was selected.)
FRED GIBSON, Wide Receiver, GEORGIA
I am not as enamored with this pick as some of my
fellow Steelers fans are. Some referred to Gibson as
a "steal." I disagree, because Round 4 is where I had
Gibson slotted anyway.
That said, Gibson is the deep threat that the Steelers lacked. While he is not built to go across the middle, that is alright, because the middle is where Miller, Ward, and Randle El generally play. The Steelers needed a player like Gibson to stretch the field. In other words, there were better wide receivers in this draft, but Gibson was an ideal pick for what the Steelers needed. Furthermore, Gibson's role model is Hines Ward. And, any player who strives to be like Hines Ward is alright in my book.
RIAN "GOO" WALLACE, Linebacker, TEMPLE
Simply, the kid is a bigger version of James Harrison.
While Rian may not have the greatest measurables, he
plays with an attitude, and successfully does the most
important job required of an inside linebacker: he
finds the ball. The only drawback is that he seems to
follow the play, as opposed to attacking the
ball-carrier. But, whether he pursues from behind or
attacks, he simply finds the ball; hence, I can not
really complain. Coming from a small school, he will
require time to adjust to the NFL, but "Goo" could
eventually become "Good" (and, I do not simply mean
that someone will misspell his nickname).
TRAI ESSEX, Offensive Lineman, NORTHWESTERN
See Kemoeatu.
SHAUN NAU, Defensive End, Brigham Young
I do not know much about him, but I can not wait to
see the defensive line (at least during the preseason)
of : Brett Keisel, Chris Hoke, and Shaun Nua. All
jokes aside, Nua needs to put on about twenty pounds,
but he has the frame to easily do so. Hopefully,
adding weight will not slow down his pass-rush skills,
because Nua had eight sacks as a senior...which is
nice.
NOAH HERRON, Running-Back, NORTHWESTERN
Slow, bulky, takes a lot of hits. Hmmm, that sounds
familiar.
Really though, Noah is being asked to also learn how to play fullback, despite playing running-back in college. Reading between the lines: Verron Haynes had better be wary, because it sounds like the Steelers are grooming Verron's replacement....(in the event that Verron gets injured or leaves after this season via free-agency).
SUMMATION
I absolutely love the first two picks. And, if one
switches Kemoeatu for Essex, then I am positively
ecstatic over the entire first day. Gibson is a
perfect fit and Essex and Nua are good late-round
selections. Overall, I feel that this was a great
draft.
Now, do not get me wrong. This is not the draft of 1974...then again, no one knew in 1974 that the Steelers had just selected four Hall of Famers. In other words, only time will tell if any or all of these current players turn out to be anything beyond answers to Trivial Pursuit questions. That said, I have a hunch that I will not be feeling sick to my stomach come this time next year...unless it is from eating too much dip.
