**(note: If Steelers fans want a tall, fast wide-out to replace Burress, a name to keep in mind is Rasheed Marshall from West Virginia University. Besides his height and speed, Marshall fits in with the rest of the Steelers' receivers, because he played quarterback in college. Being a WVU fan, I may just be biased about Marshall. Then again, Rasheed is the Big East's all-time leading rusher at the quarterback position...which is impressive considering that both Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb played in that conference.)
Hole #5: Tight End
Par: 4 - Tight ends have become the newest "fad" in
the NFL. For years, no team really had a tight end
except for Denver. Now, it seems that every team not
only has a solid tight end, but the tight ends are
pushing the wide-outs for the team lead in receptions
(e.g. Alge Crumpler, Tony Gonzalez).
Score: 8 - Since the Steelers are a run oriented team,
they do not ask their tight ends to do much more than
block...which they do pretty well. But, it would be
nice to see the Steelers expose those underneath
routes with passes to the tight end. In my opinion,
if the Steelers go with Randle El, Mays, and a solid
rookie tight end (who can catch and block), it would
off-set the departure of Burress. A name to keep in
mind for round two: Alex Smith, from Stanford.
Hole #6: Offensive Tackles
Par: 7 - This position is crucial to the success of
any team. If one were to look at play-off teams
and/or teams that do well on offense, you would see a
trend: good offensive tackles. Therefore, there
always seems to be a tackle drafted in the top-five
every year.
Score: 8 - This past season, Marvel Smith seemed to
have no lingering effects from his neck problems of
2003. He has successfully made the switch from the
right side and is a good left tackle. From what I
have seen of Max Starks, he should be ready to take
over at the right tackle spot. He is dominating in
run blocking, yet only so-so in pass blocking; but,
since the Steelers run much more than they pass, that
favors Max's strengths. Max needs to be ready,
because Oliver Ross will most likely be gone next
season via free agency. Ross had a solid season at
right tackle, but Starks is already under
contract...and he is ready to start. The Steelers
would be smart to re-sign Ross as a back-up, because
he can play so many different positions along the
line. Either way, depth is needed here, especially if
Ross leaves.
Hole #7: Offensive Guards
Par 3 - Most teams ignore this position until the
later rounds of the draft.
Score: 1 - The Steelers have gone against
conventional wisdom, because they have two former
first round picks playing their guards spots: Alan
Faneca and Kendall Simmons. Faneca is the Hines Ward
of O-linemen: he plays hard...on every down. Simmons
looked great in the pre-season (against Detroit)
before he injured his knee. He will have to return to
form, because Keydrick Vincent will definitely be
gone. Vincent played like a starter, and he will be
paid like a starter...by some other team. Again,
depth will be needed at this position.
Hole #8: Center
Par: 4 - Most teams feel that snapping the ball is
something you can simply train a guard to do.
Score: 4 - The Steelers seem to agree with the rest of
the league, because a few years ago they switched Jeff
Hartings from guard to center. It was a great move,
and Hartings had his best season at a center this past
year. From comments he made after the loss to the
Patriots, it seems that Jeff had planned on retiring
after this season; instead, he is "not going out like
[that]." Hence, he will be back for one more season
(assuming he knees hold up). Chukky Okobi is a solid
back-up, and has played well when Hartings has been
injured. Speaking of knee injuries....
