hawaiiansteel
03-30-2011, 07:50 PM
Ed: Williams or Harris Would Fit the Bill for Steelers
WEDNESDAY, 30 MARCH 2011 09:01 WRITTEN BY ED BOUCHETTE
Good morning,
Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert and some Steelers defensive coaches visited the Texas Longhorns pro workout day in Austin, Tuesday.
Aaron Williams had to be high on their viewing schedule. He and Miami’s Brandon Harris are the most likely corners to be available and worthy of the No. 31 pick.
http://c0020036.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/images/stories/D_Gigler/tomlin-texas.jpg
Sam Acho, left, a former Longhorns player, talks to Kevin Colbert of the Pittsburgh Steelers, middle, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, right. (Jay Janner/American-Statesman)
At 6 feet, Williams is a couple inches taller than Harris. Both are regarded as good in coverage and good enough against the run. Both are aggressive but scouts say Harris is a little more physical. Either would fit the bill.
Forget about Jimmy Smith of Colorado. He has the talent but character issues and attitude are big questions and he might not even be on the Steelers draft board because of them. Smith, in fact, might be hurting the Steelers because if he drops into the second round, one of those other teams that wanted a cornerback might take Harris or Williams ahead of the Steelers.
--- I once tried to go watch Pitt’s Pro Day and was barred from doing so. They allowed every Tom, Dick & Harry into the indoor field to watch but kept the media out. Maybe they should take a lesson from Texas, where media was not only allowed in, but plenty of photos taken by them. What’s wrong with a little good publicity in March for a college program in a pro town?
--- YOU: In the past you've been right on with your prediction of the Steelers first round draft pick. Do you have enough information yet for this year's selection?
ME: Are the Steelers ready to make their pick? No. Then I’m not either. You do not understand all the time that goes into that, the film study, the reading of reports by all the draftniks and, of course, the many mock drafts that have to be drawn up before just the right scenario occurs. I supposed I could do what many of them do, a different mock each week with a different pick for the Steelers during the two months leading up to the draft. That way, I’d have a better chance of saying I was right.
---- Yes, I’ve been on the money in my past two predictions that the Steelers would take Ziggy Hood and Maurkice Pouncey in the first round. That’s called stretching your luck. If I do it a third time, maybe the boss will let me retire the trophy and move on to something else.
--- The first round of the draft will be held Thursday night April 28 starting at 8 p.m. That will have the Steelers picking after midnight. Remember that the next time Commissioner Roger Goodell says “the fans want it.’’
--- Send Me & You questions to platefloor@aol.com .
--- Follow me (but not too closely) on Twitter @EdBouchette.
http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/inde ... r-steelers (http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/pro-sports/steelers/108966-ed-williams-or-harris-would-fit-the-bill-for-steelers)
WEDNESDAY, 30 MARCH 2011 09:01 WRITTEN BY ED BOUCHETTE
Good morning,
Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert and some Steelers defensive coaches visited the Texas Longhorns pro workout day in Austin, Tuesday.
Aaron Williams had to be high on their viewing schedule. He and Miami’s Brandon Harris are the most likely corners to be available and worthy of the No. 31 pick.
http://c0020036.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/images/stories/D_Gigler/tomlin-texas.jpg
Sam Acho, left, a former Longhorns player, talks to Kevin Colbert of the Pittsburgh Steelers, middle, and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, right. (Jay Janner/American-Statesman)
At 6 feet, Williams is a couple inches taller than Harris. Both are regarded as good in coverage and good enough against the run. Both are aggressive but scouts say Harris is a little more physical. Either would fit the bill.
Forget about Jimmy Smith of Colorado. He has the talent but character issues and attitude are big questions and he might not even be on the Steelers draft board because of them. Smith, in fact, might be hurting the Steelers because if he drops into the second round, one of those other teams that wanted a cornerback might take Harris or Williams ahead of the Steelers.
--- I once tried to go watch Pitt’s Pro Day and was barred from doing so. They allowed every Tom, Dick & Harry into the indoor field to watch but kept the media out. Maybe they should take a lesson from Texas, where media was not only allowed in, but plenty of photos taken by them. What’s wrong with a little good publicity in March for a college program in a pro town?
--- YOU: In the past you've been right on with your prediction of the Steelers first round draft pick. Do you have enough information yet for this year's selection?
ME: Are the Steelers ready to make their pick? No. Then I’m not either. You do not understand all the time that goes into that, the film study, the reading of reports by all the draftniks and, of course, the many mock drafts that have to be drawn up before just the right scenario occurs. I supposed I could do what many of them do, a different mock each week with a different pick for the Steelers during the two months leading up to the draft. That way, I’d have a better chance of saying I was right.
---- Yes, I’ve been on the money in my past two predictions that the Steelers would take Ziggy Hood and Maurkice Pouncey in the first round. That’s called stretching your luck. If I do it a third time, maybe the boss will let me retire the trophy and move on to something else.
--- The first round of the draft will be held Thursday night April 28 starting at 8 p.m. That will have the Steelers picking after midnight. Remember that the next time Commissioner Roger Goodell says “the fans want it.’’
--- Send Me & You questions to platefloor@aol.com .
--- Follow me (but not too closely) on Twitter @EdBouchette.
http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/inde ... r-steelers (http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/pro-sports/steelers/108966-ed-williams-or-harris-would-fit-the-bill-for-steelers)