Players the Steelers have met or have shown interest in.....

[Dee Dub]

They interviewed Smith and Barkley. I imagine that it's just an information gathering thing. Either guy could end up with the Browns. Can't hurt to have background info.

Or maybe Ben is being traded to the Arizona Cardinals....

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Why the hell are we wasting time interviewing Geno Smith?

Trading Ben and drafting Geno Smith is all part of Tomlin's racist masterplan to be the first coach to field 22 black starters. He has been seeking that elusive black kicker, with no success thus far. At a minimum this year though, to keep his dream alive, he will replace Heath with a black TE and keep the stranglehold on backup QB by a black QB.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Why the hell are we wasting time interviewing Geno Smith?

Maybe we could be interested in Tavon Austin or Stedman Bailey, so why not take 15 minutes at the Combine to ask their QB about them?

[Jooser]

Maybe we could be interested in Tavon Austin or Stedman Bailey, so why not take 15 minutes at the Combine to ask their QB about them?

YUP!!!

[supersteeler]

I'm sure Austin is a good prospect but how would he fit into Haley's offense when they couldn't utilize Rainey? Austin could be a much better player but you have to find plays for talent like that something they fell short in with Rainey.

[Jooser]

Bailey led FBS in TD's with 24 and is very reliable. He's not a speedster (4.5 range) but could be a workhorse in the Hines mold. Austin posses much more talent than Rainey, he's fast like Rainey, but he runs with the football much better. His agility and shiftiness are incredible. He makes people miss with ease, while Rainey seemed to run right into them. There's fast, then there's Tavon Austin fast.

[hawaiiansteel]

Penn State's Mauti making strides, drawing interest after 3rd ACL tear

April 16, 2013

Penn State linebacker Mike Mauti, recovering from his latest ACL surgery, continues to make strides in his recovery.

He vows to be ready for training camp no matter where he is drafted and, in video supplied by his agent Mike McCarthy, recently was timed running a 40-yard dash in the 4.6 range -- while wearing sneakers -- and his bench-press numbers continue to impress.

Mauti's repeated injuries give teams pause, while his character and dedication continue to win clubs over. Mauti first tore his ACL in 2009, making him a medical resdshirt that year. He suffered a shoulder injury the following season that caused him to miss time. Mauti was poised for a breakout season in 2011, but tore his other (left) ACL and is now recovering from a third ACL tear.

No one discounts Mauti's motor and love for the game, and if not for the repeated injuries he could be someone who would normally be selected on the second day of the draft. He comes from a strong football background -- a father who played in the league and the pedigree of Penn State linebackers over the years.

The Saints and the Steelers hosted Mauti for visits, and his video from his latest workouts should help his cause. He was considered by many to be one of the top 50 prospects in the draft if not for the injury concerns, and he should be in play during the middle rounds as someone teams could project for special teams and spot duty as a rookie before more regular playing time on defense in 2014.

[URL]http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/jason-la-canfora/22084152/penn-states-mauti-making-strides-still-drawing-interest-after-3rd-acl-tear-[/URL]

[Rara]

Third ACL tear....that's a HUGE red flag. But would take the risk with a 5th or 6th.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Players like Simon from OSU and Mauti have the leadership qualities we could use.

[thor75]

I'm sure Austin is a good prospect but how would he fit into Haley's offense when they couldn't utilize Rainey? Austin could be a much better player but you have to find plays for talent like that something they fell short in with Rainey.

I agree, I thought Rainey was going to have a much bigger impact on the offense. He did well on special teams imo, penalties on those units hurt that impact though.