Head Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks with General Manager Kevin Colbert
Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin spoke with the assembled media about the draft, and shared their thoughts on a variety of topics, including moving in the first round, the positions of need, and the talent level of this years crop of players.
Colbert said that CB’s and WR’s are aplenty in this years class, and when asked early about the prospect of moving up or down in round one, the GM stated “as always we will make our calls, we will know who’s interested in coming up or coming down or coming back up from behind us. We will weigh the costs of doing business with each of those teams.”
A lot of the talk with the Steelers has been about what is going on with the current roster. WR Mike Wallace is going to be on the Steelers roster in 2012, as he didn’t get an offer from another team as a restricted free agent.
Reports say Wallace will not sign his 1st round tender, which would pay him about $ 2.7 mil. Colbert said that he’s not changing the draft and the Steelers thoughts due to that, and Tomlin said he’s not worried about the reports that Wallace is prepared to sit out camp and not ink the tender at all.
“What goes on with our current team as it stands right now won’t influence what we are going to do in the draft,” Colbert said. “Anything like that doesn’t effect us at all.”
“We’re not worried about the reports, there were reports every day that he was going somewhere in restricted free agency,” Tomlin said. “He’s still here, and we’ll deal with it day to day.”
Colbert said that the deal with Wallace will stay the same – try to get Wallace inked. “Our goal with Mike as it’s always has been is to sign him to a long term contract,” Colbert said.
The Steelers have the 24th overall pick, and while the Steelers have lost some impact players this offseason (Hines Ward, James Farrior, Aaron Smith), Colbert says don’t look right away for Steelers draft picks to take the field and be big impact guys.
“Coach will make a final decision on when guys will play,” Colbert said. “But, there’s not of players in this draft that could come in and be immediate impact guys for us.”
The Steelers have always prided themselves on making good picks in the first three rounds, and have had more success stories than many in the NFL. Colbert said you can’t miss on those picks, as it could set back the team.
“We’ve missed like everyone else has, but we’re going to keep track by keeping score at the end of the year,” Colbert said.
Source: Steelers Gab
