Here is Wednesday’s Morning Cup… and can’t help but be excited with the release of the 2011 schedule.
Hines Ward advances to the next round, which was said to be themed ‘Guilty Pleasures.’ Not really sure what that means, but it seems that Ward will need to step up the risk taking over the next few weeks. The judges love him, but feel that he needs to start taking some risks with his dancing if he wants to continue to get those high numbers. More lifts? Possibly. Hader and more varied steps over the course of a dance? Possible too. Petra Nemcova and partner Dmitry Chaplin were eliminated last night.
John Harris of the Pittsburgh Trib writes about what I’ve been touting most of the offseason about the draft – the Steelers will not draft a cornerback in the first round unless there is value to it…. and there isn’t. The Steelers will fill the need with the highest value. Harris tends to think that is at tackle. I think it lies with mainly guard, but I’ve also said tackle or defensive end would be fine too. This is also a good article to get perspective from and actual scouting service that most NFL teams use for draft help.
The Steelers have the 27th-ranked schedule for next season. That seems like pretty good odds to get back to at least the playoffs this season – which is a rarity for teams who lose the Super Bowl the previous year. Even though they have a week schedule, thanks to the NFC West (why is it that the name Harbaugh brings so much pleasure to the Black and Gold?), the Steelers have a difficult beginning and end to the season. A relatively easy schedule for the first 3 weeks allowed them to go 3-0 without Big Ben. He better stay healthy and out of trouble this offseason because they have no such luxury this season with opening at Baltimore in Week 1 and a Week 3 primetime matchup with the Colts (both away games)… and let’s not forget that the Steelers somehow struggle against the Texans (Week 4) whenever they matchup.
Yesterday Texas Christian offensive tackle Marcus Cannon and Nebraska offensive guard Keith Williams met with the Steelers. As has been the case with the last dozen or so visits, these guys are mid to late rounders.
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