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As the 24th selection of this year's draft came in and Roger Goodell walked to the podium, how many Steelers fans and draft experts were thinking: Hightower! What a dream pick that would have been. One of the best inside linebackers, on college football's No. 1 team, heading to the NFL team known for outstanding linebackers. It was the sexy pick, the Ferrari pick for the defense. Then Goodell opened his mouth and announced "David DeCastro." Even the ESPN crew hesitated for a second. DeCastro isn't a Ferrari … he's a bulldozer. Drafting a bulldozer isn't sexy. But the Steelers aren't about sexy, they are about winning. If you need that flashy pick during the draft, you should become a fan of the teams that consistently pick at the top of the draft order. Picking DeCastro at the 24th spot was incredible for the Steelers, because he should have been selected in the top 10 of this draft. The only reason Kevin Colbert can't be accused of grand theft for this pick is because at least 15 other NFL teams should first be accused of negligence for not drafting DeCastro. Because he's not a Ferrari, the Steelers just got themselves a new bulldozer for cheap.
Posted by admin on April 28th, 2012.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu in round 4 of the 2012 NFL draft. Ta'amu was considered a top prospect coming into this years draft but slipped into the fourth round. The Steelers traded away their fourth-round pick (24) and sixth-round pick (24) to the Redskins to move up to 14th spot in the fourth to select him. At 6-foot-2, 348 pounds, Ta'amu measures great for a nose tackle and runs over his opponents. He was an Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 in 2010 and entered the draft as a senior this year. The Steelers came into the draft needing depth on the defensive line. Casey Hampton, who is entering his 12th season as a pro, suffered an ACL injury in 2011. And long-time backup Chris Hoke retired earlier this year.
 SteelersXtreme.com The Steelers came into the 2012 NFL draft knowing exactly what they need. And so far, they've gotten it. After selecting offensive linemen David DeCastro and Mike Adams in the first two rounds, the Steelers shifted their focus to the defense by using the 86th pick in the third round to take Miami linebacker Sean Spence. What Spence lacks in size and strength, he makes up for in his ability to read and react. At the NFL Combine, he said, "I think I am a three-down linebacker ... very fast, I can go sideline to sideline. I'm a smart, very instinctive player. ... I lead by example, and most of all, I make plays." From his own description, Spence sounds like a potential replacement for veteran inside linebacker James Farrior, who the Steelers cut in March. Coming into the draft, the Steelers had three areas that were immediate concerns: offensive line, inside linebacker and nose tackle. In the first three rounds, they've successfully addressed two of those areas.
SteelersXtreme.com No one can accuse the Steelers of not addressing the offensive line in this year's draft. One day after taking Stanford guard David DeCastro in the first round, Pittsburgh selected Ohio State tackle Mike Adams with the 56th pick in the second round Friday. Adams was projected as a first-round pick, but his value dropped after testing positive for marijuana at the NFL Combine in February. That wasn't enough to deter the Steelers from drafting the 6-foot-7, 325-pound tackle to help rebuild an offensive line that has been an obvious weakness in recent years.
SteelersXtreme.com Sometimes things just fall right into your lap. With the 24th pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft on Thursday, the Steelers selected Stanford guard David DeCastro. The 6-foot-5, 316-pound guard was projected to go earlier in the round, but because of a flurry of trades and a few surprise picks, the 2011 unanimous All-American was still available when the Steelers were on the clock. And they wasted no time in pulling the trigger on one of the top offensive linemen in the draft. The Steelers' offensive line has been an area of concern in recent years, and the addition of DeCastro will help solidify a line that also will benefit from the return of tackle Willie Colon, who spent last season on injured reserve. Some NFL scouts have said that DeCastro may be an even better interior-line prospect than Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey was when the Steelers drafted him with their 18th pick in 2010. If he lives up to that billing, Steelers fans will quickly get over losing out on Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower, who many projected to go to the Steelers and who was selected with the next pick by New England.
SteelersXtreme.com
Quick, list the free agents who have made an impact with the Steelers in the past decade ...
Quick, list the big-name free agents the Steelers have signed in the past decade ...
The Steelers have a long history of not acquiring players with big names and big money demands. Instead, they sign affordable role players to fill holes or provide depth. While other teams look to make a big splash in free agency, the Steelers ...
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SteelersXtreme.com Along the north side of the Allegheny River, in downtown Sixburgh, PA sits a landmark that inspires devotion like no other in the world of professional football. Every Sunday, 65,050 members of Steelers Nation flock to and fill the 1.49 million square feet that they call home. Heinz Field, or The Big Ketchup Bottle, may have only been home to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the past 11 years, but the blood of Three Rivers can still be felt flowing through the 2.04 acres of natural grass. Grass that has seen its fair share of victory, coupled with the occasional defeat. Eight times a year, for three hours a week, Heinz Field is not just a stadium. It can be compared to ...
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