DOG: New Guys 2010

Jonathan Dwyer, RB (formerly) Georgia Tech

Here's the Slant on the Steelers 2010 draftees and free agent signings who are the "new guys," or in military terms the "FNGs," on the Steelers.

Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida. I saw this one coming once Rolando McClain was off the board. And it's a damn good thing we got this guy. Not only do we need a top-quality center desperately, but with the Shitbirds selecting that fat bastard, Terrance "Mount" Cody, we are going to need somebody to neutralize him and Haloti Ngata twice a year (sometimes more). That's a tall order but I feel a man like Maurkice is up to the challenge.

Jason Worilds, DE/LB, Virginia Polytechnic. I'll tell you right now, I know who this guy is but I don't know enough about him to have an opinion. He's a junior at VA Tech who is too light in the pants for DE in the NFL. That makes him an outside linebacker. As an underclassman, he's a "project" for the Stillers. Why we'd draft a "project" player in the second round is a mystery to me... except for one thing. This guy can play special teams like a demon. You'll see this is a common theme for players we selected in this draft. "Beamer Ball" that they play at VA Tech is rooted deeply in superior special teams play and this guy was their ST captain last year. Tomlin was one pissed off dude with special teams play last year and seemingly has taken the bull by the horns in this area.

Manny Sanders, WR, Southern Methodist. I saw this guy play in 1 game last year. SMU-Navy. I recall he caught more balls than the entire Navy team. But Navy doesn't throw much. I don't recall that he was outstanding. Don't hold out much hope for this guy. He can't return punts any better than Randle-el or Logan, and I'll be surprised if he's any better than Tyler Grisham at WR, who made the team last year but may not make it again this season. He's got an opportunity, let's hope he can do something with it.

Thad Gibson, DE/LB, Ohio State. Almost a carbon copy of Jason Worilds. An underclassman college DE too light to play DE in the pros. Took over for Vernon Ghoulston at Ohio State and didn't really set the world on fire in Columbus. Ghoulston, on the other hand, has had trouble transitioning to the NFL game from that same college position. He's reputed to be good on special teams but if he's not, he's going to be a camp casualty. Practice squad is his only hope.

Chris Scott, OT, Tennessee. This guy has a real chance to make the team. Partly due to the general sucktitude of our offensive line and partly due to the fact that he is a good football player who can play either Tackle position on the o-line. Played next to Steeler guard/tackle Ramon Foster at Tennessee but was nearly eaten alive by Jason Worilds in the Chick-Filet Bowl.

Crez Butler, CB, Clemson. Here's the CB that Fan was clamoring for. I think he has a reasonable shot at making the team again due to the immense sucktitude in our defensive secondary, as well as the departure of DeShea Townsend. I cannot really speak to his college career much. I'm sure I saw him play a game or two but if I did, nothing jumped out at me enough to make a mental note of it. Practice squad most likely.

Sylvester Stevenson, LB, Utah. Another linebacker who is good on special teams. I like the Utes program (Chris Kemoeatu is an alumni) but I know nothing about this dude. It appears that Stevenson, Worilds, and Gibson will be competing for linebacker spots with Andre Frazier and Patrick Bailey. And making the team will depend on their abilities to "run and hit" as Tomlin puts it.

Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech. I do know this guy and he is a beast! I follow GT football pretty well because I love the offense that Paul Johnson runs down there. In the NFL they'd call it a Wildcat. But it's more of a double wing option or a variant of the old single wing. Anywho, Jon Dwyer ran wild in that offense and he is more than capable of producing in a conventional offensive set. He is a powerful runner with a nasty stiff arm. Not great speed but he's broken a ton of long runs for a guy with marginal speed for a RB. I think this guy is going to come in and fill the shoes that Willie Parker left when he departed for DC. Beside Pouncey, this is the best pick in our draft!!

Antonio Brown, WR, Central Michigan. Another underclassman. Caught a ton of balls at Central Michigan. But he's going to get caught up in a numbers game as a slot receiver in Pittsburgh. If somebody gets injured he possibly could make the practice squad. But he'll have to stand out from day 1 for a real chance to play NFL football. Could happen, highly unlikely.

Doug Worthington, DT, Ohio State. Don't know anything about this guy. He'll have to learn fast, bust his ass, and make a strong impression among a pack of guys trying to do the same thing. Only an injury to someone ahead of him on the depth chart will save his ass from The Turk.

Signed Free Agents:

• Damon Cromarite-Smith, S, Texas El-Paso. We need help at safety. Why not?
• AJ Trump, OT, Miami. Another body for the new O-line coach to evaluate.
• Cordarrow Thompson, DE, VA Tech. Wedgebuster? See "Beamer Ball" special teams above.
• Andre Dixon, RB, Connecticut. Donald Brown's replacement at UConn. Played well vs. Pitt.
• Daryll Clark, QB, Penn State. Sucks at QB. He's athletic. Maybe they can make a safety out of him??

In summary, we got 2 guys who can come in and help right off the bat, Pouncey and Dwyer. We got a bunch of guys supposedly good at special teams. Some of them will be riding the "special" bus back home from Latrobe. We usually have one UDFA who makes the team. I can't possibly see who that might be this year. At this stage I'd give Cromartie Smith the best chance... but it's a slim one.

Not to be overlooked is the return of Bryant McFadden at CB in this draft. Coupled with the trade for Byron Leftwich, this makes our draft successful if not glamorous.

The only question in my head is: Given our recent penchant for bringing ex-Steelers back into the fold (McFadden, Leftwich, Randle-El, Foote) is it unreasonable to expect the return of Santonio Holmes next year after he has served his suspension as a Jet?