DOG: Virginia Farm Boy Signs 6 Year Deal

Heath Miller, former #1 draft choice of the Pittsburgh Stillers from the U. of Virginia, signed a 6 year contract extension that makes him the third highest paid Tight End in the NFL. But what it really does is give our front office lots of room to work next year and locks up one of the best TEs the Stillers have ever had.

As Hines Ward ages, Heath Miller will become more important in the Stiller offense as a possession and red-zone receiver. I do not believe Heath has reached his full potential as a player. But that is mainly due to some nagging injuries and how he is utilized within the context of the overall offensive scheme. I expect that to change starting Friday... that is if my buddy, Mr. Arians, is listening.

Next up at the bargaining table are Ryan Clark, Bret Keisel and "Fat" Casey Hampton. These three are the next starters whose contracts will be up at the end of next season. And we all know the Stillers don't discuss contracts once the regular season begins.

Camp opens tomorrow and contractually, we've done as much as possible to be ready for the season. HERE WE GO!!!!!!!

Thoughts From Game 3

Tony Siragusa is a fat piece of shit. Let's just get that out in the open. Thank God for DVR as I was able to go back and watch the clip over and over without even requesting to tape the game. When Moose and Albert threw it down to Fatso right before the kickoff, he said (and I quote) "The PISSburgh Steelers.....". I caught it instantly. I hit backwards and watched it again..."PISS". I watched it again..."PISSburgh". That fat mother hubbard threw in a slam against the Steelers - who beat his ass repeatedly as a Colt and a Raven. If anyone DVR'd the game - go back and watch the beginning. The only excuse he could have is if his fat tongue got in his way and made him mispronounce it.

Another dominating win. Good performances all around. Some random thoughts:

Hines Ward may have seen his last 100 catch season.

Willie Parker is learning how to break tackles. He smacked right into a few would be tacklers today and bounced off of them.

Have we finally figured out that when you can run and have good receivers....the tight end is going to be open? Wow. I saw Heath Miller throw a hellacious block today as well. His catch (non-catch) on the sideline was exciting even if he only got one foot down. The TD catch by Tuman looked just like the Spaeth catch last week. It may have been the same play.

I watched both Najeh and Willie pick up blitzes and both did it rather well.

Chris Hoke was on the field quite a bit today. If Tomlin goes 4-3 next year will he be the 4th DL?

I don't watch college football so maybe Dog can speak to this - but if Rossum is indeed our shiny new kick returner...is Willie Reid a good enough receiver to warrant a roster spot? I loved seeing Roethlisberger being the first person out to congratulate him after the return.

I absolutely CANNOT wait until the Monday Night Football game against the hated Ravens that Dog and I will be attending.

Trading Up Again

The Steelers traded up today to take Santonio Holmes in the first round with the 25th pick which they acquired from Denver for their 1st, 3rd and 4th round picks. In reality, since we had four 4th round picks - the cost wasn't that steep. I'm glad they took Holmes instead of Moss, but I really didn't expect them to take a receiver. Man, was I wrong. They took ANOTHER receiver in the 3rd..and he's a smurf...but should be a great punt/kick returner. That's why I like Holmes instead of Moss with the first pick. I didn't want the "Moss type" receiver who tends to be a little small and soft. Also, with Hines not getting any younger, it will be nice to have a 1st round stud ready to take over when Hines hangs them up. Big Ben deserves a stable full of weapons. All that being said, I still think Quincy Morgan could have started at the #2 receiver position! I guess they really liked this kid to trade up for him and look what happened the last time they traded up for the first pick (Polamalu). So "Yikes!" we now have way too many receivers on the squad. Will Cedrick Wilson find himself unemployed at the end of camp? The 3rd pick of the day, Reid probably assures Lee Mays will not make the team in camp. I don't know what they're going to do with Sean Morey. They resigned him and I love his tenacity on Special Teams. If we continue to run the ball well next year, can you imagine trying to scheme against a running attack of Willie Parker, Hines Ward underneath, Holmes going long and Heath Miller running down the seam? Wow. More on the draft after I have time to digest it all. I've already read some complaints from some boards I read about the 2nd pick. His official draft write-up suggests he won't be drafted but signed as a free agent! That's certainly not very comforting. Hopefully next year with the defense still signed and skill players on offense - we'll go back to drafting trench warriors.