C.A.'s Babbling: Goodbye to Ben - A Trade to the 49ers
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My favorite movie, by far and without a hint of doubt, is "Miracle." I'm not sure if it's the superb acting ability of Kurt Russell playing the role of our fallen hero, Herb Brooks, or the amazing story that was the 1980 Olympic Hockey team, but that movie inspires me every time I view it. If you are an American patriot that cares about this country and it's principle and foundation as I do, there's no doubting you feel the same way. I'd like to believe that our PR-struggling franchise can also restore that feeling of pride, get over the hump, and move on.
I believe, rather confidently, that Ben Roethlisberger will be dealt on Thursday. He is heading to San Francisco at approxamtely 9:30 p.m. when the 49ers are on the clock. The deal will be consummated when the Steelers fall in love with the pick (player) they will move up to get at 13, the 3rd rounder (#79) being offered, QB Alex Smith, and the 49ers first round selection in 2011. (while still keeping their selection at 18) The parting of Ben isn't a matter of being strictly about a night-club mishap, but rather, a chance to gain value that will enable this team to compete mightily during the next decade. Sometimes it's just time to move on and for the betterment of all parties, I believe this is that time.
"Great Moments... Are Born from Great Opportunity..." said the educated coach of the 1980 Olympic Team, and that's what the Steelers have earned, in the words of the former great hockey coach... Tonight, we skate w/em' ... This draft, we skate with em.'
That special player that fell to the 13th spot is Earl Thomas, a player who works as hard to be good as Troy Polamalu, loves football, and was just about to be snagged by Miami at #13. Thomas is followed-up by a trade-down that occurs when the Eagles move up to #18 to get a cornerback; The Steelers, sitting in the 24th spot of round one select another young man that loves the game of football, shows incredibly high character and cherishes his hero-in-waiting in Hines Ward. There's no sense waiting to the top of round two to get Golden Tate, when the potential trade-up would be handcuffed by the ability to get a deal done. Tate is the selection at #24 in round one.
In round two the team has two selections after the trade with Philadelphia, as the two teams simply swap picks - the Steelers have obtained one of Philadelphia's 2nd rounders, #37, for our 3rd rounder, # 52. The obvious target to many would be offensive lineman Roger Saffold, but using as much deep-thought as possible, it seems he has a hard time slipping to 37. IF he slips there... he's the obvious pick. If he doesn't, as the suspicion is here.... how about another rugged individual that loves playing football, has the heart of a Lion, and adds-up to being a tackling-machine... at #37, it's ILB Sean Lee of Penn State.
That leaves selection # 52 and two major goals to accomplish in this draft. Depth will be looked at with this selection, and although interior offensive line prospect J.D. Walton is awful tempting, it's time to add to one of the biggest pre-draft positions of need with the down-hill runner out of Auburn, Ben Tate. (Stolen right from the noses of teams sitting in the last half of round two and early round three that were salivating at the mouth for him)
Earl Thomas - Golden Tate - Sean Lee - and Ben Tate. Guys who love football. Guys from major football programs across the country. Guys to build the Pittsburgh Steelers around for 2010 and beyond.
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My favorite movie, by far and without a hint of doubt, is "Miracle." I'm not sure if it's the superb acting ability of Kurt Russell playing the role of our fallen hero, Herb Brooks, or the amazing story that was the 1980 Olympic Hockey team, but that movie inspires me every time I view it. If you are an American patriot that cares about this country and it's principle and foundation as I do, there's no doubting you feel the same way. I'd like to believe that our PR-struggling franchise can also restore that feeling of pride, get over the hump, and move on.
I believe, rather confidently, that Ben Roethlisberger will be dealt on Thursday. He is heading to San Francisco at approxamtely 9:30 p.m. when the 49ers are on the clock. The deal will be consummated when the Steelers fall in love with the pick (player) they will move up to get at 13, the 3rd rounder (#79) being offered, QB Alex Smith, and the 49ers first round selection in 2011. (while still keeping their selection at 18) The parting of Ben isn't a matter of being strictly about a night-club mishap, but rather, a chance to gain value that will enable this team to compete mightily during the next decade. Sometimes it's just time to move on and for the betterment of all parties, I believe this is that time.
"Great Moments... Are Born from Great Opportunity..." said the educated coach of the 1980 Olympic Team, and that's what the Steelers have earned, in the words of the former great hockey coach... Tonight, we skate w/em' ... This draft, we skate with em.'
That special player that fell to the 13th spot is Earl Thomas, a player who works as hard to be good as Troy Polamalu, loves football, and was just about to be snagged by Miami at #13. Thomas is followed-up by a trade-down that occurs when the Eagles move up to #18 to get a cornerback; The Steelers, sitting in the 24th spot of round one select another young man that loves the game of football, shows incredibly high character and cherishes his hero-in-waiting in Hines Ward. There's no sense waiting to the top of round two to get Golden Tate, when the potential trade-up would be handcuffed by the ability to get a deal done. Tate is the selection at #24 in round one.
In round two the team has two selections after the trade with Philadelphia, as the two teams simply swap picks - the Steelers have obtained one of Philadelphia's 2nd rounders, #37, for our 3rd rounder, # 52. The obvious target to many would be offensive lineman Roger Saffold, but using as much deep-thought as possible, it seems he has a hard time slipping to 37. IF he slips there... he's the obvious pick. If he doesn't, as the suspicion is here.... how about another rugged individual that loves playing football, has the heart of a Lion, and adds-up to being a tackling-machine... at #37, it's ILB Sean Lee of Penn State.
That leaves selection # 52 and two major goals to accomplish in this draft. Depth will be looked at with this selection, and although interior offensive line prospect J.D. Walton is awful tempting, it's time to add to one of the biggest pre-draft positions of need with the down-hill runner out of Auburn, Ben Tate. (Stolen right from the noses of teams sitting in the last half of round two and early round three that were salivating at the mouth for him)
Earl Thomas - Golden Tate - Sean Lee - and Ben Tate. Guys who love football. Guys from major football programs across the country. Guys to build the Pittsburgh Steelers around for 2010 and beyond.
