The Josh Gordon Situation

Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver, Josh Gordon, had his appeal on a year-long suspension for a third violation of the National Football League's policy against recreational drugs last Friday, August 1st.

Now I know this is a Steelers blog, but I want to talk about Josh Gordon. First, I am sure the Steelers (and the Browns) want to know if Gordon is going to be on the field for the season opener in Pittsburgh. Second, a lot of people have been talking about the "hypocrisy" of Gordon's possible one-year suspension over recreational drug use and Ray Rice's two-game suspension for cold-clocking his then fiance (now wife).

The difference is in the policies.

Ray Rice's suspension us under the Player Conduct Policy. Under this policy, either the Commissioner or a panel chosen by him dole out punishments on player behavior off of the field. Now, I am in no way condoning the actions of Ray Rice. Personally, I think he should have been suspended at least four games. However this was his first ever Conduct Policy offense, he avoided jail time, is in counseling, and I think I read that his wife requested leniency because she did speak with whoever was handling his punishment. Now if he's involved in another off-the-field incident, there won't be the leniency that he just received.

Josh Gordon's suspension us under the National Football League Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. This policy is a step policy, which means that you have to be in violation of the policy multiple times to get a certain punishment.

First violation, you enter step one. You get drug tested many more times than a player not in the policy. Your name is not released to the public. There is no suspension or fine (as these have to be put to public record.)

Second violation, you enter step two. You get a four game suspension, and you're name is released as being in the program. Last year, Gordon entered step two. He tested positive for codeine which he claimed was in his prescription cough syrup and he didn't know. The NFL says that you and you alone are responsible for what enters your body, whether you knew you were taking it or not. NFL players have easy access to the list of banned substances, and he could have asked his doctor if any were in his medication. I am also fairly certain that you can apply for a waiver when it comes to medication, which are normally granted so if you test positive for that banned substance while it's prescribed to you, you don't get knocked for it. Gordon did neither. However, the NFL did compromise with him on his punishment. Instead of a four-game suspension without pay, he was suspended two without pay and then fined two game checks but was allowed to play.

For a player like Gordon, playing was worth more than the money. He's on a rookie contract after being selected in the second round of the supplemental draft. He had a huge season, setting himself up for a big contract with another big season. That's why he was willing to play two games for free. From and NFL standpoint, they felt like he was taught a valuable lesson in this regard.

The thing is, he didn't completely learn his lesson. It came out during the NFL Draft that he failed another drug test, this time for marijuana. This time, he is facing that year-long suspension. This is a drug that Gordon has a history with. It got him kicked our of Baylor. It's the reason he never saw the field at Utah and entered the supplemental draft. It's what got him in the NFL Substance Abuse Program in the first place.

According to NFL policy, a test above 15 nano grams per milliliter is a positive drug test. Gordon tested at 16 nano grams. His defense in his appeal is second hand smoke, which the NFL has said they do not suspend for. For most workplaces, that is also the threshold for a positive drug test. Anything over that and you don't get hired for the job, or you get punished (either a suspension or fired) if you already work for the company. The NFL didn't throw a number at a dart board and say "that's the threshold!" Also, this number has been collectively bargained, it's part of the CBA, so the NFL Player's Union agreed that this threshold was reasonable.

Some people, mostly Browns fans, have said that it's up to the NFL to prove that it was not second hand smoke. This is not true. This isn't a court of law. It's up to Gordon and his lawyer to prove, or at the least convince the NFL that Gordon's test was the result of second hand smoke and not actually smoking marijuana. With Gordon's history, I think that's a hard sell. Even if it was second hand smoke, there's no way to absolutely prove it. Not to mention, knowing that another failed drug test carried not just a year's suspension but taking a lot less money on his next contract, he should have never put himself in a situation where he could have gotten enough second hand smoke to test higher than the threshold. He has a person responsibility for what enters his body. Maybe the second hand smoke argument would fly if this was his first failed drug test in the NFL and he had no history of marijuana use in college, but that isn't the case.

If the NFL dismisses this failed drug test, I feel they set a precedent. They say that their threshold isn't a line drawn. If that turns out to be the case, where do they draw the line? Twenty nano grams, 30, 40, 50? It takes a line that has been collectively bargained and blurs it, which is not good. It's going to tell not just players, but the kids playing in Pop Warner, Middle School, High School, and College that it's okay to use recreational drugs to a very fine line.

Some people have brought up his 70 consecutive passed drug tests. That's great! I commend Josh Gordon on passing all those consecutive drug tests. But guess what, those tests don't mean a thing when you do fail one. It's not about how many he passed, it's about how many he has failed. This makes three failed tests, which earns you a very long suspension.

Once you're in step three of the program, you never get out of it. You're in this stage for the remainder of your career, which means that any failed test can land you either a year-long or undetermined amount of time suspension. Jaguars Wide Receiver, Justin Blackmon, is under a indefinite suspension under the third stage of this policy. Jacksonville does not know if he will be available at all this season.

In the end, the only fair way to end this is to punish Gordon in some way. I don't think he should get away with no suspension. He tested high enough for it to register a positive test. Maybe an entire season is what he needs to get rid of the dead weight around him. Maybe a shorter suspension will do that. I don't have the answer.

What I do know is that I don't have any sympathy for Josh Gordon. He's put himself in this position by failing multiple drug tests already in his short NFL career. You and you alone are responsible for what enters your body. You'd think he had learned that after the codeine related suspension, but I guess not. He shouldn't have been around marijuana in the first place.

Why I Like the Shazier pick (and my thoughts on the rest of the Steelers draft)

On Thursday night, the Steelers shocked all of Steelers Nation by taking Ohio State Linebacker Ryan Shazier, with the 15th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Most of the Nation wanted a cornerback. I feel we got the best player defensive player available, and I am not just saying that because I am a Buckeye nut.

Most Steelers fans wanted Michigan State CB Darqueze Dennard, but I am glad the Steelers didn't bite. I have watched a lot of his play, and he's too physical in my opinion. The way he plays will be drawing penalty flags in the NFL. Some say you can coach it out of him, but I don't fully buy that. He's played that way all through college, probably played that way in high school. That's a long time for habits like that to sink in, and it's easier to coach someone to do something better than to stop doing something that's now natural to them. Can he be good? Yeah. But he could also turn out to be a headache due to penalties. Untimely penalties have killed the Steelers in the past, so I am glad this flag magnet isn't going to be wearing the Black & Gold.

The Steelers won their past two Super Bowls with Ike Taylor as the best corner on both teams. He was a good corner on those teams, but he wasn't anywhere close to the best in the league. If our linebackers are flying around and getting good QB pressure, our corners will be fine. Our entire defense is predicated on linebacker play.

Ryan Shazier is a tackling machine. Here is his career stat line at Ohio State:

317 total tackles (210 solo), 45.5 tackles for a loss, 15 sacks, 1 interception, 9 forced fumbles

Just last season alone he had 23.5 TFL with 7 sacks. He had 102 total tackles.

He was also the fastest linebacker in the draft. Warren Sapp has called the Steelers' defense "old and slow" multiple times, but that's not the case anymore. The defensive line has youth, the linebacker core is all young, and the secondary has some youth too. The two oldest starters for the Steelers will likely be Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu.

Speaking of Polamalu, this draft pick is going to be what extends his career to the end of his new extension. He's too old to be playing the quasi-linebacker role that we have seen in the past. The whole reason he was playing it last season was because we didn't have a second inside linebacker. At this point in his career, he should be playing more of the role Ed Reed played in Baltimore. Center field, breaking up passes and getting picks. Shazier is going to be playing inside 'backer, he's going to be making those plays against the run. He can cover backs and tight ends.

Polamalu is still going to provide run support. I am sure we will see him diving over the line of scrimmage a time or two this season. But he's not going to take the normal pounding because we won't need him to. And because of that, he should be able to play the next three seasons.

 The Steelers also drafted Stephon Tuitt, the DE out of Notre Dame. He's going to be the 5-technique DE we have been looking for. He's going to bookend the defensive line with Cam Heyward...the defense is going to be so much better than it's been the past two plus seasons. It's needed this infusion of youth. Tuitt isn't only going to take up blockers allowing our linebackers to make plays, he's going to also get pressure on the QB.

Dri Archer (RB, Kent State) was the fastest player in the draft, and I expect him to be used as a RB-WR hybrid. He's going to be able to scorch defenses, I just hope he can hold up being smaller. If he can, he can be a fourth receiver and play some RB. He will also return punts and kicks, which is good because it'll save Antonio Brown some unneeded hits.

Martavis Bryant (WR, Clemson) was the less heralded receiver on the Tigers, but he should be very good for the Steelers. At 6'5" and 200 lbs., he will be the biggest receiver on the team. There's rumor that he may start at some point this season. With 800 yards and 7 TD's last season, I expect to get close to that from him once he steps into a full-time starting role.

Shaquille Richardson (CB, Arizona) had only 10 picks in his college career, but from everything I have read he has all the physical tools to play the position in the NFL. The Steelers don't often take corners high, but this kid could end up starting after a season or so of being coached up by Coach Lake. Even if the Steelers take a corner in the first round next season, Richardson could end up a good nickel back at worst.

Wesley Johnson (OL, Vanderbilt) adds depth to the offensive line. I didn't see him play much, but with all the injuries to our line last season, some added depth is always a good thing.

Jordan Zumwalt (LB, UCLA) is a pick that has me a bit confused. He was a good player for the Bruins and racked up 91 tackles last season, but he puts us crowded at linebacker. Maybe he was drafted because the Steelers want to push a couple backups and maybe release them if they can't outperform Zumwalt, or at the least get better on special teams with him.

Daniel McCullers (DL, Tennessee) has monster size at 6'8" and 351 lbs. I think the Steelers want to develop him into a starting nose tackle, and I think this guy can definitely collapse the pocket. If he can become a solid starting NT, then this is damn sure a great pick. Otherwise, it's good depth.

Rob Blanchflower (TE, UMASS) wasn't really a pass catcher. He had 27 catches for 313 yards and 3 touchdowns last season. I would think he's being brought in for depth and help blocking, maybe to develop into a tackle at 6'4" and 350 lbs.

I would give the Steelers a solid B on this draft. Shazier and Tuitt are probably going to start as rookies. Bryant should see a lot of snaps at the least in three receiver sets. Archer is going to be electric on special teams at the least. Got some good depth at the least in the rest of the draft.

2014 First Round Mock Draft

Here is my first mock draft of the offseason. Just remember, I don't predict trades because it's rather unpredictable, so I have everyone picking at their pre-set draft positions no matter the likelihood of them trading down or up. 

2014 NFL Mock Draft

1. Houston Texans: Jadaveon Clowney, DE South Carolina – The Texans need a quarterback, however there isn’t a quarterback that’s a sure thing like Andrew Luck was for the Colts in this draft. Heck, many believe there isn’t a quarterback in this draft that should be taken in the first round. I think the Texans play it as safe as possible here and take Clowney. Pair him with J.J. Watt and you have the best defensive line in the league. He’s not your prototypical 3-4 DE, but the guy is an athletic freak that can maybe even play some OLB in certain situations. You’re in a division with Andrew Luck. Getting to the QB is going to be a priority. With the trade of Matt Schuab and the signing of Fitzpatrick, I think the Texans feel they can find and develop a quarterback in the second round.

2. St. Louis Rams: Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson - I originally thought they were going to take an offensive tackle. But with Rodger Saffold coming back to the Rams, I have a hard time having them pick a tackle here, maybe in the second round. Instead, I have them taking Watkins, giving former first overall pick Sam Bradford another weapon on offense.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M – Johnny Football is a boom or bust pick. But the Jaguars need to turn this ship around fast, and that’s what Manziel did for Texas A&M. They left the Big 12 for the SEC, and with Manziel at quarterback they shocked everyone by becoming a top team in the conference. The Jaguars need a spark, and Manziel may be the guy that is that spark. He’ll darn sure put butts in seats, and that’s another thing Jacksonville needs.

4. Cleveland Browns: Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville – The Browns have had zero luck at quarterback since coming back into the league in 1999. They’ve had 20 different quarterbacks start a game for them since then, Bridgewater would make number 21. The Browns released two of those former starters, leaving plenty of room on the depth chart for the next “franchise” quarterback for the Browns. He makes sense at this pick for the Browns.

5. Oakland Raiders: Greg Robinson, OT Auburn –The Raiders lost their LT, then Rodger Saffold failed his physical and is now resigning with the Rams. The Raiders literally have nobody of note on their roster. The good free agents they had fled like rats on a sinking ship. Nobody wants to stay in Oakland, and they only way they can sign a free agent is to overpay. They could go any direction here, it’s really hard to say. I think the take Robinson, and then maybe they take a QB in the second round. Because in the end, it doesn’t matter who’s playing quarterback if he can’t get any protection.

6. Atlanta Falcons: Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M – The Falcons can go a few ways here. They need a pass rush, they could use a pass catching tight end to replace Tony Gonzalez, or they could take a tackle. I think the Falcons take Matthews because protecting Matty Ice has to be the top priority. They can find a quality defensive end in the second round, take a franchise left tackle is the best thing they could do with this pick.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Anthony Barr, OLB UCLA – While OLB isn’t the top need on the Buccaneers, Lovie Smith built his Bears Super Bowl run on the back of a strong defense, and that’s how the Bucs won their only Super Bowl. While in Chicago, Smith always had great linebacker play. Barr would become the next great Buccaneers LB, and would be a force coming off of the edge on blitz packages. Anthony Barr could become a cornerstone player for Tampa’s defense.

8. Minnesota Vikings: Stephon Tuitt, DE Notre Dame – Even if the Vikings re-sign Jared Allen, they don’t have a pass rusher on the other side of him. The Vikings gave Matt Cassel a new two year deal, so I doubt they go QB with this pick. If Jared Allen leaves or retires, Tuitt takes over his position. In a division with three first round picks at quarterback, the ability to rush the passer is a must.

9. Buffalo Bills: Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M – The Bills took E.J. Manuel with their first round pick last year. Stevie Johnson can’t do it alone, so drafting Evans would give Manuel another target and would take some pressure off of Johnson. I really can’t see the Bills going any other direction if Evans is still on the board.

10. Detroit Lions: Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma State – The Lions have a glaring need at cornerback, especially in a division with Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers. Gilbert turned heads at the combine, and that made his stock skyrocket. With the Lions signing Golden Tate in free agency, I don’t think they take a receiver in the first round.

11. Tennessee Titans: C.J. Mosley, ILB Alabama – With the Titans moving to a 3-4 defense, they’re going to need some linebackers. Inside linebacker is a need for the Titans, and I don’t think they have a stud on the inside on the roster. Mosley comes from a 3-4 ran under Nick Saban, and he would be an instant plug-and-play pick for Tennessee. Ken Whisenhut might be an offensive minded coach, but spending those years in Pittsburgh, you know he learned a thing or two about defense.

12. New York Giants: Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan – The Giants did a poor job of protecting Eli Manning, and that was a big reason why he threw so many interceptions last season. The Giants have a couple of needs, but a left tackle that can protect Manning’s blind side is paramount to the Giants getting back into the playoffs.

13. St. Louis Rams: Hasean Clinton-Dix, S Alabama – The Rams helped their offense with the second overall pick of the draft. With this one, they go after a need on defense by shoring up their secondary with a player that goes by the nickname “HaHa.” There’s nothing funny about his play, he’s athletic enough to make plays in coverage and physical enough to support the run or take out a receiver who caught a short pass.  

14. Chicago Bears: Calvin Pryor, S Louisville – The Bears have some need in their secondary. They currently don’t have anyone that can be a successful starter at strong safety. The Bears couldn’t stop the Packers from driving down the field and winning the NFC North in the season finale. They’ve also got to face the Lion’s Matthew Stafford twice a season, and the Vikings could take a QB in the second round to groom for the future. If they want to win the division in 2014, they’ll have to stop two of the better quarterbacks in the league.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State – The Pittsburgh Steelers picked up a safety in free agency, and that’s good because in this mock I have both top safeties already off of the board. Kevin Colbert has said they’re going to draft a receiver, and I think they take the tall playmaker from the National Champions who made the biggest offensive play of the game. Ben Roethlisberger has been asking for a tall receiver since the Steelers let Plaxico Burress walk after Roethlisberger’s rookie season. I think this is the year they 

finally acquiesce their franchise quarterback with this request.

16. Dallas Cowboys: Aaron Donald, DT Pittsburgh – The Cowboys are in need of a stud defensive tackle as they move from a 3-4 defensive alignment to a 4-3 which employees two defensive tackles. Donald is the smartest choice here for the Cowboys, who need to get better on that side of the ball in a division with Eli Manning (who had an off year), Chip Kelly’s Eagles, and Robert Griffin III. Donald can stuff the run and rush the passer from the DT position, making him a great choice for the Cowboys.

17. Baltimore Ravens: Eric Ebron, TE North Carolina – The Ravens traded away Anquan Boldin before last season. They paid Joe Flacco huge money, and left him with very little to work with, especially since TE Dennis Pitta injured his hip before the season started and missed most of it. In their Super Bowl season, many of Joe Flacco’s big players was throwing up prayers. Last season Flacco looked like the typical Joe Flacco, not the guy the Ravens thought they paid all that money to. Eric Ebron is a stud pass catching TE who could start right away, and also allow the Ravens to run two tight end sets which I think would be a big help to Joe Flacco.

18. New York Jets: Marqise Lee, WR USC – The Jets need to surround either QB that starts for them, Geno Smith or Mike Vick, with some better talent than what Geno had a season ago. They added Eric Decker, but this offense needs more than just Decker if they want to get into the playoffs, much less win a game in the playoffs. Lee is fast, will force defenses to keep a safety up top, and can blow the lid off of defenses.

19. Miami Dolphins: Zach Martin, OT/G, Notre Dame – The Dolphins are in trouble on the offensive line after the bullying scandal that rocked the club last season. Gone are Richie Incognito and Jonathon Martin. They signed Branden Albert formerly of the Chiefs, but they have two positions on the right side currently open for starters because the two players that I said were gone were listed as starters on that side of the line a year ago. Zach Martin would fill one of the two holes, as he could play either tackle or guard.

20. Arizona Cardinals: Darqueze Dennnard, CB Michigan State – The Cardinals want another top-flight corner across from Patrick Peterson, and Dennard seems to fit well here. The Cardinals also want to go best player available, something their head coach learned from his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Dennard falls into that category as well. If he is gone, they may go offensive line with this pick.

21. Green Bay Packers: Ra’Shede Hageman, DE/DT Minesota – The Packers need more help on defense, and they want to get tough and quicker on the offensive line. Hageman could play DE in the base package and DT in the sub packages. He would be an instant starter for the Packers, who would be able to help the OLB’s get to the quarterback by taking up blocks.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Ryan Shazier, OLB Ohio State – The Packers had problems on defense last season, hell they had problems in their playoff loss. I don’t think there is a safety worth taking here, so I think they take Shazier who is a tackling machine and will turn the corner on the blitz. He could replace Connor Barwin at LOLB immediately.

23. Kansas City Chiefs: Brandin Cooks, WR Oregon State – The Chiefs might be a candidate to trade up ahead of Miami to take Martin of Notre Dame since they lost Albert in FA. Since I don’t predict trades, I have them taking the speedy WR from Oregon State because Alex Smith needs a speedy downfield receiver to be his best in this offense. Cooks will cause matchup problems and now allow defenses to stack the box against Jamaal Charles.

24. Cincinnati Bengals: Dee Ford, DE Auburn – The Bengals lost Michael Johnson in free agency and they need another pass rusher. Ford can come in and help with that immediately. In the division you have three Super Bowl rings between Ben Roethlisberger (2) and Joe Flacco (1). The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since 1990 either, getting to the quarterback can help break that skid.

25. San Diego Chargers: Louis Nix, DT Notre Dame – He falls to the Chargers, who need a nose tackle to anchor their 3-4 defense. He can play right away, taking up two blockers most of the time to help free up a linebacker to make a big splash play. The Chargers can then go linebacker or wide receiver in the second round, but there’s no way they pass up Nix if he falls to them. Their guy in New York should sprint that card up front.

26. Cleveland Browns: Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG Notre Dame – The Cleveland Browns have a glaring hole at right guard, and they have nobody who is currently ready to step in and play. It’s not going to matter who plays quarterback for the Browns if they can’t protect their signal caller. This guy’s name is a mouth full, but he will provide protection for the quarterback and help open holes for new starting running back Ben Tate.

27. New Orleans Saints: Kyle Fuller, CB Virginia Tech – The Saints need a CB who can start across from Keenan Lewis, so they draft Fuller to give them two young studs at the starting cornerback positions. Defense has never been the strongest side of the ball for the Saints, but they knew they need some playmakers in the secondary if they want to compete for and in the playoffs every year.

28. Carolina Panthers: Odell Beckham, WR LSU – The Panthers WR corps has turned into a joke. They signed Jericho Cotchery, but his ten touchdown season with the Steelers last year (a career high) is probably more of a fluke than a projection for future production. However, he is a heck of a possession receiver and should help. But outside of a guy who was a third receiver a year ago, they have nothing. That’s why I have them taking Beckham, or whoever is best available at this position. If they want to get the most out of Cam Newton, he needs weapons.

29. New England Patriots: Jace Amaro, TE Texas Tech – The Patriots like big tight ends who can catch, and Amaro falls into exactly the mold they like. Gronk finished the season on IR once again, and they don’t really have anyone behind the oft-injured tight end. Enter Amaro, who will allow the Patriots to go back to the two tight end sets they used before Aaron Hernandez went to jail. Amaro will bring new wrinkles to the Patriots offense, making them that much harder to defend. Teams can’t defend Gronk, and Amaro would prove to be a challenge himself.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Bradley Roby, CB Ohio State – The 49ers not only got some surprisingly poor QB play towards the end of the NFC Championship Game, they also allowed the Seahawks to make plays at will. I am not impressed at all by their secondary, and while Roby had an up-and-down season at Ohio State, he’s a first round talent who the 49ers could use immediately.

31. Denver Broncos : David Yankey, OG Stanford – The Broncos could use some more beef up front, not just to protect Peyton Manning but to help bust open holes for the running attack so they can balance the offense. At 6’6” and 315 pounds, he’s a guy who could help where there’s a need on offense.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Kony Ealy, DE Missouri – Free agency hasn’t been good to the defending Super Bowl Champs, and it normally never is. The Seahawks lost Chris Clemmons, and they could lose Chris Avril after this season. Ealy can step right in and rush the passer on the defensive line for this team that plays a rough and mean defense, which is what won them the Super Bowl. 

Steelers Offseason Outlook

I have had a few weeks to think back on the Steelers season, and now it's time to look at what the offseason shall bring.

Here is a list of the 21 Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) that the Steelers have this year:

Wide Receiver (3): Plaxico Burress, Jerricho Cotchery, Emmanuel Sanders

Running Backs (3): Jonathon Dwyer, Felix Jones, LaRod Stephens-Howling

Tight Ends (2): David Johnson, Michael Palmer

Offensive Linemen (3): Fernando Velasco, Cody Wallace, Guy Whimper

Defensive Linemen (3): Ziggy Hood, Brett Keisel, Al Woods

Linebackers (3): Stevenson Sylvester, Jamaal Westerman, Jason Worilds

Defensive Backs (2): Will Allen, Ryan Clark

Specialists (2): Matt McBriar, Greg Warren

The Steelers also have one Exclusive Rights Free Agent in offensive lineman Eric Olsen.

I would say their number one priority in free agency is resigning Jason Worilds who led the team in sacks last season with 8 sacks. The Steelers also spent a first round pick on Jarvis Jones, and I don't think they want him to sit on the sidelines for much longer. However, this leaves the Steelers in a pickle with another outside linebacker on the roster, LaMarr Woodley. They gave him a big contract a couple years ago, so I think it's a bit of a cap hit to cut him. But he's been hurt the last few years and hasn't had double digit sacks since 2010. So if the Steelers resign Worilds, they may be cutting bait with Woodley.

Other free agents I would like to see them keep:

Jerricho Cotchery, WR - He's Hines Ward Lite...he makes a lot of catches, including the tough ones. If you hit him, he gets back up and makes a big catch. He's great out of the slot. He may not be fast, but he runs precise routes and catches the ball when it's thrown his way. He's reliable, and that's what you need in a receiver more than anything.

Jonathon Dwyer, RB - He's not going to start unless Le'Veon Bell is hurt. However he'll get you some tough yards and is a great change-of-pace backup for Bell. The Steelers cut him in training camp last year and then resigned him when they couldn't muster a running game while Bell was hurt to start the season. I think the Steelers would like to bring him back in the role he played behind Bell this year.

Fernando Velasco, OL - He played very well at center with Maurkice Pouncey getting put on IR in the first game of the year. He's be a great backup to the oft-injured Pouncey and could probably start at guard over Foster. He also played under our new offensive line coach Mike Munchack, so he would help the offensive line adjust to what Munchack wants them to do.

Guy Whimper, OL - The guy isn't the best tackle in the NFL, but he played pretty damn well last season when called upon. Even if he's just there for depth, I like him and would like to see the Steelers bring him back.

Brett Keisel, DL - I would love for them to bring The Beard back for at least one more year. He's like a coach on the field, and even if he's not a starter anymore he's still a damn good player who can help keep legs fresh in the trenches. He should never wear another uniform.

I think those are the guys the Steelers need to bring back most of all.

Now you may be wondering about first round pick Ziggy Hood. He hasn't been all that impressive. With the Steelers always being up against the cap, and Hood losing his starting job to Heyward who is a stud at DE for us, I think the Steelers let Hood test free agency. They want to see what he's offered before making an offer. I think they have a number in mind that they're willing to pay him, but they want to see if they could either get him for less...or if a team wants to overpay for him, and then get the comp pick for him instead.

The Steelers don't make splash signings in free agency. However, they need to fill some holes on defense. They haven't had a pocket collapsing, run stopping NT since Casey Hampton wasn't resigned. The NT is the lynchpin of the Steeler's 3-4 defense. We need a guy who other teams have to often double team. This way the offensive line is dealing with our three defensive linemen allowing our linebackers to make the "splash plays."

I think the Steelers might look at B.J. Raji of the Packers, Paul Soliai of the Dolphins, and maybe another guy or two. Soliai probably will be too expensive, and might end up back with the 'Phins. I think the Packers are going to let Raji test free agency. If he isn't signed in that first wave, or if he's not getting super big offers (which I don't think he will), the Steelers may kick the tires on him. He's shown that he could be that kind of NT, and maybe he just needs that change of scenery. But the Steelers aren't going to overpay for the guy.

If they don't get a NT who can start in free agenct, and they likely won't, look at the draft.

I have seen mock drafts where they take a nose tackle, wide receiver, corner, and safety at this pick.

Ike Taylor is getting old and didn't play so great last season, if he doesn't take a pay cut this year he may find himself cut. Even if they keep him, they need a corner for the future. The Steelers let Keenan Lewis walk and become a Saint, which might have happened no matter what because that's his hometown team.

It's likely the Steelers will go into the season with Ike Taylor and Cortez Allen as the starting corners. William Gay is a fourth corner at best, in my opinion. I don't think they have a future starter on the roster after Cortez, so the Steelers will be looking to upgrade this position. The Steelers have had luck developing later round corners into starters such as Taylor, Lewis, and Allen. So there's no guarantee the Steelers go this rout in the first two rounds.

I have also seen the Steelers tied to a wide receiver in some mock drafts. GM Kevin Colbert said that the Steelers need to build around Ben Roethlisberger...and it's about time they see that! Ben has wanted a tall receiver since Plaxico Burress left after his rookie season. Plax did return, but didn't play much and then got hurt. He won't be back this season.

I've seen the Steelers linked to players such as the former USC playmaker Marqise Lee, and Florida State National Championship game hero Kelvin Benjamin. Either player I think would be welcomed by Roethlisberger as a play maker in the passing game. If they don't go WR in the first round, they'll likely go there in the second.

Safety is another need. Troy Polamalu plans to play out his contract and then retire, which means he wants to play this year. He played well last season for the first time in a while because of injuries. But even if he plays and plays well all season, who's playing across from him? I don't think the Steelers want to bring back Ryan Clark who played poorly last season. I don't think they want to start Shamarko Thomas across from Polamalu because he was drafted to be the eventual replacement. They've been linked to a few safeties with some ball skills. Calvin Pryor of Louisville is one of those safeties, and not only can he hold his own in coverage the guy hits like a sledgehammer, something the Steelers covet in their defensive backfield. Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is another guy who the Steelers would love if he's there.

And like I said before, the Steelers could go and get that lynchpin of the defense in nose tackle. I have seen them linked to Louis Nix of Notre Dame if he's there.

What will be the hardest thing for me to do in the coming days is work on my next blog, a full first round mock draft. I like all these players for the Steelers, and more than one should be available at 15th overall.

Well that's my offseason outlook for the Steelers! Keep an eye out for my first full first round mock draft!