Welcome Back

It seems like an eternity since the confetti stopped raining on our favorite gang of 53 and their fearless leader in Detroit back in February. The Steeler Nation sat and basked in the freedom of the freshly lifted burden of 26 years of waiting. We admired our trophy and went on to spend the next 2 months celebrating.

Then came the predictable exodus. We bid farewell to Kimo, Randle-El, and Hope, and thanked them for their services. We greeted Clark and welcomed him to the family.

The draft came and each player seemed to fit into the puzzle.

Round 1 - Santonio Holmes - A game breaking Wide Receiver from (the) Ohio State University who is a life long Steeler fan and has the kind of speed and moves that will continue to give the Steelers the kind of play-action capabilities that will give defenses nightmares.

Round 3 - Anthony Smith - A Safety from Syracuse that will bring the kind of intuitive team oriented safety play that is mandatory in a Blitz oriented defense that features the kind of safety play All-Everything you ever wanted Troy Polamalu brings to the table

Round 3 - Willie Reid - A return specialist from Florida State who brings additional deep threat skills to the table as a receiver

Round 4 - Willie Colon - A big ornery offensive lineman from Hofstra who can play either Guard or Tackle, to add depth to the line

Round 4 - Orien Harris - A Defensive Tackle from Miami who will likely play defensive end. Athletic and technically proficient, he will attempt to add depth.

Round 5 - Omar Jacobs - Another QB from that fertile farm of quarterbacks, the MAC Conference. Omar has excellent instincts for the game, but has issues with his mechanics. He has the potential to be a steal, with the proper adjustments.

Round 5 - Charles Davis - A big strong talented Tight End from Purdue who adds depth to the position that finally received a major upgrade with the addition of Heath Miller, last year's first round draft pick.

Round 6 - Marvin Philip - A center from California. Marvin is cut from similar cloth as Hartings' heir apparent Chukki Okobi.

Round 7 - Cedric Humes is a running Back from Virginia Tech that struggled with injuries but brings trademark Steeler toughness to a position that is losing a legend in Jerome Bettis.

There will surely be the usual couple of non-drafted free agents that will distinguish themselves, as there is every year. But that remains to be seen.

For now, we can only look forward to their triumphant return on August 12 against the Arizona Cardinals in their new...uh....thing.