Deep Thoughts

I just read a report that said that the Steelers will soon be visited by Tim Dwight. Dwight is a short (5'8") speedster who has played for Atlanta, San Diego, and, last year, New England. He's 30 years old.

That the Steelers are entertaining the likes of Tim Dwight says one thing: the 2006 starting lineup is set. The addition of Ryan Clark, and the re-addition of Brett Keisel, filled out the dance card. Barrett Brooks has been re-signed, as has Jerame Tuman. (It took only one visit from Aaron Shea to convince Tuman that he had no bargaining power.) The team apparently feels comfortable with the centers on the roster. Now, and in the draft, the Steelers will turn their attention to depth: depth on the offensive and defensive lines, depth in the defensive backfield (what will happen to DeShea Townsend?), depth at OLB. Barring the signing of Dwight or another scrub, we can expect the Steelers to draft a WR (maybe someone tall enough to ride the adult rides at Six Flags?). But things seem to be shaping up for the Steelers to truly take the best available player at #32, to draft on talent rather than need: perhaps Bobby Carpenter or Manny Lawson? Such a pick would be like Christmas for Dick LeBeau. We can also expect the Steelers to package picks (they will likely have ten) to trade up at an appropriate moment.

It's a good position for the Steelers to be in, and emblematic of the way the franchise is run.