Bottom line, Ike Taylor’s far more important to the team than Randle El is. I think that was the point the original post was trying to make.

As to the OL….Pouncey2 playd C this year for the Gators, and didn’t look anywhere near as good as he did in ’09 as a G(which is fine, since that’s where he’d be playing in the NFL anyway). The problem I see with him is this: There’s the chance that he’s going to already be thought of in the same mold as Maurkice and teams are more likely to reach for him early. Flat out…you do NOT take a guard in the the top 20. Not unless he’s the next John Hannah. Mike Pouncey is not John Hannah. He’s not even the next Maurkice. Mike’s a good, solid interior lineman. He’s not “top 20″ good.

As mentioned, there are quite a few nice OL prospects, particularly on the interior, in this draft class. Why reach for Pouncey in the middle of round one when you can wait til round two, potentially without trading up at all, and still have a shot at guys like Cannon, Wisnewski, Ijalana, etc.?

If the Steelers want to burn the picks to move up 15 spots it better be to select a CB or an OT. The quality of those two positions, particularly CB, falls off much quicker in this crop.

And while I agree he probably was covered less than some of the other guys, I do stand by my last point, that he’s a proven receiver, whereas the young guys (Who I do LOVE), aren’t quite yet. They’ve shown remarkable talent, are definite starter quality,and have made some amazing plays, but sometimes a veteran just knows how to shut it down in a way a 1st or 2nd year guy may not think of/be nervous to. I just want all of our bases covered so we can (lockout pending) head back to the Superbowl in 2012.

I don’t disagree with you assessment of ARE. He is indeed one of the most diverse receivers out there – fast, decent hands, and he can throw the ball. But you have to consider what makes the Steelers really good and really good for all these years – player development. Since Colbert has stepped onto the scene, the organization has done a really great job taking rookies and making them into starters anywhere from year 1 to 3. In my opinion that doesn’t happen very often with teams in the NFL… at least consistently. ARE is the second highest paid receiver next to Ward and the second oldest of the core next to Ward. 1.7 mil is nothing to shake at and if it is the difference of keeping your best corner (when you have a secondary already not that great), I think the choice is pretty obvious.
ARE put up good stats in the Super Bowl, but I would argue it was only because the GB corners were doing a fine job of shutting down the outsides. Next season put a younger slot receiver in the same situation, and I’m sure he would have done just as well.