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Saturday, July 25, 2009

Hood signed

The Steelers have agreed to terms on a contract with first-round draft pick Evander "Ziggy" Hood, meaning the rookie defensive lineman will be at camp when it opens on Friday.

The Steelers have signed all of their draft picks this year prior to the opening of camp.

None are expected to push for starting jobs, but several will be asked to contribute in some way.

13 comments:

alexrkirby said...

Are we the first team to get all their picks signed?

Collin Williams said...

Do you think the Steelers DT Ziggy Hood will be any good.

Tom said...

I think the Steelers are the first to sign all their picks...

There are only something like 4-5 first round picks signed as of right now.

kelly said...

You don't expect any of the rookies to push for a starting spot? How about Urbik??

deljzc said...

Signing players is all about relationships with agents. The Steelers have long established rules on renegotiations - how, who and when they pay players.

Agents respect our organization (the three-headed Art Rooney, Omar Kahn and Kevin Colbert). And agents seem to play fair with us.

This is just a by-product of a consistent and long-run organization that follows through most of the time with what it says, both public and private.

Dale Lolley said...

Honestly, I don't expect Urbik to push for a starting job in camp. I expect Trai Essex to provide the main competition for Stapleton in camp.
I could be surprised there, but at some point this season, I do think Urbik could win the right guard spot. I just don't expect to see him do it right away.

Anonymous said...

Urbik only starts via injury.

keevin said...

Dale - about RG, I remember Essex had a great training camp and preseason last year and was also moved around the line. I was really high on him going into last season.

So why didn't they plug him in for Simmons last year instead of Stapleton?

Tom said...

alexrkirby I was wrong...the Jets signed all their picks also. They only had 3 picks though.

ch3 said...

I'm interested in seeing Frank "the Tank" in action during pre-season. He seems to have been swept under the rug lately. I'm hoping he can make some impact this year in short-yardage/Special Teams.

Really excited about Keenan Lewis. So far, most of the reports have raved about him. He was the only pick I was a little skeptical of.

Really hoping Brunnett and Wallace can help this putrid return game.

Anonymous said...

Thomas,

I think getting all ours done is more impressive, since the Jets barely had a draft.

Dale Lolley said...

With Marvel's back problems, they were a little wary of playing Essex as well as Starks at the same time. It would have left them painfully thin at tackle and they didn't see Essex as being head and shoulders above Stapleton.
I think that could change this year.

kelly said...

As long as someone takes over for Stapleton... He was overmatched pretty much all year.