Big Lead Sports Bar

4/26/2009

STEELERS N THE HOOD

EVANDER "ZIGGY" HOOD
6'2", 300 LBS
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
MISSOURI

With the 32nd selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select....Missouri Defensive Tackle Evander "Ziggy" Hood, officially the first Pittsburgh athlete named Ziggy since the great Ziggy Palffy. But don't make fun of his nickname - it was given to him by his grandma.

ESPN ranked Hood 42nd among all prospects and 3rd at his position. Last season, he amassed a career-high 62 tackles (including seven for losses) and five sacks in 14 games for the Tigers. He chose Missouri over Arizona State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas-El Paso and Baylor following a standout career at Palo Duro HS in Amarillo, Texas.

A three-year starter at Missouri, Hood projects as an unspectacular yet very solid pro at the NFL level. But we all know how hard it is to find solid d-linemen, and I certainly trust the first-round track record of Kevin Colbert.

Hood is supposedly a very hard worker, coachable, and a team leader, all good attributes. The Steelers were inevitably going to address the pending needs at the position, so I'm on board with the selection.

The Steelers hold eight picks on day two of the draft, including three in round three, two in round five, one in round six, and two in round seven. I doubt that you'll see them finish with eight players, because if you count Hood, there's no way nine rookies are making this team. Look for some wheeling and dealing from the Black and Gold on Sunday.

Send your news, tips, and links to Mondesishouse@gmail.com.

1 comment:

Lance said...

I'm excited at least to be able to chant this:

Ziggy Piggy!