Big Lead Sports Bar

4/22/2010

BETTER SAFE THAN SEXY: STEELERS GRAB MAURKICE POUNCEY


MAURKICE POUNCEY
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
FLORIDA GATORS
6'4", 305 LBS
COLLEGE COACH: URBAN MEYER



The draft nerds really nailed it this year, as the Steelers ended up taking Florida OL Maurkice Pouncey as widely speculated with their first-round pick.

Rather than go for a flashy risk like WR Dez Bryant or use one of their multiple later-round picks to trade up, the Steelers held the 18-spot and got their man. Pouncey won the Rimington Trophy as the nation's top college center and was an All-American in 2009. During his three years in the uber-competitive Gator program, Pouncey started an impressive 39 games and played in 41 for Urban Meyer. And he started every game as a sophomore in 2008, including the BCS Championship Game against Oklahoma, so he's no stranger to big games. 

This pick could've gone in a number of different directions: wide receiver, defensive line, defensive back, safety, even linebacker; but the Steelers have not taken a lineman in the first round since Kendall Simmons in 2002, and Pouncey has the versatility to play center or guard, making him a valuable asset. I could definitely make the case for this pick, and totally trust Kevin Colbert. He's batted 1.000 in the first round in my book.Welcome to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Maurkice.

Other notes on Pouncey:
-His twin brother Mike also attends Florida and is a starting guard for the Gators. The brothers never considered attending different schools.
-His high school team won the USA Today National Title twice and the Florida Class 5A state championship three consecutive years.
-Rated among the nation’s top offensive guard recruits according to Scout.com (15th) and Rivals.com (15th) coming out of high school
-Chose Florida over Florida State, Clemson, Michigan and Miami
-Was a member of the 2008 Florida Football Leadership Committee
-Starred in a public service announcement for the Gear Up Buckle Up program with his brother

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9 comments:

HerkHorner said...

Couldn't be happier with the pick. We've skated by for a few years with a risky line. Its time to build it for the future.
Can't get by forever with late round picked linemen and FA castoffs.

okel dokel said...

I like the pick.

What the hell is going on? Three posts and no mention of the one one who shall go nameless.

What does he think about the Pirates worst loss ever? How does Maurkice feel about the incident in Georgia? I guess TMZ or PFT will let us know. I am on the edge of my seat.

Steve said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Steve said...

Good pick. It all starts with the center and Hartwig, although sufficient, isn't the kinda center you can build a dominating offensive line around. Hopefully this guy will be a great one and mentioned in the future with the same praise as Webster and Dawson are.

BurressWithButterflywings said...

I like his versatility. Hopefully he has a strong camp and can take over at guard this year, then slide over to center for 2011.

It seems a lot of centers benefit from getting their feet wet at guard before starting full-time in the middle.

NickDawg said...

love the pick, was spot on as usual for Colbert in crew! The kid is a beast and will help Ben for yrs to come!

HomeRunFromBehindTheMeatballs said...

Love the pick... hopefully he'll be (in 2011) what the steelers have been missing since Hartings retired. The best part about the first round action is that Large Benjamin is still a stiller. Love to hate him, but the steelers aren't a super bowl contender without him. Hopefully the steelers trade up to get who they really covet in the 2nd and 3rd round tonite. I'm hopeful that they can snag that CB from IUP and Sean Lee from PSU (haha, homer picks for sure!). But i've learned never to doubt or question the wisdom of kevin colbert!

Unknown said...

Great pick

BurressWithButterflywings said...

Sean Lee would be a great pickup. I think a lot of people are under estimating him.