2007 Draft "SATURATION COVERAGE"

MEET YOUR NEW STEELERS:

LAWRENCE TIMMONS: "Timmons To Replace Porter, Buy Pit Bulls"--

LAMARR WOODLEY: "Steelers Get Wood"--

MATT SPAETH: "Steelers Draft Spaeth; Steeler Basketball Team Ecstatic"--

NEW STEELER MASCOT: "Steelers Nab Mascot in Middle Round"--

DANIEL SEPULVEDA: "Gardocki and His Unblocked Kicks To Move On"--

RYAN MCBEAN: "Steelers Draft Cowboy"--

CAMERON STEPHENSON: "Steelers Make Unsexy Yet Sensible Pick--

WILLIAM GAY: "Save Your Jokes"--

DALLAS BAKER: "Steelers Add Champion To Close Draft"--

Mondesi Interview:
My Draft Recap with 105.9 The X (with audio)--

The Fall of Brady Quinn:
"A Photo Essay:
The Anguished Look of a Young Man Who's Just Lost Millions of Dollars"

Video Find:
Punter Daniel Sepulveda Blows Up a Punt Returner

Local Guys:
Pitt, PSU and WVU draftees and free agent signees
Tyler Palko signs with Saints

Site news

Due to the extreme interest in the NFL Draft, the Monday Mailbag will be bumped to Tuesday. Based on the volume of email I already have, this will probably be the longest ever, which is saying something, considering each mailbag is usually 3,000 words or more. So let's go for the gusto.

Please email me with any thoughts or issues you'd like me to address, or anything else that crosses your mind. Draft, Steelers, Pirates, Pens, Pitt, Spiderman...whatever's on your mind.

X Marks the Mondesi (Updated, with Audio)

A.J. from 105.9 the X in Pittsburgh has been a very loyal reader and contributor of news items to the site. So when he asked me to appear on the X on Sunday to talk about the Steeler draft, I was glad to oblige.

This was a lot of fun to do, as we reviewed the first day of the Steeler draft and I made a few of my "observations". A.J. was nice enough to send me the MP3 version of the interview, it's about four minutes long.

Thanks again to A.J. for having me on and thanks to Rise Again and the Beastie Boys for their excellent lead-in.

Click here for the MP3 Audio File

Steelers Add Champion To Close Draft

DALLAS BAKER

Height: 6-3 Weight: 208 40-Time: 4.58

The Steelers ended the 2007 draft by selecting Florida Gator WR Dallas Baker, fresh off of a championship season under Urban Meyer. Baker will try to join a deep receiving corps already manned by Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington, Cedrick Wilson, Willie Reid, and Walter Young. His 40-time is not to be confused with Ted Ginn (before he got hurt), which probably hurt his stock. However, NFL Draft Countdown gives him the "hard worker" label that Steeler fans love, so he may be a frontrunner to emerge as a training camp favorite.

More on Baker:

--He is the nephew of former Charger WR Wes Chandler. And not "nephew" in the cute way Snoop says it in reference to his buddies. They're actually related.

--Super Prep All-American selection at New Smyrna Beach High School in 2000

--In 2006, reeled in 60 catches for 920 yards (15.3 avg) and 10 TDs for Florida

--"Uncanny ability" to score touchdowns has earned him the nickname "Dallas Baker, Touchdown Maker" by legendary Gator radio announcer Mick Hubert, who blatantly stole the name from former NY Giant Stephen Baker, the Touchdown Maker.

--Originally signed with Florida in February 2001

--Did not enroll immediately at Florida--first attended Northfield Mt. Hermon School in Massachusetts in 2001 to improve academics

--Had an MVP performance (10-147-2) in the Outback Bowl at the end of the 2005 season

--"Recreation Programming" major

Wikipedia Page

Official Florida Bio

NFL Draft Countdown Profile

Save Your Jokes

WILLIAM GAY

Height: 5-10 Weight: 187 40-Time: 4.48

The Steelers made a bold move in the 5th round, selecting Louisville CB William Gay with a compensatory pick. As you know, the league made quite a stink a few years back with their ban of the word/name "Gay" on the back of jerseys, in the case of Randall Gay of the Patriots.

From a marketing standpoint alone, this was a colossal roll of the dice for the Steelers. Will Pittsburghers wear a "Gay" jersey? Well, that probably won't be an issue, because Gay does not look like the kind of player that inspires legions of fans to buy his shirt.

His scouting report reads as follows:

"A good college football player who simply doesn't have the physical tools you look for...Is more of a zone / Cover 2 type...He will never be a starter at the next level but could make it as a dime corner / special teamer under the right circumstances."

I don't see many Yinzers walking around in Sean Morey jerseys, so I doubt sales of Gay jerseys will register a blip on the Pittsburgh retail radar.

Other than sophomoric humor, what else can I tell you about our newest Steeler?

--The always interesting Gil Brandt summarized Gay at NFL.com: "Gay was productive at Louisville; he made about six interceptions."

About six interceptions? Isn't that a stat that could be quickly looked up? Is this what is known as "mailing in" a piece?

--Three year starter for now-Falcons coach Bobby Petrino at Louisville.

--First team All-Big East last year.

--Gil, I looked it up. Gay did in fact have six INTs to go along with 47 solo tackles in 2006.

NFL Draft Countdown Profile

Official Louisville Bio

Steelers Make Unsexy Yet Sensible Pick

CAMERON STEPHENSON

Height: 6-3 Weight: 306 40-Time: 5.42

I was wondering what took so long for the Steelers to draft an offensive lineman, but they finally grabbed one when they took Rutgers guard Cameron Stephenson in round five. There's not too much to say about a fifth round lineman, but I'll try:

A few notes on Stephenson:

--Began his career at Los Angeles Harbor College as a defensive tackle in 2002

--Shifted to offensive tackle when he transferred to Rutgers in 2004

--Second team All-Big East last season

--Allowed just one of the eight sacks given up by the front wall for Rutgers in 2006

--NFL.com profile compares him to new Steeler Sean Mahan

NFL Draft Countdown Profile

NFL.com Profile

Steelers Draft Cowboy

RYAN MCBEAN

Height: 6-4 Weight: 286 40-Time: 4.98

The Steelers get defensive again in round four, choosing Oklahoma State defensive tackle Ryan McBean. Not a particularly sexy pick, and he didn't win any trophies, but the Tomlin Defense of Tomorrow is beginning to take shape.

Here's more on McBean:

--Had 4.5 sacks for Oklahoma State in 2006

--Transferred to OSU from Hinds Community College in 2005 and started 23 of 24 games for the Cowboys.

--Originally from Jamaica, so he can probably knows his way around a plate of jerk chicken

--Chose Oklahoma State over Arkansas, Mississippi, Southern Mississippi and Texas A&M

--Compared to Giants DE Lorzeno Bromell, who is best known for breaking Peyton Manning's jaw in 2001.

Recommended Reading:

Draft Countdown Scouting Report

Official Oklahoma State Bio

Gardocki and His Unblocked Kicks To Move On

DANIEL SEPULVEDA

HEIGHT 6'2" WEIGHT 229 40-TIME 4.59

In a move that officially ended the era of Chris Gardocki's unblocked punts, the Steelers traded up to draft punter Daniel Sepulveda from Baylor in the fourth round. Sepulveda is a two-time winner of the Ray Guy Award, handed out to the nation's best punter. This continues the Steelers' 2007 draft theme of trophy winners from yesterday, when they drafted Lombardi winner Lamarr Woodley and Mackey winner Matt Spaeth.

So what can I tell you about our new punter?

--Last year, averaged 46.18 yards per punt, had 19 kicks of 50 yards+, placed 13 inside the 20, and had a long of 78 yards, at Missouri. But he did have four punts blocked in his college career. Hey, there's only one Gardocki.

--Has a history of problems with his right (non-kicking) leg. How did he do it, you ask? He tore his ACL in a basketball game. And the Steeler basketball team, excited over yesterday's drafting of Matt Spaeth, groans in frustration.

--He was an accounting major. No "General Studies" here.

--Walked-on to the Baylor team in 2002.

--NFL.com summary notes that he has "good chest thickness, muscular arms, tight waist, tapered thighs and calves". Who wrote this, Ladies...or Girls Gone Sports?

--One of 13 players in NCAA Division I history to win a major national award two times

--Chris Gardocki holds the NFL record for most consecutive punts with no blocks: 1,177. Gardocki has never had a punt blocked in his NFL career. Just wanted to say that one more time.

Recommended reading:

Official Baylor bio

Draft Countdown Scouting Report

Steelers Draft Spaeth; Steeler Basketball Team Ecstatic

MATT SPAETH

Height: 6-7 Weight: 270 40-Time: 4.81

The Steelers, feeling the need to draft another premium tight end that they won't throw to, selected Minnesota's Matt Spaeth in the third round.

From the very uninteresting Matt Spaeth File:

--2006 Mackey Award Winner as nation's best tight end. When added with Lamarr Woodley (Lombardi Award Winner), the Steelers' incoming rookies have an impressive trophy case.

--1st Team All-American in 2006.

--47 catches, 564 yards, 4 TDs last season for Minnesota.

--Father is Ken Spaeth, former Nebraska Cornhusker and a Buffalo Bill draftee.

--Began his college career as a defensive end.

--Averaged averaged 30 points and 13 rebounds per game in high school basketball. Great news for that Steeler charity basketball team.

Minnesota Bio

Wikipedia Page

NFL Draft Countdown Scouting Report

Steelers Get Wood

LAMARR WOODLEY

Height: 6-2 Weight: 266 40-Time: 4.79

The Steelers went defense again in round two, selecting defensive end Lamarr "Wood" Woodley out of Michigan. It was easy to miss the pick after Keyshawn Johnson gushed over his Panthers drafting fellow USC alum Dwayne Jarrett just one pick ahead of the Steelers, but eventually Kiper and friends got around to talking about Woodley.

Here's what we know about Wood:

--Won the Lombardi Award as the best lineman--offensive or defensive--in the country last year

--14 sacks his senior season

--2006 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Lineman of the Year

--Coming out of high school he was rated the #14 player in the country by Rivals

--Also recruited by Florida, Michigan State, and USC, among others

--Majored in "General Studies"

--Bench pressed 325 pounds and measured a vertical leap of 29 inches

--Teamed with Lions wide receiver/colossal failure Charles Rogers and Golden State Warriors point guard Anthony Roberson at Saginaw High School in 2000 to win Michigan's Division II state championship in football.

--Probably hates Ohio State

--To the best of my knowledge, he is not related to former Steeler David Woodley

Recommended Reading:

Michigan Profile

Wikipedia Page

Draft Countdown Scouting Report

Timmons To Replace Porter, Buy Pit Bulls

LAWRENCE TIMMONS

Height: 6-0 7/8 Weight: 234 40-Time: 4.59

The Steelers did not get the opportunity to select Pitt's Darrelle Revis on Saturday, but they did snag Florida State linebacker Lawrence Timmons with the 15th pick in the first round. Caught up in all of the buzz over Brady Quinn dropping like an Acme Anvil off a cliff, Kevin Colbert and Co. were able to remain focused and select the eventual replacement for Joey Porter. Although I can't imagine James Harrison being too thrilled with the pick.

Timmons becomes just the third linebacker the Steelers have selected with a first-round pick in their history, joining Huey Richardson and Robin Cole. Let's hope Timmons ends up more like Cole and less like Richardson.

So let's get to know Lawrence Timmons. Here's some interesting factoids I've been able to uncover so far:

--He is represented by the one and only Drew Rosenhaus. Next question.

--His father, Lindsley Timmons, played basketball at Duquesne University in 1976

--Started 12 games in his FSU career, all as a junior, as he was stuck behind stud LB Ernie Sims on the depth chart

--#4-rated LB as a high school senior by rivals.com

--Selected Florida State over Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia.

--To the best of my knowledge, owns no pit bulls...yet.

Recommended reading

Florida State profile

Draft Countdown Scouting Report