Notebook: Draft picks find it hard to make the team

[BlitzburghRockCity]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06246/718745-66.stm

Sunday, September 03, 2006

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



Draft choices found it difficult making the Steelers' final roster, but it might not be a reflection on them as much as it is on the strength and depth of the defending Super Bowl champions.

Coach Bill Cowher waived four rookie draft picks over the past two days, including a fourth-rounder for the second consecutive year, throwing away more than half a million dollars in bonuses the Steelers gave those rookies to sign contracts.

Defensive end Orien Harris, their second pick in the fourth round and the 133rd overall in the April draft, was waived, the same fate that happened last year to receiver Fred Gibson, their fourth-round pick.

Harris cost the Steelers a $278,000 signing bonus. They also threw away $115,000 in a signing bonus on quarterback Omar Jacobs and another $104,000 on tight end Charles Davis -- both fifth-round picks who were waived.

Seventh-round pick Cedric Humes, a halfback, also was bounced from the roster Friday, a move that cost the team only $30,000 in a signing bonus. In total, the Steelers paid the four rookies they cut $527,000 in signing bonuses.

Any or all could join the practice squad today, depending on whether the Steelers want them on their eight-man unit and if they are not claimed off waivers by another NFL club and put on that team's 53-man roster.

In a bit of a surprise, the Steelers released veteran wide receiver Quincy Morgan, which leaves them with six wide receivers.

Lyn touched on this in a different thread...our day 2 draft picks didn't fair so well this year. This years draft class, especially on Day2 didn't have the usual depth and talent that NFL teams are accustomed to seeing and overall from what Ive seen its been tough for alot of 2nd day draft picks to find homes in general unless they're on a rebuilding team.

When you have a team like we do, with alot of talented veterans and a good mix of youth and experience its hard for a new guy to fit in but its something we must strive for in the future because players like Ward, Porter, Townsend, Farrior, Hampton, Faneca, etc...aren't gonna be around forever so its important to stay on top of the young talent and make sure the next guy is there ready to step in when needed.

[AZ_Steeler]

You hit the nail on the head with this BRC

When you have a team like we do, with alot of talented veterans and a good mix of youth and experience its hard for a new guy to fit in but its something we must strive for in the future because players like Ward, Porter, Townsend, Farrior, Hampton, Faneca, etc...aren't gonna be around forever so its important to stay on top of the young talent and make sure the next guy is there ready to step in when needed.

The Steelers already have so much depth at each spot that it's really hard for anyone to come from the draft and try and make the team. A lot of those guys thogh could easily be a starter in the future.