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Check back here often for the Steelerfury.com live blog, featuring thoughts and comments from Hardnosed, FC, Iron_City and Perch.

2:56PM EST - Hardnosed

We're a few minutes away from the ceremonial crowing of Jake Long as the #1 pick. That's when things get interesting. Kansas City has 13 picks - if they want Matt Ryan, they might need to go up and get him. Rumor has it the Atlanta Falcons will select Ryan with the 3rd pick. Reality or smokescreen?

3:00PM EST - Hardnosed

Raja Goodell introduces the "new streamlined version" of the NFL Draft, to massive boos. Before walking the catwalk, Jake Long was standing with Merton Hanks, who is now a senior manager and assistant director of operations for the National Football League.

3:13PM EST - Hardnosed

Schefter is reporting that Matt Ryan is the Falcons' pick. If so, it's unlikely the Falcons would still want to trade into the bottom of the first round. It also increases the chances of Kansas City taking an offensive lineman with the 5th pick, which could start a run on lineman. This is a bad thing for the Steelers if they wanted a lineman - their best chance was for the Falcons to take Glenn Dorsey and for the Chiefs to snag Matt Ryan at #5.

3:25PM EST - FC

The Steelers trade down possibilities with the Falcons went down the toilet after the Falcons selected Matt Ryan. The Falcons better find some linemen to protect Ryan...They better find some recievers who can catch the ball. I am suprised by the pick...I expected Glenn Dorsey to be the pic.

3:27PM EST - FC

The Raiders select Darren Mcfadden...I'm not suprised. Al Davis likes the Home run...DMC can take it to the house any time he touches the ball. How far does Dorsey fall? Do the Saints trade up?

3:30PM EST - Hardnosed

Saints will be all over Dorsey. We'll see if Jammal Brown is involved - that could really help the Steelers as far as linemen being available.

Did anyone see Al Davis' brother working the phones for the Raiders?

3:38PM EST FC

Chiefs take Dorsey...BPA. I like the player...Hate the pick..The Chiefs need OL DE CB help. The Chiefs offense was anemic last season. I dont believe Brody Coyle is the answer at QB...Larry Johnson has a ton of miles on those legs. Dorsey has to be the second coming of Warren Sapp to be a value pick.

3:43PM EST Hardnosed

I'm happy to see Gholston NOT go to the Pats. There are questions as to how good he's really going to be because of his motor, but he's a freak who could have really helped the Patriots.

3:46PM EST FC

J -E- T - S had to take Gholston...Smart pick...Gholston will mature into a every down pass rushing demon. The only knock on Gholston coming into this draft was motor...He will take downs off. Mangini and his staff will get everything out of Gholston.

3:47PM EST Hardnosed

Patsies are on the clock. Some mocks had them taking a lineman here, and I just can't see that. The Pats are likely trying to trade down, or they'll sit tight and take a corner. I've got to believe this is too high for Keith Rivers or Jerod Mayo.

3:51PM EST FC

And we have a trade....Pioli is a mad man. He has something going every year. I believe the Saints will go with a Trojan...Sedric Ellis

3:53PM EST Hardnosed

The Ravens traded down, the whole way to 26. That's a long way to go. Jaguars will select Derrick Harvey. There are 15 picks until the Steelers' pick, and even Ryan Clady is still on the board. Things are looking good for the PS, but the run is coming. Will Albert or Otah survive?

3:54EST FC

Saints take Ellis. I give the Saints credit...They are trying to build a defense. Ravens trade down with the Jags...Derrick Harvey looks like the pick

3:57PM EST SteelPerch

The AFC North team weaknesses remain. The Bengals defense will not get a dominant DT as Ellis was taken 1 pick before them and the Ravens missed their franchise QB in Ryan. They only have a tradeable 2, 4, 5 since their 3rd is a comp pick, so they probably can't get back into round 1 for the #2 or 3 QB.

4:05EST Hardnosed

Bengals select Keith Rivers. Great pursuit guy, very athletic. However, he's not very physical. Rivers is Odell Thurman without the baggage. Still, it's a major plus that the Bengals got stuck with Rivers - visions of Glenn Dorsey were probably dancing in many a Bengals fan's head.

4:08EST FC

The Bengals pick Keith Rivers...Rivers is a typical Bungels defender. I am not fan of Rivers...He looks great in shorts...He doesnt play with enough nastiness for my taste. I have a feeling the Pats take Mckelvin or Albert

4:09PM Hardnosed

12 picks to go, and Clady, Albert, Otah and Williams are all on the board. There's still a strong chance that they're all gone. The next few picks after Buffalo will tell the story. I have to admit, it's great to be a little over an hour in and be done with 10 picks.

4:14PM FC

Thank God the Pats took Mayo...I have watched him play at Tenn...I was not a fan...He doesnt take on blocks well at all...He doesnt read and react at a high level. He maybe a star...I've been wrong before. I think Mayo is a bust...Not half the player Al Wilson was at Tenn

4:23PM FC

Broncos select Ryan Clady...Great zone blocking tackle for a zone blocking team...Perfect fit. I am fan of the player...2 years down the road he will be considered the best LT in this draft

4:25PM Hardnosed

I'm with FC about Clady - he will be a much better left tackle than Jake Long. Carolina takes Jon Stewart. Great pick for them, and it keeps the tackles on the board. Chicago, Chiefs, Texans and Eagles are the threats left at OL.

4:35PM Hardnosed

Wow, Chris Williams goes before Otah and Albert. If the Steelers want either one, they should make a move. Detroit at 15 wouldn't shock me as far as a trading partner is concerned. The nice thing is, there's going to be a run on CB's as well.

4:41PM Hardnosed

I'm not entirely sure why KC felt the need to trade up. I don't think the Cards were a big threat for Albert. Maybe someone was trying to move into the Cards' slot.

4:48PM FC The Chiefs select....Brendan Albert as soon as I heard the trade announced I knew Albert was gone. The Chiefs are off to a good start in this draft...Dorsey and Albert is a nice start to any draft. I expect the Cards to take Mendenhall

4:56PM Hardnosed

And the Steeler fans rejoiced. Gosder Cherilus is off the board. I have to say that I'm shocked he was taken that high. For the Steelers, it's a waiting game. Houston's biggest need is at left tackle as far as their line goes, so Otah likely doesn't figure in. Philadelphia is still a major threat, but they might be enticed by their choice of wideouts.

5:03PM Hardnosed

Joe Flacco is going to be a very nice, very immobile target for Steelers' pass rushers. Dan McGwire, anyone?

5:09PM Hardnosed

Otah is off the board. The Steelers CANNOT reach down their draft board for an offensive lineman. They've got to be honed in on another position - they could have moved up to 19 with a 3rd round pick if Otah was their man. A receiver would not surprise me in the least. Hopefully Henne and Brohm stick around - the Steelers might find a suitor.

5:28PM Hardnosed

Sam Baker at 21? And a 3rd and a 5th as well? Stubby, shoddy-kneed Baker?

5:45PM Hardnosed

What a courageous pick by Kevin Colbert. He thought outside the box and brought in a talent that was projected to go within the top 15th picks. Kemo and Starks will love blocking for this guy, and power football is coming back to Pittsburgh. For those knocking the pick, Mendenhall has the potential to be the best Steelers running back since Franco Harris. He is the total package of size and speed, and is a natural runner with the vision and instincts that Willie Parker lacks. Parker will be more effective now that Mendenhall is on the team.

6:07PM Hardnosed

Duane Brown is the initial first round shocker, going 26th overall to the Texans. No matter what you think of the Mendenhall pick, it definitely wasn't a reach. Brown at #26 is a reach. If the Steelers want even a 2nd tier tackle, they might have to trade up in the 2nd round.

6:33PM Hardnosed

The Miami Hurricane's string of 14 years with a first round pick continues, as Kenny Phillips goes with the last pick of the first round. Chad Henne is available for the Miami Tuna.

One of the only knocks on Rashard Mendenhall is the fact that he doesn't carry the ball securely. Kirby Wilson has some work ahead of him to cure Mendenhall of some bad habits while he's toting the ball.

7:32PM SteelPerch

Well I nailed the Donnie Avery in the early 2nd, but figured he'd be the 3rd or 4th WR by then. WOW he went early and the big WR's are still on the board!

We are 9 picks away from the Steelers pick, and if Cincy passes on Groves I think he'll be a Steeler.

8:15PM Hardnosed

Limas Sweed is a great pick in the 2nd round and once again a terrific value.  Sweed and Holmes will make it difficult for teams to bring the kitchen sink against Ben.  Throw in Ward and Miller and it's quite a receiving corps.  Of course, the OL remains a question mark.  However, the re-signing of Starks and the signing of Hartwig gave the Steelers a lot of flexibility.  It appears highly likely that Starks will open at RT and Colon will compete with Kemo to replace Faneca.