As Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan and the contingent of the Pittsburgh Steelers arrive in Indianapolis this week, there are some things that all fans need to keep in mind. The reason of course that they are in Indy is because the NFL Scouting Combine is underway. Hundreds of hopeful young men will be poked and prodded as if they were beef cattle all while running around in their pajamas. OK pajamas might be a stretch because these guys are now wearing such tight clothing that I cant imagine they’d be comfortable as pajamas. Be that as it may, here’s what you need to keep in mind this week.
Who YOU Want is Not Always Who the Steelers Want
Do you remember the first time you were love struck? You know… When you first saw that person and you immediately forgot who you were? If you watch enough of these Combines year after year then you’re likely to be love struck by a particular player. For example, you watch Oregon QB Bo Nix and you soon find yourself loving every throw. You see his interviews and are even more smitten and then you ‘hear’ that Mike Tomlin spoke with him. This is where you must relax…
Talking to a Prospect Means Nothing More Than That… Usually
Chances are that you’ve seen social media posts that explain that a prospect you really like has “spoken” to Mike Tomlin. Most fans are fairly level-headed and understand that a handshake and a “hello” is nothing more than that.
Are there times when there’s something more to it? Of course. Few are as good as Tomlin is at gauging a prospect with nothing more than a fist bump and a few words. There was also the famous situation several years ago when Michigan Edge Rusher Chase Winovich was getting TONS of attention by the Steelers. If I had a dime for every time I was told he was going to the pick in round one I would have a ton of dimes! Instead, Winovich was a vessel by which the Steelers were getting information on eventual first round pick Devin Bush.
Meetings Aren’t Just for First Rounders
All week long you’re going to see social media posts about who the Steelers are having private meetings with and you have to take these with a grain of salt. Not every one of these prospect meetings is about a first round guy. In fact, some aren’t even about the draft at all.
How many times have you heard after the Steelers signed a free agent that “this was a guy they really liked in the draft?” The team has always focused not just on players for this year but also for players for years to come too. In terms of this year however, the Steelers will focus on meeting with guys that could go in round one all the way through round seven.
Enjoy the Combine and everything that goes with it but keep things in perspective too. Prepping for the NFL Draft is a marathon not a sprint.
