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Mark Kaboly | Tribune-Review

Sure, the NFL Draft isn’t for another three months, but since the Jan. 15 deadline for underclassmen to declare for draft has passed, mock drafts are popping up everywhere, including on NFL.com

The site put out its first mock draft with a panel of six of their experts — Bucky Brooks, Daniel Jeremiah, Charles Davis, Gil Brandt, Albert Breer and Josh Norris — with all having the Steelers taking a defensive player with the 17th overall pick.

However, none of the NFL.com experts think the Steelers will select Notre Dame inside linebacker Manti Te’o even though five of the six experts have him still available when the Steelers pick.

Only Davis has Te’o going before the Steelers pick while the majority of the experts have Te’o being selected by the Bears with the 20th overall pick.

Here is who the NFL.com experts have the Steelers taking:

Brooks: Florida safety Matt Elam
Jeremiah: Mississippi State cornerback Johnthan Banks
Davis: Georgia defensive tackle John Jenkins
Brandt: Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson
Breer: Texas strong safety Kenny Vaccaro
Norris: Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones

Now, it’s hard to imagine the Steelers would take a defensive tackle like Davis and Brandt suggests, but every other player mentioned would surely fit a need.

However, you have to realize that there is a long way to go from now until the draft and things tend to change a whole bunch following the Combine, which is scheduled for Feb. 20-26 in Indianapolis.

Mark Kaboly | Tribune-Review

It just may be a coincidence that up until late in this past season that the top two cornerbacks in the NFL with the most consecutive games played were Ike Taylor and William Gay — both big proponents of working out with renowned trainer Tom Shaw during the offseason in Orlando.

Now, Shaw feels that he can provide Steelers fans what they desire the most — a healthy and in shape LaMarr Woodley.

Shaw told the Trib’s John Harris that he could remedy Woodley’s chronic hamstring issues that cost the outside linebacker seven games over the past two seasons along with parts of a couple others. Woodley also missed two games because of sprained ankle.

“There are three ways to pull a hamstring — overuse, overstriding and dehydration,” Shaw told Harris. “A linebacker who makes 80 percent of his plays within 10 yards is playing within a box. He shouldn‘t hit his (full) stride length. I want Woodley to come down here. He‘s a hard worker, but we teach the proper way to run.”

Linebacker coach Keith Butler told me during training camp that Woodley was too big the year before which contributed to his slow start. However, Butler said he liked how Woodley (who is listed a 266 pounds) came into training camp in shape this past year.

“At some point in time they realize they have to work in order to stand out in this league,” Butler told me in August. “If you don’t work, you are just going to be another guy — a good player, but not a great player.”

Still, Woodley collected only four sacks this year and 13 over the past two after three consecutive years of double-digit sacks.

Mark Kaboly | Tribune-Review

Huntley Johnson, lawyer for recently released Steelers running back Chris Rainey, said that his client did not slap his girlfriend last week which led to Rainey’s arrest, and also questioned a possible disgruntled neighbor’s testimony to the police.

Johnson told 93.7 The Fan’s Starkey and Miller Show with Colin Dunlap on Monday that Rainey’s girlfriend was not hit in any way by his client.

“The young lady has been extremely clear that Chris did not strike her,” Johnson said. “(There are) allegations (of Rainey slapping the woman) from one of the witnesses, who is one of Mr. Rainey’s next door neighbors that there may or may not been some unpleasant history with in the past. Just say that we looked into that and I am not sure anybody else has.”

According to Gainesville Police, Rainey slapped the woman and pulled her out of a car in an attempt to get his cell phone out of her purse. He chased her when she ran away, grabbing her bag and knocking them both to the ground.

“The next door neighbor said that there was a slap,” Johnson said. “The victim said there was not a slap. We have other witnesses that say that there was never a slap. There are no marks on here whatsoever. Chris Rainey is not the biggest guy in the NFL but he is not a wimp. If he had hit her with his open hand she would’ve been marked.”

Johnson said that he believes there was a tussle over a backpack that had Rainey’s cell phone in it and that was the extent of the incident.

“It was immature actions on his and her part, but immaturity a crime doesn’t make,” Johnson said.

Johnson said that if the state doesn’t drop the charges against Rainey that he expects to go to trial.

Other highlights of the interview with Johnson include:

* On whether the Steelers had a conversation with Rainey at any point telling him any incident would result in his release: “I am going to have to guess and say that didn’t occur. It may have occurred but I was not made aware of that.”

* On if he thinks Rainey was made an example of because of Alameda Ta’amu’s recent arrest: “ … I do know who Ben Roethlisberger is and I would say that it would go back to him and the Steelers being very sensitive about the criticism they took in the national media about that.”

* On if Chris Rainey has a gambling problem: “I don’t know that. He may. My understanding of that was that he was on a self inclusion list for another casino that was affiliated with the casino he received the trespass at. A gambling problem can be defined in a lot of different ways. I do not know if Chris has a gambling problem. I would say that, if he asks me, or if he doesn’t ask me, he needs to stay out of any and all casinos to show all those who are interested that he doesn’t have a gambling need. Whether he has a problem is up for interpretation.”

* On his feeling about the Steelers: “I was at Chris’ apartment the other day and he has Steelers memorabilia all over his apartment. I know it is too late for the Steelers, but he is heartbroken that he was cut by the Steelers. He is hopeful he will be picked up by somebody else. He had strong feeling for that organization and, I will say, was shocked that he was cut from the team.”

Mark Kaboly | Tribune-Review

Maurkice Pouncey had some real good games this year (Oakland, Philadelphia, Giants) but also had some stinkers as well (Jets and San Diego although he played guard against Chargers).

Pouncey had a solid year. Nothing more and nothing less. But an All-Pro season? Well, that’s debatable.

Pouncey was selected as to the 2nd team All-Pro center behind Seattle’s Max Unger.

Pouncey was hurt for part of the year and the Steelers running game wasn’t very good at all, so it is hard to be able to put together a good argument for Pouncey over some other centers around the league.

For my money, I like Houston’s Chris Myers and Minnesota’s John Sullivan and even Miami’s Mike Pouncey ahead of Maurkice Pouncey but when you do what Maurkice Pouncey did his rookie year, you reap benefits for years to come.

I will say this though: When Maurkice Pouncey is healthy, there are few that are better than him in the NFL.

Mark Kaboly | Tribune-Review

Jerome Bettis was turned away at the goalline the past two years when it comes to induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Look for the former Steelers bruising tailback to finally hit pay dirt when the 2013 class in announced Feb. 2 — the day before the Super Bowl — in New Orleans as Bettis and linebacker Kevin Greene were among 15 finalist announced Friday.

After being a finalist his first two years of eligibility, Bettis will likely be elected this time because a lack of competition at the position this year. There are no other running backs among the 15 finalists.

In his first two years of eligibility, Bettis had been blocked by other running backs. Marshall Faulk got elected in 2011 and Curtis Martin last year.

Bettis is the sixth all-time leading rusher in the NFL with 13,662 yards, which is a good indicator that he will be elected this year.

Of the top 16 all-time leading rushers in NFL history, Bettis is the only Hall of Fame eligible back who has yet to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Bettis is definitely worthy of being the 23rd Pittsburgh Steeler inducted into the Hall of Fame, and he will get in.

The other modern-era finalists announced Friday include Cowboys offensive lineman Larry Allen, Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown, Vikings-Eagles wide receiver Cris Carter, former 49ers owner Edward J. DeBartolo Jr., 49ers and Cowboys linebacker Charles Haley, former Browns and Ravens owner Art Modell and Ravens tackle Jonathan Ogden.

The other finalists are former coach Bill Parcells, Bills wide receiver Andre Reed, Bucs and Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp, Chiefs guard Will Shields, Giants defensive end Michael Strahan and Cardinals and Rams defensive back Aeneas Williams.

The two seniors committee finalists are former Chiefs and Oilers defensive tackle Curley Culp and Packers and Redskins linebacker Dave Robinson. The selection committee will weigh the merits of both candidates and can choose to enshrine either, both or neither.

Mark Kaboly | Tribune-Review
The Steelers head into the offseason with 18 unrestricted free agents and six restricted free agents. We will take a look at each individual player up until free agency starts on March 12.

Name: Charlie Batch

Charlie Batch

Contract status: Free agent

Position: Quarterback

Height: 6-2

Weight: 220

*Age: 38

Experience: 12

Quarterbacks on the current roster: Ben Roethlisberger

Free agent quarterbacks: Charlie Batch, Byron Leftwich

2011 season: Charlie Batch was forced to start a pair of division games – Cleveland and Baltimore – because of injuries to Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich. Batch was good in one and bad in the other. Batch completed 25-of-34 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown in helping the Steelers to an upset win over division champion Baltimore Ravens. Batch didn’t play as well in his start against Cleveland when he threw three interceptions, was visibly rusty and the Steelers turned the ball over eight times in a loss at Cleveland but showed, at 38, that he can still be a viable backup quarterback in the NFL.

What about this: In Batch’s two starts, he completed 68.8 percent of his passes when he was under pressure and only 63 percent when he wasn’t under pressure.

What the Steelers should do with Batch: Batch showed that he can be a valuable commodity especially in short-term use, and the Steelers felt the same way. Batch was elevated to the No. 2 quarterback for the final three games of the season even when Leftwich returned from his rib injury acknowledging that the Steelers’ coaching staff was comfortable with how Batch played in his opportunities. The Steelers need to have at least one younger quarterback on the roster meaning either Leftwich or Batch must go. You can’t go wrong by keeping either one, but Batch showed that he can get the job done on a more consistent basis over the past three years.

What the Steelers will do with Batch: A veteran backup quarterback isn’t a top priority of the Steelers heading into free agency because they would be happy to have either Leftwich or Batch back backing up Roethlisberger. The Steelers will be in no hurry to re-sign any of their backup quarterbacks just like they have rushed in years past so the Steelers will probably wait until deep into free agency once again, but will bring Batch back on a one-year veteran minimum salary.

* Age at start of 2013 season

Mark Kaboly | Tribune-Review

It’s not a secret that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is a big Bruce Arians fan.

Roethlisberger believes in Arians so much that he is speaking out on behalf of his friend and former offensive coordinator about a handful of vacant head coaching jobs around in the league, including the Chicago Bears.

Chicago Tribune writer Brad Biggs caught up with Roethlisberger on Tuesday and the Steelers quarterback gushed about his former boss.

“I think he is a players-coach,” Roethlisberger told Biggs. “When I say that, I don’t mean he’s favored the players. I say that because he is fair and players respect him. You’re not going to always get your way as a player, and you shouldn’t. You respect his decision and his calls and the things he does. He would be a fit for a head coaching job perfectly.”

Arians is expected to interview with the Bears, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles beginning later this week. Arians filled in for Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano, who was diagnosed with leukemia, for the majority of the season.

Roethlisberger said that Arians has been successful during his career because players respect him.

“When he was with Pittsburgh, he got along with the defensive guys just as well as the offensive guys because he competed with them in 7 on-7 and other drills and everyone respects him because he’s been around for a long time, he knows what he is talking about and so you’ve got to understand that is what you are going to get from him,” Roethlisberger said.

Roethlisberger also added: “He knows when to push you. People always thought that it was this great relationship that was hunky dory. But we got into our disagreements, our arguments. I think that is healthy. All good relationships should have that and he knows how to motivate each player. He’s not just a yeller. He’s not just a screamer. He knows how to get in your face, he knows how to not get in your face and talk to you. So, I think he’s the kind of guy you respect and want to play for.”

Mark Kaboly | Tribune-Review
The Steelers head into the offseason with 18 unrestricted free agents and six restricted free agents. We will take a look at each individual player up until free agency starts on March 12.

Name: Will Allen

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent

Position: Safety

Height: 6-1

Weight: 200

*Age: 31

Experience: 9

Safeties on the current roster: Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark, Ross Ventrone, Robert Golden, Damon Cromartie-Smith

Free agent safeties: Will Allen, Ryan Mundy

2011 season: Allen started his first games for the Steelers since he signed a free-agent contract following the 2009 season, but it wasn’t until Ryan Mundy failed filling in for the injured Troy Polamalu. Allen replaced Mundy heading into a Week 6 game against Tennessee, and played well until Polamalu returned to the starting lineup seven weeks later. Allen put together his best season since he was a full-time starter for Tampa Bay in 2006 as he finished with 34 tackles, three pass defenses and a forced fumble despite playing only seven games. But more important than stats, the veteran provided stability in the back half of the defense to allow free safety Ryan Clark to make plays.

What about this: When Allen took over the strong safety position, the Steelers were ranked 11th overall in run defense. When he headed back to the bench before a Week 14 game against Baltimore, the Steelers were ranked 5th against the run.

What the Steelers should do with Allen: There’s no position that’s become more tenuous for the Steelers when it comes to depth than safety. Polamalu will be 32 in April and has missed 22 games over the past four seasons. Ryan Clark has been much more durable, but will be 34 midway through the 2013 seasons. Now, Allen isn’t young himself, but at least he provides some quality depth while the organization addresses the depth issues, most likely during April’s draft. If the Steelers can get Allen back for the veteran minimum, he’d be more than welcomed.

What the Steelers will do with Allen: The Steelers realize the importance of Allen when it comes to depth at safety and special teams, so expect Will Allen to be back for the 2013 season.
* Age at start of 2013 seasons

Mark Kaboly | Tribune-Review

We tend to view free agency through the organization’s eyes. You know, “Steelers need to bring back Mendenhall, Lewis and Wallace.”

Instead, maybe we should approach it in the player’s perspective, and just maybe, signing with the Steelers isn’t the best thing for them monetarily and professionally?

I do believe that’s the case for a number of Steelers free agent, and this is why:
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WR Plaxico Burress — Sure, the Steelers are need of some wide receiver help and could use Burress’ veteran leadership, but playing time will be at a minimum if he stays with the Steelers. Baring injury, Burress wouldn’t be more than a fourth wide receiver with the Steelers. At his age, he wants to play, and a fourth receiver on the Steelers doesn’t get on the field much.
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OL Ramon Foster — Foster has started 30 consecutive games for the Steelers, and this is the one time he will be able to make some real money. Sure, he would love to be back with the Steelers, but at what cost? If he comes back, he will head into spring ball behind David DeCastro and Willie Colon. Foster has shown he is a starter in this league, so why would he want to come back and likely get cast to the side again especially with a great need around the NFL for solid linemen?
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OL Max Starks — Starks is in a very similar situation as Foster. Starks started all 29 games at left tackle since the Steelers signed him a week into last season, and he’s played them all for the veteran minimum salary. With the Steelers investing second-round picks in tackles Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert, Starks is the odd man out despite being the team’s best lineman in 2012. Starks in only 30 and has shown he is still a starter in the NFL so why not try to recoup some of that money he gave away the past two years and be assured of a starting position?
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WR Mike Wallace — Forget that the Steelers aren’t going to be able to come close to matching what Wallace is offered on the open market. We all saw that Wallace’s skill set doesn’t fit in with the direction the Steelers offense is going. Why wouldn’t Wallace want to go somewhere where his best attributes are highlighted especially if he would get similar money on both places?
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RB Rashard Mendenhall — This one is tricky. No doubt that Mendenhall is the most talented running back the Steelers have and, with his head on straight, could really help them. But if you are Mendenhall, who we all acknowledge made some bonehead decisions this year, you feel that you were done wrong by the coaching staff. Hear me out. Mendenhall fumbled seven times over his first 843 NFL carries, then fumbled twice within four carries and is banished to the third team and even so low as not to be active on game day. All this while Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, Mike Wallace, Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman and Chris Rainey are fumbling left and right. Something like that will make you, well, not show up a game that you know you’ve been told that you won’t be active for.

Saying all that, I do feel that a number of free agents would be better off staying with the Steelers including CB Keenan Lewis. Lewis fits into a niche with the Steelers opposite Ike Taylor and complementing Cortez Allen, and if he is offered competitive money by the Steelers, his best interest is to stay just like all these guys: DB Will Allen, QB Charlie Batch, LB Larry Foote, NT Casey Hampton, LB Brandon Johnson, HB David Johnson, QB Byron Leftwich, OL Doug Legursky, CB Justin King, S Ryan Mundy, TE Leonard Pope and LS Greg Warren.

Mark Kaboly | Tribune-Review

It’s unknown whether or not the Steelers will be in the market for an offensive coordinator less than 12 months after hiring Todd Haley.

Haley was granted permission by the Steelers to interview for the vacant Arizona head coaching position, and some people believe that the former Cardinals offensive coordinator is the front-runner to get the job.

The question is if Haley does go back to Arizona, who will take over the Steelers’ offense?

There is no doubt that running backs coach Kirby Wilson would be the front-runner to take over the offense.

Of course the Steelers would do their due diligence and interview other candidates, but no doubt Wilson would be the odds-on favorite to take over the offense … just like he was last year.

A team source with intimate knowledge of the situation confirmed to me that Wilson would’ve been the man to replace Bruce Arians if it wasn’t for the house fire that burned more than 50 percent of Wilson’s body two days before the AFC wild-card game against Denver and 15 days before Arians was fired. The same source said that Wilson is still very interested in becoming an offensive coordinator.

Instead of promoting Wilson last year, the Steelers had no choice but to go in a different direction because of the uncertainty of his health.

Fast forward a year later and Wilson may find himself back in the same situation as he was before he was injured.

Wilson’s health is a non-issue as well. He’s back to near 100 percent and was seen jogging around a darkened Steelers indoor practice facility the other day with no hint of his life-threatening injuries a year ago.

Not only does Wilson want the job, he would likely excel in the position as well. There is not a coach on the staff who is as respected as Wilson and not one who has as much drive.

So if Haley does decide to go to Arizona, expect Kirby Wilson to be at the top of the list to replace him.