The Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, home of the best defense in the world, drafted our guy Ziggy Hood in the first round.  With the Steelers’ greatness (gave up fewest points and yards in 2008) and 3-4 defense (so only one interior d-line spot), one might think it’d be tough for Ziggy to crack the starting lineup.  It will, of course, be tough, but we should see plenty of Ziggy in 2009.  So very nice to have a player drafted by a team that gets on national TV.

As of today, the Steelers have five interior lineman (three listed at DT and two at NT).  The good news is the youngest with any game action, Nick Eason, is 29.   First the DTs.

• Nick Eason, seven year player out of Clemson.  Eason is a career backup.  In ‘09, Eason logged 1.5 sacks and seventeen tackles. 
• Casey Hampton, nine year player out of Texas.  He started 13 games at DT for the Steelers in ‘09, making a sack and 22 tackles.  He’s been to four pro bowls, but wasn’t invited last year after being plagued by groin and toe injuries.  He’s, um, big.

• Travis Kirschke, thirteen year player out of UCLA.  This 34 year old was an important part of the Steelers last year, starting six games, making a career high 46 tackles and throwing in a sack.

The nose tackles:

• Chris Hoke, nine year player out of BYU.  This erstwhile Steeler nose tackle started three games for the Steelers in ‘09 garnering 16 tackles and half a sack.  He’s 33 already.
• Scott Paxson, third year player out of Penn State, has seen one game of action in his career. 

Seriously, this looks like the perfect spot for Ziggy.  The incumbent in the middle is a force, but has also logged a lot of NFL miles and had nagging injuries a year ago.  There are some other good players, but none in their prime.  Personnel-wise, I love Ziggy’s chances in Pittsburgh.

Personality-wise, he’s a great fit.  Mike Tomlin (is he everyone’s favorite head coach yet?) is a young enthusiastic straight-shooter.  The Steelers have long been known as a hard-working team from the blue-collar city.  Sure, it’s cliche, etc., but Ziggy was a Missouri Tiger starter for four years and we never heard a bad word about him.  Great work ethic.  Great teammate.  When he got injured, he battled hard to get back fast.  Mizzou will miss.  Pittsburgh will love him.

Pennsylvania is now my favorite NFL state.