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The Steelers' Day 1 Draft
Sunday, April 25, 2004

A scouting report on the Steeler's picks in the first round.

Round One, 11th player overall

AP
Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Miami of Ohio, 6 feet 4, 242 pounds. Considered by some scouts to have more potential than Eli Manning and Philip Rivers, quarterbacks selected ahead of him in the first round ... Was a three-year starter at Miami, where he completed 854 of 1,304 passes (65.5 percent) for 10,829 yards, 84 touchdowns and 34 interceptions. But played only one year at quarterback at Findlay (Ohio) High School, causing some scouts to think he needs several more years of experience ... Big and strong, described as having the size of a linebacker and mobility of a tailback. Doesn't have good speed, but moves well in the pocket and shows the ability to step away from the rush ... Shows good fluidity and quickness in his pass set, though he lacks a quick release ... Throws well on the run ... Very good at reading defenses, showing patience and the ability to pick apart zone defenses ... Was rated the No. 1 quarterback in the draft by The Sporting News, which said he has better arm strength than most QBs ... Considered a strong character guy.

Round Two, 38th player overall

Tusculum College
Ricardo Colclough

Ricardo Colclough, CB, Tusculum, 5-10, 186. Great, physical talent who lacks only the experience against big-time competition ... Has excellent ball skills, locating the ball very quickly and displays good leaping ability ... Considered the best of all small-school cornerbacks ... Excellent speed ... Has also been used as a punt/kick returner, where he had four scoring returns in 2003 ... Has the physique to add at least another 10 pounds without a loss in quickness ... In just two seasons, had 15 interceptions and 38 passes defensed ... Consensus first-team All-American ... Needs to improve his technique and adjust to playing at a higher level of competition. Also struggles to shed blocks ... Uses his speed, though, to recover in coverage. Shows good explosion when reacting to the ball ... Colclough pronounced "Coke-lee" ... Sports management major.

Round Three, 75th player overall

University of Florida
Max Starks

Max Starks, RT, Florida, 6-7, 343. A player who could be a starter or a bust. Has big size and large wingspan, but tends to lunge and gets out of position on pass protection. Good run blocker ... Played left tackle at Florida but will be given chance to start at right tackle for Steelers ... Started three games at right guard ... Doesn't play as physical as his size would suggest and doesn't always play to his potential ... Has vertical leap of 271 1/2 inches, but feet movement is considered suspect ... Was rated the No. 5 tackle by Mel Kiper and No. 6 by The Sporting News War Room ... Intelligent player who has competed against good pass rushers.

First published on April 25, 2004 at 12:00 am
 
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