Click here to submit your question

Q: Hey Ed, just wanted to know your thoughts on the Steelers and their draft busts in the third round: Anthony Smith, Willie Reid and Bruce Davis. How far does this ut the team back? And don't you think they should start trading their third-round pick(s) away to either move up or stock pile draft picks so they don't get anymore third-round busts?

Dino Kadri, Windsor, Ontario

BOUCHETTE: Indeed, as you noted, the Steelers have had some third-round picks turn sour for them. I was assigned to the Steelers beat near the end of the 1985 training camp and on my first day on the job, they cut a rookie, Liffort Hobley, who was their third-round pick. But they've also hit on quite a few, including perhaps their three this season. Two third-rounders start in their line, Trai Essex and Max Starks. Another starts for Tennessee tonight, safety Chris Hope. And yet another will start again at wide receiver for the Steelers, Hines Ward. So, all was not lost with third-round picks. They also are not the only team in the league to miss on third-rounders.