... rookies is simple. Let them watch the first year, and expect them to contribute their second.

It happened to Troy Polamalu, who played sparingly his rookie season. Same with Lawrence Timmons, Santonio Holmes, Heath Miller, and this year with Ziggy Hood. With the exception of Ben Roethlisberger, you can date back to the '90s before finding a rookie that contributed right off the bat, Alan Faneca (1998).

When you are a team that drafts best available player, instead of for need, this is a luxury you can afford.

When Rashard Mendenhall was selected in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, everyone wondered why? Running back was not the Steelers greatest area of weakness, but again, best available, in the Steelers opinion, was Mend...

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