Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 50

D-10 PITTSBURGH TOST-GAZETTE SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2001 F0 F00T1ML Great expectations do not guarantee a storybook career "I he beauty of the National rootball League draft and a major reason draft day is an unofficial Ameri BOB SMIZIK eludes, besides Lipps, Woodson and Green, the following: Alan Faneca, Chad Scott, Mark Bruener, Charles Johnson, Leon Searcy, Robin Cole, Bennie Cunningham and Ron Johnson. Selecting football players is an inexact science, no matter how much money teams put into scouting, and they put in plenty. Hampton might turn out to be the Steelers' nose tackle for the next eight years. Bell might have a long and successful career. Both might make the Pro Bowl.

But history tells us success for these players is no sure thing. That shouldn't detract from draft day. It's still a day for teams to build rosters and fans to build dreams. But just remember, for every Rod Woodson there's at least one Huey Richardson. Bob Smizik can be reached at which means there are losers on draft day.

Those would be the team owners who fork over outlandish signing bonuses to first-round choices. Troy Edwards, the team's No. 1 choice in 1999, received a $4 million signing bonus. Plaxico Burress, No. 1 last year, agreed to a contract that will pay him $6.4 million in signing bonuses.

Hampton, the 19th player selected, can expect to get a signing bonus of about $4 million. Here's a list of first-round choices since 1974 who have been major failures with the Steelers or didn't live up to expectations: Jamain Stephens, Deon Figures, Huey Richardson, Tim Worley, Aaron Jones, John Reinstra, Tom Rick-etts, Darryl Sims, Keith Gary, Mark Malone, Greg Hawthorne, Walter Abercrombie and Dave Brown. It's longer than the list of successful first rounders, which in- that haven't made the playoffs in three years need to draft for immediate help. To the Steelers' credit, that's what they did. What does it all mean? For sure, there's a glow around Hampton and Bell today.

They look like good selections. But isn't that what's said every year? A little history: Since 1974, when they took Lynn Swann, the Steelers have had 28 first-round draft choices. They were all winners the day they were selected. Words of praise were heaped on all of them. The football public looked forward with great anticipation to watching them play.

But only three first-round choices since Swann Louis Lipps, Eric Green and Rod Woodson have had a career that took them to the Pro Bowl as Steelers. Only Woodson was an impact player. That's a disappointing ratio, ple of times over when he finally agrees to contract terms. He looks to be a fine fit for the Steelers, who will move undersized Kimo von Oelhoffen from nose tackle to right defensive end. "He's a relentless player," Coach Bill Cowher said of Hampton.

"I think he's a guy that's very quick. He's going to be a very disruptive guy within our schemes." The Steelers appeared to help themselves in the second round, too, when they traded up 11 places to select Georgia inside linebacker Kendrell Bell, who will be expected to make contributions in his rookie season. Bell will be groomed as the successor to Levon Kirkland. Linebacker Coach Mike Archer said, "We wouldn't have traded up for him if we didn't think he can have an impact on our team." By all indications, the Steelers helped themselves with these can holiday is that it has something for everybody. There are no losers on draft day.

Every team, every player is a winner. Draft day is a time of hopes fulfilled. Every team comes away better or so it seems. No wonder America is mesmerized by an event in which no one keeps score. The man of the hour in Pittsburgh today is Casey Hampton, a 6-foot-1, 321-pound defensive tackle from the University of Texas.

He was the Steelers' No. 1 choice in the draft yesterday. He will play nose tackle and, although he will compete for the starting job with Kendrick Clancy, a third-round choice last year, it's pretty certain he'll be the regular. He'll also be a millionaire a cou choices. The decision to draft a nose tackle and linebacker in the first two rounds makes infinitely more sense than selecting a cor-nerback, a theory some had advanced because the team would face serious defections at that position after next season.

Upgrading for the future is something successful teams that are deep in talent can'do. Teams Steelers add bite to their defense i- 'p '-C 1 j. ''a. 'v i 4-- i Ik, mtevi lii .1 1. i VV "ia.

.,.1 I Associated Press Casey Hamilton had 18 tackles for losses last season en route to being the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. On the nose Longhorns lineman's no-nonsense attitude impresses Steelers STEELERS PICKS AT A GLANCE FIRST ROUND Name: Casey Hampton Position: Nose tackle College: Texas Chosen: 19th overall Size: 6 feet 1,31 5 pounds Scouting report: True' nose tackle who will get opportunity to start as a rookie. Low center of gravity. Three-year starter with 37 consecutive starts. Over-achiever who gives everything he has on every play.

be 24 Sept. 3, before the Steelers' first regular-sea son game. Good run-stopper and pushes the pocket, as evidenced by his 46 quarterback pressures the past two seasons. First defensive lineman drafted on the first round by the Steelers in 10 years. First team All-America on several lists the past two years, he was Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2000.

Native of Galveston, Texas. SECOND ROUND Name: Kendrell Bell Position: Linebacker College: Georgia Chosen: 39th overall. Size: 6 feet 1, 235 pounds. Scouting report: Rated second-best linebacker in the draft by the Steelers. They traded the 112th choice, a fourth-rounder, to the Patriots to move 1 1 spots higher in the second round to take him.

Excellent speed at 4.55 in the 40. They will try him at inside linebacker with Mike Jones, but he also could play on the outside, if necessary. Had seven sacks last season, 12 in his career. 22 quarterback pressures last year. Will be 21 July 17.

Played three years at Georgia after a two-year junior college career. Native of Augusta, Ga. STEELERS FROM PAGE D-1 "When we watch this guy play we think he fits the mold of the players we play on defense relentless motor, very powerful," Coach Bill Cowher said. So convinced is Cowher of Hampton's ability that he has already decided to move Kimo von Oelhoffen, last year's starting nose tackle, to right defensive end. The Steelers gave the Jets the 16th pick and took New York's 19th choice in a trade consummated after Washington made their choice at No.

15. The Jets also gave them picks in the fourth and sixth rounds, the 111th and 181st choices in the draft. It was a bonus for the Steelers, because they still wound up with the player they would have drafted at No. 16 if they were unable to make the trade. And, by moving down three spots, they saved an estimated $500,000 on the signing bonus they will have to give their first pick.

The team then traded its own fourth-round draft choice, No. 112 overall, to New England in order to move up in the second round. The Steelers went from No. 50 to 39 in order to draft Bell, 20, from the University of Georgia. Bell, 235 pounds, will play the same inside linebacker position as Mike Jones, a 32-year-old free agent the Steelers signed Friday from the Rams.

"Mike Jones is a veteran who can come in and help lead the young man," said linebackers coach Mike Archer. The two moves yesterday left the Steelers with five draft choices today one each in rounds four through seven and the extra sixth-round pick from the Jets. Kevin Colbert, the team's director of football operations, turned down an offer to trade first-round picks with Philadelphia because the Eagles had the 25th pick and he did not believe Hampton would last that long. "We didn't want to go down too far because you don't want to trade yourself away from a good player," Colbert said, "Had we gone clown further, we weren't as comfortable as we were just going down to 19." Hampton, rated the fourth-best defensive lineman in the draft by many, was the fifth drafted on the first round yesterday. The Steelers would have liked to draft 6-6 defensive tackle Marcus Stroud of Georgia, but Jacksonville took him at No.

13. They had an opportunity to take the best cornerback in the draft, Ohio State's Nate Clements, but opted to start rebuilding their defensive line instead. Clements went to Buffalo two choices after the Steelers. "He was the last of a premier group that was up on the board, in our minds," Cowher said of Hampton. Hampton falls in the mold of others who have played nose tackle in their 3-4 defense, such as Gary Dunn, Gerald Williams and Joel Steed.

They were strong, beefy men who used their size and strength to help collapse the pocket and clog the middle to keep blockers off the linebackers. They went away from that last season with the more-athletic von Oelhoffen. "If you try to single block him, he's very quick," Cowher said of Hampton. "He's going to be a very disruptive guy within our scheme. An inside linebacker, that's their best friend.

"He was a good fit for the type of defensive mentality that we were looking Hampton started 37 consecutive games the past three seasons at Texas and had 46 quarterback pressures the past two. He is all business on the field and off and reflected that in an interview yesterday. "I try to be real physical, that's my style of play," he said. "I like to mix it up. I like to compete every play.

I hate to lose any battle that's lust how I play every snap." Bell will add speed to the defense at a position that has lost some of that the past few years. It is conceivable that he could overtake Jones to become the starter next to Earl in successive seasons. Last year, he had 78 tackles (41 solos) 18 for losses and was named the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year. But, if you're looking for sacks from Hampton, forget it. He had 3.5 as a senior, 8.5 in three seasons.

"I think my strength is stopping the run," Hampton said. "I'm OK as a pass-rusher, but I can be a lot better." Hampton does not let too much stand in his way. Not injuries, not opposing centers, nothing. He earned All-American honors as a junior, despite playing most of the season with a hernia. And, after having surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in 1997, he came back and never showed any ill effect.

His knee has responded so well he doesn't even wear a brace when he plays. "It was of no significance," Colbert said. Apparently, the Steelers will not have to wor-. ry about Hampton's attitude, either. That's something they couldn't say after drafting Edwards with the top pick in 1999 and Burress with the eighth overall pick last year.

After tying for the team lead in receptions (61) as a rookie, Edwards lost his starting spot to Hines Ward early last season and finished with just 18 catches. Burress was another story. Last year, Cowher was supposed to meet with Burress, a 6-foot-6, 229-pound receiver, before the draft, but he didn't show up. After being handed a starting position, Burress was eventually benched when he failed to go after a pass over the middle in a game against Philadelphia. Hampton? He showed up injured for a pre-draft workout and never complained.

"I like this guy's mentality. I like his demeanor," Cowher said. "I think it's a good fit for this football team, for this city." And, for the position. The Steelers like Hampton so much they have already decided to move nose tackle Kimo von Oelhoffen to right defensive end. Part of the reason is von Oelhoffen played a style of nose tackle different from what the Steelers were accustomed when they had Joel Steed.

Von Oelhoffen used his quickness to disrupt plays in the backfield. But, what that did was allow opposing centers or guards to get into one of the inside linebackers, Levon Kirkland and Earl Holmes, and create running room up the middle. Hampton plays and even looks like Steed. He has big hips and thick thighs and is hard to knock off his feet. Cowher described him as a "powerful man." In three years as a starter, Hampton and linemate Shaun Rogers, a projected No.

1 pick whose stock fell because of a severe ankle injury, helped Texas improve its run defense each season. Last year, the Longhorns allowed just 94 yards rushing per game, the lowest in 17 years at the school. "An inside linebacker, that's their best friend," Cowher said of a run-stuffing nose tackle such as Hampton. "If you are going to be a defensive lineman in the National Football League, one of the most important things is you cannot make plays if you're not on your feet," said defensive line coach John Mitchell. "This guy stays on his feet." It was not always this way for Hampton, who grew up in Galveston, Texas.

He was a tailback at Galveston Ball High School until he added 50 pounds before his junior year and moved to defensive lineman. In two seasons, he played well enough to get picked to play in a Texas all-star game and was so dominant he thought he should have been named Most Valuable Player. At Texas, despite playing alongside Rogers, he became the first defensive lineman in school history to lead the Longhorns in tackles By Gerry Dulac Post Gaetle Sports Writer When Bill Cowher and Kevin Colbert went to the University of Texas last month to scout the player they ultimately made their No. 1 draft pick, Casey Hampton was bothered by a slight hamstring injury. But, like a lot of things with Hampton, he didn't let it bother him.

He shrugged off the injury the way he casts aside centers and guards and proceeded with his workout. "I was still able to do it," said Hampton, a 319-pound nose tackle. "They had a pretty good idea of what I can do." Even by not being able to perform at peak physical efficiency, Hampton convinced the Steelers they should make him the 19th pick overall in the National Football League draft yesterday. "He went through a very strenuous workout," said Colbert, the team's director of football operations. "He had a hamstring that was bothering him during the workout but, nevertheless, he finished it.

He never questioned any of the coaches or scouts that put him through anything. "When it was over, you just saw a guy that there's no nonsense with this guy whatsoever. This is a very, very serious football player. I think it's a big priority in this guy's life. Those are the kind of guys we try to surround ourselves with." There can be some debate whether the team's past two No.

1 picks Troy Edwards and Plaxico Burress possess that same quality. Not Hampton. The Steelers traded down three picks to get him, and the extra fourth-round pick they received from the New York Jets eventually allowed them to move up on the second round to draft inside linebacker Kendrell Bell of Georgia. Mitchell likes chances of signing deal Holmes before the season is over. -A former great high school running back, Bell also could become their middle linebacker in the dime defense.

The Steelers alternated Kirkland and Holmes in that spot last year but are looking to upgrade their pass coverage at the position. "He did it at Georgia, Archer said. Bell played at his best in the Bulldogs' big games such as Florida and Tennessee. He blasted Tennessee tailback and Buffalo Bills draft pick Travis Henry, causing a fumble that Bell recovered, one of his nine tackles in that game. He had 13 tackles against Florida, including an 11-yard sack of quarterback Rex Grossman.

"He's very athletic," Archer said. "We're very excited with the opportunity to get him. The most impressive thing he's done is accelerate to the ball. We're getting guys in who can run better." Bell also can play outside linebacker, a position he also played at Georgia. The Steelers start four linebackers in their defense, more than any other position, and needed to find more for depth and as future starters.

"He has a pretty good pass-rush move," said defensive coordinator Tim Lewis. "He is very fast, agile. He possesses the attributes that you need to play outside backer." STEELERS NOTEBOOK sons, to join merchandising manager Tim Carey in New York. McCartney, who supervised the building of the Steelers' new facilities, remained at Steelers headquarters to make sure there were no technical difficulties around the office. Contract details Linebacker Mike Jones will receive $2.5 million over the next three years on a contract he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Steelers.

That three-year total is $2.3 million less than what Levon Kirkland was supposed to make in 2001. "He will fall into playing the 'Mike' position in our defense, which is a very natural position," Cowher said. "That's what he's played at St. Louis, played it with the Raiders. He's played nickel linebacker on third down.

I think he gives us some flexibility. He gives us some experience." By Ed Bouchette Sports Writer The Steelers did not draft a quarterback yesterday but likely will have one as early as today. Scott Mitchell said yesterday that he will probably be a Steeler "pretty soon." "I spoke with Bill Cowher this morning and had a good conversation. There's a strong possibility I will be there." Mitchell, an 11 -year veteran, visited the Steelers Wednesday. He's an unrestricted free agent from the Cincinnati Bengals and has played for four teams.

"I feel pretty good about it," he said about his situation with the Steelers. Mitchell, a left-hander, would compete with Kent Graham for a roster spot during training Streak ends One of the longest streaks in Steelers history was snapped yesterday when Bob McCartney failed to make their first-round draft choice. Although others have made the decisions through the years, McCartney is the one who has been making the actual pick. McCartney, the team's video coordinator, has been making the trip to NFL draft headquarters in New York since the early 1970s as the Steelers' representative. While the coaches, scouts and top decisionmakers stayed in Pittsburgh and relayed their choice to New York, it was up to McCartney to relay the pick to NFL officials.

Yesterday, they sent John Rooney, one of Dan's.