PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Mike Tomlin said they’ve tried not to think about it. Kevin Colbert said his time with the Steelers has been more than just about football. The time together now counted in hours as the Steelers head coach and general manager have work to do and have tried not to focus on it being Colbert’s last NFL Draft starting Thursday.
“It went through my mind a little bit some when we were traveling because we've just had such great times over the years traveling and gathering information, necessary information, to get to know the young men,” Tomlin said. “But we've been up against it pretty good and hustling, so there hasn't been a lot of those moments, but obviously it has been a pleasure to work alongside him and we'll see where the roads lead us.”
“It's been a great process to work with Coach,” Colbert said. “You don't take those things for granted. He loves this part of the process, and that always makes it an easier endeavor. It's fun to be out and watch him interact with these young men and their families, and the respect that he commands on the road, it's very impressive. And the information that he comes away with that I might have missed is very helpful.
It's been a nice working relationship, but it's been more than that.”
“No doubt,” Tomlin added.
Colbert Top 10
Who are the 10 best draft picks of the Colbert era? Here is a look at who we think are the best two handfuls of players, value of the pick is a factor in some cases.
10. William Gay
A fifth-round pick in 2007, Gay would play in 160 games with the Steelers intercepting 11 passes, seven forced fumbles, 81 passes defended and 520 tackles earning the nickname ‘Big Play Will Gay’.
9. Larry Foote
A later round linebacker that played big snaps for the Steelers and led. A fourth-round pick in 2004, Foote started 105 of the 158 games he played with the Steelers with 636 tackles, nine forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
8. David DeCastro
The first-round pick from Stanford started 124 games over eight years, in six of those the guard was named to the Pro Bowl. In 8,197 snaps, DeCastro was called for holding a dozen times.
7. Maurkice Pouncey
It may seem in Pittsburgh it’s easy to find the next great center. It’s not. Pouncey started 134 out of 134 career games and became a four-time team captain. The Florida native would win 10 postseason awards in his career and be selected to nine Pro Bowls.
6. Brett Keisel
The best value pick of Colbert’s tenure, the 242nd pick overall started 114 games, played in 156 with 30 sacks, seven forced fumbles, 33 TFL, 53 QB hits, 408 tackles and an impact in the community that is still being felt.
5. Cam Heyward
The Steelers defensive captain for the last seven seasons, the 31st overall selection in 2011 has been a rock on and off the field. Heyward has 540 tackles, 101 for loss, 68 sacks, seven forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions in 166 career games (131 starts).
4. TJ Watt
Let a few years pass and Watt may climb the list. The 30th overall pick in 2017 is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and three-time First Team All-Pro. In just 77 career games, Watt has 72 sacks including 37.5 in his last 30 games.
3. Antonio Brown
The immediate reminder is how it ended, but AB became a dominant force in the NFL. A sixth-round pick in 2010, Brown finished with 837 receptions for 11,207 yards and 83 touchdowns as a Steeler. He was four times named First Team All-Pro.
2. Troy Polamalu
The Hall of Famer was a generational talent and one of the best safeties to ever play the game and Colbert had to trade up to get him. Polamalu wreaked havoc with 32 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles, 56 tackles for loss and some highlights that will be shown for as long as the game is around.
1. Ben Roethlisberger
I understand those saying it’s Polamalu, but to get it right on the most important position in the sport. It was Roethlisberger taking the team over the hump to two more Super Bowl championships. Ben won 165 of 249 games, threw for 64,088 yards and 418 touchdowns owning most of the team’s passing records.
“There's too many to look back on,” Colbert said of his picks. “And maybe there's not enough to look back on, too, because Coach and I are never going to be satisfied with what our results were or are to this point.”
“I hope this one's the best one.”