NFL Draft 2011: Sorry Steelers, No Pouncey 1-2 Punch in the Burgh

Normally, Twitter is my best friend. That is until Mike Pouncey and Peter King crushed my best case scenario for the Steelers this draft.

First, it was Peter King saying that the Steelers would have to trade up for Pouncey if they really wanted him. Honestly, I wasn't too surprised.

Pouncey has been eyed very closely since his brother became an All-Pro Rookie and stabilized the offensive line in what seemed like the blink of an eye. The one landing spot I had envisioned the young Gator going was New England.

Bill Belichick drafts Florida players more than any other college program. This is because their players fit what Belichick wants in his players: athletic players able to switch positions when necessary and well coached in a pro-spread layout.

Also, with two first round picks, the Patriots have two shots at nabbing Pouncey, who would fill a need on a team looking to regain their AFC dominance, well before the Steelers do.

However, the Steelers have traded before in order to grab game changing players such as Troy Polamalu and Santonio Holmes. Hope should still be alive right?

Yes, the Steelers could trade up past the Patriots at 17 or 27 if they had too because they've done it before and had success.

This hope was then stomped out by a Tweet from Mr. Pouncey who proclaimed: "Headed back to pittsburgh.... would be shocked if i wasnt in a dallas uniform nxt year! The draft is april 28th so we will see...."

Ouch. There it is.

Obviously, Pouncey had a terrific workout with the Cowboys, who have needs along the offensive line.

Now, would draftingPouncey at No. 9 overall be a bit of a reach? Yes.

If you had told me Maurkice was going to be an All-Pro Captain Caliber center would I have projected him at the No. 9 pick overall last year? Of course, if not even higher.

People think Mike can be just as good. Can the Steelers trade up past Dallas at the ninth pick? Not without giving up far too much because remember, with this shaky, injured and makeshift line, the Steelers got to the Super Bowl.

They lost it because of the holes in the secondary that need to be addressed immediately. 

So, I'm sorry Steeler fans and I'm sorry Mrs. Pouncey, looks like that Direct-TV NFL ticket is going to happen because Mike and Maurkice aren't going to be playing in Pittsburgh together anytime soon.