This post was originally published on this site
Vote on the best front office moves in Steelers history
The Sweet 16 of Steelers March Madness continues today with the Halupki Bracket. It’s our NCAA-style tournament of the greatest front office moves in Pittsburgh Steelers history. If you didn’t vote on yesterday’s bracket yet, click HERE. Let’s get to the matchups!
HALUPKI BRACKET
1 seed: April 26, 2003 – Traded up to draft safety Troy Polamalu
(Traded 1st round pick (27th overall, Larry Johnson), 3rd round pick (92nd overall, Julian Battle) and 6th round pick (200th overall subsequently traded, Brooks Bollinger) to Chiefs for 1st round pick (16th overall, Troy Polamalu)
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Pittsburgh was almost not in the market for a safety in 2003. The Steelers had a verbal agreement with Dexter Jackson, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, but he would end up signing with Arizona. Polamalu was the top-ranked safety in the draft. When San Diego traded down at pick 15 instead of addressing the safety position, Pittsburgh traded up from 27 to 16 with the Chiefs. The Steelers traded away the 92nd and 200th overall picks.
VS
12 seed: April 24, 2010 – Traded for cornerback Bryant McFadden and Antonio Brown pick
(traded 2010 5th round pick (155th overall, John Skelton) to Cardinals for Bryant McFadden and 2010 6th round pick (195th overall, Antonio Brown)
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Pittsburgh needed an upgrade at cornerback, so they brought back Bryant McFadden, who started all 16 games for the league’s number-one scoring defense. What the Steelers did not know that day is that the 6th-round pick they also acquired would be generational talent, Antonio Brown.
2 seed: February 14, 2000 – Signed free agent nose tackle Kimo Von Oelhoffen
(signed a four-year, $11 million deal)
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Kevin Colbert’s first free agent signing as the Steelers’ general manager. Von Oelhoffen spent six years in Cincinnati as a nose tackle, but Pittsburgh soon converted him to defensive end. He started 94 games for the Steelers including Super Bowl XL.
VS
3 seed: February 25, 1998 – signed free agent cornerback Dewayne Washington
(signed five-year, $22.5 million deal)
Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Washington hit free agency coming off his best season in Minnesota with four interceptions. Denver offered him more money, but Washington wanted to play with defensive backs Darren Perry and Carnell Lake. During his first season in town, Washington had 93 tackles, five interceptions, and two touchdowns. He ultimately started 92 games in Pittsburgh, plus four playoff games, including the 2001 AFC Championship against New England.
The Sweet 16 continues tomorrow with our third bracket. Explain why you made your picks in the comments.