Gold(en) and Black Tate??

By nickshep10, April 19, 2010 at 5:48 pm

By: Nick Shepkowski
Chicagonow.com and 670 The Score

Over the weekend the reigning Belitnikoff Award winner raised some eyebrows in western Pennsylvania, especially with Pittsburgh Steelers fans who root for Notre Dame as well.

Golden Tate joined Troy Clardy of 93.7 FM The Fan in Pittsburgh and discussed the possibility of being drafted by the six-time Super Bowl champions.

"Now that Holmes is gone, I'm seeing it as a possibility," Tate said. "I'm anxious to see which direction they take. . . . It would
be an
ideal situation."

The trade of Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets opens up a receiver spot on the Steelers roster. Pittsburgh's 2008 2nd round draft pick Limas Sweed has been a bust for them, catching only 7 passes in his first two seasons in the league.

Tate noted that a certain veteran on the Steelers makes Pittsburgh a very hopeful destination for him come Thursday's draft:

"I'll be going into a great situation because I would be
learning from a guy that I like to model my game after, Hines Ward. I don't
think it could get any better than that."

Tate would likely especially enjoy being taken by the Steelers because many project he won't be a first round NFL Draft pick. WalterFootball.com and DraftCountdown.com both have him going 36th overall to the Kansas City Chiefs while MyNFLDraft.com has him pegged 41st to the Buffalo Bills.

The Steelers are currently slated to pick 18th overall on Thursday and I would be personally shocked/thrilled if they took Tate, I suspect he falls to the second round while the Steelers take Florida offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey.