Steelers Today - A Pittsburgh Steelers blog

April 26, 2009
By Donald Starver

With their second pick in the 5th round, the Steelers selected Frank “The Tank” Summers.   Summers stands 5’10″, and weighs 230 lbs. 

Nicknamed “The Tank” because of his bruising running style, Summers is a strong, physical running back from UNLV. 

At UNLV, Summers was known as a workhorse running back who tended to get better as the game wore on.  His physical style tended to wear down defenders.  He was named the toughest player to bring down in the MWC by Lindy’s.

Despite his large size, Summers is also a receiving threat out of the backfield.  He has soft hands, and is the only player in UNLV history to lead his team in both rushing and receiving touchdowns in the same year.  He posted both the team’s longest rushing touchdown and their longest receiving touchdown.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC1OFDMdMik

Summers rushed for 928 yards and 6 touchdowns as a junior, and 740 yards and 8 touchdowns as a senior.

Everyone knows that the Steelers have struggled in short yardage situations over the last few years.  The addition of Summers, along with the return of Rashard Mendenhall, should definitely help that situation.

To read about the Steelers’ previous pick, click here.

To read about the Steelers’ next pick, click here.

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April 26, 2009
By Donald Starver

With their first pick in the 5th round, the Steelers selected Joe Burnett.  Burnett is a cornerback from Central Florida.  He stands 5’10″, and weighs 185 lbs.

Burnett was a record breaking cornerback and return man for UCF.  He was a first team All-American his senior year, and helped UCF to its first two bowl berths (2007 & 2008), and its first conference championship (2007) in school history.

Earned eight Conference USA All-Conference honors, including four straight first team punt returner awards.  Named Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Year his senior year.  Finished in 19th place for career punt return yards in NCAA history with 1,304.  Was the only player in the nation to be in the top 20 in both kickoff returns and punt returns.

Set the UCF career record with 16 interceptions.  Tied record for most career punt return touchdowns (3).

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10F5Ma4qRHw

Is considered to be a bit small to play cornerback in the NFL.  However, he has good technique, and is stronger than you’d expect for his size.  He is never out of place, and plays with discipline.

Because of his size, he struggles to get off blocks.  He also tends to give too much cushion to receivers.

He can bring pressure as a blitzer, but he doesn’t finish off the quarterback.  He is more of a cut tackler, and doesn’t wrap up with his arms.

Burnett probably isn’t going to make an immediate impact on the Steelers defense, but he should have an immediate impact on special teams.   Earlier pick Mike Wallace is primarily a kickoff returner, while Joe Burnett will upgrade the punt return game.

To read about the Steelers’ previous pick, click here.

To read about the Steelers’ next pick, click here.

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. Thanks.)

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