Monday morning is a pretty quiet one.  Not sure if some of the news sites’ editors forgot to set their clocks ahead or adjust their site’s scheduler, but not much has been refreshed for this morning’s news.  I’ll check back in with a few of them frequently this morning to see if anything comes out. Let’s start out with a little ‘State of the...

Here is a statement from Art Rooney II on the CBA: I am very disappointed that we were not successful in reaching an agreement with the Players Association in the round of mediation that the Players Association walked away from on Friday. The NFL Owners put a very fair offer on the table that we felt provided the framework for completing an agreement. The NFL is willing to negotiate...

NFL "Decision Tree" from Huffingtonpost.com In a document obtained from The Huffington Post, the ‘Huffpost Hill’ reports that the owners had been planning for a lockout for quite some time.  The document is of a ‘decision tree’ on whether or not the league should proceed with a contract.  This is pretty damning evidence.  And for those that who...

NFL officially announces lockout. Clipped from: www.reuters.com (share this clip) Well it seems as if there’s as much a chance of football happening by August as there is Charlie Sheen saying something sane ever again.  Pretty slim.  But, I raise up my morning cup of java this morning anyways with hopes that this impasse will indeed pass away before the headlines in Pittsburgh...

In the words of the immortal Homer Simpson DOHHHH!!!! Clipped from: www.post-gazette.com (share this clip)

The event most of us have been dreading finally happened on Friday when the NFL Players’ Association filed papers to de-certify as a union. What a shame that my first article  for the site (aside from my introduction)couldn’t be about something a little more joyous. A last minute offer by the owners (Which sounds like it was a pretty good deal. Maybe not perfect, but...

From: fansmerchandise.com The Steelers welcomed Carnell Lake as their only change in coaching staff for the 2011/12 season on Monday. I interpret that change to mean the Steelers realize that even with a juggernaut at safety like Troy being totally healthy, our secondary is suspect at best. I could riddle you with stats (and by “I could” I mean, “I’d have...

Brandon Harris is projected to go late first or early second round. From:jamtechnique.wordpress.com James Walker from ESPN.com reports that Mike Tomlin attended the University of Miami’s pro-day yesterday.  A tweet from @ChrisFreet is the source of that report.  Jack Del Rio, Jeff Ireland, Tony Sparano, Bill Bellichick were also in attendance.  Walker believes that Tomlin...

From poptower.com In a late Tweet last night, Chad Ochocinco/Johnson/Who’s on First, tweeted the following: @ochocincoChad Ochocinco I bet as Steeler or Laker player just going in to camp each year knowing you’ve a chance to win a ring has to be a great feeling With Ocho’s QB’s demands of either trade or retire, he seems to be bummin’ about...

PPG reports that Dave Lockett, the team’s communications coordinator, is leaving.  His last day will be tomorrow. Clipped from: www.post-gazette.com (share this clip)

First, I would like to thank Craig for the excellent opportunity he has given me to write about the team I care so much about. Thank you, sir. As the saying goes, I was not born in Pittsburgh, but I got there as soon as I could. I was raised in Butler, just north of the ‘Burgh. When someone asks me where I’m from, I automatically say, “Just outside of Pittsburgh.” Being�...

Nobody ever got anywhere being cautious in their convictions.  Some have tried to get me to waiver on my predicted pick, so I’m going to be bold in my stance on how the Steelers will draft this year.  In my very first post (aside from my introduction) I argued Mike Pouncey would be a very sensible and solid pick for the Steelers in this years draft.  There have even been a few...

I was in the middle of writing a new mock draft post when I saw this article come across Twitterville.  I was so surprised that I had to stop and react. In a birthday interview with PPG’s Ed Bouchette, Hines Ward says that players could very well go for an 18 game schedule in the next CBA – as long as the players are taken care of.  Rewind the clock a bit to anytime...

My Brother (left) and I at the Steelers/Vikings Preseason Game 3 in MN, 2008 The Steelers are the best franchise in sports, and their fans are the best in all of fandom. I sincerely believe that, and it’s the reason why I feel so honored that I have been asked to be a part of my favorite Steelers blog, Nice Pick, Cowher. Big thanks to Craig and all the people at FanSided for...

James Walker from ESPN.com is writes briefly about Mike Wallace and questions whether Wallace can be considered a top-10 Receiver.  Thoughts Nation? Clipped from: espn.go.com (share this clip)

From SI.com and Getty images Not according to Mike Holmgren.  Peter King in his Monday Morning Quarterback column on SI.com reports Mike Holmgren, Cleveland Brown team President, says Cowher,  ”wasn’t ready to come back and he was very honest about it.” That is a huge statement coming from a guy like Holmgren.  Mike Holmgren is an immensely respectable coach...

NOT Adam or Todd NPC readers, please join me in welcoming Adam and Todd to the NPC writing staff.  They are part one of a two part hiring initiative taking place on NPC.  You’ll hear from them very soon when they post an introduction about themselves.  Adam will be writing every Wednesday and Friday, and Todd will be writing every Monday and Thursday.  I think both are...

Steelers.com posts its 4th installment of ‘On The Road’ with Kevin Colbert.  Colbert congratulates and applauds the Packers in their Super Bowl win.  He also talks some combine and some college All-star games seen post-bowl season. Clipped from: www.steelers.com (share this clip)

Courtesy of steelertribute.com Ed Bouchette from the PPG reports this afternoon that the Steelers have hired 5 time Pro Bowler Carnell Lake as their next secondary coach. What will be the next step for the secondary? Will Colbert and Co. draft a rookie CB for Lake to groom? How does Lake’s hiring impact the way the secondary plays? Lake was one of the harder hitting safeties...

Courtesy of nydailynews.com Several sources including ESPN and NFL.com report that the owners and NFLPA have agreed to extend the CBA another seven days.  Both sides will come back to the table and resume talks beginning Monday.  Players’ transactions are still suspended during this time. This length of an extension makes one think that the two sides are ready to come to...

Courtesy of drewlitton.com I admit that I’m one of the guilty who think that sportscasters and pundits are too PC with regards to their own sport(s).  I feel that both sportscasters and pundits alike argue in favor of the big wigs or defend the relevance of systems that are obviously broken – take the BCS for instance.  I think, “Are you guys in so deep that you...

Good morning Steelers Nation.  Firstly, thank you to those who have submitted inquires about writing for NPC.  If you are interested and just haven’t contacted me yet, there’s still time.  I will be reviewing everything this weekend and making decisions for the beginning of the week.  For those of you whose interest might develop later on as you see this site evolve...

NPC readers, I’ve created a Facebook page for the group. If you click on the ‘Like’ button, you will see posts in your news feed. I will post links to NPC articles on the wall when they are posted. Click this link to the NPC FB page or search for NPC and look for the Lombardi six pack. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nice-Pick-Cowher/203806592978881 See you in...

Here’s a quick article from ESPN.com.  Could the two groups be close to some sort of agreement?  Sounds like concessions have been considered on the union side, but no in depth details given as of yet.  The extension is on 24 hours long – I’m suspecting that the union is looking over the owner’s deal one more time before they organize their decertification...

I really want to talk about the draft and FA and even how significant Carnell Lake would be as an addition to the coaching staff. But in lieu of the CBA deadline arriving tonight, I figured I would throw in my two cents to the 9 billion dollar pot before mayhem ensues and we are in the midst of a lockout that could last until who knows how long. Money money money money money money...