I wouldn't mind having getting this kid on day 2.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>By Mike PrisutaTRIBUNE-REVIEWFriday, April 21, 2006The Steelers are sizing up a 5-foot-9, 184-pound wide receiver who hasn't caught a college pass in two seasons as they continue counting down to next weekend's NFL Draft.One with his own Web site. One who has been, among other things, an underwear model, an MTV personality and a two-time Olympic freestyle skier.No question former Colorado wideout Jeremy Bloom has had a lot on his plate of late.Next on Bloom's agenda is convincing NFL teams he's capable of catching passes and returning kickoffs and punts on Sundays.Bloom lost his NCAA eligibility after his first two seasons at Colorado because of endorsements he accepted resulting from the success he enjoyed as a world-class skier, which included appearances in the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics.On the football field, Bloom left his mark by accounting for five touchdowns of 75 yards or more on pass receptions, punt and kickoff returns in 24 games."I think he's a first-day guy," agent Gary Wichard said. "Jeremy is going to be outstanding (in the NFL). It's just a question of where he ends up."Rounds one through three of the draft will be held April 29.The Steelers brought Bloom to town Wednesday evening and spent Thursday checking him out at their South Side practice facility.Their interest piqued after attending Bloom's personal workout April 1 in Los Angeles, during which Bloom did 19 repetitions of the 225-pound bench press.Bloom was clocked at 4.48 in the 40-yard dash at the National Scouting Combine, less than a week after competing in the 2006 Winter Games.Bloom visited Philadelphia, Cleveland, New Orleans, Chicago and Denver before coming to Pittsburgh."It was a really exciting and humbling experience, very cool," Bloom said just before boarding a plane late yesterday afternoon. "We didn't get into too much detail (about a potential role with the Steelers). We just got to know each other a little bit. I met with the wide receivers coach (Bruce Arians), the special-teams coach (Kevin Spencer), the offensive coordinator (Ken Whisenhunt) and Coach (Bill) Cowher. "I've been a big fan of Coach Cowher's for a long time. That was a really neat experience."The Steelers lost wide receiver/punt returner Antwaan Randle El to Washington via unrestricted free agency this offseason."I think I can make an impact at wide receiver right away," Bloom said.As for possibly filling the special-teams void left by Randle El's departure, "Those are some big shoes to fill," Bloom said. "I can't say I'll do that right away, but I'll certainly do everything I can."Bloom had been more expansive at the Combine in February during a news conference broadcast by the NFL Network.Among the subjects broached then:# What football means to him: "It's something that's been a huge passion of mine ever since I can remember walking. Unfortunately, it was taken from me by the NCAA. I have a lot of fire inside of me for football and I'm ready to dedicate 100 percent of my time to that."# How his Olympics experiences can help him in the NFL: "The mental ability that it takes to compete on a big stage in front of a lot of people, with a lot of pressure, that's something that, fortunately, I've been able to deal with successfully. And also playing two years at Colorado, I played at Florida State, played at Oklahoma, played in the Rose Bowl against UCLA, played in the Big XII Championship Game, played in bowl games, so that's definitely a strength."# Why he's chosen football over skiing: "This is America, you know? So, obviously, football is the big daddy in this country with the most attention, the most pressure, and that's what I've really been missing."</div>
