Stapleton placed on IR, four others released

By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

The Steelers made five roster moves on Monday to get down to the mandatory 75-man roster.

“That is unfortunate, but that is football. I talked to Darnell today. He is ready to move forward and focus on getting well and others are going to focus on moving forward and filling that void.”

Trai Essex has taken Stapleton’s right guard position and Doug Legursky could emerge as a back-up along the line. Legursky, who originally signed with the Steelers as a rookie free agent out of Marshall in 2008 and spent part of last season on the practice squad, has made an impact by being able to play both guard and center.

“I have been pleased with what Doug Legursky has done,” said Tomlin. “He has taken advantage of an opportunity. He has shown position flexibility. He has played some center. He has played some guard.

“When you look at where he is in his career and what he is doing on our football team, it kind of mirrors the position Darnell was in a year ago. Darnell was a guy who was an undrafted second-year man in our program, he showed some interior offensive line position flexibility and that’s how he stuck and made it and on down the line he had an opportunity to get in the lineup. A year ago Darnell Stapleton was Doug Legursky.”
 
The team also released wide receivers Steven Black and Martin Nance, center Alex Stepanovich and safety Derrick Richardson.

Training Camp: Day 4-5

Well it happened, my being busy getting the new Pittsburgh Blitz Community Forums ready to go kept me from posting about day 4 of the Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp. So today I will post an update on day 4-5 together. Again since I can not be live at camp this article will focus on providing excerpts and links from around the net to those who can.

Day 4-5:

What Steelers Today had to say:

Today marked the fourth day of the Steelers 2009 training camp.  The crowd was blessed with great weather, and things are starting to get heated on the field.

The competition between the offense and the defense is starting to show, and several fights broke out today.  There was also some non-fight related contact that was harder than necessary.

A couple of players are starting to stand out to me.  They are:

Mike Wallace – This kid is a player.  He has caught passes along the sideline, made sliding catches, and beaten everybody deep (more than once).  Unless the sun explodes, he is going to make the team.  He may even shock the world and win the #3 receiver position…..

Read More…

Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

Steelers’ defense has one goal: Be better

Imagine, if you will, the Steelers’ offense failing in those final few minutes of Super Bowl XLIII and that Arizona actually had pulled out a 23-20 victory.

It would have ranked as the biggest collapse in any Super Bowl. The NFL’s No. 1 defense, a dominating force all season, would have been remembered as blowing a 13-point lead in the final 7 1/2 minutes to lose the Super Bowl.

The gloom would still hang over all of Steelerdom. Instead of playing host to the only six-time Super Bowl champions, Saint Vincent College’s training camp might resemble the old monastery’s cemetery behind Bonaventure Hall on a hill beyond the practice field. Instead of Sixburgh, there would be Sickburgh….

Read More…

Steelers Notebook: Tomlin offering little information about Stapleton

Offensive lineman Darnell Stapleton continues to watch practices and coach Mike Tomlin continues to shed little light about what is wrong with his second-year starter.

Stapleton has a left knee injury that has kept him from practicing since Sunday. He had at least one MRI (Monday), but Tomlin remains mum about what might be wrong with him.

“No new news with Stapleton,” Tomlin said, and, when asked about him a second time, said, “Again, when I’m ready to talk, we’ll talk about it.”

Stapleton, who started 15 games at right guard through the Super Bowl last season, opened training camp at center for injured Justin Hartwig. Veteran backup tackle/guard Trai Essex has been at right guard and is likely to stay there, no matter what happens with Stapleton.

Read More…

From Steelers.com:

Sweed making big strides

Steelers Offensive Line is the New Kordell?

By Jeffrey Burton (the artist formerly know as J.B. Steel)

The Steelers have a long history of enabling. Just as all people that have substance control problems know it always helps to have someone who is always there to lend support, tell you everything is OK and no matter how bad it gets they will always be there. This is a form of delusion that is destructive not only to the people that are screwed up, but the people that enable. There is always a lot of collateral damage as well.

Chuck Noll came to Pittsburgh with a hard-nosed attitude, telling most of the current players they would not be there next year. He then went on to ignore the fact that Joe Gilliam and Terry Hanratty would never be NFL Quarterbacks and benched Terry Bradshaw, who despite the fact he sucked at first, was clearly the Quarterback of the future. Eventually Bradshaw exploded as a great future Hall of Famer with 4 Super Bowl rings and is for my money the greatest Quarterback Ever to Play the Game. Yes, I said it. Screw Montana, Peyton and even the great Johnny Unitas, well maybe not Johnny , Tom Brady does not even factor in here. Not only is he not close to being the greatest Quarterback of all time, he is not the best Quarterback currently playing, but I digress.

Noll fought with Bradshaw his entire career. Noll actually said, when he was asked toward the end of Bradshaw’s career if he was concerned about the future. “The Quarterback is one 11^th of the offense.” Was his reply. He then went on to prove it by starting the worst Quarterbacks in recent Steeler history

Cliff Stoudt. A cold chill should be running through any Steeler fan old enough to remember that name. That is a horror show that deserves a rating, which prohibits it from this forum. Suffice it to say when I moved down to Florida, I was watching a Dolphins game and saw him in Dolphin sweats on the sideline, I went ‘Ayah!” and jumped out of my chair. I hadn’t even had a good look at him. I just knew it was him. The horror…The horror… Enabling project.

Mark Malone or Magnum P.U. as he was known in some circles due to his resemblance to Tom Selleck, was an incredible athlete. He could play wide receiver, run back kicks, do anything. He could throw the ball as well. He was the original Slash. What he wasn’t, was a NFL Quarterback and he loved taking his helmet off while he was running off the field so the women could bask in his beauty. Enabling project.

The years went by and David Woodley (talented but concussed), the spastic Bubby Brister and his mother and I don’t know who else made it clear that the quarterback was one eleventh of the Steelers offense or less.

Bill Cowher came in as Head Coach and Neil O’Donnell seemed to be the Steelers future, but he sentenced himself to Pallookaville after choking in the Super Bowl against the Cowgirls and going free agent to the place NFL player’s careers go to die, the Big Apple.

Then came Kordell Stewart, one of the most talented athletes ever to play professional football. This was a guy, that if he had remained Slash would have been the first person to get into the Hall of Fame playing multiple positions since I don’t know, Bronco Nagurski, Slingin’ Sammy Baugh and whoever else you can think of as a leather head. He insisted on being a quarterback and Cowher, enabled him. He was horrendous, and Cowher backed him year after year as all the fans and media shouted and waved their hands in slow motion Nooo! Nooooo!

So this leads to the latest Steelers enabling project, of our Non-Offensive line. If you’re offensive you need to be offensive, spit on the sidewalk, pinch a baby, be sarcastic to your sainted grandmother and BLOCK for your extremely tolerant 100 million dollar Quarterback. The fault is not entirely with their obvious lack of talent. It is the fact that Mike Tomlin, who I respect, Non-Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians who I don’t, and Line Coach and Vietnam Vet Larry Zierline who I like, but think is the wrong guy at the wrong time, won’t face facts. This group does not have sufficient talent to be a starting NFL Offensive Line. Utilizing numbers from Frank Trusic, “Is Bruce Arians using Fuzzy Math?” at SteelCityInsider.com that he gleaned from Jay Cooper at Fanhouse.com and Stats LLC I will interpret how the sacks are credited.

The sacks attributed to the Steelers line due to getting physically beaten or missing an assignment:

Left Tackle – 7 sacks – Max Starks is the most intimidating one on one player of this group. He is a mountain with tree trunk legs. He gets control of his guy and can usually engage him or drive him to the ground. He surrendered 4 sacks and almost all of them were for lack of getting so much as a hand on an OLB or DB rushing the edge while he was engaged with his primary blocking assignment. The former starter, talented Marvel Smith’s career with the Steelers has come to an end due to back injuries. He surrendered 3 sacks while he was starting.

Left Guard – 7 sacks – Chris Kemoeatu, the teams best run blocker has a glaring flaw. In run blocking he explodes against his assignment, is great using his arms and body to knock his guy off the line and then down the field. The problem is he blocks this way when he’s pass blocking. He does not displace and defend and watch that nobody runs the gap as you are supposed to. This is an easy thing for Defensive Coordinators to spot and I can only think there was no coaching done to address it or Chris gets too caught up in what he’s doing and forgets.

Center – 5 sacks – Justin Hartwig, the line’s play caller has been a huge improvement over the hapless Sean Mahan. Early on there were some badly missed assignment call-outs that he should have caught, but the other linemen should have seen them as well. Justin will be a solid veteran center until the Steelers have his successor. He would probably make a good backup for a couple years after that provided he doesn’t drop an anvil on his toe. The Steelers think they’ve found their guy of the future with draft choice A. Q. Shipley and I hope he gets a chance to prove it in the preseason.

Right Guard – 4 sacks – Darnell Stapelton, was really bad in place of the solid Kendell Simmons whose career is probably over due to a torn Achilles tendon. Hopefully Kraig Urbik the 3^rd round draft choice this year can win the starting position and begin the revolution that has to happen on the Steelers offensive line.

Right Tackle – 6 sacks – Willie Colon, to return to a theme, I’m sure has spit on the sidewalk and pinched a baby. I’m staying way clear of the rest of my earlier comment because I fear him and know nothing of his family. If I did know I wouldn’t say anything for the same reason. Willie’s problem is he’s playing out of position. He doesn’t make adjustments well and causes one of my favorite Steelers, the most underrated Tight End in the NFL and should be Pro Bowl player, come on say it at home, Heattthhhh(!) stay at home to help way too much. Willie needs to move inside where if he can’t start, would be an outstanding back-up.

So this leaves us with 29 sacks attributed to the offense line either getting beaten physically or due to assignment. Now here’s the rub. There are another 13 sacks attributed to assignment once again or Ben holding on to the ball too long. I dismiss the Ben thing out of hand because as he’s matured, he usually makes a play or throws the ball out of bounds, so that puts it back on the O-Line and the Coaches.

There’s another 7 sacks attributed to the Running Backs, but that happens and it usually means someone on the front line got beat or the opposition was blitzing. This brings us up to a whopping 49 sacks. Yep that’s right 49 divided by 16 is 3 sacks a game. 3 times a game your 100 million dollar Quarterback is getting driven to the ground. This is acceptable for a Super Bowl quality team? Although to be fair, against the Eagles he was sacked 9 times. I remember yelling out load as time after time rushers lined up in the gap between our linemen wearing a cloak of invisibility as the Steelers O-line and Coaches seemed blind to their existence.

Now the downward end of our journey is not yet here. On top of the 49 sacks we have an inexcusable and staggering 89 hits Big Ben took. That is 138 contacts, 9 times a game if you average up your franchise is getting smacked, knocked down or slammed.  There is no accounting for the remaining QB hurries. It is simply impossible.

We are not done yet. This is the crux of this article. Arians actually had the brass to say words to the effect that they didn’t care how many times Ben got hit. They only cared if he got injured. If this is not the most classic example of enabling of abuse I don’t know what is. Arians and the other Coaches if they agree are enabling serial abuse of their franchise Quarterback. Enabling encourages abuse and it’s not only the Coaches that are at fault it is also Ben who is obviously suffering from Stockholm Syndrome and should be asking for a new O-line.

He has had multiple injuries as a result and was taken off the field with the back board and golf cart and the Thumps Up to prove he wasn’t paralyzed, in Mummy-Rap last season.

Effing Mummy-Rap.

Now the coaching of the O-line is very suspect. Most of the season I couldn’t tell you if they were in a zone or man to man blocking scheme. I don’t think they knew half the time or if they did whatever they were trying devolved so quickly they were operating out of desperation. This didn’t seem to confuse the defenses who exploited their incompetence all season long. Slight improvements happened in the second half of the season, but that’s like being a hundred miles from shore and saying ‘Hey, the boat’s not sinking as fast as before’‘

Okay, so I think I’ve beaten the problem enough. How about some solutions?

I had three picks in my Mock Draft little Big Board last year going to the line, 1^st Round Max Unger C\OG\OT, 2^nd Round OT’s William Beatty, Eben Britton or Jamon Meredith and in later rounds Robert Brewster. There were free agents available the Steelers could have gone after. They added no free agents to compete on the Line with the exception of the undrafted OT Ramon Foster. They added Kraig Urbik RG\RT and A. Q. Shipley C, who I hope will pan out.

Next season I have three O-line picks again for the Draft (Yes, I’m so pathetic, I’ve already done a Mock for 2010, but cut me some slack, I’m getting the ricky-ticky’s from lack of football and have resorted to having the NFL Network on all the time. It’s sort of like Methadone for NFL junkies.) If the coaching staff think their starters are so good they should make them prove it with some competition. I think they will find that this ‘starting line’ is actually a bunch of good reserve linemen and have been all along.

The Steelers have been famous for the anonymity of the Offensive Line. The only players that were ever pointed out were the standouts, Mike Webster, Dermonti Dawson, Alan Faneca, Jeff Hartings. The rest did their job and nobody knew who they were. We now have a line that is mostly I’m sorry to say, infamous. We need that hard-nosed Chuck Noll attitude that I’ll paraphrase, I’ve looked at the film. I’ve seen you play. The problem is not that you have a bad attitude or don’t have a good work ethic. You are simply not good enough and a lot of you won’t be back here next year.”

This should have been addressed this year in the off-season in a major way. It wasn’t. If it continues this year Noll’s message from the past should extend not only to the Offensive Line, but to the Coaches as well.

Go Stillers!

Training Camp – Day 2

Big Ben focuses on football at press conference

Sunday, August 02, 2009
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ben Roethlisberger said he’s sorry.

The Steelers’ quarterback opened training camp by apologizing to his teammates at a team meeting Friday night at Saint Vincent College, then took questions from the news media yesterday morning after practice.

He did not answer some of those questions, and, at one point, promised to end the impromptu session when he was asked if he had any message for Steelers fans about his personal life.

It was the first time Roethlisberger had taken any questions publicly since a woman filed a civil lawsuit in Nevada two weeks ago, claiming he sexually assaulted her in 2008 in a hotel room. And Friday was his first chance to talk collectively to his teammates about it.

“You really don’t know all the stories behind it, but he came up and apologized to the team and gave us his side,” said receiver Hines Ward, a team captain with Roethlisberger on offense last season.

“He’s our teammate, he’s like a brother to us, so we’re always going to show him support and be there for him. When we’re on the field, we don’t worry about that. Our thing is to try to get better, try to go out and see if we can make another run this year.”

Why the apology?

“Just for the potential distractions,” said tackle Max Starks. “It was an apology for us because, when you come to training camp, your main focus is football and to have something like this on top of that, that’s what he was apologizing for.

“It was big of Ben to take a proactive approach. Being a leader on this team, just taking a forthright approach and not kind of just brushing it off but addressing us as teammates because he knows we’re taking the brunt of it with the questions and everything else. It makes us look up to him a little bit more.”

Nose tackle Casey Hampton did not think Roethlisberger needed to apologize.

“I don think he had to say nothing because everybody knows what it is,” Hampton said. “That’s crazy, man. He didn’t have to say that to me. I know how the world is, I know how females are. … In today’s society, man, if anybody says something, you’re guilty until proven innocent anyway, you know what I mean?

“He handled it good, but it’s BS, everybody knows that.”

Roethlisberger would not say publicly if he thought the lawsuit would be a distraction or not to him or his teammates. But, in general, he said he treats potential distractions thusly: “Do the best you can, smile and go.”

Asked about the support from his teammates, he said, “It’s good because they have my back and I have theirs.”

The two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback said he reported to training camp in as good a shape as he has been in the past and nothing this summer detracted from that.

“I’m in good shape, yeah, I feel like I’m right there. Yeah, my golf game’s well, too. … Golf got in the way a lot, but I found a way to get it done.”

Roethlisberger said that while it’s difficult to repeat as Super Bowl champions, he believes he and many of his teammates learned a lesson from the last time they tried, in 2006. That was the summer of Roethlisberger’s motorcycle accident that preceded an appendectomy, which kept him out of the season opener. He also sustained a concussion during the season as the Steelers lost six of their first eight games and finished 8-8 and out of playoff contention.

“You know what? You have a bull’s-eye on your chest, everyone’s gunning for you,” Roethlisberger said of the Super Bowl champs. “We learned that after the last time, that everyone wants to come after you and get you. We can’t take anybody lightly and we know everyone’s coming for us.

“It helps to have been there before because you know what to expect and how to deal with it. I think we have enough veterans on this team that we’ll be able to deal with it.”

No matter how questions were put to him about the civil lawsuit, though, Roethlisberger would not respond.

“Any other football questions?” he said after one. “I can walk away if we want.”

Roethlisberger spent several minutes answering other questions just off the practice field after the first of two practices yesterday that opened training camp in Latrobe. Both ESPN and the NFL television networks had crews among the gaggle of media.

“From his motorcycle incident to all types of stuff, whatever he has on his mind he blocks it out,” Ward said, “and, when he gets on the field, it’s all about football.

“I don’t foresee anything being a distraction. He’s going to come out and work his tail off to lead this team and try get back to where we want to go.”

Steelers Notebook: NT Hampton defends his preseason training

Sunday, August 02, 2009
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

An ample Casey Hampton, who has been known to push the scale in the mid-300s at times, pointed to his stomach after lunch yesterday and smiled broadly.

“I got abs now,” the Steelers’ big nose tackle said.

Hampton practiced yesterday with his teammates, something he did not do for the first two weeks of training camp last year. Last summer, he opened camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, put there by coach Mike Tomlin after he failed the run test on the first day.

Friday, Hampton passed that same run test, even though he said he is in the same kind of shape as he was at the start of camp last year. Why did he pass a test he did not one year ago?

“I just felt like doing it,” Hampton said. “I just felt like making it.”

Last year “I just didn’t want to do it, so I didn’t do it.”

Hampton defended his training schedule, even if it does not coincide with the wishes of his coach. He said he does not like to beat himself up in the spring and prefers to ease into camp and get ready for the season gradually.

“I rest in the offseason, man. My thing is, I wait until like three, four weeks before training camp and then I work out. That’s what I’ve always done. I rest my body, get my body half ready and then use training camp to get ready for the season.

“It’s too much, all that banging on your body, especially the position I play. I’m not for the workout in March, April and May hard-hard-hard, for what? It doesn’t make any sense. Coaches say that’s when you win. I don’t feel like you win games then. That’s my opinion.”

The 6-foot-1 Hampton, who is listed on the training-camp roster as weighing 325 pounds, never has been one to be pinned down on how much he weighs.

“It fluctuates,” he said. “Nobody never knows my weight. I can make it look good or make it look bad.”

The Steelers’ run test Friday consisted of a series of 100-yard runs. But Hampton said, in a game, “If I have to run 100 yards, there’s something wrong.”

Hampton, Clark patient

Hampton and safety Ryan Clark, each entering the final year of his contract, reacted in similar manner to Steelers President Art Rooney’s statement to the Post-Gazette Friday that the team might not be able to sign any more players to contract extensions this year because they have little room left under the salary cap.

“I don’t really worry about that kind of stuff, I just play,” Hampton said. “If they ain’t got none, they ain’t got none, what do you want me to do? I can’t do nothing about it. I got no control of it.

“You never know what’s going to happen, but we’ll see. I’m not worried about it. I want to be here, I’d love to be here, but, if not, it’s a business, and whatever happens is going to happen.”

Said Clark, “There’s nothing I really can have any control over. I’m not used to being taken care of, I’m not used to being the guy they care enough about to get it done, so it’s not painful to me.

“You look at it like, OK, this may be your last year with this team, these guys, so you cherish it and have a good time.”

Stapleton at center

Darnell Stapleton, the starting right guard last season, was at center yesterday for Justin Hartwig, who has a sore toe. Trai Essex ran with the first team at right guard.

Many believe Stapleton, who played center at Rutgers, is more natural for that position, including Hampton, who plays over the center on defense.

“No question,” Hampton said. “I think he can get it done.

Quick hits

Linebacker Lawrence Timmons quit the afternoon practice early because of cramps. … Former Steelers linebacker Earl Holmes is working as a coaching intern with the linebackers and will be joined by former teammate Levon Kirkland today. … Daniel Sepulveda’s leg looks like it is healthy and more as he boomed punts high and deep. … Despite hamstring injuries, safety Troy Polamalu and cornerback Deshea Townsend practiced, and tight end Heath Miller, who had hernia surgery in June, ran some routes in individual drills. … Offensive tackle Jason Capizzi also is working at guard.

Notes from Steelers training camp: Day 2

As told by Steelers Today

2:55 PM practice starts.  Things are slow as the players break up into their respective units and walk through drills.  The offense is on one practice field, and the defense is on another.

-Santonio Holmes‘ arms look noticeably bigger.   He’s been pumping iron.

-Who is the short white guy wearing #19 standing with the wide receivers?  He’s standing next to Mike Wallace who is listed as 6′0″, and Mike is at least 3 inches taller than him.

-#19 is Tyler Grisham, a rookie out of Clemson.  He’s listed as 5′11″, but he can’t be much taller than 5′9″.

-Say what you want about Willie Colon, but his legs are massive.  They’re far bigger than any of the other offensive linemen’s.

3:22 PM A horn blows, the fans cheer, and practice gets started in earnest.

-”Big Snack” is very efficient with his motion.  Translation: he stands around when everyone else is running or stretching.

-Frank “The Tank” Summers isn’t as massive as I expected him to be.  Rashard Mendenhall actually looks more powerful.

-Dennis Dixon throws a beautiful spiral, but he looks a bit frail.  He needs to gain some weight.

-Shaun McDonald, Mewelde Moore, Joe Burnett, and Santonio Holmes take turns fielding kickoffs.  Where is Mike Wallace?

-#18 ( rookie WR Steven Black out of Memphis) looks impressive.  He’s big and has already made a few shoestring catches.

-Matt Spaeth looks too tall and lanky to ever be an effective blocker.

-Shaun McDonald is playing like he wants to impress the coaches.  He ran all of his routes very fast, and he makes quick, precise cuts.

-Martin Nance has already dropped too many balls, and they’re not even playing against a defense yet.

-#84 (TE Dezmond Sherrod) is slow and plodding when he runs his routes.

-Santonio Holmes’ status is clearly elevated since his Super Bowl MVP.  The crowd erupts each time he catches a ball.

-The Steelers were blessed with great weather for their first day of open practice.

4:03 PM – Another horn sounds and the defense comes over to join the offense.

-Big Ben’s first pass against the defense is a quick slant to Sean McHugh for a completion.

-Willie Parker broke a long run, and the crowd erupted.

-Jeff Reed is practicing kicking to Dan Sepulveda.  Jeff is kicking across the field (53.3 yards) and Sepulveda is catching the ball.  Reed’s kicks are so accurate that Sepulveda never had to move more than 4 steps to catch the ball.

-Andre Frazier intercepts a pass from Roethlisberger.

-Santonio Holmes looked very elusive dodging and weaving after a short pass from Big Ben.

-#85 (rookie TE David Johnson) looks very effective holding his blocks in drills.

4:28 – The crowd erupted when Hines Ward caught a quick slant pass in traffic.

-Mike Wallace made a pretty sliding catch along the sideline on a pass from Charlie Batch.

-Keyaron Fox intercepted a pass and was chased down by Hines Ward.

-Dennis Dixon threaded a pass to Steve Black that went right between two defenders for a completion.

-If this had been full contact, Donovan Woods would have destroyed Ben Roethlisberger as he came in unblocked on a blitz.

4:34 PM – Another horn blew, and the team split up again for drills.

-Jeff Reed is kicking field goals.  Has he missed one yet?

-Jeff Reed hits 3 straight 47 yard field goals and the horn blows again.

4:42 PM – Keenan Lewis breaks up a long pass from Charlie Batch to Mike Wallace.

-Rookie Andrew Schantz gets in a shot on David Johnson that was probably harder than it should have been on the first day of practice.  The team is not doing any hitting or tackling today.

-The crowd erupted when Dennis Dixon completed a 45 yard pass to #19, rookie WR Tyler Grisham.

-On the next play, Dixon connected with Grisham on a diving catch along the sideline.  This kid has good hands.

-Dixon connects with Steve Black along the opposite sideline.

-Dixon hit David Johnson right in the hands over the middle of the field, but Johnson dropped the ball.

-Dennis Dixon hits Tyler Grisham for another diving catch in traffic.  Who is this kid?

-Keenan Lewis intercepted a long pass from Big Ben to Hines Ward.

-Ben overthrows Dallas Baker on a long fade route.

4:56 PM – The #1 offense and #1 defense take the field.

-On the first play, Willie Parker burst through the line and avoided the linebackers on a play that he would have taken all the way for a touchdown in a real game.

-Carey Davis breaks a nice run that would have gained 15 yards.

-Charlie Batch hits Rashard Mendenhall on a short pass behind the line of scrimmage that looks like no gain, but Mendenhall reverses field and picked up 10 yards.

-Ryan Clark intercepts a 20 yard pass from Big Ben that hit Santonio Holmes in the hands and bounced off.

5:07 PM – The final horn blew, and coach Tomlin gathered the team to end practice.

-After huddling together, the team breaks up and practice is over.

-Coach Tomlin leaves the field and runs past fans without signing any autographs.

-Dan Sepulveda is very gracious with fans.  He signs more autographs than any other Steelers player.

-Sepulveda assured me that he is 100% recovered.  When a fans said “We missed you last year”, Supulveda replied “Not as much as I missed the team”.

-Ryan Clark is also very gracious with fans.  Only Sepulveda signs more autographs.

-Ziggy Hood is very good with fans.  He is friendly and humble.  He signs lots of autographs.  Fans are going to like this kid.

Position Breakdown the Offensive Line

So far we have covered the quarter backs, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends, now it is time to turn our attention to the most criticized position, the Offensive Line.  It’s hard to believe a defending Super Bowl champion with so many starters returning could have any weaknesses, but the Pittsburgh Steelers do. Without a question, the Steelers had the worst offensive line of any Super Bowl champion in history. Don’t believe us? Check out the stats.

Marvel Smith and Kendall Simmons were let go, and not one lineman was signed in free agency. The draft produced just two picks, Wisconsin guard, Kraig Urbik, was tabbed in the third round and Penn State center A.Q. Shipley was a seventh round selection. Only Urbik has a shot to earn a starting position as Shipley will need time to develop.

The line has size, center Justin Hartwig (6-4, 312), LG Chris Kemoeatu (6-3, 344), RG Darnell Stapleton (6-5, 305), LT Max Starks (6-8, 345), and RT Willie Colon (6-3, 315) all are 300-plus pounders who, at times, can be dominant run blockers. The problem they had was athleticism and pass protection.

Steelers Position Breakdown of the Offensive Line

The Starters:

LT – Max Starks – Starks is among the tallest NFL players, standing at 6′8″ and 340 pounds. He is probably never going to be a tackle in the image of Tunch Illkin or Leon Searcy, but he is a solid, versatile starter. Starks has bounced in and out of the starting line up the last few seasons but played well enough in 2008 to earn the franchise tag a second year in a row.

At the very least, Starks will give their line some stability and franchising him buys Pittsburgh time to draft and develop other offensive lineman or to work out a long term contract with him. Starks is penciled in as the starting LT but will need to play well in camp to fend of Tony Hills and keep the job.

LG – Chris Kemoeatu – Chris Kemoeatu joined the Steelers in 2005 as a sixth round pick out of Utah. Listed at 6’3” and 344 pounds. Since being drafted he has captivated the imaginations of Steelers fans who are devotees of the team’s Smash Mouth identity. Though has yet to live up to the hype.

It’s unfair to single out Kemoeatu for blame, but the Steelers had a lot of difficulty punching at the goal line in the latter half of the year, and much of that difficulty was due to the run blocking from the interior lineman. While the Steelers definitely could do worse than Kemoeatu at guard, he is certainly not a player you break the bank for.

Center – Justin Hartwig - Signed to sure up the center position at the start of the 2008 season, Hartwig easily earned the starting job and allowed the Steelers to trade the undersized Sean Mahan to free up needed cap space. His play at the position was an upgrade but still not up to Steelers standards.

Hartwig enters the final season of his contract in 2009 and with Darnell Stapleton and the rookie A.Q. Shipley on the roster
will need to improve to get resigned by Pittsburgh. At 6′4 and 312 lbs., Hartwig has the size to play the position and hold up against the Sean Rogers of the NFL, but will need to improve his run blocking to earn his keep in 2009 or beyond.

RG – Darnell Stapleton - Originally was signed as an un-drafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers prior to the 2007 season. After the trade of Sean Mahan, Darnell became the backup center for the 2008 season. Due to necessity, after starting guard Kendall Simmons was placed on Injured Reserve after a Monday Night game against the Baltimore Ravens, he became the starter for the rest of the 2008 season.

As a starter for the 2008 AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, Darnell joins teammates Willie Parker and James Harrison on the list of impact non-drafted players in the Kevin Colbert era.

Our personally opinion here at Pittsburgh Blitz is that Darnell was an upgrade to Simmons and his play, though not perfect, helped to shore up the OL down the stretch and into the play-offs and Super Bowl. We are eager to see how he improves his second year as a starter. That is if he can hold off Kraig Urbik for the job this summer.

RT – Willie Colon -  Was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round (131st overall) in the 2006 NFL Draft. He started the first two games of his career in Weeks 16 and 17 of the 2006 season, replacing an injured Max Starks, and in early 2007 team activities has replaced Starks as the 1st-team right tackle for the team.

There has been rumors the past few years that Willie Colon should move to guard as another tackle, such as Max Starks or Trai Essex could play right tackle. The rumors were founded mainly because of Colon’s unspectacular pass protection, as well as his size – 6′3″ is an ideal guard size, not a tackle size. However, Mike Tomlin and other members of the Steelers organization have often dispelled such rumors.

Technically the teams only offensive linemen listed on the roster at RT, Colon could get challenged for the job by Tony Hills this summer. We look for this to be one of the more interesting camp battles, as here at Pittsburgh Blitz we are not big Willie Colon fans, at least not with him at RT. A move to RG or LG would suit him better in our opinion.

Key Role Players:

LT – Jason Capizzi - At 6-9, 315 pounds, Jason Capizzi looks big, even by NFL standards, as he walks around the locker room of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has the size and pedigree to play a key back up role for the Steelers in 2009. Capizzi signed with the Steelers as an un-drafted free agent from IUP. The Gibsonia native, who started his college career at Pitt, has spent time last season on practice squad and was elevated to the 53 man roster when Marvel Smith was put on IR.

Here at Pittsburgh Blitz we like Capizzi’s potential and feel he could be a surprise for the team this year once camp opens. He already has the eye of the coaches but lacks the experience needed to crack the starting line-up. That won’t stop him from making the final cut and getting a job as a key back up for the Steelers though.

LT – Tony Hills - Fundamentally sound left tackle who is at his best as a pass-protector. Blocks with good pad level, sets with a wide base, and makes outstanding use of body positioning as well as blocking angles. Slides out off the edge, stays square, and nicely works his hands throughout the play. Shows the ability to adjust and jolts defenders with good hand-punch. Fights hard until the whistle blows.

Hills has one negative though, his history of staying healthy is not the best. Suffering numerous injuries in both high school and college. Once considered a potential first rounder, Hills slipped to the Fourth round and the Pittsburgh Steelers due to those set backs. His slide in the draft could be a blessing in disguise though as he has the potential to grow into a quality starter at LT or RT for the team and could be a dark horse in the camp battles this season.

RG – Kraig Urbik - Selected in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft, Urbik will get a chance to compete for Darnell Stapleton’s starting job at right guard. If he does not start, Urbik should become the top backup guard and dress for games along with Trai Essex as the two backup linemen on Sundays.

RG – Trai Essex - During the off-season Essex visited the Tennessee Titans but came back home to sign a 2-year deal worth $2 million. The fifth-year veteran out of Northwestern was given a signing bonus of $500,000 by the team. He can play four different positions and will likely start camp as the No. 2 left tackle behind Max Starks but could be involved in a camp battle with Kraig Urbik for that role on the team.

Practice Dummies:

A.Q. Shipley - A Penn State center who grew up in Moon Township, was one of their two seventh-round picks selected by the Steelers in the 2009 NFL draft. Shipley is a solid center, but has short arms, which may limit him from playing guard in the NFL. The Steelers staff seem very high on Shipley and he has the perfect attitude for the team. Look for Shipley to land on the practice squad for a year then crack the 53 man roster in 2010.

Jeremy Parquet – At 6-6, 321 lbs., Parquet has the tangibles to play in the NFL. Thus far in his career Jeremy has been nothing more then A practice squad member of the Chiefs, Rams and now the Steelers. We do not anticipate that changing this season and look for Parquet to continue to be a practice dummy in 2010.

Hope you got a day job list:

Doug Legursky – Signed as a rookie free agent by the Steelers on April 28, 2007 and made the practice squad that season. He has remained at that status since but could be cut this time around with the addition of A.Q. Shipley to the team. We so no need for two centers to be on the practice squad this season and neither will the Steelers.

Ramon Foster – Signed by the Steelers as an un-drafted free agent on April 27, 2008. Foster was a three-year starter who earned Freshman All-SEC honors in 2005 after stepping in at left guard and right tackle due to injuries. Primarily started at right tackle the past three seasons for Tennessee and was named to the ESPN Mark May’s 2007 “MayDay Team” after playing with a broken thumb throughout most of his junior season. Foster played in a career total of 44 games and was four-year letterman in college.

Foster has plenty of potential, but may be out in the cold due to the numbers game and lack of NFL experience. He could be a surprise and make the practice dummies, and here at Pittsburgh blitz we are rooting for him to due just that. Not sure it will happen though.

Training Camp Battles:

Starting Right Guard: Darnell Stapleton vs Kraig Urbik

Darnell Stapleton was the starter this previous season, but with issues consistently surrounding the Steelers offensive line he shouldn’t feel too comfortable. Urbik is a highly touted rookie who could very well end up winning this job.

Urbik was a tackle at Wisconsin, but he struggles in space so will get bumped inside. His size and the ability to be a mauler in the running game fits the mentality of the Steelers organization perfectly.

Many fans are already on Urbik’s side in this battle and as long as he continues to show the work ethic and intelligence that he had while he was a Badger, he should get the edge entering the season.

Look for a heated battle for this position but in the end, Stapleton will prove to be a NFL worthy guard and win the starter role for the Steelers.

Well that’s the lowdown on the offensive line, thanks for reading and your comments are always welcome. Let us know what you think.

*Check back soon for the 6th edition of this 9 part series. Next up we will begin the defensive breakdown and the Cornerbacks.

Achilles Heel Remains Intact

After the draft and much of free-agency, we now have a very good idea of what the Steelers’ offensive line will look like in 2009.  And it will be close to exactly how it looked in 2008. 

The good news: That line was good enough to win the Super Bowl. 

The bad news: That line was the clear Achilles heel of the team.

The team won their sixth Lombardi Trophy in spite of their offensive line rather than because of it.  Not many quarterbacks could have had success playing behind that line last year, let alone survived.

I was surprised that the Steelers were able to keep their starting offensive line together.  It seemed like an unlikely scenario heading into the offseason—considering how many of them were free agents.  

I figured Chris Kemoeatu was surely gone and Max Starks would likely be switching teams.  They’ve secured both of those players with Kemoeatu likely taking slightly less to return to the Steelers than he could have secured somewhere else. 

I wasn’t a big fan of placing the franchise tag on Starks, but it certainly buys the team some time to develop some other options.  Willie Colon will also return. 

Gone are former stalwarts Marvel Smith and Kendall Simmons.  Both of these moves made sense due to injury and health problems.  It is highly doubtful that either player will return to anywhere close to their top form. 

Added to the line is Wisconsin mauler Kraig Urbik, selected in the third round.  Urbik should push Darnell Stapleton and, perhaps, Justin Hartwig, during training camp.  I would not be surprised if he earns a starting job by the end of the season. 

He will also serve to provide essential depth across the interior offensive line.  Tony Hills, a fourth-round draft pick from last season, may also enter the discussion in terms of providing depth. 

Behind that, the team remains somewhat thin across the line.  Considering how often I was frustrated by the O-line this past season, I’m a little surprised to be somewhat relieved that last year’s group is coming back together. 

The O-line at the beginning of last year bordered on terrible.  Their performance in the Eagles game was easily the worst I’ve ever seen out of a Steelers’ line.  The miracle in that game is that Ben kept getting behind center and snapping the ball without demanding additional hazard pay. 

But, the oft-vilified line clearly improved by the end of the season.  They weren’t a great offensive line—they still didn’t get enough surge in the run game, were prone to too many mistakes, and allowed speed rushers to beat them. 

But, they were far better by the end of the season than in the season’s first half.  They played three solid games in the playoffs, including holding up against one of the league’s premier pass rushing teams in the Ravens.  

It is likely that this group will continue to improve next year while becoming more in-sync with one another.  Darnell Stapleton played admirably in his first year starting and will likely continue to improve, as will the other players on the line. 

Good offensive lines don’t just spontaneously come into existence.  They take time to develop.  More so than other positions, playing together as a unit has a big impact on their overall development. 

That should continue to be the case with this group. 

If the Steelers fall short this year, the offensive line will likely be the culprit.  But, with the unit showing steady improvement last year, they have shown they are good enough to win a Super Bowl together

Steelers off season in a ‘Nutshell’ – pt. 3

Welcome to part 3 of the Steelers off season report. Let’s call this the Draft edition as we will be talking the draft the entire way. Not only will we discuss the 2009 draft but also the 2008 draftees and how they might impact the roster in the upcoming season. We will kick things off with last season’s class and their role on the season ahead.

It’s a wonderful life for Patrick Bailey, who was elected Steelers’ Rookie of the Year mostly because he ran unopposed (you didn’t think the writers were going to vote for Mike Humpal, did you?).

Bailey has been very good on special teams, but a reserve linebacker winning this award wouldn’t appear to reflect kindly on a draft class some are labeling the biggest bust since Ryan Leaf.

They shouldn’t be so quick to judge.

As George Bailey (no relation to Patrick) might say, “Just a minute … just a minute. Now hold on, Mr. Potter.”

First of all, it’s not like there were a bunch of open spots around here. The incumbents are doing fine, as the team’s 11-3 record would attest.

Secondly, first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall didn’t make it out of Week 4, courtesy of Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.

More than that, there is the simple lesson of recent Steelers’ history, which says the first year might be the worst by which to judge a draft.

Strong safety Troy Polamalu looked lost for most of his rookie season. He barely made a play, and didn’t start a game.

By Year 2, Polamalu was a star.

Now, in Year 6, he might be the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Or consider the Class of ‘07, which was so nondescript that a punter, Daniel Sepulveda, was elected the team’s Rookie of Year.

That was before LaMarr Woodley became an elite pass rusher, before Lawrence Timmons became a game-changer, before William “Big Play” Gay made his mark in the secondary, before undrafted free agent Darnell Stapleton stepped in ably at right guard and before undrafted free-agent running back Gary Russell found a niche.

All of which mitigates the disappointing tenure of fourth-round pick Ryan “Steely” McBean, don’t you think?

Throw in tight end Matt Spaeth, and you have five draftees, plus two undrafted free agents from 2007 playing significant roles.

What will become of this year’s class? Well, Mendenhall showed flashes of big-time ability before he was injured ? and if he fulfills his promise, that alone might make this draft a winner

Round 1

Rashard Mendenhall – HB

The 5-10, 224 lb HB out of Illinois was drafted by the Steelers in the first round (23^rd overall), and was the first running back taken by Pittsburgh in the first round of the NFL Draft since the team selected Tim Worley in 1989 (7^th overall). Mendenhall was drafted to be “Fast” Willy Parkers side-kick and give the Steelers a great 1-2 punch in the backfield and possibly take over the starting job a few years down the road. By week 3 though Mendenhall had developed a fumbling habit and was being chased around the locker room, while holding on to both the football and his wallet. The team’s tough love toward Mendenhall was short lived though as in week 4, Ravens ILB Ray Lewis would collect on the bounty that was placed on the rookie running backs head and Mendenhall would be placed on IR with a bum shoulder.

That was then, this is now! Look for Mendenhall, who is fully recovered from the shoulder injury, to be part of the 1-2 punch the Steelers drafted him to be. He should see around 30% of the teams carries and again play a role in the return game, if no other option is found by seasons start. Mendenhall should be good for 4-5 TD’s, as he will become the short yardage back, and 450-500 yards rushing in 2009.

Round 2

Limas Sweed – WR

At 6-4 and 212 lbs, Sweed was the answer to Big Ben’s request for a big target with soft hands. Though the WR out of Texas made very little impact on 2008 and only made the field due to injuries. Sweed’s wide open drop of a sure TD catch in the AFC Championship game, verse the Purple Browns, pretty much summed up his season. Although his late game block that was more like a knockout punch, on Cory Ivy, showed he is headed in the right direction.

With Nate Washington’s defection to the Tit’s, via free agency, Sweed will be counted on as the teams #3 WR in 2009 and should have a better feel for the game and offensive scheme. I look for Sweed to breakout late in the season but have a productive role as our slot guy the entire way. That is if Big Ben’s old college bubby, Martin Nance, does not find a niche with the Steelers first. Sweed should project to around 35 grabs and 3 TD’s, but with his size advantage in the red zone, it won’t surprise me to see him get closer to 6-7 TD’s in ‘09.

Round 3

Bruce Davis – LB

Davis was drafted to be a pass rush specialist for the Steelers and spell Harrison and Woodley down the stretch. The 6-3, 252 lb’er, out of UCLA never did make an impact though and was inactive most of the season. Mike Tomlin and Dick Lebeau will be counting on him allot more in ‘09 on both special teams and in the passing game on defense. I can see Davis making a name for himself as a ST Ace this year and rack up 3-4 sacks while allowing the starters to catch their breath now and then. Much more than that, barring injury, is asking too much with the caliber of players he sits behind on the bench.

Round 4

Tony Hills – OT

Hills is a mountain of a man at 6-6 and 300 lbs and in my opinion was steel at this point of the draft. He did not see much action in 2008 but he was drafted for the future. Once considered a 1st round prospect, before a slew of injuries, Hills stock dropped and the Steelers found a future starter for many years to come. Hills should step up his game in ‘09, now that he is 100% healthy, and push the starters for a spot on the OL. If nothing else, Hills will make a nice backup this year and should be ready to step into the starting line-up in 2010.

Round 5

Denis Dixon – QB

Dixon was on the road to being a first round draft pick before injuries derailed his status during his senior season at Oregon. Dixon is a prototypical QB at 6-4 and 206 lbs but his athletic ability makes him such an eye opener on the Steelers roster. No Dixon will never be the starting QB for the Steelers, unless Big Ben gets hurt, but as the next ‘Slash’ I like his chances to make an impact on the offense. If Dixon decides he will do whatever he can to help, running a wildcat style offense, playing WR and jumping in on trick plays, I can see him become a star in the league. If not, well I hope he enjoys the bench.

Round 6-7
Mike Humple ILB | Ryan Mundy FS

I do not see either of these guys on the team once the Steelers cut down to the 53 man roster at training camps end. Mundy possibly could make an impact but that is barring the Steelers drafting a S this year only. I like Mundy’s potential but I think he lacks the speed needed to make it in the NFL.

Seven round Mock Draft

1st Round: Alex Mack, C, California
The Steelers franchised tackle Max Starks and resigned, tackle Willie Colon, guard Chris Kemoeatu making OT not as much of a need.  The Steelers have a history of not passing on talent.  Mack would instantly be an upgrade over Justin Hartwig, but also be the starting center for the next 10 years.  He is that good, and my safest player in the draft.  He could play guard as well, but expect him to play center on day 1.  Great teams don’t pass on great players. CB is also an option with this pick.

2nd Round: Jairus Byrd, CB, Oregon
The Steelers lost Bryant McFadden in free agency and Deshea Townsend is 33 years old. The only other real options on the team are Ike Taylor and William Gay. So to grab a CB with this pick makes to much sense to pass up.

3rd Round: Derrick Williams, WR, Penn St.
Limas Sweed should turn out to be a solid receiver, but the Steelers add Williams to compete for the 3rd receiver spot and give the team some depth after the loss of Nate Washington in free agency.  Williams looks to be an ideal slot receiver, and could be an option in a year or two when Ward begins to break down.

4th Round: Jasper Brinkley, ILB, South Carolina
Though it seems the Steelers are set at the ILB spot for the upcoming season it does not change the fact that James Farrior is getting older and Larry Foote is not in the Steelers long term plans. The future of L. Timmons and J. Brinkley manning the middle of the Steelers defense will look real bright in 2-3 years.

5th Round: Jaimie Thomas, G, Maryland
The Steelers OL needs some depth at the guard spot and Thomas would be a value pick at this point in the draft.

5th Round: Everette Pedescleaux, DE, Northern Iowa
Though I would love to see the Steelers address the DL earlier in the draft, I am not sure the chips will fall correctly to make that happen. Pedescleaux fills a need to get younger at this position and should be able to develop into a solid replacement for A. Smith in a year or two.

6th Round: Richard Quinn, TE, North Carolina
Bruce Arians is a TE fanatic and I do not think he nor Coach Tomlin is sold on Matt Spaeth being the blocking type of TE the Steelers need in the multiple TE sets they enjoy so much.

7th Round: Bruce Johnson, CB, Miami
Johnson adds some depth to the CB position and could possibly be the answer to the Steelers need for a true kick return specialist. If nothing else he could play special teams and push A. Madison off the roster.

7th Round: Curtis Taylor, FS, LSU
Ryan Clark is injury prone and Ryan Mundy is not the answer to the lack of depth at the safety position, so the Steelers snag a sleeper with this pick that should not only make the team but grow into a solid role player down the road

 

Until we meet again……….

Thanks for reading.