***OFFICIAL*** Steelers 2009 Thread (1 Viewer)

[AhrnCityPahnder]

2 percent body fat? He has to be lying, doesn't he? is that possible?

By Jim WexellSteelCityInsider.comPosted Aug 8, 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison stopped to talk to reporters Friday after lunch. Here's the Q&A:James Harrison, OLB, Pittsburgh SteelersQ: Did you get any more endorsements out of last year?A: Not too much.Q: Nothing for one of the best Super Bowl plays ever and Defensive Player of the Year? Are you not marketing yourself?A: I guess not.Q: Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it?A: Nah, I got enough money.Q: When’s your book coming out?A: I don’t know. I think in October.Q: Did teams play you differently last year?A: Yeah, they turned the offensive line towards me and started keeping the back in to assist. Sometimes the guards would help the tackles. I’m getting used to it.Q: The clothesline block seemed to be a popular one on you.A: Now, see, that’s something we’ve got to talk about. The ref tells me, that if he has his arm around me on the front, and my feet are past his, then it’s a hold. Sometimes they call it; sometimes they don’t. Guess they can’t catch everything.Q: What do you do for an encore this season?A: I’m not putting any more pressure on me than I did in previous years. I just come in and do the best that I can do. I do whatever I can do to make the defense better. If I get more sacks, less sacks, so be it. I’m just trying to make our defense better.Q: Could you have a better season and not put up better numbers?A: I believe I can. It’s not about the numbers.Q: Your game is all about power and leverage. Are you better in that regard this year at your advanced age of 31?A: You tell me.Q: How do you feel? Are you feeling it on the field?A: I feel better and stronger than I did last year. I came in bigger than I did any other year, but I’m down to two percent body fat. That’s less body fat than I’ve had in my whole career, so, I don’t know, you tell me.Q: It’s tough to tell against big Max with the leverage advantage you have.A: He’s going to have to go against guys that are my height again, so it’s practice for him I guess.Q: Will that be the new trend? Smaller pass rushers with leverage against the mammoth tackles?A: I might be changing that. It might be changing the trend. Everybody might want to get that new James Harrison. ‘We need a 5-10, 6-foot guy to play outside linebacker.’

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Arizona still rues final drive in Super BowlBy ANDREW BAGNATO - AP Sports Writer 2009-08-08 14:45FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) -After avoiding it for months, Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt will watch a replay of the Cardinals' Super Bowl loss to Pittsburgh.Whisenhunt said he planned to view the tape this weekend as part of his preparations for Arizona's preseason opener at Pittsburgh on Thursday night. But he acknowledged that the exercise may stir some painful memories - and that's why he's waited this long to watch the game again.``They've been playing it on NFL Network, so I've seen a lot of the clips, and it brings back a lot of the things that I remember from it,'' Whisenhunt said. ``And now it is a little further removed.''For many Cardinals players and coaches, the most haunting part of that tape is the final minutes. Depending on one's perspective, the Steelers put together one of the more memorable winning drives in Super Bowl history or the Cardinals' defense broke down and let the game slip away.``It makes all of us sick to our stomach defensively,'' said Arizona defensive coordinator Bill Davis, who was the Cardinals' linebackers coach at the Super Bowl. ``I mean, there's a knot in my gut when you just bring it up right now. The whole defense, collectively, we don't talk about it much.''Strong safety Adrian Wilson was blunt when asked what he remembers about his first Super Bowl.``I think (about) the mistakes on the last drive for the defense,'' Wilson said this week. ``Defensively, we had a lot of breakdowns. We didn't play winning football on the last drive. I think it came back and it bit us on our butt.''The final drive may have spelled the end for former defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, who was fired within a week.It may be unfair to blame the defense, which scored a safety and gave up only 13 points in the first 59 minutes. The Cardinals' potent offense mustered only a touchdown before two fourth-quarter scores, including a 64-yard pass from Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald that gave Arizona its first lead, 23-20, with 2:37 to play.The defense couldn't protect that lead. But Whisenhunt refused to pin the loss on the unit.``The last drive, for me, is not the only thing in that game that made a difference,'' he said. ``Not at all. I don't consider that the reason that we didn't win the Super Bowl. That was just one of many factors. I mean, there's always a bunch of other plays in the game that could have made the difference.''The biggest play was the acrobatic, winning touchdown catch by Santonio Holmes, the game's MVP. But the Cardinals' defenders and coaches think back to the plays that led up to it.After Pittsburgh took over at its own 22 with 2:37 to play, a holding penalty on first down left the Steelers facing a first-and-20 at the 12.That's where the Cardinals needed to bottle up the Steelers. But they watched as Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger found Holmes for 14 yards on first down and 13 more on third-and-6.Those completions revived the Steelers. Three plays later, Roethlisberger hit Holmes for 40 yards, giving the Steelers a first-and-goal at the Cardinals' 6.Two plays later, Roethlisberger hit Holmes in the end zone. The touchdown was upheld on a replay challenge, and the Steelers suddenly led 27-23.``We were excited about that drive,'' Davis said. ``I knew we were going to stop them. But one or two plays later, you turn around and the scoreboard's got the wrong numbers on it.''The drive officially covered 78 yards - 88 yards in reality - in eight plays and 2:02.Although they knew the Steelers would be throwing on every down, the Cardinals failed to sack Roethlisberger, who went 5-for-7 on the march. They also couldn't corral Holmes, who caught four passes on the drive.``We didn't finish the way we should have,'' free safety Antrel Rolle said. ``It was in our hands. (The defense) was in the perfect call, but we didn't execute the call right.''Six months have passed since the Super Bowl, and a promising new season beckons as the Cardinals practice among the tall pines at Northern Arizona University. But the memories of the final drive persist.Unlike Whisenhunt, Davis has watched film of the Super Bowl and he doesn't want to see it again.``I don't know if I can stomach it one more time,'' Davis said.Wilson has also reviewed game film, and said he's tried to look for ways to improve instead of dwelling on the breakdowns.``We learned a lot of valuable lessons in that last drive, period, because we did a lot of things wrong,'' Wilson said. ``We didn't play the techniques that we'd been playing throughout the playoffs on that last drive. Whenever the game's on the line like that, you have to buckle down.''

 

[CrossEyed]

2 percent body fat? He has to be lying, doesn't he? is that possible?

 

[5-ish Finkle]

2 percent body fat? He has to be lying, doesn't he? is that possible?

Possible? Yeah, it's possible. Particularly healthy? No. Asked a trainer buddy of mine about it this evening when I saw this post earlier. The words he used when I asked were, "That's just barely enough required for your body to function. You'd have zero reserves at that percentage. 3% or less is NOT a good idea for just about anyone."He tells me most of his "uber fit" male clients are in the 6% range, FWIW. I could see a pro athlete being a little lower, given the regimen they keep, but 2% seems like that would be asking for trouble if you got yourself down to that purposefully. Or you would have to be an absolute food Nazi to make sure you were maintaining your levels of essential fat.I'm thinking Jimmy probably pulled a # out of his ###.

 

[CrossEyed]

Mike Wallace might end up being the #3 WR. From Jim Wexell's twitter feed:

Hines Ward, Bruce Arians, Ike Taylor all convinced Mike Wallace can help them win now

 

[StevePatterson]

I was reading about Roethlisberger needing more protection this coming year. Seems like the ground game keeps the defense from coming at Big Ben as aggressively as they might otherwise do.

Roethlisberger hoping for a little more protection in 09.

 

[timschochet]

I was reading about Roethlisberger needing more protection this coming year. Seems like the ground game keeps the defense from coming at Big Ben as aggressively as they might otherwise do.

Roethlisberger hoping for a little more protection in 09.

I stopped reading after this line in the 2nd paragraph:Roethlisberger has 2 Super Bowl rings but has yet to play well in the big game.

I simply don't understand these people. Did this guy even watch the Superbowl? That drive at the end of the game was bigger and more clutch than Elway's "The Drive"- Only Montana in 1987 can be compared to it. It seems that nothing Big Ben can do will ever be enough for some of these people.

 

[ptsteelers]

2 percent body fat? He has to be lying, doesn't he? is that possible?

I think he dropped down another 2% in body fat total, not to a total of 2%.I hope.

Here is the quote from the Post-Gazette

""I'm down two percent of my body fat, less body fat than I had my whole career."

 

[treat88]

I can state definitively that Harrison is not at, or even close to, 2% bodyfat.

 

[CrossEyed]

2 percent body fat? He has to be lying, doesn't he? is that possible?

I think he dropped down another 2% in body fat total, not to a total of 2%.I hope.

Here is the quote from the Post-Gazette

""I'm down two percent of my body fat, less body fat than I had my whole career."

That makes a lot more sense.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

2 percent body fat? He has to be lying, doesn't he? is that possible?

I think he dropped down another 2% in body fat total, not to a total of 2%.I hope.

Here is the quote from the Post-Gazette

""I'm down two percent of my body fat, less body fat than I had my whole career."

That makes a lot more sense.

it does make more sense, and it's probably what the article meant to say. But from above, Wexell quoted Harrison as saying : " I came in bigger than I did any other year, but I’m down to two percent body fat."

 

[analog_hiss]

Stepanovich signs; Reffett waived

Monday, August 10, 2009

By BOB LABRIOLA

Steelers.com

LATROBE, Pa. – Even though the news about Darnell Stapleton’s knee was pretty good, the time he is expected to miss created something of a numbers crunch along the offensive line at this stage of training camp.

With that reality facing them, the Steelers signed veteran center Alex Stepanovich on Monday. To make room on the roster, the team waived defensive end Jordan Reffett. Stepanovich was due to practice with the Steelers for the first time on Monday afternoon and will wear #67.

Stepanovich, 6-foot-4, 296 pounds, came into the NFL after a career at Ohio State as a fourth-round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2004. While it often takes rookie offensive lineman time to adjust to the NFL, Stepanovich was thrown right into the mix, and he started all 16 games of his rookie season.

From there, he saw less action with the Cardinals, primarily because of injuries. Stepanovich injured his hand in the Cardinals preseason scrimmage and missed the entire 2005 preseason and the first regular season game. Then he injured a shoulder on Nov. 20 and went on the injured reserve list on Dec. 6.

After his third season in Arizona, the Cardinals opted not to tender him and he became an unrestricted free agent. He signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2007 and appeared in 12 games with four starts there, and then he played in Atlanta in 2008. The Falcons released him on June 17, 2009.

With Stapleton sidelined and Justin Hartwig still recovering from a broken toe, the Steelers were down to 11 healthy offensive linemen and only two of those – first-year player Doug Legursky and rookie A.Q. Shipley – played center.

Reffett, a 6-4, 292 pound defensive end from Washington, originally signed with the Steelers as an undrafted rookie on April 28, 2008. He was waived at the end of training camp that summer and spent two weeks in October on the team’s practice squad that season. He was re-signed by the team after Super Bowl XLIII.

 

[Giant Wooden Badger]

Seriously? I had no idea he had that kind of speed.

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/07/26/is-ike-...-chris-johnson/

Sorry if this was already posted.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Seriously? I had no idea he had that kind of speed.

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/07/26/is-ike-...-chris-johnson/

Sorry if this was already posted.

I remember reading in his draft year that Shaw said he was faster than Deion. That stood out to me to the point that I was listening for his name to be called in the later rounds of that draft - I have to admit, I was excited when it was Pittsburgh that drafted him, even though I'd never seen him play. If only he could catch.

 

[CrossEyed]

Seriously? I had no idea he had that kind of speed.

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/07/26/is-ike-...-chris-johnson/

Sorry if this was already posted.

Makes you wonder how some guys get the reputation as being fast while others don't. I would guess if you asked people to name the top 25 fastest players in the NFL that none of them would include Ike.

 

[Fiddles]

if lebeau goes in to the HOF next year who would present him?

 

[Fiddles]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburgh...s/s_637710.html

 

[wefcpa]

Bump for game tonight.

Can't believe this was on page 4.

 

[Fiddles]

is the game on national tv?

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

is the game on national tv?

ESPN, wooo

 

[DrJamesAndrews Fan]

Go Stillers!!!

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Steelers camp has vintage feel

John Clayton

ESPN.com

Aug 12, 2009

LATROBE, Pa. -- Crowds at Saint Vincent College this summer brought back a lot of memories. Through the 1970s, Steelers fans showed passion for their Super Bowl teams by turning the perimeter of the practice fields into a sea of black and gold. Fans waited for autographs, but their biggest mission was simply watching one of the league's greatest collection of players tune up for another Super Bowl run.

The campus has grown from years of wise investments. To get a parking spot, you must arrive early. For late arrivals, there is a little bit of a walk, but it's not bad. The sight of the Steelers fans walking to and from practice is sort of like watching a golf tournament with Tiger Woods.

A team scrimmage here on Friday night drew more than 15,000 people. It was an awesome sight.

Here are few things I learned from my Steelers visit:

1. James Harrison is an absolute beast: Any matchup the linebacker has against a tall offensive tackle is a mismatch in his favor. At 6-foot-0, Harrison uses leverage and strength to abuse tall tackles. You almost must feel sorry for Steelers tackle Max Starks. He's 6-8 and has made dramatic improvements over the past year to become a passable left tackle, but Harrison destroys him most of the time in practice.

One of the keys to Harrison's success is his relentlessness. He'll drive his body under the long arms of Starks and use his strength and power to drive Starks back. If Starks tries to clamp down on him, Harrison will slip away and rush around him. Harrison comes hard on every play. There is no such thing as practice to Harrison. Every practice play is a game to him, and he wants to win.

The knock on short pass-rushers is the supposed disadvantage they have going against big tackles. Bull. Harrison, who weighs 240 pounds, can bull rush a tackle. Any time you see Harrison go against a tackle taller than 6-6, look for a two-sack day. The good news for Starks is that there aren't many pass-rushers like Harrison out there.

2. Timmons looks great: It was hard for the Steelers to cut Larry Foote. He was the perfect Steelers inside linebacker -- smart, accountable and a good tackler. But this season expect Lawrence Timmons to emerge as a star at weakside inside linebacker.

In his third season, Timmons has grown into the position. The Steelers drafted Timmons when he was 20. Head coach Mike Tomlin loves developing 20-year-old athletes and will always encourage the scouting department to bring young players to him. With a 20-year-old, you need patience because it often takes three years for them to develop their body for NFL success. Tomlin said Timmons has added 10 pounds of muscle this offseason. He looks sensational.

One of the first things I noticed on outside running plays is how much ground Timmons can cover when he's trying to cut off running lanes. He's also developing into a violent tackler. Years from now, sports historians might look at the Timmons-LaMarr Woodley draft of 2007 as one of the best ever for a 3-4 defense.

3. The Steelers really like their first-round choice: Evander "Ziggy" Hood has already established himself in the rotation of defensive ends. If needed, he could grow into a nose tackle. Tomlin is using him as a backup at right and left defensive end. He's 6-3, 300 pounds and the only thing he lacks is experience.

I like the way Hood can engage a tackle in a two-gap situation, throwing him aside to make the play. He'll need some time to learn different ways of beating tackles. Veterans know the tricks of how to lock down a young end, but Hood shows that, once he get away from a blocker, he has enough speed to chase down runners.

The Steelers needed a young player on the line because they have five defensive linemen in their 30s. Hood is the first step in the youth movement.

4. Rashard Mendenhall is living up to his first-round billing: Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis ended Mendenhall's rookie season with a violent, legal tackle that fractured the running back's shoulder. Going back to Tomlin's love for young players, you get the feeling the Steelers have a pretty good plan for Mendenhall.

Last year, Mendenhall was the youngest player on the team entering the 2008 season. Tomlin didn't mind a young Lawrence Timmons being a backup his first two seasons because he believed Timmons would emerge by his third season. That seems to be the plan for Mendenhall. Willie Parker remains the starter, but he doesn't have the body to hold up for 300 carries in a season. Mendenhall is 225 pounds and gives the Steelers the type of workhorse back who works well in the cold weather in November, December and January. He has good speed and seems able to make quick reads. As long as he stay away from Ray Lewis, Mendenhall is the back of the future who can be a big contributor in the present.

5. Forget the finesse: Running the ball will always be the main priority for the Steelers. Hines Ward remembers how the Steelers tried to have a finesse style in the pre-Ben Roethlisberger days and how that didn't work out. Replacing power runs with quick passes isn't Steelers football.

Roethlisberger does love to slip into shotgun and no-huddle offenses, and he will have the freedom to do that at times. If you are wondering about how the civil suit is affecting Roethlisberger's play, don't be too worried. Roethlisberger shouldn't have a dropoff in his play, but he will be distracted to a degree.

Roethlisberger has great command over the huddle and his offense, although it was fascinating to see what was going on in last Friday's scrimmage. Defensive coordinator **** LeBeau unleashed blitzes, forcing all the quarterbacks to make quick, hot throws into the middle the field and scramble on most pass plays. Steeler fans might have wondered what was wrong with Roethlisberger. Nothing. Head coaches with an offensive background, particularly those from the West Coast offenses, don't let many blitz periods slip into their practices and scrimmages. Offensive head coaches want the offense to win. Defensive head coaches -- and that's Tomlin's background -- love the defense to test its players' skills, which make it tough at times on the quarterbacks.

John Clayton, a recipient of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's McCann Award for distinguished reporting, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

 

[Sheriff66]

Ravens focused on solving Steelers, Big Ben

WESTMINSTER, Md. -- You can't blame the Ravens for being a little obsessed with the world champion Steelers -- after all, Baltimore lost all three games to Pittsburgh in 2008.

The Ravens were able to get pressure on Ben Roethlisberger last year, but sacks proved elusive.

-A three-point loss at Heinz Field on Monday night in Week 4, a night when rookie quarterback Joe Flacco came of age.

-In Week 14, a heart-breaking loss in Baltimore, referee Walt Coleman ruled that Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes crossed the goal line with 43 seconds left -- a call that many in the Ravens organization still stew about.

-And then a beatdown in the AFC Championship Game at Heinz Field, when young Flacco was just 13-of-30 passing with three picks and no touchdown passes.

So, it's no surprise that when you ask the Ravens venerable general manager, Ozzie Newsome, what it will take to beat the Steelers this season, he has two quick responses: "Get No. 7 down," and "Be better in the passing game." Before we address sacking Ben Roethlisberger, let's talk about Flacco.

The Ravens finished 28th in the league in passing. That doesn't tell the whole story. During the regular season, Flacco completed a gaudy 60 percent of his passes -- very good for a rookie. But in the playoffs, his completion rate plummeted to 44 percent against three nasty defenses: Miami, Tennessee and Pittsburgh. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that was the lowest completion percentage (with a minimum 50 attempts) for any quarterback in the postseason in 10 years. (Mark Brunell completed just 40 percent of his passes for the Jaguars in 1998.)

And in three games against the Steelers, Flacco had just one touchdown pass last season -- a dinky 4-yarder to tight end Daniel Wilcox. The strong-armed rookie was just unable to solve **** LeBeau's pass defense.

"We've got to be more consistent in the passing game, move the chains, control the tempo on offense with balance," said Newsome.

Newsome said that won't matter if the Ravens defense, which finished second in the league to Pittsburgh last season, does not do a better job of sacking Roethlisberger.

"We've got to get No. 7 on the ground," said Newsome, without missing a beat. "We get clean shots at him, but we're not getting him down. I remember we used to have trouble getting to Steve McNair and bringing him down. But Roethlisberger is much tougher. His movement out of the pocket, his ability to throw on the run is what killed us."

The Ravens finished just 11th in the league last year with 34 sacks -- primarily because their primary pass-rusher, Terrell Suggs, has just 13 sacks in the last two seasons.

In all three games against the Ravens last season, using his creativity to stay alive in the pocket, Roethlisberger hit Holmes with killer touchdown passes that proved to be the margin of difference between the play of the two quarterbacks, and the score.

Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh insisted that his training camp was focused on many things, but he did admit one this: The Ravens' defense is learning to make sure the quarterback goes down. "We are working here a lot on the scramble drill," said Harbaugh. In other words, when the opposing quarterback starts to move out of the pocket, the defense has certain rules of engagement: engage and, hopefully bring down.

 

[Sheriff66]

Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat transcript

Ed Bouchette: Greetings everyone. Sorry about yesterday. Had trouble getting on the web at Saint Vincent College. It was not their fault, although trying to make and take cell phone calls up there is difficult. Let's start the chat.

Will_from_Freehold__NJ: Welcome back Ed! Let's start from the top, how is Ben doing so far in training camp? Does he appear distracted at all because of the lawsuit? Do you think the lawsuit will affect him mentally this season?

Ed Bouchette: I wish I could tell you one way or the other, but I don't think anyone knows how or if it might affect him. He does seem unusually quiet and withdrawn to me, but that's as an observer.

James_Taiwan: Do you think Shaun McDonald can make a decent contribution as the Steelers 3rd or 4th receiver?

Ed Bouchette: I think it's possible, but I think he's fighting to become the No. 5 receiver right now because Limas Sweed and Mike Wallace have the team made. However, if he does make it as No. 5 and the other two do not perform as expected, then he could ultimately be the No. 3 receiver. Having said that, I still think Sweed will be No. 3.

Homey: If you were in Hines Ward's position, would you have come back for another season? After watching him hobble around after the Super Bowl, I got to thinking he should retire on a high note and not worry about walking around with a cane when he's 40.

Ed Bouchette: He's not hobbling much now. Why would you retire when you just had your most productive season in the past four and you have another crack at a Super Bowl? I think Hines is still playing well.

polamalu43: Do you think Keenan Lewis makes the team??

Ed Bouchette: Yes, he's looked very good in training camp. I don't see how he doesn't make it.

Rob_in_Bethel: Have you noticed a difference in preparation post Super Bowl season w/ how Tomlin's handling training camp this far versus Cowher in '06?

Ed Bouchette: They handle training camp different because they are different coaches. I don't think the camp in '06 had anything to do with them going 8-8.

Will_from_Freehold__NJ: Ed, how has Rashard Mendenhall looked? Have you seen him run tentatively not trying to re-injure his shoulder? The offense & Willie could sure use his services.

Ed Bouchette: No, I have not seen him favoring his shoulder. If he weren't a No. 1 pick, you might not notice him. However, they were saying the same thing about Franco in the summer of '72.

FL_Steeler_Fan: Good afternoon Ed. Two questions for ya. Do you think if Mike Wallace keeps producing, does he have a shot as the 3rd Rec? Or is he going to be used as a "Slash" role?

Ed Bouchette: I don't think you'll see him in any Slash role. He has a shot at No. 3, but as I said I believe Sweed will win that. Wallace, though, has also looked very good. This looks like it could be a good rookie class.

polamalu43: Does Ryan Mundy make the team??

Ed Bouchette: He has to pick it up.

Free_Tank_Carter: Ed - Can you give us a time frame for Ben's civil suit? Is this something that will be wrapped up soon, or will it be a year before anything is resolved? Or somewhere in between?

Ed Bouchette: If anymore witnesses step forward like the most recent one, I could see the suit being dropped. If not, I have no idea how long these things can drag out but I would bet into next year if everyone remains in it.

rbird: Hello Ed, I haven't heard much out of Tony Hills or Bruce Davis. How have they been playing at training camp? Are they in trouble of being cut?

Ed Bouchette: I think Tony Hills makes it and I believe Davis better start doing something, although he still could make it because they are not strong at backup OLB.

Angry_Eddie_B: How many RBs do you think will make the final roster?

Ed Bouchette: Let's see. FWP, Mendenhall, Moore, Carey Davis and one other. That would be 5.

Angry_Eddie_B: Do you think Burnett makes the team?

Ed Bouchette: Oh my yes.

cincykid11: Ed, What is your opinion on Ziggy and how he is competing?

Ed Bouchette: Ziggy is doing well.

Free_Tank_Carter: EVERYONE PLEASE STOP WITH THE MICHAEL VICK NONSENSE! ... I'm just saying ...

Ed Bouchette: Thank you.

rbird: Ed, the Steelers are looking tough to handle this year. If not an undefeated season do you think this team can be as dominant as some of the Patriot teams in years past?

Ed Bouchette: No. Let's not forget that they barely beat Baltimore in three games last season, right down to the end. The Steelers are good, very good, but I would not start talking about unbeaten seasons.

Tprod: Ed, is Tony Hills' roster position endangered by the play of Ramon Foster?

Ed Bouchette: They're using Foster at guard, although he was a tackle in college, so no.

cincykid11: Ed, When the Steelers go "5 wide" -- as Arians at some point will do -- who in your opinion will be those five receivers?

Ed Bouchette: They did not use much 5 wide last season, so I would not assume they're going to this year. When they go to 4, I can see Sweed and Wallace on the field. Remember, Mewelde Moore proved to be a good third-down back, and they might not want to use a lot of empty backfields this season.

koonjs01: Who are the surprises (good and bad) of camp so far?

Ed Bouchette: I would say Ramon Foster is right up there. Most of the rookies look pretty good. Charlie Batch has been throwing a good deep ball a year after breaking his collarbone. Disappointments, not many. As I said, they're still looking for Bruce Davis to do something.

SouthSideSal: Ed, what are you looking for in tomorrow's game?

Ed Bouchette: I want to see Rashard Mendenhall run. I want to see Ziggy play. I'm not looking for two much from the first teams because I pretty much know what they can do. I want to see Limas Sweed and Mike Wallace and the returners, Wallace and Joe Burnett. I'm also interested in watching Dennis Dixon play a lot. Oh, and Frank The Tank -- he needs a game to show what he can do because I don't think camp is the place for his style.

Amos_P_Swanson: Any talk of any more contract extensions?

Ed Bouchette: No, I wrote about Brett Keisel, who may be the next one they go after, but they're pausing for the cause right now.

wolfgang_von_colt: You mentioned in one of your q&a's that Kraig Urbick needs to get stronger. Does that mean to suggest that he has been a disappointment thus far?

Ed Bouchette: I do not remember ever writing that.

Tprod: Ed, if a tackle goes down and Essex moves over to tackle, who moves into guard as long as Stapelton is sidelined?

Ed Bouchette: I thought I just wrote that it would depend on Foster/Urbik or maybe even the backup veteran center they just signed, Stepanovich.

Steeler_s_Mket_7: Has Sweed or Wallace looked good at stretching the defense? IE: deep routes?

Ed Bouchette: yes

what_a_sports_nut: The way James Harrison ran the ball in the SB, why don't the Steelers use him in goal line situations?

Ed Bouchette: Hey, he ran 100 yards, one or two should be easy, right?

Burgh2burg: Ed, love the chat! Could this be the year that we'll ACTUALLY see a speedster return kicks on a regular basis?

Ed Bouchette: You will see one thursday night and I would bet you will see him thursday of the regular-season opener too, Mike Wallace.

rbird: Ed, the report that surfaced today about some Steelers at a police shooting range ... is this something to be concerned about? Thanks.

Ed Bouchette: In what sense? What, they're not allowed to go to a police shooting range?

Bob_in_CA: Hi Ed, Who will make the final cut at RB, Summers or Redman or both?

Ed Bouchette: I can't see both of them making it and the next few weeks will determine which one does.

polamalu43: I believe this is a good rookie class, but what drafted rookie doesn't make it?

Ed Bouchette: You might see A.Q. and Sonny Harris on the practice squad, perhaps Tank too. It depends, they still have time.

Angry_Eddie_B: Haven't heard much about Stefan Logan ... how is he doing and does he have any chance of making the team?

Ed Bouchette: yes, he has a chance. No, I don't think he ultimately makes it.

polamalu43: Ed, since they're using Foster at Guard, does Urbik make the team?

Ed Bouchette: It's hard to cut a third-round pick in the first year. I've seen it done here once in my 25 years covering them.

cincykid11: Ed, who wins in a race, Ike or Wallace?

Ed Bouchette: Bike or auto?

Tprod: Ed, any chance the late DC Johnson from the Eagles or our own Coach LeBeau get into the Hall of Fame in the near future?

Ed Bouchette: I believe **** LeBeau might be nominated by the seniors committee this year. They nominate two.

what_a_sports_nut: Is Issac Redman looking better than "The Tank"?

Ed Bouchette: Different runners. Let's see what they do in games.

joey_buttafuco: Better user of irony, you or Collier?

Ed Bouchette: I do not iron collars.

Will_from_Freehold__NJ: Should Steeler Nation be at all worried about Sean Mahan's toe injury? All Mahan needs is some 340 pound DL step on him and he'll be favoring that foot all year.

Ed Bouchette: I wouldn't worry about Sean Mahan, but you might be more concerned about Justin Hartwig's toe. Justin stood before us, by the way, on the first day of camp and said over and over there was nothing wrong with his toe and he was ready to practice.

joey_buttafuco: Now that Dan's son is officially calling the shots, any chance the Steelers get cheerleaders again?

Ed Bouchette: No. Art says no cheerleaders. There are enough of them on this weekly chat.

polamalu43: Which 5 CBs make the 53-man roster?

Ed Bouchette: or 6 -- 2 starters, Townsend, Burnett, Lewis and perhaps Madison.

wolfgang_von_colt: How has Sonny Harris looked? Worthy of the practice squad?

Ed Bouchette: He just started practicing after having a groin injury from the start of camp.

ajt123_: Do you think R. Mendenhall with be productive this year if not injured?

Ed Bouchette: that is the great unanswered question. Look for my story on him in Thursday's PG

cincykid11: Ed, Is Dixon having problems reading defenses? Is that hs main flaw or is it physical mechanics?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know about flaws or reading defenses. I do know they like him very much and he is on track perhaps to some day assume Charlie Batch's role.

steelfool: As I understand it, FWP is on his last contract year. Is this his last year as a Steeler? Are there no negotiations because the Steelers want a better read on how much is left in the tank?

Ed Bouchette: I think they want to look at both him and Mendenhall. Remember, just because they do not do an extension before the start of the season does not mean they cannot do one after the season. It has happened many times.

Steeler_s_Mket_7: Ed, so glad the chats are back, I love them ...

Ed Bouchette: Thanks, you have a question, bub?

rbird: Ed, the report suggested that it was illegal for anyone other than police to be at the range?

Ed Bouchette: Maybe they deputized them beforehand, the way Marshall Dillon used to do it.

Burgh2burg: Ed, will Ben still be doing his Michael Jackson impression and wearing one glove?

Ed Bouchette: I prefer his moonwalk.

Rob_T.: Hey Ed, I read that the screen has been practiced a lot in camp. Can you see us utilizing it this year as we have gotten away from it the past 2 years?

Ed Bouchette: They keep trying and it keeps looking like something out of Laurel & Hardy.

ajt123_: Whats the biggest difference between Coach Tomlin and Coach Cowher's camps?

Ed Bouchette: Cowher does not have one any more. No, I've never been to a Coughlin Camp but I know people who have and they say he's tough with the rules and everything and likes to run the guys in pads more. Cowher wasn't tough on his players in camp. He ran a good camp, from what I saw, good balance between preparing and not over-doing things.

Tprod: Ed, last year's draft class greatly underachieved in camp and during the season. Apparently, only Sweed has performed well with Mendenhall still leaving everyone waiting for him to step up. Its still early to grade a class, but does it look like a miss by Colbert?

Ed Bouchette: You said it, it's early. Let's give the boys a little longer than 10 days in camp. I know they got little out of them last season but that was to be expected for Sweed and Mendenhall was hurt. Now, the rest aren't exactly bowling anyone over.

wolfgang_von_colt: Is it true that the 7th round pick has been the best blocking tight end in camp (outside of 83, of course)?

Ed Bouchette: I like how Sean McHugh blocks, so I'm not going to put him above him. He looks good both as a TE and in the backfield, blocking, though.

steelblood14: Who's the biggest name not likely to make the cut this year?

Ed Bouchette: You might not see any "big" names.

Weegie: Ed, do you see the Ravens progressing this year, or regressing after losing Bart Scott?

Ed Bouchette: I think they will improve for no other reason than the rookie QB is no longer a rookie and he had one good season.

ajt123_: With all of your wise answers today, it seems you must have taken a ride in J. Harrison'ss "Smart" car ...

Ed Bouchette: I don't just step into any vehicle.

koonjs01: What do the player's think of the cafeteria food? Any tweeters out there?

Ed Bouchette: Does anyone really want to know the answer to that?

wendal_s_blues: Of the three starters (Hampton, Keisel, and Smith), who does Hood take over for? Is it too early to tell? My money is on Keisel. He's always underwhelmed me...

Ed Bouchette: Ziggy has practiced almost exclusively at left end, where Aaron Smith plays. That is likely because they want to keep him at one spot rather than move him around right now. ultimately, he will have to learn both sides ... And he's not a nose tackle.

tmatta: Ed, you have way too much fun with this!

Ed Bouchette: What? Who? Fun? You call this fun? I stick bamboo under my fingernails for fun, compared to this.

burg2burgh: Will Ben remain undefeated in Ohio after this season?

Ed Bouchette: There is no reason to believe he will not, since the Buckeyes are not on the sked.

burg2burgh: Ed, will the Steelers hop on the band wagon and work some wildcat into their offense?

Ed Bouchette: They could because Dennis Dixon is the perfect candidate. However, I think that wildcat stuff is a little overblown.

Steeler_s_Mket_7: Ed, is there still talk of adding more games to the regular season?

Ed Bouchette: Unfortunately, it seems they ultimately will add one or two games. These guys will be used up more quickly when they do.

Ed Bouchette: Oh, my, 5 minutes overtime and I don't get paid any extra for it. By the way, we have some extra stuff planned for this fall that I'm excited about, as are my bosses, and I'm sure you'll love it. Keep looking for info on it. See you next Tuesday.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

Redman is making a bold statement lately.

Redman dominates at goal line

By Jim Wexell

SteelCityInsider.com

Posted Aug 16, 2009

Sunday's practice was a wild one, from Jason Capizzi's KO punch to Isaac Redman's seven-carry, five-touchdown performance at the goal line.

UNITY TWP. – Isaac Redman got the call to run through the meat-grinder, also known as the first-team goal line defense.

He not only lived to tell about it, the undrafted rookie running back from Bowie State scored on all three carries.

How good is Isaac Redman?

“I don’t know. It’s a bad time to talk to me,” said Ryan Clark.

How good is Isaac Redman?

“Who’s Isaac Redman?” said James Harrison.

The back who just scored three touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first team defense.

“Don’t ask me no questions right now,” Harrison responded.

Chris Hoke, how good is Isaac Redman?

“He’s pretty good,” Hoke said. “But next time out we’ll probably shut him down all three times.”

Is that pride talking? Or is he a good back?

“No, he’s good, but there is some pride talking. We’ll get him. They didn’t run up the middle. They went after the edge a little bit. Up the middle, that’s where Big Casey is.”

Well, the 6-0, 230-pound Redman didn’t completely avoid the middle. Here’s the breakdown:

* His first carry was behind fullback David Johnson through right guard.

* His second run, as the single back, was blown up by Big Casey Hampton, so Redman slipped right and cut it up for the touchdown.

* On Redman’s third run, he lined up behind fullback Sean McHugh, but followed motioning wingback Frank Summers to the right side for the touchdown.

* Against the second team, Summers motioned to a wing-fullback spot but couldn’t spring Redman.

* Redman was stopped a second time, on his fifth carry, as a single back when Scott Paxson blew up the play. Redman juked a few times and nearly reached the goal line anyway.

* On the sixth carry, Redman -- with Summers motioning back to fullback – ran wide right for an easy score.

* The seventh carry was a replicate of the sixth carry.

Coach Mike Tomlin last week had wondered aloud about Redman’s conditioning, and that was the reason he scrapped his original plan Sunday of giving Redman only the first two goal-line carries.

“You saw Rashard (Mendenhall) go through it last year in the preseason,” Tomlin said. “When they get a number of carries, sometimes they lose a little ball security, some of the detail in their work. (This was done) just to evaluate him from that standpoint.”

The coach was asked why Mendenhall didn’t receive any carries.

“You can’t evaluate 33’s conditioning by using Rashard,” Tomlin said. “Rashard will get his opportunities.”

Did Redman open the coach’s eyes yet?

“Ah, you know, he’s still got a ways to go,” Tomlin said. “That’s a process. No question he represented himself pretty well today.”

For those counting, Redman scored two touchdowns against the backups in last week’s goal-line drill, and two touchdowns against the Cardinals backups Thursday in the preseason opener. With the five touchdowns Sunday, Redman just may receive a chance against the Washington first team in the next preseason game.

“It gives me a bit of a confidence boost,” Redman said. “The offensive line had some great blocks. The fullback had a great block and I basically walked in on a couple of them.”

CAPIZZI KO’s KIRSCHKE

Offensive line coach Larry Zierlein told his men before practice that he wanted to see nothing but short sets, meaning the hands had to come up quickly. Massive tackle Jason Capizzi responded with a punch to Travis Kirschke’s chest during a one-on-one drill that was so violent and sudden it buckled Kirschke’s knees as the veteran defensive lineman slumped to the ground. Kirschke didn’t practice the rest of the day with what Tomlin said was an ankle injury.

“You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t,” said Capizzi, who seemed unhappy about the result.

But wasn’t this a good thing for the young tackle?

“Oh, yeah. That was very good,” he said. “Everyone was like, ‘Holy cow, look what he can do.’”

It’s the third camp for the 6-9, 330-pounder from IUP, and he believes it’s by far his best.

“Everything’s going pretty good,” he said. “I feel more confident, playing right and left (tackle). Coach says ‘the more you can do,’ and I even spent a couple days at guard. I don’t know if I was the best guard, if I’m one of their last options, but the more you can do. They have me at tight end in goal line, too. I’m just trying to show them that I can go out there and push people around in the run game and protect the quarterback in the pass game.”

And knock out veteran defensive ends with one quick punch.

INJURY REPORT

Along with Kirschke, Troy Polamalu left practice after his calf tightened up.

Kraig Urbik didn’t come down to the field because of a scratched cornea. Tomlin explained that the rookie guard needed to keep the eye protected for 24 hours and expects him back soon.

Also sidelined were Brandon Williams, Mewelde Moore, Tyler Grisham and Darnell Stapleton with their lingering injuries. Stapleton will begin running in a few days and will be evaluated at the end of the work week.

Link

 

[Steelfan7]

CBS Rapid Reports for yesterday's camp

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/r...eports/team/PIT

Steelers RB Isaac Redman could be the biggest surprise of training camp. The undrafted rookie went 5-for-7 in goal line drills against the first defensive unit. FB Frank Summers was his blocking back.

Steelers TE Sean McHugh is battling David Johnson for the third tight end spot, but he isn't helping his cause after dropping an easy pass in the flat.

Steelers CB William Gay made a nice leaping INT of QB Ben Roethlisberger's pass in 7-on-7 drills.

The Steelers were 1-for-2 in the two-minute drill. LB LaMarr Woodley came up with pick in the first drive, while QB Dennis Dixon hit WR Shaun McDonald for the 20-yard score.

Steelers WR Mike Wallace is working as a punt returner for the first time. RB Stefan Logan, WR Shaun McDonald, and CB Joe Burnett are with him.

Steelers RB Stefan Logan is having a rough day. After getting leveled by LB Patrick Bailey, he muffed a punt in return drills.

Steelers LB Patrick Bailey continues to make some crushing hits. He leveled RB Stefan Logan on punt return drills.

Steelers rookie WR Mike Wallace has been consistently open in the 11-on-11 drills.

Steelers CB Keiwan Ratliff, a free agent pickup in the offseason, continue to shine in camp. His coverage is like a blanket in 11-on-11 drills. If he keeps playing like this, the nickel job is his.

The Steelers offensive line are working on snap counts. Coach Mike Tomlin was not happy with the 12 penalties for 70 yards against the Cardinals.

Steelers rookie DE Ziggy Hood continues to play like a season veteran. He stays low, squares up, and has good pad level. He plays fast and uses his hands to get free.

Steelers FB Frank Summers is working at fullback. Head coach Mike Tomlin wants to give RB Isaac Redman more work and in order to do that, Summers is sliding over.

Steelers WRs Brandon Williams and Tyler Grisham need to get back on the field like yesterday if they hope to make this team. Bubble players can't afford injuries.

Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians singles out OT Tony Hills and RB Isaac Redman are guys who making an impression with the coaches.

Steelers G Darnell Stapleton, who's out with a knee injury, said he thinks he can be back in action in about a week.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I'm sticking with my initial reaction that Burnett is going to be the steal of this draft.

 

[Steelfan7]

I am literally praying that I don't have to see Carey Davis again in a Steelers uniform come the beginning of the regular season. I hope the Tank wins the FB job.

 

[DrJamesAndrews Fan]

Redman was a badass wrestler for Perenial Wrestling Power Paulsboro, NJ High School. If I'm not mistaken Moreno broke his NJ touchdown record.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

From Jim Wexell's Twitter:

"Mike, what's your reaction to the Favre signing?" Tomlin: "None."

Best interview eva.

 

[CrossEyed]

So any chance Redman ends up developing into a RB1? With Mendy underwhelming, does this guy warrant any attention in deep dynasty leagues?

 

[treat88]

So any chance Redman ends up developing into a RB1? With Mendy underwhelming, does this guy warrant any attention in deep dynasty leagues?

Anything is possible, but I'd put the chances at almost zero at this point.As it stands he is likely battling for a PS squad spot with very little room to advance to the active roster barring injury.His career will be comparable to Gary Russell's is what I would guess for now.Would be nice to find a gem, but the FWP's of the world are few and far between.

 

[treat88]

I'm sticking with my initial reaction that Burnett is going to be the steal of this draft.

It's early, but Wallace may give him some competition.Urbik aside, this class is shaping up like one of the best in recent memory.

 

[Franknbeans]

STEELERWRAITHS: Thanks for the chat Ed...I know you are going to want to say we need to watch and evaluate more, but just suppose we cannot risk Redman clearing waivers and he makes it onto the 53-man roster, who do we cut? Summers? Moore? Davis? Thanks

Ed Bouchette: I do not think you will see both Redman and Summers on this team.

polamalu43: If Mundy doesn't play better, who do you think gets the 4th safety position??

Ed Bouchette: Maybe they'll keep an extra cornerback instead and have Deshea Townsend do both.

Will_from_Freehold__NJ: Limas Sweed made some nice catches last week and seemed to drop a pass while running a route to the sideline, do you think Sweed can be as capable a 3rd receiver as Nate Washington was?

Ed Bouchette: I keep getting these questions as if Nate Washington was Lynn Swann. Wasn't the main complaint about Nate that he dropped too many passes?

bostonburgher: Ed, when Daniel Sepulveda was first drafted, you questioned using a good draft pick to secure a punter, reasoning as I recall that the net yardage difference between the best and worst punters is negligible. Do you still feel the same way?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, I would not use two draft picks, one in the fourth round, on a punter. However, since they did do it (and won a super Bowl with the worst punter in the league) I must say that Sepulveda is an outstanding punter. They are separate issues.

MI_Steeler_Fan: Does Roy Lewis have a future on this team? He looked pretty good last year during camp, but seems to be behind the rookies Lewis and Burnett.

Ed Bouchette: Roy has a long way to go. He would have a better shot at safety.

hinestheman: Ed, could Ziggy Hood find his way to the starting lineup at some point this year? Also, do you see anyone else who from this year's rookie class that could make his/their way to the starting lineup?

Ed Bouchette: No, I don't see any starters, not when you have 20 of 22 back from your Super Bowl champs. Ziggy might relieve a starter here and there for some downs, but unless there's an injury, he won't start, nor will any other rookies. They can contribute on special teams and in spot situations, though.

hinestheman: Ed, Ziggy Hood, Wallace, Burnett, Lewis, Harris... (not even counting Redman) - could 2009 turn out to be one of the best drafts in recent Steelers history?

Ed Bouchette: It's way, way too early for that. We're still trying to find out what last year's class brought. However, this does look like a good class this way through their first season in the NFL.

FL_Steeler_FAn: Good Afternoon Ed. Thanks again for providing in depth analysis of our beloved Steelers for those in the south. I know not many people are talking about but, any chance of Casey finishing his career here?

Ed Bouchette: Of course, there's always that chance. Someone, though, has to sign him to a contract after this season.

hinestheman: Ed, Rahsard Mendenhall didn't do much in the first game and average a dismal 2.7 yard per carry - Yet, I am hearing that he is having a good camp - Are we reading too much into these pre-season games?

Ed Bouchette: I'm told Franco Harris had a terrible rookie training camp in 1972, then he ignited all of Steelerdom his first real season. Let's give the kid a few games before we judge him.

Undrafted: Tell me about Tyler Grisham, I heard he was looking good in camp, but didn't even see him in the game against Arizona. Does he have a "puncher's chance" to make the team?

Ed Bouchette: no

hinestheman: Ed, What WR make the team? I have Hines/Santonio/Sweed/Wallace/McDonald and Baker (if they keep 6). Do you agree?

Ed Bouchette: Right now I like McDonald as the No. 5 to go with your first four. I don't know that they will keep 6. If so, don't count out Brandon Williams.

STEELERWRAITHS: Hi Ed, a bit of a quandry here as Wallace looks like the real deal, but shouldn't he be able to run back ALL kickoffs for the practice of reading the blocks and flow of their called return play, rather than practicing to see if Mendenhall knows when to settle for a touchback? How are we supposed to know how far back to just say never mind if we don't give the speedster the chance to show us what he can do in space from however far back? Thank you for the clarification on this.

Ed Bouchette: First, I need a clarification on your question because I'm not quite sure on what you're asking. Wallace will get his chances, but others must too. Did I answer whatever you asked?

polamalu43: Does OL Capizzi make the team??

Ed Bouchette: It's going to be close for Jason. Tony Hills is doing well, but there is room for four OTs certainly and Jason is right in the mix.

Steeler_Fan_Struck_In_Ohio: Did Bruce Davis and Tony Hills help or hurt themselves last Thursday? Any other surprises or disappointments?

Ed Bouchette: I'm told Hills played real well and Davis did OK. Davis needs to get stronger and he does not help himself by not being a good special teams player. He does not have this team made by a long shot.

STEELERWRAITHS: Hello Ed...Has anyone ever found out how much credence Hines put into the use of his personal hyperbaric chamber down in Tampa to help enable him to play in Super Bowl XLIII?

Ed Bouchette: You should see the chamber I went through to make it to the game that Sunday.

rustyb: Ed, If M. Moore can't play Saturday night who would perform the 3rd down duties?

Ed Bouchette: Either FWP or Mendenhall early in the game.

Angry_Eddie_B: Can Redman and Summers both make the final roster?

Ed Bouchette: I personally do not believe they can, barring injuries to the more established backs.

rustyb: Hello Ed, Thanks for the chats. Do you think there is a chance that D. Townsend gets cut? I'd hate to see him go, he's been a great Steeler.

Ed Bouchette: No, I think Deshea is on this team. He was, by the way, on the cover of the first preseason game program.

Manila_steeler: Hey Ed, what are the main differences that you foresee between the defense with an all time Timmons versus last year with Foote. More sacks? Better or worse against the run?

Ed Bouchette: I think you might see more mistakes because Foote played so long in the defense and the position is a new one for Timmons, as far as playing much in real games. And, I think you might have seen him make a few last Thursday night. however, he is an extremely talented and smart player and even when he does make a mistake I think he can overcome it at times.

nick_the_tricker: Hi Ed. since Bus and Randell El left the team 3 years ago, I have not seen any trick play by the steelers. Do they plan to have any during the season?

Ed Bouchette: If they told me, they would not be tricks. Actually, they ran the wildcat offense four times I believe last summer and did not use it until once in the Super Bowl when FWP took a direct snap and ran for no gain. Trick plays sometimes work, as you mentioned with Randle El. However, you do not use them just for the sake of using them and it's obvious this staff does not believe in them as strongly as the one that Mike Mularkey coached on offense, for example.

praveen: Simmons getting cut wasn't surprising. But how has Kendall Simmons stock dropped so much in the Steelers eyes from one who they were willing to overpay to not even considering for a backup position at a much reduced salary in a span of two years?

Ed Bouchette: You are asking a question many others have asked. His injuries and his illness, I believe, combined to convince them that they must move on. What convinced them one year earlier to extend him is a mystery perhaps as simple as this one -- when Alan Faneca turned down their final offer in the summer of '07, they had money laying around and said let's give it to Simmons because we have to sign someone in that line.

Tprod: Ed, Rashard Mendenhall competently executed the plays against the Cardinals, but where is the explosiveness he was touted to possesss as a first round pick? With his injury history, is he gaining the dreaded adjective of "fragile"?

Ed Bouchette: As I said earlier, let's give this kid a little longer than one preseason game after one injury ended his rookie season far too quickly.

steeltownpride: Hi Ed thanks for doing these chats. Rarely i get a chance to be here live. My question is If Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis make the team who is the odd man out? Townsend or Madison?

Ed Bouchette: I think they might keep six, so you can keep both. But what about Keiwan Ratliff? What if they want him on the team? Now you have a decision to make. As I said earlier, Townsend's on the team, and they love Madison as their special teams ace gunner.

KeithU: Is Stefan Logan going to get a chance to return punts on Saturday?

Ed Bouchette: Mike Tomlin likely won't tell us until Thursday.

fwc: Hi Ed. What impression have the coaches given on Mendenhall's development this summer: Overjoyed, Satisfied, or Hoping for more?

Ed Bouchette: They like what he's done, like his quickness, and always hoping for more.

Fielding_Fowler: Hi EB- Is there a veteran that might be a surprise cut?

Ed Bouchette: maybe, but I do not see it.

Jason_M: Hi Ed, could you please continue to mix it up by randomly alternating lower-case and CAPS in your responses, I think you are on to something.

Ed Bouchette: That was early in this chat, when I was going through my stretching period.

Amos_P_Swanson: Could Urbik possibly get cut? The reviews have certainly been bad, and this is not an easy team to make.

Ed Bouchette: I don't think he had a bad first game and, no, I really don't see him getting cut as their second overall pick, high in the third round.

OldSchoolPatriotFan: It looks like this might be the season the Steelers add a lot of young players. Are the rookies really that good?

Ed Bouchette: Many of the rookies are doing well, yes.

praveen: Do you think Arians realizes that at 6M a year, it will be better to take advantage of Heath's premium skill which is receiving and not blocking? From what I have seen last year, Miller seems improved as a blocker, but not Bruener level to be relied on so heavily in that department at the cost of less receptions.

Ed Bouchette: Does that make him more valuable to the offense this year, because he has a new contract? Heath was third on the team in receptions, which isn't bad. Remember, if you are throwing to him, you are throwing to your big playmakers less.

LatrobeLarry: So Ed, does the Vikings getting Farve mean that the Steelers have to settle for Big Ben again this year?

Ed Bouchette: After failing to get Michael Vick, they might be trying hard to get Favre, who appeared on the South Side the other day, delivered by a cab driver who looked very much like Bubby Brister.

Terrible_T: You think the refs will watch the holding on #92 a little better this year?

Ed Bouchette: Yeah, they'll watch it. Problem is, they won't be digging in their back pocket to grab a flag as they do.

LatrobeLarry: Did you see many raised eyebrows around camp when the Favre news hit today?

Ed Bouchette: I specifically watched for those eyebrows at lunchtime, but the only one I saw raised occurred when Mewelde Moore gave the evil-eye to some joker when he asked what it would be like to be the No. 3 receiver in this offense.

Weegie_Thompson: Ed...if you have the first pick in fantasy football who do you take?

Ed Bouchette: Halle Berry

Steeler_D_in_AZ: Hey Ed, any new sweater vests on the slate for the opener?

Ed Bouchette: I was thinking something more like one of those sleeveless t-shirts to go with my Red Sox cap that has become so popular with y'all.

Stealersrule: Ed, Does Tyrone Carter make the team?

Ed Bouchette: I believe Carter indeed makes the team. There's not exactly anyone pushing him.

kpf1981: You Da Man Ed! If the NFL decides to add more regular season games, do you think they expand the roster to at least 60 players?

Ed Bouchette: If the players agree to an expanded schedule without an expanded roster, shame on them.

Manila_steeler: Does it look like Tony Hills is headed for the practice squad, if that?

Ed Bouchette: No, I believe Tony will make the 53-man roster.

Undrafted: Your thoughts on Favre?

Ed Bouchette: He should come back and play until he's cut, whatever year that is. That way, the decision that he seems unable to make will finally be made for him.

hinestheman: Good Morning Ed, do you think all draft picks could actually make the team this year?

Ed Bouchette: No, I do not.

Ed Bouchette: Thanks for your time and patience. We'll be back home next week so I expect my computer to perform better. We've never been much of a road team.

 

[H8fulHuck]

So any chance Redman ends up developing into a RB1? With Mendy underwhelming, does this guy warrant any attention in deep dynasty leagues?

Anything is possible, but I'd put the chances at almost zero at this point.As it stands he is likely battling for a PS squad spot with very little room to advance to the active roster barring injury.His career will be comparable to Gary Russell's is what I would guess for now.Would be nice to find a gem, but the FWP's of the world are few and far between.

If Redman keeps it up, he could be a good player in TD friendly leagues. From everything I've read, he has been the best goal line back by a bus. We'll see if the team keeps throwing the ball to Frank so he doesn't look very appealing when they try to get him on the practice squad.

 

[Golden Mike Tomczak]

So any chance Redman ends up developing into a RB1? With Mendy underwhelming, does this guy warrant any attention in deep dynasty leagues?

Anything is possible, but I'd put the chances at almost zero at this point.As it stands he is likely battling for a PS squad spot with very little room to advance to the active roster barring injury.His career will be comparable to Gary Russell's is what I would guess for now.Would be nice to find a gem, but the FWP's of the world are few and far between.

If Redman keeps it up, he could be a good player in TD friendly leagues. From everything I've read, he has been the best goal line back by a bus. We'll see if the team keeps throwing the ball to Frank so he doesn't look very appealing when they try to get him on the practice squad.

Vincent has looked pretty good too. Im pulling for Mendy to play like his college films show but he really hasn't had much of a chance to show what he can do. I am eagerly awaiting the next pre-season game.From what Ive read, seen and heard of Redman, he has the best skill set of all rookies. He only makes this team if he is a demon on special teams.

 

[Steelfan7]

CBS Rapid Reports 8/19

Steelers RB Frank "The Tank" Summers has been working at fullback, but incumbent Carey Davis is a better blocker and special teams player. Summers has struggled learning the offense and may end up on the practice squad.

Steelers K Piotr Czech has a strong leg and after a slow start to camp has come on strong. With K Jeff Reed entrenched as the starter, Czech won't make the team, but he could land on another NFL team.

Steelers LB Bruce Davis is on the bubble to make the team despite a decent outing against the Cardinals. He's a liability on special teams, gets winded easily in practice, and needs to get stronger.

Not much has changed with the Steelers special teams. RB Stefan Logan, WR Shaun McDonald, WR Mike Wallace, and CB Joe Burnett are working punt returns.

Answering Michael Paladino's question: Steelers DE Sonny Harris has played very well since returning from a groin injury. He's competing with DE Travis Kirschke for the fourth end spot.

Steelers WRs Martin Nance and Tyler Grisham hurt their chances to make the team after having hamstring issues. If the Steelers keep six receivers it looks like Dallas Baker or Brandon Williams will get the nod.

Steelers RB Isaac Redman has been the unquestioned surprise of camp. The undrafted Bowie State product is ahead of RB Frank "The Tank" Summers for the final backfield spot.

The Steelers will probably move CB Deshea Townsend to safety. Rookie corners Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis have picked up their play and Keiwan Ratliff has been lights out. S R yan Mund y has disappeared of late.

In response to Bruce Marino's question: the Steelers will not move RT Willie Colon to guard and G Trai Essex back to RT. Essex is a better athete, but Colon is the better run blocker and you want the masher on the right side.

Steelers CB Anthony Madison has left camp after learning his father passed away yesterday. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Madison can take as much time as he needs to be with his family.

 

[analog_hiss]

I know this doesn't have anything to do with the 2009 Steelers, but I thought I would share. My grandfather (also my Godfather) presented me a signed copy of "Fighting Back" for Christmas in 1979. It was 40 years ago today that Bleier started his fight back.

From Behind The Steel Curtain:

August 20, 1969. Robert Patrick Bleier, a member of the U.S. Army's 196th Light Infantry Brigade, was not thinking about the days when he was the captain of the Notre Dame football team. He was not reminiscing about the epic 1966 battle at Michigan State when he led the Irish in rushing in a 10-10 stalemate that sealed the national championship for Notre Dame. He was not remembering that January day in 1968 when he was drafted in the 16th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bleier, stationed in Hiep Douc in South Vietnam, had more pressing matters at hand. Bleier's C Company had been beckoned to rescue B Company after an ambush by the North Vietnamese Army. The fighting escalated and Bleier found himself in trouble.

"About a hundred meters ahead of us we could see the leaves rustling," recalled Bleier. "We knew there would be gunfire and grenades. One of my platoon mates kept yelling, ‘Rock, Rock.' Then I felt a sharp thud in my leg. I thought my buddy threw a rock at me to get my attention. When I looked at my leg it wasn't a rock. A bullet went right through my thigh. It didn't hit bone, but created both an entry and exit wound."

His day would get worse. A live grenade landed close to him and before he could jump out of harm's way, it exploded and riddled his right foot with shrapnel, rendering him immobile. Every member of Bleier's company was either killed or wounded.

"I had a wrap on my leg and we had just lost three or four men," remembered Bleier. "A grenade bounced off Captain Murphy and landed right next to me. I couldn't get out of the way in time."

A third platoon was sent to help, but time and distance seemed like eternity. Bleier crawled through rice paddies, was dragged and was carried in a poncho. All the while, he was losing blood and his foot was burning from the sulphur laced into the shrapnel. When Bleier became too heavy to carry, his fellow soldiers decided to set Bleier down and get to a helicopter with hopes of bringing back a board that would make the job of transporting him possible.

"A few minutes later, I saw a black hand reach down to pick me up," said Bleier. "This man put me over his shoulder and carried me the rest of the way to the helicopter. Racism was never more turbulent than back in the 60s, but in those rice paddies, we were colorblind. We were Americans. I never found out his name. I thought for sure someone would come forward, but to this day no one ever did."

Not a moment too soon, Bleier finally reached the helicopter that took him to a medical camp. His first shot of morphine was administered 14 hours after the initial bullet wound. Flown off to Tokyo, Bleier was treated by Dr. Andy Laorr and Dr. John Baughman. They performed surgery on Bleier, removing more than 100 pieces of shrapnel from his foot. Safe from the enemy at the moment, Bleier thought about football again and asked his doctors about its future. Playing football, Dr. Baughman informed, "was going to be impossible." Walking again with some degree of normalcy was a more plausible goal.

"Dr. Laorr was more diplomatic, but he too told me to forget about playing football," noted Bleier. "He said he was sorry, but there was too much damage to my right foot. Ironically, Dr. Laorr (from Thailand) later set up practice in Indiana, Pennsylvania and saw me play a lot of football."

Three weeks later, Bleier was flown to Fort Riley, Kansas to begin recovery. Accompanying him back to the States was a Purple Heart for being wounded in action and Bronze Star for heroic or meritorious achievement. In January, 1970, Bleier underwent a second surgery to remove bone spurs and cut ligament out of scar tissue. He was rendered 40 percent disabled by the U.S. Army.

What followed is a lesson in human determination that is difficult to fathom. Bleier took shock therapy treatments. He stretched with large rubber bands. He ran before dawn, lifted weights and ran sprints every day. On weekends, he ran the steps of the Kansas State University stadium with 10-pound weights on his ankles. He ate every vitamin known to mankind and supplements like wheat germ and calf's liver.

"I just wanted to play football more than anything else in the world," recalled Bleier. "I was a bachelor. Football was my life and my dream at the time. Nothing else mattered. I loved the game so much. I didn't want to look back later in life and regret not giving the game every ounce I had."

He reported to Steelers camp in the summer of 1970, less than one year after his right foot was nearly destroyed. Chuck Noll was graceful, but he had a professional football team to run. He decided to put Bleier on waivers. The Rocky Bleier story would likely have ended at this point, except for one simple stroke of luck. Bleier was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were owned by a gentleman named Arthur J. Rooney. When it came to being a humanitarian, time and time again, Art Rooney stood on higher ground. He changed Chuck Noll's waiver orders and placed Bleier on Injured Reserve.

This unnecessary act of kindness cost Mr. Rooney $20,000, which was Bleier's salary. It allowed Bleier to concentrate on rehab instead of worrying about gainful employment. Rooney also reached into his pocket to pay for a third operation. Bleier's medical bills were the responsibility of the U.S. Government, but Rooney wanted the Steelers team doctor to perform the surgery. More shrapnel was removed and scar tissue was ripped apart to promote flexibility. With the outlook of playing professional football still looking bleak, Rooney allowed Bleier to work in the scouting department to give him a head start on an alternate career, if needed. It was Rooney being Rooney, on a level unto himself.

In 1971, Bleier continued his rigorous training regimen. He never missed a workout. He felt victorious simply walking around without a limp. When training camp opened he pulled a hamstring. He did have one thing going for him. Nobody in the NFL could possibly imagine Bleier playing football. He was a 16th round pick before the injury. The Steelers put him on waivers and because no one claimed him, he was able to be placed on the team's taxi squad. This bought him another year. What should continue to not go unnoticed is the Rooney family's generosity.

Bleier came into camp in 1972 and to the astonishment of Chuck Noll and the entire organization, ran a 4.6 forty-yard dash. His best time before that was 4.8. His right foot was shorter than his left, deformed from injury, yet he cut two-tenths of a second off his best forty time. If Noah Webster had been around Latrobe in 1972, he might have changed the definition of the word "inspiration." Bleier's new-found speed elevated the entire organization. He made the regular squad this time and became a special teams demon. He returned a few punts and kickoffs. More impactfully, he was on the coverage teams and used sheer desire to help the team significantly.

During the 1973 offseason, to complement his new-found speed, Bleier hit the weight room three hours a day for six days a week. By the time camp opened, he was bench-pressing 440 pounds. Special teams was his main focus. You would be hard-pressed to find a better special teams player in the NFL.

In 1974, Rocky Bleier came of age. He started in the backfield alongside Franco Harris. His added muscle and desire to be the best football player he could possibly be, made him an exceptional blocking back. The Steelers played in the Super Bowl that season. Bleier not only started, he was sitting in the team meeting when Coach Noll diagrammed the Steelers first offensive play. Bleier would carry the ball off tackle, and do so wearing two different shoe sizes, a 10 and-a-half on his left foot and a size 10 on his right foot, permanently shortened by a grenade. The sensation that ran through his body was overwhelming, thinking back to that fateful day in August of 1969. Later in that Super Bowl, Bleier busted off an 18-yard gallop to sustain a key drive, one more yard than the Vikings would rush for the entire game.

Rocky Bleier didn't become a champion in 1974. He already was one. He would later rush for 1,000 yards in the 1976 season and finish his career with almost 4,000 rushing yards and four Super Bowl rings. He caught a crucial touchdown pass in Super Bowl XIII against the Dallas Cowboys to put the Steelers ahead to stay. His blocking and pass-catching contributions went unsung by most, but not by anyone in the Steelers organization. **** Hoak, Steelers running backs coach from 1972 through 2006, saw the Rocky Bleier story unfold before his eyes.

"Rocky worked so hard," remembered Hoak. "He was quite an inspiration. He did something unheard of - he actually improved his speed significantly. That's how hard he worked. He was the ultimate team player. He was a great blocker and as smart a back as I've ever seen. He could play both fullback and halfback. They were two completely different positions back then. Today you see teams with two feature backs, but they are asked to do the same thing in alternating fashion. In the 70s, the fullback and halfback had different assignments on every play. Rocky knew everything and played both. With Rocky, you told him something once, that was all. I loved coaching him."

There are examples throughout history when the human will transcends probability to a level that is difficult to comprehend. Let us not forget, on this the anniversary of the darkest day of a young man's life, that our own Rocky Bleier was one of those examples. Doctors may have known exactly what was inside his foot, but they could never see what was inside his soul.

On the Silver Anniversary of that fateful day in 1969, I was married to a woman named Sherry, August 20, 1994. I am proud to share this day with Robert Patrick Bleier from Appleton, Wisconsin. Here's to you Rock. Here's to both of us.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

I know this doesn't have anything to do with the 2009 Steelers, but I thought I would share. My grandfather (also my Godfather) presented me a signed copy of "Fighting Back" for Christmas in 1979. It was 40 years ago today that Bleier started his fight back.

From Behind The Steel Curtain:

August 20, 1969. Robert Patrick Bleier, a member of the U.S. Army's 196th Light Infantry Brigade, was not thinking about the days when he was the captain of the Notre Dame football team. He was not reminiscing about the epic 1966 battle at Michigan State when he led the Irish in rushing in a 10-10 stalemate that sealed the national championship for Notre Dame. He was not remembering that January day in 1968 when he was drafted in the 16th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bleier, stationed in Hiep Douc in South Vietnam, had more pressing matters at hand. Bleier's C Company had been beckoned to rescue B Company after an ambush by the North Vietnamese Army. The fighting escalated and Bleier found himself in trouble.

"About a hundred meters ahead of us we could see the leaves rustling," recalled Bleier. "We knew there would be gunfire and grenades. One of my platoon mates kept yelling, 'Rock, Rock.' Then I felt a sharp thud in my leg. I thought my buddy threw a rock at me to get my attention. When I looked at my leg it wasn't a rock. A bullet went right through my thigh. It didn't hit bone, but created both an entry and exit wound."

His day would get worse. A live grenade landed close to him and before he could jump out of harm's way, it exploded and riddled his right foot with shrapnel, rendering him immobile. Every member of Bleier's company was either killed or wounded.

"I had a wrap on my leg and we had just lost three or four men," remembered Bleier. "A grenade bounced off Captain Murphy and landed right next to me. I couldn't get out of the way in time."

A third platoon was sent to help, but time and distance seemed like eternity. Bleier crawled through rice paddies, was dragged and was carried in a poncho. All the while, he was losing blood and his foot was burning from the sulphur laced into the shrapnel. When Bleier became too heavy to carry, his fellow soldiers decided to set Bleier down and get to a helicopter with hopes of bringing back a board that would make the job of transporting him possible.

"A few minutes later, I saw a black hand reach down to pick me up," said Bleier. "This man put me over his shoulder and carried me the rest of the way to the helicopter. Racism was never more turbulent than back in the 60s, but in those rice paddies, we were colorblind. We were Americans. I never found out his name. I thought for sure someone would come forward, but to this day no one ever did."

Not a moment too soon, Bleier finally reached the helicopter that took him to a medical camp. His first shot of morphine was administered 14 hours after the initial bullet wound. Flown off to Tokyo, Bleier was treated by Dr. Andy Laorr and Dr. John Baughman. They performed surgery on Bleier, removing more than 100 pieces of shrapnel from his foot. Safe from the enemy at the moment, Bleier thought about football again and asked his doctors about its future. Playing football, Dr. Baughman informed, "was going to be impossible." Walking again with some degree of normalcy was a more plausible goal.

"Dr. Laorr was more diplomatic, but he too told me to forget about playing football," noted Bleier. "He said he was sorry, but there was too much damage to my right foot. Ironically, Dr. Laorr (from Thailand) later set up practice in Indiana, Pennsylvania and saw me play a lot of football."

Three weeks later, Bleier was flown to Fort Riley, Kansas to begin recovery. Accompanying him back to the States was a Purple Heart for being wounded in action and Bronze Star for heroic or meritorious achievement. In January, 1970, Bleier underwent a second surgery to remove bone spurs and cut ligament out of scar tissue. He was rendered 40 percent disabled by the U.S. Army.

What followed is a lesson in human determination that is difficult to fathom. Bleier took shock therapy treatments. He stretched with large rubber bands. He ran before dawn, lifted weights and ran sprints every day. On weekends, he ran the steps of the Kansas State University stadium with 10-pound weights on his ankles. He ate every vitamin known to mankind and supplements like wheat germ and calf's liver.

"I just wanted to play football more than anything else in the world," recalled Bleier. "I was a bachelor. Football was my life and my dream at the time. Nothing else mattered. I loved the game so much. I didn't want to look back later in life and regret not giving the game every ounce I had."

He reported to Steelers camp in the summer of 1970, less than one year after his right foot was nearly destroyed. Chuck Noll was graceful, but he had a professional football team to run. He decided to put Bleier on waivers. The Rocky Bleier story would likely have ended at this point, except for one simple stroke of luck. Bleier was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were owned by a gentleman named Arthur J. Rooney. When it came to being a humanitarian, time and time again, Art Rooney stood on higher ground. He changed Chuck Noll's waiver orders and placed Bleier on Injured Reserve.

This unnecessary act of kindness cost Mr. Rooney $20,000, which was Bleier's salary. It allowed Bleier to concentrate on rehab instead of worrying about gainful employment. Rooney also reached into his pocket to pay for a third operation. Bleier's medical bills were the responsibility of the U.S. Government, but Rooney wanted the Steelers team doctor to perform the surgery. More shrapnel was removed and scar tissue was ripped apart to promote flexibility. With the outlook of playing professional football still looking bleak, Rooney allowed Bleier to work in the scouting department to give him a head start on an alternate career, if needed. It was Rooney being Rooney, on a level unto himself.

In 1971, Bleier continued his rigorous training regimen. He never missed a workout. He felt victorious simply walking around without a limp. When training camp opened he pulled a hamstring. He did have one thing going for him. Nobody in the NFL could possibly imagine Bleier playing football. He was a 16th round pick before the injury. The Steelers put him on waivers and because no one claimed him, he was able to be placed on the team's taxi squad. This bought him another year. What should continue to not go unnoticed is the Rooney family's generosity.

Bleier came into camp in 1972 and to the astonishment of Chuck Noll and the entire organization, ran a 4.6 forty-yard dash. His best time before that was 4.8. His right foot was shorter than his left, deformed from injury, yet he cut two-tenths of a second off his best forty time. If Noah Webster had been around Latrobe in 1972, he might have changed the definition of the word "inspiration." Bleier's new-found speed elevated the entire organization. He made the regular squad this time and became a special teams demon. He returned a few punts and kickoffs. More impactfully, he was on the coverage teams and used sheer desire to help the team significantly.

During the 1973 offseason, to complement his new-found speed, Bleier hit the weight room three hours a day for six days a week. By the time camp opened, he was bench-pressing 440 pounds. Special teams was his main focus. You would be hard-pressed to find a better special teams player in the NFL.

In 1974, Rocky Bleier came of age. He started in the backfield alongside Franco Harris. His added muscle and desire to be the best football player he could possibly be, made him an exceptional blocking back. The Steelers played in the Super Bowl that season. Bleier not only started, he was sitting in the team meeting when Coach Noll diagrammed the Steelers first offensive play. Bleier would carry the ball off tackle, and do so wearing two different shoe sizes, a 10 and-a-half on his left foot and a size 10 on his right foot, permanently shortened by a grenade. The sensation that ran through his body was overwhelming, thinking back to that fateful day in August of 1969. Later in that Super Bowl, Bleier busted off an 18-yard gallop to sustain a key drive, one more yard than the Vikings would rush for the entire game.

Rocky Bleier didn't become a champion in 1974. He already was one. He would later rush for 1,000 yards in the 1976 season and finish his career with almost 4,000 rushing yards and four Super Bowl rings. He caught a crucial touchdown pass in Super Bowl XIII against the Dallas Cowboys to put the Steelers ahead to stay. His blocking and pass-catching contributions went unsung by most, but not by anyone in the Steelers organization. **** Hoak, Steelers running backs coach from 1972 through 2006, saw the Rocky Bleier story unfold before his eyes.

"Rocky worked so hard," remembered Hoak. "He was quite an inspiration. He did something unheard of - he actually improved his speed significantly. That's how hard he worked. He was the ultimate team player. He was a great blocker and as smart a back as I've ever seen. He could play both fullback and halfback. They were two completely different positions back then. Today you see teams with two feature backs, but they are asked to do the same thing in alternating fashion. In the 70s, the fullback and halfback had different assignments on every play. Rocky knew everything and played both. With Rocky, you told him something once, that was all. I loved coaching him."

There are examples throughout history when the human will transcends probability to a level that is difficult to comprehend. Let us not forget, on this the anniversary of the darkest day of a young man's life, that our own Rocky Bleier was one of those examples. Doctors may have known exactly what was inside his foot, but they could never see what was inside his soul.

On the Silver Anniversary of that fateful day in 1969, I was married to a woman named Sherry, August 20, 1994. I am proud to share this day with Robert Patrick Bleier from Appleton, Wisconsin. Here's to you Rock. Here's to both of us.

<_<

 

[wefcpa]

Is it me or is anyone else surprised by how many rookies have a chance to make this team. Here is what I see:

Definitely on the 53 man squad:

Ziggy

Urbik (not a great camp from what has been posted but based on draft position, I doubt they can cut him)

Wallace

Burnett

K. Lewis

Frank the Tank or Redman (one of them will make it)

Ramon Foster (been reading a ton of good things on him)

On the bubble:

Frank the Tank / Redman (assuming they don't cut Carey Davis)

D. Harris

Shipley

David Johnson (battling S McHugh for 3rd TE)

Am I missing any others?

 

[Godsbrother]

Is it me or is anyone else surprised by how many rookies have a chance to make this team. Here is what I seeefinitely on the 53 man squad:ZiggyUrbik (not a great camp from what has been posted but based on draft position, I doubt they can cut him)WallaceBurnettK. LewisFrank the Tank or Redman (one of them will make it)Ramon Foster (been reading a ton of good things on him)On the bubble:Frank the Tank / Redman (assuming they don't cut Carey Davis)D. HarrisShipleyDavid Johnson (battling S McHugh for 3rd TE)Am I missing any others?

I think you got it. Pretty amazing when you consider the fact this team was SB champs last season. The one thing that surprises me is the high opinion the coaching staff has of Carey Davis. He never seemed to be much of a blocker, runner or receiver to me. I realize that he is a contributor on special teams but I don't recall him being a standout.

 

[Godsbrother]

I know this doesn't have anything to do with the 2009 Steelers, but I thought I would share. My grandfather (also my Godfather) presented me a signed copy of "Fighting Back" for Christmas in 1979. It was 40 years ago today that Bleier started his fight back.

Great story about Rocky!

 

[CrossEyed]

The one thing that surprises me is the high opinion the coaching staff has of Carey Davis. He never seemed to be much of a blocker, runner or receiver to me. I realize that he is a contributor on special teams but I don't recall him being a standout.

Couldn't agree more. He must do a lot of little things right, because he always looks very average (at best) to me.

 

[treat88]

I may be in the minority, but I see no reason to carry 5, let alone 6 RB's.

Parker, Mendenhall, Moore, and Davis (much to my chagrin) are locks.

What gameday value do Redman or Summers bring to the table? IMO little to none. Redman doesn't even contribute on ST.

The versatility Johnson brings as essentially a 6th OL that can move to FB in SY situations makes him a far more likely to be included in the 53 than either Redman or Summers. Also far more of a solution to short yardage woes than. either RB.

Hood, Lewis, Wallace, Urbik, Burnett, and Johnson make the roster.

Some intriguing players are going to get cut or land on the PS.

It is amazing that even 5 rooks have a chance at making the active roster of a SB winning team that returns 20 of 22 starters let alone 6 or more.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

The one thing that surprises me is the high opinion the coaching staff has of Carey Davis. He never seemed to be much of a blocker, runner or receiver to me. I realize that he is a contributor on special teams but I don't recall him being a standout.

Couldn't agree more. He must do a lot of little things right, because he always looks very average (at best) to me.

His value is apparently that he always knows what to do and he is always where he is supposed to be on every play.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I may be in the minority, but I see no reason to carry 5, let alone 6 RB's. Parker, Mendenhall, Moore, and Davis (much to my chagrin) are locks.What gameday value do Redman or Summers bring to the table? IMO little to none. Redman doesn't even contribute on ST.The versatility Johnson brings as essentially a 6th OL that can move to FB in SY situations makes him a far more likely to be included in the 53 than either Redman or Summers. Also far more of a solution to short yardage woes than. either RB.Hood, Lewis, Wallace, Urbik, Burnett, and Johnson make the roster.Some intriguing players are going to get cut or land on the PS.It is amazing that even 5 rooks have a chance at making the active roster of a SB winning team that returns 20 of 22 starters let alone 6 or more.

Redman will need to something on special teams to make the team (probably), but Bouchette told me yesterday that he has NEVER seen them give all seven carries to one RB in the GL drill, and they did that with Redman this week (remember Bouchette has covered the team for the PG since 85). Gary Russell made the team with a similar skillset, and Redman is leaner and stronger. He could definitely make the team strictly as a short yardage specialist if he has that natural ability for the job because as we all know that was a major sore spot for the team last year. Washington, Russell, McFadden, Foote, ASmith, MSmith, Simmons all gone in the offseason, and the team didnt make any big FA signings, so there's your room for the rooks.

 

[Sheriff66]

Report: Big Ben's Achilles' tendon not believed to be torn

I said on a radio spot today (I think it was today, maybe it was yesterday) that we can make all the predictions we want about the coming football season but that the only certainty is that there will be injuries and that some of them could go a long way toward determining the outcome of the chase for the Lombardi Trophy.

Last year, for example, the Patriots were thrown rudely off course in Week One, after quarterback Tom Brady was lost for the year with a torn ACL.

The Steelers nearly suffered that same fate today, on their final day of training camp practices in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

Jim Wexell of Scout.com, via his Twitter account, reports that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has an injury to his Achilles' tendon that, for now, appears to not be a tear.

The only prescription for a torn Achilles' tendon is more cowbell season-ending surgery.

Per Wexell, Roethlisberger is now able to walk (he's still limping). Roethlisberger told someone, "I'll be all right."

Given Ben's reputation for being a drama queen, that's a powerful statement. And it indicates that, for now, the Steelers have dodged a bullet.

 

[Godsbrother]

The one thing that surprises me is the high opinion the coaching staff has of Carey Davis. He never seemed to be much of a blocker, runner or receiver to me. I realize that he is a contributor on special teams but I don't recall him being a standout.

Couldn't agree more. He must do a lot of little things right, because he always looks very average (at best) to me.

His value is apparently that he always knows what to do and he is always where he is supposed to be on every play.

Perhaps he knows where to be and what to do but that doesn't mean he does it very well. His value as a rusher and receiver is virtually nil and he doesn't appear to be much of a lead blocker either. His contributions on special teams must be in coverage because he stinks as a return man.

 

[Godsbrother]

Given Ben's reputation for being a drama queen, that's a powerful statement. And it indicates that, for now, the Steelers have dodged a bullet.

You keep saying this and while there is some truth it is also true that the media goes overboard if they hear Roethlisberger sneeze.

 

[Bojang0301]

The one thing that surprises me is the high opinion the coaching staff has of Carey Davis. He never seemed to be much of a blocker, runner or receiver to me. I realize that he is a contributor on special teams but I don't recall him being a standout.

Couldn't agree more. He must do a lot of little things right, because he always looks very average (at best) to me.

IMO, the Tank has already looked like a better blocker, reciever and runner. I will be disappointed if they choose Davis over him because Redman makes the team.