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

[5-ish Finkle]

It sucks they couldn't get anything for him, if they were indeed trying to trade him, but I guess that's indicative of the sort of player we're talking here. Foote did his job and kept his mouth shut, but he's a two down player.

It probably won't be a popular opinion, and I think Larry was a fine Steeler, but I always felt he could be pretty easily upgraded. Certainly not a bad guy to have around, but not one I can get that worked up over losing, from an on the field perspective. Locker room may be different, I suppose, since I don't know how he rolled in that regard.

The move DOES concern me about the depth a little though. I'm pretty confident Timmons will likley be an improvement over Larry, but I'm not sure Fox is going to bring anywhere near what Timmons did as "the first guy off the bench at ILB/OLB." I assume the Steelers brass must feel that he can at least hold his own on the interior or they wouldn't have given Foote his walking papers(at least, that's my hope.)

 

[Cookiemonster]

I've got to wonder if we're still seeing any possible signs of a Zone Blitz / Tampa 2 hybrid?

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Two of the top 10 ILB prospects according to most scouting services weren't even drafted. I wonder why the Steelers didn't sign either.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Two of the top 10 ILB prospects according to most scouting services weren't even drafted. I wonder why the Steelers didn't sign either.

That occured to me too.I thought Beckwith may not be a bad get when I saw he went UDRFA, even with Foote on the roster. Of course, just because he signed somewhere else doesn't mean they didn't pursue him either, but I feel ya. If they knew Foote was gonna be going the way of the dinosaur, why not bring in a couple camp bodies if nothing else?Which they still could, of course. Just thinking out loud here.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

Actually, re-reading the Pastabelly report(and Bouchette's piece on the PG), it seems Larry hasn't technically been released, and probably won't be until after the weekend.

Bouchette is opining that it could be because they're making some kind of last ditch effort to deal him(I would assume to Detroit).

 

[CrossEyed]

I've got to wonder if we're still seeing any possible signs of a Zone Blitz / Tampa 2 hybrid?

Time for LeBeau to come up with something even more confounding to NFL OCs.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

Actually, re-reading the Pastabelly report(and Bouchette's piece on the PG), it seems Larry hasn't technically been released, and probably won't be until after the weekend.

Bouchette is opining that it could be because they're making some kind of last ditch effort to deal him(I would assume to Detroit).

KFFL is reporting that Indy may be interested, too. They also report that DET offered a 7th rounder on the second day of the draft for Foote but the Steelers turned them down.Edit: Looks like Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com is the source of the reports:

Steelers say Larry Foote has not been released

by Tom Kowalski

Tuesday April 28, 2009, 3:41 PM

UPDATED AT 4:07 p.m.

While there is speculation that the Detroit Lions would like to sign linebacker Larry Foote if he becomes an unrestricted free agent, the reality is that Foote is still employed by someone else.

"Contrary to media reports, Larry Foote is still a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers,'' said Kevin Colbert, the team's director of football operations.

There has been speculation that the Steelers, who have been trying to trade Foote, would release him after the team's minicamp this weekend. The Steelers are well aware of the interest in Foote, mostly by the Lions, and they're still trying to swing a trade so they can get something for him. Foote has one year left on his deal.

It's similar to the recent situation the Lions had with quarterback Jon Kitna. The Lions knew they weren't going to keep Kitna but they knew other teams had some interest. The Lions eventually traded Kitna to the Cowboys for veteran cornerback Anthony Henry.

There's no telling how long Pittsburgh will hang on to Foote but they don't appear to be in a hurry to release him.

"The information that's out there is erroneous,'' Colbert said.

According to a source close to the situation, the Lions had previously offered a seventh-round pick for Foote, but the Steelers turned it down. The Indianapolis Colts are also believed to be very interested in acquiring Foote.

Link

 

[The Jerk]

It sucks they couldn't get anything for him, if they were indeed trying to trade him, but I guess that's indicative of the sort of player we're talking here.

From my perspective, it's more about the way the league works in the salary cap era. It's only partly about the ability of the player.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Foote says decision to leave Steelers is his

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Larry Foote played a lot of football as a starting inside linebacker for the Steelers the past five seasons, and in a strange twist, his search for more playing time will cause them to release him.

Foote said he wants to continue his career as a starting linebacker where he can play more often and asked the Steelers to accommodate him. After finding no offers in a trade over the weekend of the draft, sources on the club say they plan to release him sometime after this weekend's minicamp, which Foote will not attend.

They were going to release him this morning, then decided to wait as they pursue last-ditch efforts to trade him.

"It was my doing," Foote told the Post-Gazette. "I wanted to go. They were trying to trade me.''

Foote has one year left on his contract that was scheduled to pay him a salary of $2,885,000 in 2009. There was much speculation leading up to the Super Bowl that the Steelers might release him or ask him to take a reduction in pay because of that salary and because 2007 first-round draft choice Lawrence Timmons is behind him. Foote indicated during Super Bowl week that he would not take a pay cut.

He thought last year Timmons might take his job. Today, he sounded as if he were sure of that.

"It's nothing personal," said Foote, who turns 29 on June 12.

"James Farrior never slows down, and Timmons came in and I can't grow here any more. They turned me into a two-down linebacker last year. I was stuck in a role.

"I love the team, I love winning, but you can't keep being unhappy. It got to the point where they were not giving me a chance.''

Foote did not attend the team's first two voluntary workouts last week. His agent, Ken Kremer, said last week that Foote was working out in Detroit and planned to attend this weekend's minicamp. Kremer also said there had been no contract discussions between him and the Steelers.

Foote said his agent was calling teams to try to place the linebacker elsewhere. There were reports during the week preceding the Super Bowl that Foote wanted to play for his hometown Detroit Lions if he were released and he told both Detroit newspapers as much today.

Coach Mike Tomlin said shortly after the season that he wanted to keep Foote around and had no plans to release him, but it would be hard for Tomlin not to start his first-round pick of 2007, especially given how well Timmons played last season.

Foote's release or trade also would create the salary cap room of his $2,885,000 less the amount paid to his replacement.

Foote, a fourth-round draft pick from Michigan in 2002, has been a starter at inside linebacker since 2004 and has not missed a start during those five seasons.

During the final days of the Steelers spring workouts in June 2008, Foote wondered how long he would remain a starter after Timmons was placed behind him on the depth chart.

"I don't think it's competition," Foote said nearly a year ago. "I really think it's just a matter of time until they throw him in there, just because of the politics of the game -- and it looks like he can play."

Yet Foote did hold off Timmons all last season. Foote started all 16 regular-season games and three in the post-season. Timmons replaced him in their nickel defense on passing downs.

Foote finished fifth on the team with 86 tackles, his fewest since he became a starter. He led the team in tackles in 2005 with 123 and followed with 118 in 2006. Timmons, although not starting a game in his second season, had 71 tackles in 2008. His five sacks ranked fourth and he also intercepted a pass and returned it 89 yards against New England.

"My time might be winding down at that position,'' Foote said last June. "It's just a matter of when the coaches throw [Timmons] in there.''

Apparently, Foote felt that time was now.

Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com.

First published on April 28, 2009 at 2:03 pm

 

[apalmer]

here's where the Steelers really excel, picking up undrafted free agents

Via Mondesi's House:LS Mark Estermyer (Pitt)

LB Tom Korte (Hillsdale College)

T Ramon Foster (Tennessee)

QB Mike Reilly (Central Washington)

WR Tyler Grisham (Clemson)

S Derrick Richardson (New Mexico State)

QB Kevin McCabe (Virginia transferred to California University of Pennsylvania)

Add two more:LB Andy Schantz (Portland State)

WR Demiko Goodman (Georgia)

Am I the only one wondering why they haven't signed a punter or two? I know Sepulveda should be back, but could it hurt to have a few options to avoid last year's nightmare? Even Brytus from Pitt would have been something (signed with the Ravens).

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh Steelers receiver and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes has been formally arraigned on a misdemeanor marijuana charge stemming from a traffic stop.Pittsburgh police say they found three marijuana-filled cigars in Holmes' car when he was pulled over Oct. 23. Holmes was stopped because his vehicle was similar to one police were looking for in a drug sting.Police say Holmes cooperated and pointed out the drugs to officers.Holmes' attorney has characterized the marijuana charge as a low-grade misdemeanor. At most, Holmes faces 30 days probation and a $500 fine if convicted.Holmes didn't appear at the hearing, at which charges are formally presented and his attorney enters his appearance.A pretrial conference is scheduled for May 22.

 

[CrossEyed]

Foote says decision to leave Steelers is his

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Kind of a shame that he loves the team, loves winning, but he can't be happy unless he's playing all 3 downs. I guess he might find out how much fun it is to play every down on a losing team.

 

[The Hank]

I was curious to see who the 2010 FA's are, looks like we are going to make some tough decisions (if there is no CBA agreement)

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/123081-...10-free-agents#

The 2009 offseason is upon us. Unlike most years, we don't have a plethora of coming free agents. Unfortunately, 2010 is going to be quite the different story.

There are two things that need to be considered. If there is no extention to the current CBA, players will not be eligible for unrestricted free agency until year seven.

There will be no salary cap for year 2010.

On to the list.

RB - Willie Parker.

DT - Casey Hampton.

DE - Brett Keisel.

CB - Deshea Townsend.

SS - Tyrone Carter.

FS - Ryan Clark.

K - Jeff Reid.

The following list of players will be UFA's only if a new CBA is reached. If not, tender offers is all it will take to keep them for at least one more year. If any team were to sign them it would have to give up the equivalent pick for the tender.

TE - Heath Miller.

CB - William Gay.

P - Dan Sepulveda.

TE - Matt Spaeth.

OG - Darnell Stapleton.

 

[C & C]

I was curious to see who the 2010 FA's are, looks like we are going to make some tough decisions (if there is no CBA agreement)

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/123081-...10-free-agents#

The 2009 offseason is upon us. Unlike most years, we don't have a plethora of coming free agents. Unfortunately, 2010 is going to be quite the different story.

There are two things that need to be considered. If there is no extention to the current CBA, players will not be eligible for unrestricted free agency until year seven.

There will be no salary cap for year 2010.

On to the list.

RB - Willie Parker. very likely gone unless he's signs cheaply. Mendenhall will start and they'll draft someone in the mid rounds or bring someone in cheaply.

DT - Casey Hampton. gone

DE - Brett Keisel. could go, but I think they'll sign him

CB - Deshea Townsend. gone -- replacements are already on the team

SS - Tyrone Carter. gone -- replaceable

FS - Ryan Clark. might be able to sign him cheaply. If not, they'll need a replacement

K - Jeff Reid. he'll sign

The following list of players will be UFA's only if a new CBA is reached. If not, tender offers is all it will take to keep them for at least one more year. If any team were to sign them it would have to give up the equivalent pick for the tender.

TE - Heath Miller. I think they'll try to sign him and I hope they do. Not sure if he will

CB - William Gay. are you sure the rest of these guys will be unrestricted? If the status quo, I thought they would be restricted free agents.

P - Dan Sepulveda.

TE - Matt Spaeth.

OG - Darnell Stapleton.

I'm not sure they'll be in that bad of shape. Kiesel, Hampton and Miller concern me the most.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

If things remain the same between now and the start of next season, they will have almost no choice but to re-sign Hampton and cross their fingers they can find his successor in the 2010 draft.

I understand that most folks love them some Chris Hoke, and I think he's okay, but he's older than Hampton is and he flat out isn't as good. Yeah, he filled in pretty well when Hampton went down.......in 2004. He'll be 34 by next season and hasn't seen significant PT in a long time. And even if they DO decide to go that route, he'd still be the only guy on the roster at that point who can play on the nose.

I was really hoping they'd be able to land at least a rotational type guy for NG this year for this exact reason. Hammy's at the age where fat guys' knees just stop working like they should. So is Hoke, even though he's had less PT than Hampton he's had just as many years of being a fat guy.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

I was curious to see who the 2010 FA's are, looks like we are going to make some tough decisions (if there is no CBA agreement)

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/123081-...10-free-agents#

The 2009 offseason is upon us. Unlike most years, we don't have a plethora of coming free agents. Unfortunately, 2010 is going to be quite the different story.

There are two things that need to be considered. If there is no extention to the current CBA, players will not be eligible for unrestricted free agency until year seven.

There will be no salary cap for year 2010.

On to the list.

RB - Willie Parker. very likely gone unless he's signs cheaply. Mendenhall will start and they'll draft someone in the mid rounds or bring someone in cheaply.

DT - Casey Hampton. gone

DE - Brett Keisel. could go, but I think they'll sign him

CB - Deshea Townsend. gone -- replacements are already on the team

SS - Tyrone Carter. gone -- replaceable

FS - Ryan Clark. might be able to sign him cheaply. If not, they'll need a replacement

K - Jeff Reid. he'll sign

The following list of players will be UFA's only if a new CBA is reached. If not, tender offers is all it will take to keep them for at least one more year. If any team were to sign them it would have to give up the equivalent pick for the tender.

TE - Heath Miller. I think they'll try to sign him and I hope they do. Not sure if he will

CB - William Gay. are you sure the rest of these guys will be unrestricted? If the status quo, I thought they would be restricted free agents.

P - Dan Sepulveda.

TE - Matt Spaeth.

OG - Darnell Stapleton.

I'm not sure they'll be in that bad of shape. Kiesel, Hampton and Miller concern me the most.

I think C&C hit it pretty accurately. My two cents...Hampton will be 32 at the start of the 2009 season. I don't think they want to re-live the Joel Steed lesson. There's no way the Steelers will offer him a big deal at 33 with his weight history. Hoke isn't Hampton but he's played well when Casey's been out. Because the nose is so important to this D they might have to spend some money elsewhere to get a NT. Casey could also be resigned if he wants to be a Steeler and opts for a hometown discount. If not the Steeeler would definitely make this position a priority in the draft/FA. They also spoke about Ziggy Hood's versatility, maybe they'll get a look at him at the nose and get an idea whether a Hood/Hoke platoon there could work.

Keisel is a different story. Not sure what he'll command on the open market but good 3-4 ends aren't easy to find and they take time to groom. I'd expect the Steelers would try to keep him, particularly with Aaron Smith getting up there.

Townsend is getting old but still plays the slot pretty well. I doubt there would be a market for him, more of whether the Steelers had better options available.

Ty Carter is gone unless he wants to be here and the Steelers don't have better options.

Ryan Clark I'd love to see back. He seems to fit in very well with Polamalu. Again, depending upon his market value I would think the Steelers make an attempt to bring him back.

Jeff Reed certainly has become a valued Steeler. I'm not sure whether the Steelers can afford a $3-4 million kicker so I'd bet he tests the market.

Heath Miller is a must sign. Brings value all over the place in the run/pass game and tight ends are typically inexpensive. Worst case they can franchise him.

Pretty sure the Steelers will have William Gay for 2-3 more years as he was only a rookie last year.

Sepulveda and Stapleton would be nice to keep, Stapleton may be the future at center if Hartwig is gone next year.

Spaeth not a priority.

How about Starks, Colon and Hartwig...pretty sure they are all free agents after the season too.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

The Steelers signed ex-Ram and Lion Shaun McDonald today. Interesting...

Steelers Sign Four Free Agents



PITTSBURGH —The Steelers added four free agents today prior to the start of their annual minicamp, the team announced. The team added cornerback Keiwan Ratliff, punter Dirk Johnson, wide receiver Shaun McDonald and kicker Piotr (peet-er) Czech.

Ratliff (5-11, 188) was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round (49th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft out of Florida. He most recently spent a portion of the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and finished with 34 tackles and two interceptions during his time with the Colts.

Ratliff spent three full seasons with the Bengals before being released in September, 2007. He was then signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spent two weeks on their active roster before being released.

Johnson (6-0, 210) enters his eighth NFL season after playing 12 games with the Arizona Cardinals in 2008. He averaged 41.8 yards on 40 punts with the Cardinals, including a 35.2-yard net average. In 69 career games played, Johnson has averaged 41.7 yards on 320 punts (13,356 total yards).

Johnson, 33, originally signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted rookie out of Northern Colorado in 1998. He was released in training camp by the Seahawks (’98), New York Jets (’99) and San Diego Chargers (’01), before playing with the New Orleans Saints (‘02), Philadelphia Eagles (‘03-06), Chicago Bears (’07) and the Cardinals. Johnson was released by Arizona last December and signed with the Washington Redskins in March 2009 before being released in April.

McDonald (5-10, 183) was originally drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Arizona State. McDonald spent four years with the Rams before signing with the Detroit Lions during the 2007 offseason. He led the Lions with 79 catches, 943 yards and six touchdowns that season.

Czech (6-5, 210) spent the 2008 training camp with the Baltimore Ravens after signing as a rookie free agent out of Wagner College.

The Steelers released long snapper Jared Retkofsky, who signed with the team midway through the 2008 season after starter Greg Warren suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Link

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Love the McDonald signing. Should be a great battle for 3rd and 4th WR.

 

[Bojang0301]

Love the McDonald signing. Should be a great battle for 3rd and 4th WR.

Guy has always been underrated. While he doesn't have the size of Washington, he'll fit the deep threat role well until Wallace/Sweed is ready to step up.

 

[The Hank]

Pre-Draft:

WR 1 - H. Ward

WR 2 - S. Holmes

WR 3 - L. Sweed

*WR 4 - M. Nance

*WR 5 - D. Baker

-------------------------------------------------

Post-Draft:

WR 1 - H. Ward

WR 2 - S. Holmes

*WR 3 - L. Sweed

*WR 4 - S. McDonald

*WR 5 - M. Wallace

WR 6 - M. Nance

WR 7 - D. Baker

*Up for grabs

Much better...

 

[Bojang0301]

I liked Nance coming out... didn't he play with BB while in college?

 

[Memphis Foundry]

Hmmmm.... Looks like the Steelers have pulled the McDonald story from their site, and no confirmation yet from Ed Bouchette and the usual suspects.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

I was about to say that SMcDonald has to mean no Ashlie Lelie (all good with me -- I'll take a lesser talented "player" over a pedigree'd head case seven days a week). But may not be official?

 

[Memphis Foundry]

I was about to say that SMcDonald has to mean no Ashlie Lelie (all good with me -- I'll take a lesser talented "player" over a pedigree'd head case seven days a week). But may not be official?

Agreed, McDonald >>>> Lelie. But something's definitely funny. Three of the five moves in the Steelers.com story were already confirmed by multiple sources more than 24 hours ago - the Retofsky release, the Czech signing, and the Ratliff signing. That leaves only the McDonald signing and bringing in Dirk Johnson as a camp leg as being unconfirmed elsewhere.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

And while we're on the subject of unsubstantiated stories, I stumbled on this one earlier today. Nothing but a rumor at this point, but interesting nonetheless.

Rumor: Runyan / Steelers have mutual interest

Aww damn! I guess I saw it coming though - he can still play at a high level & the Eagles have a full o-line now. They wanted to get younger, I understand that, but I'll miss Big John.

Heard on WIP that he's told his former teammates that when he recovers from his off-season that he'll most likely join the Pittsburgh Steelers for one more year. They have mutual interest, and Runyan wants to stay in-state to be somewhat close to his new home in Mount Laurel he just built for his wife & kids. The assumption is it will be a one-year deal at the league minimum with incentives (which i'm sure he'll meet unless they include him making the pro-bowl - Eagles fans get that Joke because he's deserved to make so many but he never gets the votes from Players & Coaches because he plays so dirty). When you look at the guys the Stillers have on their line he would instantly become their best player - he's better than Starks, KemoEATU, etc.

Runyan is one of the nastiest S.O.B.'s to ever play the game, and one of my all-time favorite Eagles. He's currently got the 2nd longest consecutive game streak going at 192 starts. Hell, he even played last year when he couldn't sleep more than 1 hour at a time because of his back & knee - which required micofracture surgery. He routinely plays entire seasons with injuries that would sideline most other players. Sports Illustrated ranks him the 2nd All-Time of the NFL's Dirtiest Players - which is the only reason he never made the pro-bowl (players and coaches never voted for him).

Even if he does wind up with the friggin Stillers I wish him the best. One hell of a player & one hell of a guy - did alot for charity & the city of philadelphia. He'll be missed.

Link

 

[Godsbrother]

I was about to say that SMcDonald has to mean no Ashlie Lelie (all good with me -- I'll take a lesser talented "player" over a pedigree'd head case seven days a week). But may not be official?

Agreed, McDonald >>>> Lelie. But something's definitely funny. Three of the five moves in the Steelers.com story were already confirmed by multiple sources more than 24 hours ago - the Retofsky release, the Czech signing, and the Ratliff signing. That leaves only the McDonald signing and bringing in Dirk Johnson as a camp leg as being unconfirmed elsewhere.

Lolley is reporting the signing:

5/1/2009 3:31

Steelers add vet WR McDonald

By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer

dlolley@observer-reporter.com

As they finished preparations for the opening of this weekend's mini-camp today, the Steelers made some moves to shore up their roster.

The Steelers signed three players, wide receiver Shaun McDonald, punter Dirk Johnson and placekicker Piotr Czech, and released long-snapper Jared Retkofsky.

McDonald, a fourth-round pick of St. Louis in 2003, caught 35 passes for 332 yards and one touchdown in 2008 for Detroit.

The six-year veteran has 220 career receptions for 2,490 yards and 11 scores. His best season came in 2007 for Detroit when he caught 79 passes for 943 yards and six touchdowns.

The 5-10, 183-pound McDonald is primarily a slot receiver, something the Steelers were looking to add.

McDonald has also returned punts throughout his career, averaging 9.5 yards on 11 returns for the Lions in 2008.

The additions of Johnson and Czech were needed when the Steelers were unable to sign any rookie free agent kickers following the draft.

Link

 

[Memphis Foundry]

Thanks, GB. Matt Pawlikowski of the Examiner is reporting it, too. I wonder if the team is just buttoning up the details of the deal.

BREAKING STEELER NEWS: Sources say team signs veteran receiver McDonald

April 30, 6:12 PM

PITTSBURGH - The Steelers had a void at the No.3 receiver slot when Nate Washington left for Tennessee via free-agency.

But they seemed confident that his replacement was already in house with Limas Sweed. But then last Sunday, during the NFL Draft, they selected Mississippi burner Mike Wallace with one of its third round picks.

After that selection, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians spoke about the No.3 slot.

"We’re looking for that guy that is going to take Nate’s (Washington) spot in the 3-wides. He‘s a very capable player for that." ."Arians said. "We’ll just throw him in the mix and the best ones will come out."

That may be neither as an NFL source has told the Examiner that the Steelers have signed veteran Shaun McDonald to its roster.

McDonald (5-10, 183) was originally drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Arizona State. He has averaged 11.3 yards per catch during his six year career.

The 27 year old McDonald spent four years with the St. Louis Rams before signing a two year contract with Detroit in March of 2007. He had 79 catches, for 943 yards and six touchdowns after being reunited with former Rams coach Mike Martz in 2007.

But his numbers went down last year where in 12 games, he had 35 catches for 335 yards as Calvin Johnson emerged as an one of the NFL's elite. McDonald still finished second in the team in yardage.

The Steelers had earlier been wooing Ashley Lelie and there is still a chance he too could wind up in Steeler camp, although that now appears more unlikely.

Link

 

[Memphis Foundry]

Good article on Frank The Tank from the Contra Costa Times this morning.

Steward: Summers gets 'A' from NFL

By Carl Steward

Staff columnist

Posted: 04/29/2009 08:42:10 PM PDT

Updated: 04/30/2009 10:29:28 AM PDT

OAKLAND

FRANK SUMMERS' path to the NFL was full of potholes, detours and roadblocks, but with the same punishing determination that made him something of a YouTube legend, "The Tank" plowed through all the obstacles to achieve his lifelong goal.

The former Skyline High and Laney College star was drafted in the fifth round Sunday by the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, and Summers, a 5-foot-9, 230-pound fullback, couldn't be happier, nor could the people closest to him.

"Frank has overcome so much to get where he's at," said John Beam, who coached him at both schools before pointing him to UNLV, where he showed his NFL promise with two strong seasons as the Rebels' lead runner.

Football was never the problem for Summers. Learning in the classroom was. Afflicted with dyslexia, he never really addressed the problem until he returned to Laney after a tough year at Cal in 2002. The academics proved too much for him in Berkeley, and not being able to get on the football field because he was redshirting denied an outlet for his frustration.

Summers was so desperate to play that he asked coach Jeff Tedford at one point if he could play defensive line. When that didn't happen, Summers made the decision that probably was the turning point to becoming an NFL prospect. He went back to Laney and Beam to find himself.

"Leaving Cal wasn't such a difficult thing for me,but I felt bad for what my family would think just for the simple fact that I knew how proud they were that I was there," Summers said. "But I knew I was going to get another chance at Laney."

Summers not only starred at Laney as its feature tailback, leading the nation in rushing yards and touchdowns his freshman year, he got the help he needed to turn around his academics. He is now two classes from a bachelor's degree, which he plans to complete this summer at UNLV. He's as proud of that as getting drafted.

"There was one point in time that I didn't think I'd graduate from college because of everything I'd been through and what had been put in front of me at Cal," he said. "But I finally realized if I didn't have the grades, I couldn't play football. So anytime there was something I had to do just to play ball, I was going to force myself to do it and overcome those hurdles."

That meant getting help for his dyslexia.

"It took me awhile to accept the fact that I had a learning disability, even though I'd had one since I was a young child," Summers said. "I didn't want to believe that it really had the effect on me that it did. Once I was able to accept that and the help that I was given, it was the biggest turning point for me."

So was going to UNLV, where Summers showed his versatility as a pass catcher in addition to his power running and blocking skills. He led the team in rushing in both of his seasons, and he had 36 catches and six touchdowns as a receiver, sometimes lining up in the slot. He was voted the toughest player to bring down in the Mountain West Conference and over two years never lost a fumble.

Combining that with his considerable ability as a special teams player, he attracted the eye of NFL scouts. He excelled in his combine work, and the Steelers, Raiders, 49ers and San Diego Chargers had him in for personal looks.

The Steelers, who have been looking for a short-yardage runner ever since Jerome Bettis retired, weren't terribly secretive about their coveting Summers. Sure enough, they used a second-day pick on him. Amazingly, he is the third Skyline High player to be drafted by the Steelers since 1997. Tackle Marvel Smith, now with the 49ers, and receiver Will Blackwell preceded him.

"I think they like the tough kids from Skyline," Beam said.

Said Summers, "I had a great feeling when I went (to Pittsburgh) for my visit. I felt like I wanted to commit there, but in the NFL, you don't get to pick your team. So I'm glad they had the same feelings I did."

The notion that he could be the heir apparent to Bettis isn't lost on him.

"Being able to go in behind the last guy who they considered a big back, a guy I consider a Hall of Famer, it's an honor, but at the same time it's a challenge," Summers said. "I don't know if I can ever live up to the high expectations he set, but I'm going to try to get as close as I can to them."

Considering the trench work it took to get to this point, bet on it.

Link

 

[Memphis Foundry]

OK, the McDonald story is back on Steelers.com now with an extra player listed as an FA pickup:

Jayson Foster (5-7, 185) spent time on the Steelers’ practice squad in 2008. He originally signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2008 as an undrafted rookie from Georgia Southern. He was on the Denver Broncos’ practice squad towards the end of the 2008 season, but was released by the Broncos on April 28, 2009.

Link

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Looks like they gave McDonald Weegie Thompson's old number (87). Great quote about Weegie on Wikipedia:

Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott gushes when he talks about Thompson. In Thompson's rookie season, 1984, the Steelers were the only team to beat the 49ers. One reason they did was by assigning Thompson to block Lott on every play. "He blocked my butt all day -- and fair," Lott remembered. "Every play, he came after me. And I respect the hell out of Weegie Thompson to this day. He's one of the toughest guys I ever played against."

 

[CrossEyed]

Steelers Minicamp: Willie Parker shows up, issues no demandsSaturday, May 02, 2009By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteHere's a twist on the Larry Foote holdout. The starting veteran will enter the final year of his contract and he usually plays only on first and second downs. He's 28, and the Steelers drafted a player at his position in the first round.Unlike Foote, however, Willie Parker has not asked to be traded and he showed up on time for the start of the lone mandatory minicamp yesterday."That hasn't crossed my mind," Parker said about trying to force anything, including a contract extension, with the Steelers. "I am coming off a bad season, but it was a great season for the team. I just have to come out and get ready to play. It's not about holding out. I have to make the best decision, and the best decision is to be around the team and help out the best way possible."Parker will earn $3,350,000 on the last year of his contract unless it is extended. Foote, also 28, was to earn $2,885,000 on the final year of his contract. Both usually come off the field on passing downs and both have recent first-round picks at their position -- linebacker Lawrence Timmons in 2007 and halfback Rashard Mendenhall in '08.Yet, Foote has strongly told the Steelers he does not want to play for them anymore, and they are likely to release him next week. Parker does not want to go anywhere."That will take care of itself," he said of his contract situation. "The Steelers gave me a chance and I am proud and happy to be a Steeler. That's all I can say about that. Whatever happens, happens. As of right now, I am just getting ready for this season and have to make the best of it."Parker made two Pro Bowls and had three consecutive seasons rushing for more than 1,200 yards until injuries took their toll last season.He began the season by rushing for 243 yards in the first two games, then a knee injury in the third game sidelined him for 4Â 1/2 games. He missed a fifth game with a separated shoulder and finished with 791 yards.However, he managed 116 against Cleveland and then opened the playoffs with 146 against San Diego, looking like the same old Fast Willie.He took a new approach to his offseason training. Yesterday was the first time he has done any running since the Super Bowl."I feel great. I have been doing a lot of Pilates, stretching and things of that nature, to get my body back. I am feeling good. I am headed toward the right direction."I never did [Pilates] before. I am doing it to loosen up my body as a whole, my upper and lower body. It's kind of girly, but ..."With Mendenhall's broken shoulder healed, the two were on the same field yesterday for the first time since Sept. 21. Perhaps they can give the Steelers the type of 1-2 punch at halfback they thought they would get when they drafted Mendenhall last year."Like I told him last year, push me and I'll push him," Parker said. "We are going to make the best of the situation. Let's help each other and go from there."Parker did not want to compare his situation or how he's dealing with it to that of Foote's."I don't know his situation," Parker said. "I don't know how he feels. That is him. Everybody has different situations. He handled his situation the way he wanted. That is on Larry, the coaches and the organization."

I'll take a team full of Willie Parkers over a team full of Larry Footes any day.

 

[Godsbrother]

I'll take a team full of Willie Parkers over a team full of Larry Footes any day.

Agree wholeheartedly, CE.

 

[analog_hiss]

Couple of things I read last night about Dennis Dixon...I know, it's early, but....

Steelers Day 2 minicamp notes

May 2, 2009 6:00 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers continued their full-squad, mandatory minicamp Saturday to kick off the 2009 football season.

Here are some notes and observations from Day 2:

* I'm pleasantly surprised with the way second-year quarterback Dennis Dixon is throwing the football this weekend. In the four practices the past two days, Dixon's ball has been a tight spiral more often than not and his accuracy has been solid. Saturday Dixon placed a ball over the middle through three defenders to hit receiver Brandon Williams in one of the best throws of minicamp thus far.

...

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Dixon looks good

Second-year quarterback Dennis Dixon looks like a completely different player at this year's mini-camp than he did a year ago.

Then again, that's not that big of a surprise considering he wasn't even supposed to take a snap at last year's camp after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL less than six months before.

Dixon obviously has a much better grasp of the offense now and you can see a huge difference between him and rookies Kevin McCabe and Mike Reilly.

There's also not much difference between Dixon and veteran Charlie Batch. In fact, Dixon has looked better than Batch - though it's still very early and Batch is coming off a very long layoff.

It's easy to see, however, why the Steelers are high on Dixon.

...

 

[Franknbeans]

another fluff piece

Outside linebacker Bruce Davis didn't make a single play as a rookie — no tackles, sacks or interceptions — which is why he couldn't wait to get into the weight room and bulk up so he never goes through a season like that again.

A third-round pick in 2008, Davis shouldn't be labeled a bust because he wasn't on the field long enough to show he could play. But he knows the pressure is on him to produce this year.

"Last year, I don't want to say it was disappointing," said Davis, who had 29 career sacks at UCLA. "I would have hoped it would have gone another way, but it didn't."

Davis expects making a bigger contribution in 2009 because "the difference between year one and year two is I'm a lot more comfortable."

"I know the calls now," he said. "I don't have second-guess myself. I can just play. I know what I'm doing. I get to use what I've got. Anytime you're out there thinking on the football field, you're not moving as fast as you can. Now, if I get a call, I run with the call."

In college, Davis was always among the most talented players on the field. In the NFL, everyone can play, and Davis needed to change his approach.

"I got a lot stronger," said Davis, who is spending his offseason in Pittsburgh. "I got in the weight room with (conditioning coach Garrett Giemont and conditioning assistant Marcel Pastoor).

"I lost a little bit of weight (255 pounds, down from 262) and gained some muscle. I definitely feel like I have a half-step back from last year."

That extra half-step can make all the difference for a speed pass rusher — if Davis can get on the field. He's playing behind James Harrison, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and LaMarr Woodley, who had 11.5 sacks in his first season as a starter.

"Realistically," Davis said, "am I going to take James Harrison's spot? I doubt it. That's just being real. The way it worked last year, I got to sit back and learn watching the best defense in the game. Until my number is called to make plays on defense, I'm going to play special teams like I'm out there playing outside linebacker. I'm going to go as hard as I can and try to knock some people out.

"Special teams is definitely a huge phase of this game and this team. Coach (Mike) Tomlin puts emphasis on special teams.

"But you can always get better. I want to get better on special teams and make an impact."

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Some other good articles from the past few days...

Steelers' Mendenhall, Sweed hope to increase production

By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Wide receivers Limas Sweed and Nate Washington were together at a fundraiser in Texas a couple of months ago when Washington agreed to a six-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.

"I said, 'Well, you have to do what you have to do, and now there's an opening, so I have to do what I have to do,'" Sweed said.

Indeed, the Steelers are hoping Sweed seizes the opportunity created by Washington's departure. They are also counting on getting considerably more this season out of running back Rashard Mendenhall, the team's first-round pick in 2008.

If players make the most improvement from their first year to their second, as coach Mike Tomlin contends, then Sweed and Mendenhall should assume more prominent roles in the Steelers' offense this season.

Not that such a progression is guaranteed or that either player will be given anything, especially Sweed.

The Steelers took wide receiver Mike Wallace in the third round of last weekend's draft, and they signed veteran Shaun McDonald, who had 79 catches for 943 yards two seasons ago in Detroit.

If the Steelers are hedging their bets at wide receiver behind Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, that is because Sweed caught just six passes for 64 yards last season and had a memorable drop in the AFC Championship Game.

Sweed, a second-round pick in 2008, would have struggled to receive a passing grade for his rookie campaign. As for Mendenhall, he would have been given an incomplete.

Rude welcome to the NFL

Mendenhall, a former Illinois star, played in four games before he experienced a welcome-to-the-NFL moment that subsequently ended his season. It came during a Monday night game against the Baltimore Ravens when linebacker Ray Lewis tackled Mendenhall and fractured his right shoulder.

The injury did not require surgery, and Mendenhall could have returned near the end of the season. But given his inexperience and the time he would have missed, the Steelers opted to put Mendenhall on injured reserve and free up a roster spot.

Looking back, it's hard to tell which pained Mendenhall more: the actual injury or the inactivity that followed.

"Until that point, I had never missed a game, high school or college, due to injury," Mendenhall said. "I figured it would be a couple of weeks. When they said (I was out for the) season, that was a different perspective for me. It's frustrating watching your teammates play, and you can't put on a helmet."

If there is a Steelers positive to be taken from the injury, it is this: They essentially added two first-round picks to their team for the upcoming season because they got so little out of Mendenhall in 2008.

"We win a Super Bowl and get to add a first-round talent at halfback," running backs coach Kirby Wilson said. "That's a plus for us."

It will turn into an even bigger plus if Mendenhall's potential translates into production.

The Steelers need Mendenhall to ease the burden on Willie Parker and bolster a running game that ranked 23rd (105.6 yards per game) in the NFL last season.

The 5-foot-10, 225-pound Mendenhall could become a starter sooner rather than later because Parker is going into the final year of his contract.

"We want to see him develop his own style, his own identity," Wilson said. "And we'll find out what we've got because we think we have something special there."

Mendenhall, who is participating this weekend in his second minicamp with the Steelers, said he is much more comfortable than he was at this time a year ago. His transition from the college to the NFL included getting used to new surroundings and finding a place to live.

Now, said Mendenhall, "all I have to concentrate on is football."

Ready to 'let loose?'

Ask Sweed about the difference from last year, and a slow smile creeps across his face.

"I feel like it's night and day," said Sweed, a former University of Texas star.

Sweed's goal is to have others say the difference in him as a player is just as pronounced.

The 6-4, 220-pounder had limited opportunities last year, partly because of players in front of him and partly because he didn't take advantage of the ones he did get.

Sweed had trouble catching the ball, and this was after the Steelers had him get contact lenses during training camp.

He said he thought too much when he was on the field. Sweed had to read coverages, just as a quarterback does, for the first time in his career.

"He has to improve in a lot of areas," said Holmes, the MVP of Super Bowl XLIII. "He's got to stay focused throughout practice, throughout meetings, get more involved and not sit back and wait for somebody to tell him something or to correct him on little things. He's got to notice a lot of the things he's doing wrong that he can do better."

Sweed's biggest gaffe last season came in the AFC title game, when he dropped what would have been a sure touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger. He atoned, somewhat, later in the game when he summoned his inner Ward and leveled Ravens cornerback Corey Ivy with a block.

"I just let loose, and that's more of what you can look forward to this season," Sweed said. "Not so much those blocks, but letting loose and having fun."

At 24, Sweed already has won a national championship and a Super Bowl ring. But judging from his offseason — he started working out two weeks after the Steelers won the Super Bowl — he is not satisfied.

"I'm excited because I know where to be, what to do," Sweed said. "I want to say it's almost like college, running around, having fun and enjoying it.

"This is what I envisioned when I came to the league. It took me about a year, but I feel like I'm catching on."

Roethlisberger's super career has yet to shift into overdrive

Roethlisberger idolized Elway as kid, but at 27 and two rings later, the Steelers' QB is ahead of the Broncos' Hall of Famer before he has reached his prime

Monday, May 04, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Move over John Elway, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has his own Drive, soon will own his second Super Bowl ring and he did not have to wait until the end of his career to get it.

Entering just his sixth NFL season, Roethlisberger is way ahead of the Hall of Fame quarterback he idolized as a kid and took his jersey number as a pro. At 27, he's not even in his prime yet, or so his coach believes.

"I believe that he can get better," coach Mike Tomlin said after canceling the fifth and final minicamp practice of the weekend yesterday. "He's still a young guy. He's got a lot of hardware that some young guys don't have, but those are the standards that he sets for himself.

"Like everybody else, Ben is going to be here searching for the ceiling, in terms of what he's capable of, in terms of what we're capable of. He's trying to do it better and smarter and cleaner. That's what we're all trying to do."

Roethlisberger said he has not watched one replay of the Steelers' Super Bowl XLIII victory, won, 27-23, when he led his offense 88 yards that ended with his 6-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes with 35 seconds left. Roethlisberger accounted for all 88 yards on that drive, 80 on passes, 4 on a run.

"I haven't watched it," Roethlisberger said, "because I know what happened."

He also knows what happened the previous time he picked up his Super Bowl ring. Days later, he wound up in a hospital after a motorcycle accident. It was the beginning of a string of misfortunes that included an appendectomy on the eve of the season opener, a concussion and an 8-8 season.

It was the worst season of his relatively short pro life.

"Oh, yeah, for sure," Roethlisberger said. "Physically, mentally, emotionally, yeah, absolutely."

Any lessons learned?

"I'm going to try to avoid offseason injuries. That's what it was for me. Offensively, we had a bull's-eye on our chest as a team, you always do as a Super Bowl team. We'll be all right."

Roethlisberger said it has been mostly a typical offseason for him, except that he has not worked out as often. He has limited his throwing to minicamp and the rest of the spring workouts with his teammates.

"I feel great actually. I took some time. I don't think anybody's worked out until now so it's been good relaxing. I haven't thrown. This is the only time when I throw, is when I come here because there's no reason to go above and beyond and stretch out the arm because we know during the season there will be a lot of throwing, so I take it easy."

His second Super Bowl victory in four years has brought him a few more endorsements, but not many.

"I've been busy, been a lot of requests on my time but it's kind of fun because you know what you just accomplished."

That 88-yard drive rates among the best clutch performances in Super Bowl history. Drives like that can do plenty for a quarterback.

"There are examples that you can point to of drives, of plays being a springboard to something," Tomlin noted yesterday, "but usually the roots of success happen before those signature plays. And that's the case. I think those are the things that allow those types of drives or plays to transpire. People can point to those when you look back at somebody's career or development, but usually those are born when no one's looking -- in the weight room, on the practice field, in a training facility."

And in previous games. Roethlisberger directed drives either in the fourth quarter or overtime to tie or win games five previous times last season. He has done it 19 times in his five seasons.

"He's the man," said his friend, defensive end Brett Keisel. "To be able to have the poise that he showed on that last drive and basically all year. We were down several times throughout the year in the fourth quarter where he had to make a drive to win the game. It's impressive.

"He's just a winner, he knows what it takes to win, he gets his guys focused and it's just been great."

Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com.

First published on May 4, 2009 at 12:00 am

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I think the most important thing from those (sorta fluff)pieces that I'm taking away is that Sweed started working out 2 weeks after they won the SB. He certainly needed to keep at it.

I want the guy to succeed, and I know a lot of folks are already writing him(as well as Mendenhall) off as a bust, but seeing that he's apparently taking things seriously makes me think perhaps his chances at avoiding that are improving.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09125/967835-66.stm

Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat transcript

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ed Bouchette: Hello, all. Sorry about last Tuesday's chat. The Larry Foote story broke just before the start and I had to pursue that. Let's start.

bg_steel: Ed, how would you rate the Steelers draft? (A-F)

Ed Bouchette: Did you see Gene Collier's column after the draft? It's so hard to judge until several years later. Even Art Rooney Jr. told Gene they did not know how they did after the '74 draft and that's become the best of all time with 4 HOFers. But that's copping out, for me, isn't it? OK, I love their third-round picks, all three. I love the choice of Frank The Tank because he seems to fit them. I like the fact they took Ziggy Hood but I have never seen him play, so I have no idea how good or not he is. I also like the choice of A.Q. Shipley

Chooch79: How soon before ESPN launches the never ending Brett Farve coming out of retirement scroll?

Ed Bouchette: I was waiting to read Sports Illustrated's second special edition on his retirement first.

Taz: Hi Ed. Is Deshea's roster spot vulnerable since he's 34 and the Steelers drafted two CBs, or does his experience with the system combined with the loss of McFadden make his presence more of a necessity?

Ed Bouchette: He will have to compete to keep his job. If both of those young kids are worthy, they'll have to decide between one and Deshea. However, Deshea also can play safety and I think he will be on the 09 roster.

Steeler_Fan_In_Cen_CA: Ed, sorry to see Foote leave. Will there be any more roster cuts between now and training camp?

Ed Bouchette: Oh, my, yes. You have to get down to 53 and they have almost 90 on their roster now. Will there be any prominent ones, like Foote? I'm sure there will be one or two surprises, as always. But Foote forced this, the Steelers had no plans to cut him.

bump_and_run: Can you predict stocks as well as first round draft choices? I am looking forward to seeing how well Frank Summers does in short yardage packages - the preseason games might be especially interesting this year. Does he also have any history of catching the ball so they can use him in other situations? Is David Johnson being considered as a potential power I FB?

Ed Bouchette: Summers did catch some passes at UNLV but I don't think that's a big deal. The Steelers want him as a short-yardage bulldog and if he can do that, he's in. Johnson is a long-shot who will vie for practice squad at this point.

Taz: Hi Ed. Thanks for taking the time to chat. Did any rookies look surprisingly good (or bad) at the recent minicamp?

Ed Bouchette: No, and it's difficult for them in many ways. There are no pads and they don't know what they're doing. Maxi-camp is where it happens.

DFWSteeler: What are the early reports on Stephen Logan - the CFL stud?

Ed Bouchette: He looks extremely fast and quick, and extremely small. He'll have to make it as a returner, and the Steelers drafted some of those too.

Surgical_Steel: How does the addition of Ziggy Hood affect a possible contract extension for Brett Kiesel? Does it make it more likely that they would go after Hampton instead and let Hood settle into Kiesel's RDE position in 2010?

Ed Bouchette: It all depends on what Brett is willing to take before he becomes a free agent, and how Ziggy does in the meantime. The Hampton situation will be interesting. I think they might wait until after the season to try to re-sign him.

irishreb: Hi Ed, do you think Sweed has improved over the off season to replace N Washington?

Ed Bouchette: I think all signs say yes but again until they get into training camp, we won't know. There have been a lot of Mr. Mays in the spring, and I'm not just talking about Lee.

Ratz: Why is everyone ignoring the obvious with Larry Foote? It's a money hunt. The Steelers weren't going to keep him after this year and a 30 year-old 2 down linebacker wasn't going to hit the free agent jackpot next year.

Ed Bouchette: Neither is Larry going to hit the jackpot this year. The Steelers were willing to keep him at his salary this year but when Larry pushed the issue, I believe they felt it might not be a bad idea after all to let him go and use the money/cap room to try to keep someone else. I admire Larry's belief in himself, but I think it's foolhardy on his part.

mdsteel: Ed, are you excited about Mike Wallace? I feel with him on kick off and punt returns and Sepulveda back punting, the Steelers should gain a bunch of yards in both areas.

Ed Bouchette: I do like the promise he brings. I also want to see Sepulveda punt again, something he did not do in minicamp because of recovering from ACL surgery.

Pickman: Seems there's two sides to the story about Foote...the Steelers say it was a cap decision...other reports say Foote wanted out since he fore saw that Timmons would take every down duty...Is it both reasons, or is one side or the other trying to save face?

Ed Bouchette: Sort of. As I just mentioned, the Steelers were going to keep him -- otherwise they would have released him in March ala Joey Porter. But the more Foote wanted out, the more they convinced themselves it wasn't a bad idea because of Lawrence Timmons and the cap. That was a luxury they had at that position they realized they did not want to afford when they could use that money elsewhere.

Surgical_Steel: How do you expect the Steelers to address Justin Hartwig's contract, heading into his final year? Is Shipley too much of a project for them to wait on offering Hartwig an extension?

Ed Bouchette: I believe they will wait on Hartwig, see how Shipley does and also have an alternative at C in Stapleton.

Ward4EverASteeler: Ed, are the Steelers still interested in signing Lelie?

Ed Bouchette: I don't believe they were ever interested. They bring guys in all the time for a look-see.

Mwarren18: Ed, have you seen anything from Bruce Davis in practice that would lead you to believe he will someday become a starter?

Ed Bouchette: No, but then I haven't seen anything that says he won't. He did not have a good rookie camp but he'll get that chance again this year and he WAS a DE at UCLA and has been converted to OLB, not an easy task.

praveen: Will Mewelde once again be relegated to 3rd down back only now that we have both Rashad and Willie healthy? He seemed to do very well whenever called on.

Ed Bouchette: There's nothing wrong with being "relegated" to third-down back. That's a vital spot and when you have guys like Parker and Mendenhall in front of you, you can't expect to do otherwise barring injuries.

Mwarren18: Ed, given Willie Parker being in the last year of his contract do you see this as his last year as a Steeler?

Ed Bouchette: No. I think Parker is way more valuable than what some believe. He had 3 straight years over 1200 yards and began last season with 2 over 100 before his injury in the third game. I would re-sign him.

Cope-asetic: What will be the most interesting position battles when camp starts this year?

Ed Bouchette: I believer right guard between Stapleton and rookie Urbik. Left corner between William Gay and a rookie or two. Third-down receiver among Sweed, Wallace and veteran McDonald, signed just before the draft.

mike_tomlins_barber: If the organization knew they would cut Foote, why was this not addressed during the draft? There isn't that much depth at ILB. Was there any thought with taking Rey Maualuga when he fell to the end of rd. 1?

Ed Bouchette: No, they wanted Ziggy. I was a little surprised they did not grab someone at ILB but maybe the value wasn't there and they believe they have a couple who can play the position already on the roster, like Fox or Woods.

Mwarren18: Ed, give us one guy who you think will have a standout year next year that may be flying under the radar?

Ed Bouchette: Lawrence Timmons, although not exactly under the radar. Sweed. Wm Gay. Not many because this is a SB team that lost just 2 starters.

Chooch79: Ed, is it too soon to start questioning Bruce Arian's 2010 play calling?

Ed Bouchette: Yes. Let's wait until the two weeks before the Super Bowl.

Steeler_Fan_In_Cen_CA: Hello Ed, any dialogue between Heath Miller & the Steelers on a contract extension or will they wait til all draft picks are signed?

Ed Bouchette: I checked over the weekend and there have been no talks. I would think they'll start talking with him soon, though.

James_Taipei: Should Steelers fans favorite part of the NFL draft be the fact that they have not had the number one overall pick since 1970?

Ed Bouchette: And they got that one right!

Matt_in_LA: Should we go after Plax?

Ed Bouchette: No, let the authorities handle that.

Mikey: When do the Steelers get their rings?

Ed Bouchette: I think you'll see them get their rings and visit the White House within days of each other, as happened in 2006. I'm told sometime around early June.

Terrible_Trousers: Do you see Urbik taking over at RG at some point during or prior to the start of the season?

Ed Bouchette: I think he will have the opportunity for it and the rest will be up to him and Stapleton.

Tom_M.: Do you think the Steelers considered taking Ray Maualuga in the first round, knowing Foote wanted to leave?

Ed Bouchette: no

ajt123: What happens first - The Steelers win another super bowl, or you begin to like these chats?

Ed Bouchette: I'm having a grand time, can't you tell? It beats watching the Pirates play Milwaukee.

Scurvy_BBLAAARRRGH: Hi Ed. I've been obsessing over why Tyrone Carter wasn't at voluntary workouts? Can you help a pirate out?

Ed Bouchette: Don't know, doesn't matter. He was there over the weekend for minicamp.

Mwarren18: Ed, for next season ... areas of strength and areas of weakness?

Ed Bouchette: Same as last season, I suppose -- offensive line needs to improve, running game needs to improve. Strengths? Besides James Harrison? The entire defense, QB and potential running game.

irishreb: Ed, do you think Dixon will be the number 2 quarterback this season?

Ed Bouchette: I think he'll have a chance to becoming No. 2 on gamedays because they can use him in many ways and if Ben gets hurt, they could still turn to Batch.

T22POST: Ed, Do you think William Gay will rise to the challenge playing opposite of Ike every play, is he ready to be a true starter?

Ed Bouchette: We'll have to wait to see if he's ready, but he has the kind of attitude that says he will be.

Mwarren18: Ed, everyone seems to be high on this AQ cat, is this purely a case of being in love with Pitt, WVU, and Penn St. guys who come to the Steelers or does he have a real chance to develop into a quality NFL player?

Ed Bouchette: I agree that many people want to see him succeed because he's a Pittsburgh kid who played at Penn State. But there's also something about him that smells like success even though he has so-called shortcomings like small hands and short arms.

schnifin: Hi Ed, any update on why Martin Nance did't practice this weekend? Do you think he has a shot to contribute to the team this year?

Ed Bouchette: We're still waiting from the word from the Steelers. Mike Tomlin said he'd know by Monday, but no one's spilling the beans yet. It's not exactly going to be the top news story of the day when we do find out, though.

praveen: Isn't it interesting that the one area where the Cardinals have not felt like raiding the Steelers free agent class was the Steelers OL? Does that indicate Russ Grimm doesn't think much of our group?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know who they would sign. They're all under contract.

Daquido_Bazzini: With Foote's money deleted from the cap, can we expect a Heath Miller signing soon?

Ed Bouchette: I think it gives them a running start, yes.

Sixburgh43: Ed, how do see our return game shaping up this year?

Ed Bouchette: At least they have some candidates other than 240-pound running backs.

Mikey: Was Steelers D-line coach J. Mitchell just trying to manage fans/media expectations when he said that Ziggy Hood was 'light years' away from playing?

Ed Bouchette: I think it was a psychological ploy on Mitch's part.

mdsteel: Ed, Out of all the draft picks who do you like the best?

Ed Bouchette: Mike Wallace

FoolBack: Ed, what do you think of the Shaun McDonald signing? Seems this guy is a classic Steeler insurance signing, who has some interesting skills. You thoughts?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, I think he's insurance against Sweed and Wallace not fulfilling their promise.

Mwarren18: Ed, I find it troubling that everyone seems to always question the Steelers O line when given the chance. I agree that when I watch that they sometime look lost but should we not lose sight of the fact that this team did win a Super Bowl with this line and everyone will be back next year. Even with little improvement could the line be a strength for them next season?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know about a strength. Yes, they can improve, but then they have a lot of room for that.

FoolBack: Ed, are there any concerns over the Steelers depth at Safety? Do you see a low-cost veteran also coming in there?

Ed Bouchette: Depth could be a problem. Ryan Mundy could make the club and Townsend can play there and there's always Carter too.

mdsteel: Ed, could this be the best backfield we have had in years?

Ed Bouchette: I kind of liked the one with Bettis and Parker myself.

praveen: What kind of agent signs a two year contract for Leftwich where not even a single dollar is guaranteed? I see much worse QBs with better contracts.

Ed Bouchette: The agent did not sign that contract, Byron did.

T22POST: Ed, Nate Washington and McFadden easy replacements? Or will we feel the effects of losing both, on both sides of the ball?

Ed Bouchette: Both played well for the Steelers and they will be difficult to replace. However, players such as Sweed and Gay can answer that better than I can.

silverback: Would Gary Russell still be a Steeler if Foote had made up his mind sooner?

Ed Bouchette: No, there was no connection there. That was a smokescreen about needing cap room from Russell to sign Batch.

fargo_steelerfan: Ed, I am disgusted about the possibility of the SB being played in London. Your thoughts?

Ed Bouchette: That's a long drive for Pittsburgh fans. I don't think you'll ever see it. The more the NFL denies it, the more word out of London say it's true. I don't think the backlash would be worth it to the NFL.

BPiccolo: Ed, We signed McHugh to a 3 year deal and C Davis to a 1 year deal, then drafted Summers. Does Davis finally get cut now?

Ed Bouchette: Why would you want to cut Carey Davis? There's still room for both and McHugh is counted as a TE, even though he's their starting FB.

DFWSteeler: Is Dallas Baker gonna make the team this year?

Ed Bouchette: Boy, he looked great in practice the other day catching the football. He has a shot, but only if they keep 5 wide receivers or there is an injury.

mike_tomlins_barber: Ed, Pens in 6?

Ed Bouchette: How about Caps in 4?

Mwarren18: Ed, great chat as always ... when do we go back to once a week?

Ed Bouchette: Please, my headache was just starting to disappear. We'll do another in June, first Tuesday. I'm not sure of our camp schedule yet.

Mwarren18: Ed, what did you think of Tampa during the Super Bowl?

Ed Bouchette: The weather was great until about Wednesday, then it turned cold. I loved where I stayed, near the convention center. The work was better this year too.

Froylan: Do you think Ben is the best young quarterback all around.? Better than Cutler, Eli, Rivers, Romo?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, most certainly. In fact, I would only include Eli and Rivers in comparison. Romo, to borrow a phrase from a former Steelers receiver, what he done? Cutler was just traded. You don't trade a franchise QB for ANY reason.

jeparkernet: How do you like the fact your boss pays you for this chat and the rest of us are hiding from our bosses?

Ed Bouchette: Funny, I just discussed that with my boss. Do you know who I chat with? People at work. The only thing I will say is, they don't pay me enough for this.

Ed Bouchette: OK, that's it. I'm exhausted. That last comment was made in jest, of course. Perhaps that will prevent a few angry emails to the boss from some of you. Perhaps we can do this again soon. Like June.

First published on May 5, 2009 at 2:29 pm

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Lolley

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Harrison contract details

ESPN.com released details of Steelers linebacker James Harrison's $51.175-million contract today.

According to the report, Harrison's deal includes a $10-million signing bonus, $2.55-million roster bonus and a base salary of $800,000 for 2009.

Harrison is due a reporting bonus of $2.8 million in 2010, a $3.66 million base salary as well as a $900,000 roster bonus in 2011.

In the final three years of the six-year pact, Harrison is due base salaries of $5.315 million in 2012, $6.32 million in 2013 and $7.325 million in 2013.

So, in effect, the contract could actually be considered a two or three-year deal, which is more in line with what a 31-year-old player – his birthday was this week – even one who doesn't have a lot of mileage on his tires, should get.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

Interesting news from ProFootballTalk -- seems like Harris is a guy that Coach Tomlin has a comfort level with; he could be a good depth pickup @ ILB:

NAPOLEON HARRIS VISITS THE STEELERS

Posted by Mike Florio on May 7, 2009, 11:26 a.m. EDT

Napoleon Bonaparte’s career ended at the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon Harris’ career could be continuing near the waters of the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio.

(Wow. I somehow managed to type that sentence while simultaneously rolling my eyes and groaning.)

Per a league source, the veteran linebacker is visiting the Steelers today.

The team’s interest in Harris makes sense; with Larry Foote gone, the Steelers need someone to back up Lawrence Timmons at one of the inside positions in the team’s 3-4 defense.

Harris was a first-round draft pick of the Raiders in 2002. In 2005, Oakland traded him to Minnesota as part of the Randy Moss deal. After Harris’ contract expired following the 2006 season, he signed with the Chiefs as a free agent.

Kansas City cut him during the 2008 season, and he returned to Minnesota to help fill the void created by a season-ending injury to E.J. Henderson. Harris appeared in ten games for the Vikings last year, starting five of them.

In 2006, Harris started 14 games at middle linebacker for the Vikings, which also was the only season that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin served as defensive coordinator in Minnesota.

Link

 

[Sheriff66]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09125/967835-66.stm

Ed Bouchette's Steelers chat transcript

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ed Bouchette: Hello, all. Sorry about last Tuesday's chat. The Larry Foote story broke just before the start and I had to pursue that. Let's start.

bg_steel: Ed, how would you rate the Steelers draft? (A-F)

Ed Bouchette: Did you see Gene Collier's column after the draft? It's so hard to judge until several years later. Even Art Rooney Jr. told Gene they did not know how they did after the '74 draft and that's become the best of all time with 4 HOFers. But that's copping out, for me, isn't it? OK, I love their third-round picks, all three. I love the choice of Frank The Tank because he seems to fit them. I like the fact they took Ziggy Hood but I have never seen him play, so I have no idea how good or not he is. I also like the choice of A.Q. Shipley

Chooch79: How soon before ESPN launches the never ending Brett Farve coming out of retirement scroll?

Ed Bouchette: I was waiting to read Sports Illustrated's second special edition on his retirement first.

Taz: Hi Ed. Is Deshea's roster spot vulnerable since he's 34 and the Steelers drafted two CBs, or does his experience with the system combined with the loss of McFadden make his presence more of a necessity?

Ed Bouchette: He will have to compete to keep his job. If both of those young kids are worthy, they'll have to decide between one and Deshea. However, Deshea also can play safety and I think he will be on the 09 roster.

Steeler_Fan_In_Cen_CA: Ed, sorry to see Foote leave. Will there be any more roster cuts between now and training camp?

Ed Bouchette: Oh, my, yes. You have to get down to 53 and they have almost 90 on their roster now. Will there be any prominent ones, like Foote? I'm sure there will be one or two surprises, as always. But Foote forced this, the Steelers had no plans to cut him.

bump_and_run: Can you predict stocks as well as first round draft choices? I am looking forward to seeing how well Frank Summers does in short yardage packages - the preseason games might be especially interesting this year. Does he also have any history of catching the ball so they can use him in other situations? Is David Johnson being considered as a potential power I FB?

Ed Bouchette: Summers did catch some passes at UNLV but I don't think that's a big deal. The Steelers want him as a short-yardage bulldog and if he can do that, he's in. Johnson is a long-shot who will vie for practice squad at this point.

Taz: Hi Ed. Thanks for taking the time to chat. Did any rookies look surprisingly good (or bad) at the recent minicamp?

Ed Bouchette: No, and it's difficult for them in many ways. There are no pads and they don't know what they're doing. Maxi-camp is where it happens.

DFWSteeler: What are the early reports on Stephen Logan - the CFL stud?

Ed Bouchette: He looks extremely fast and quick, and extremely small. He'll have to make it as a returner, and the Steelers drafted some of those too.

Surgical_Steel: How does the addition of Ziggy Hood affect a possible contract extension for Brett Kiesel? Does it make it more likely that they would go after Hampton instead and let Hood settle into Kiesel's RDE position in 2010?

Ed Bouchette: It all depends on what Brett is willing to take before he becomes a free agent, and how Ziggy does in the meantime. The Hampton situation will be interesting. I think they might wait until after the season to try to re-sign him.

irishreb: Hi Ed, do you think Sweed has improved over the off season to replace N Washington?

Ed Bouchette: I think all signs say yes but again until they get into training camp, we won't know. There have been a lot of Mr. Mays in the spring, and I'm not just talking about Lee.

Ratz: Why is everyone ignoring the obvious with Larry Foote? It's a money hunt. The Steelers weren't going to keep him after this year and a 30 year-old 2 down linebacker wasn't going to hit the free agent jackpot next year.

Ed Bouchette: Neither is Larry going to hit the jackpot this year. The Steelers were willing to keep him at his salary this year but when Larry pushed the issue, I believe they felt it might not be a bad idea after all to let him go and use the money/cap room to try to keep someone else. I admire Larry's belief in himself, but I think it's foolhardy on his part.

mdsteel: Ed, are you excited about Mike Wallace? I feel with him on kick off and punt returns and Sepulveda back punting, the Steelers should gain a bunch of yards in both areas.

Ed Bouchette: I do like the promise he brings. I also want to see Sepulveda punt again, something he did not do in minicamp because of recovering from ACL surgery.

Pickman: Seems there's two sides to the story about Foote...the Steelers say it was a cap decision...other reports say Foote wanted out since he fore saw that Timmons would take every down duty...Is it both reasons, or is one side or the other trying to save face?

Ed Bouchette: Sort of. As I just mentioned, the Steelers were going to keep him -- otherwise they would have released him in March ala Joey Porter. But the more Foote wanted out, the more they convinced themselves it wasn't a bad idea because of Lawrence Timmons and the cap. That was a luxury they had at that position they realized they did not want to afford when they could use that money elsewhere.

Surgical_Steel: How do you expect the Steelers to address Justin Hartwig's contract, heading into his final year? Is Shipley too much of a project for them to wait on offering Hartwig an extension?

Ed Bouchette: I believe they will wait on Hartwig, see how Shipley does and also have an alternative at C in Stapleton.

Ward4EverASteeler: Ed, are the Steelers still interested in signing Lelie?

Ed Bouchette: I don't believe they were ever interested. They bring guys in all the time for a look-see.

Mwarren18: Ed, have you seen anything from Bruce Davis in practice that would lead you to believe he will someday become a starter?

Ed Bouchette: No, but then I haven't seen anything that says he won't. He did not have a good rookie camp but he'll get that chance again this year and he WAS a DE at UCLA and has been converted to OLB, not an easy task.

praveen: Will Mewelde once again be relegated to 3rd down back only now that we have both Rashad and Willie healthy? He seemed to do very well whenever called on.

Ed Bouchette: There's nothing wrong with being "relegated" to third-down back. That's a vital spot and when you have guys like Parker and Mendenhall in front of you, you can't expect to do otherwise barring injuries.

Mwarren18: Ed, given Willie Parker being in the last year of his contract do you see this as his last year as a Steeler?

Ed Bouchette: No. I think Parker is way more valuable than what some believe. He had 3 straight years over 1200 yards and began last season with 2 over 100 before his injury in the third game. I would re-sign him.

Cope-asetic: What will be the most interesting position battles when camp starts this year?

Ed Bouchette: I believer right guard between Stapleton and rookie Urbik. Left corner between William Gay and a rookie or two. Third-down receiver among Sweed, Wallace and veteran McDonald, signed just before the draft.

mike_tomlins_barber: If the organization knew they would cut Foote, why was this not addressed during the draft? There isn't that much depth at ILB. Was there any thought with taking Rey Maualuga when he fell to the end of rd. 1?

Ed Bouchette: No, they wanted Ziggy. I was a little surprised they did not grab someone at ILB but maybe the value wasn't there and they believe they have a couple who can play the position already on the roster, like Fox or Woods.

Mwarren18: Ed, give us one guy who you think will have a standout year next year that may be flying under the radar?

Ed Bouchette: Lawrence Timmons, although not exactly under the radar. Sweed. Wm Gay. Not many because this is a SB team that lost just 2 starters.

Chooch79: Ed, is it too soon to start questioning Bruce Arian's 2010 play calling?

Ed Bouchette: Yes. Let's wait until the two weeks before the Super Bowl.

Steeler_Fan_In_Cen_CA: Hello Ed, any dialogue between Heath Miller & the Steelers on a contract extension or will they wait til all draft picks are signed?

Ed Bouchette: I checked over the weekend and there have been no talks. I would think they'll start talking with him soon, though.

James_Taipei: Should Steelers fans favorite part of the NFL draft be the fact that they have not had the number one overall pick since 1970?

Ed Bouchette: And they got that one right!

Matt_in_LA: Should we go after Plax?

Ed Bouchette: No, let the authorities handle that.

Mikey: When do the Steelers get their rings?

Ed Bouchette: I think you'll see them get their rings and visit the White House within days of each other, as happened in 2006. I'm told sometime around early June.

Terrible_Trousers: Do you see Urbik taking over at RG at some point during or prior to the start of the season?

Ed Bouchette: I think he will have the opportunity for it and the rest will be up to him and Stapleton.

Tom_M.: Do you think the Steelers considered taking Ray Maualuga in the first round, knowing Foote wanted to leave?

Ed Bouchette: no

ajt123: What happens first - The Steelers win another super bowl, or you begin to like these chats?

Ed Bouchette: I'm having a grand time, can't you tell? It beats watching the Pirates play Milwaukee.

Scurvy_BBLAAARRRGH: Hi Ed. I've been obsessing over why Tyrone Carter wasn't at voluntary workouts? Can you help a pirate out?

Ed Bouchette: Don't know, doesn't matter. He was there over the weekend for minicamp.

Mwarren18: Ed, for next season ... areas of strength and areas of weakness?

Ed Bouchette: Same as last season, I suppose -- offensive line needs to improve, running game needs to improve. Strengths? Besides James Harrison? The entire defense, QB and potential running game.

irishreb: Ed, do you think Dixon will be the number 2 quarterback this season?

Ed Bouchette: I think he'll have a chance to becoming No. 2 on gamedays because they can use him in many ways and if Ben gets hurt, they could still turn to Batch.

T22POST: Ed, Do you think William Gay will rise to the challenge playing opposite of Ike every play, is he ready to be a true starter?

Ed Bouchette: We'll have to wait to see if he's ready, but he has the kind of attitude that says he will be.

Mwarren18: Ed, everyone seems to be high on this AQ cat, is this purely a case of being in love with Pitt, WVU, and Penn St. guys who come to the Steelers or does he have a real chance to develop into a quality NFL player?

Ed Bouchette: I agree that many people want to see him succeed because he's a Pittsburgh kid who played at Penn State. But there's also something about him that smells like success even though he has so-called shortcomings like small hands and short arms.

schnifin: Hi Ed, any update on why Martin Nance did't practice this weekend? Do you think he has a shot to contribute to the team this year?

Ed Bouchette: We're still waiting from the word from the Steelers. Mike Tomlin said he'd know by Monday, but no one's spilling the beans yet. It's not exactly going to be the top news story of the day when we do find out, though.

praveen: Isn't it interesting that the one area where the Cardinals have not felt like raiding the Steelers free agent class was the Steelers OL? Does that indicate Russ Grimm doesn't think much of our group?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know who they would sign. They're all under contract.

Daquido_Bazzini: With Foote's money deleted from the cap, can we expect a Heath Miller signing soon?

Ed Bouchette: I think it gives them a running start, yes.

Sixburgh43: Ed, how do see our return game shaping up this year?

Ed Bouchette: At least they have some candidates other than 240-pound running backs.

Mikey: Was Steelers D-line coach J. Mitchell just trying to manage fans/media expectations when he said that Ziggy Hood was 'light years' away from playing?

Ed Bouchette: I think it was a psychological ploy on Mitch's part.

mdsteel: Ed, Out of all the draft picks who do you like the best?

Ed Bouchette: Mike Wallace

FoolBack: Ed, what do you think of the Shaun McDonald signing? Seems this guy is a classic Steeler insurance signing, who has some interesting skills. You thoughts?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, I think he's insurance against Sweed and Wallace not fulfilling their promise.

Mwarren18: Ed, I find it troubling that everyone seems to always question the Steelers O line when given the chance. I agree that when I watch that they sometime look lost but should we not lose sight of the fact that this team did win a Super Bowl with this line and everyone will be back next year. Even with little improvement could the line be a strength for them next season?

Ed Bouchette: I don't know about a strength. Yes, they can improve, but then they have a lot of room for that.

FoolBack: Ed, are there any concerns over the Steelers depth at Safety? Do you see a low-cost veteran also coming in there?

Ed Bouchette: Depth could be a problem. Ryan Mundy could make the club and Townsend can play there and there's always Carter too.

mdsteel: Ed, could this be the best backfield we have had in years?

Ed Bouchette: I kind of liked the one with Bettis and Parker myself.

praveen: What kind of agent signs a two year contract for Leftwich where not even a single dollar is guaranteed? I see much worse QBs with better contracts.

Ed Bouchette: The agent did not sign that contract, Byron did.

T22POST: Ed, Nate Washington and McFadden easy replacements? Or will we feel the effects of losing both, on both sides of the ball?

Ed Bouchette: Both played well for the Steelers and they will be difficult to replace. However, players such as Sweed and Gay can answer that better than I can.

silverback: Would Gary Russell still be a Steeler if Foote had made up his mind sooner?

Ed Bouchette: No, there was no connection there. That was a smokescreen about needing cap room from Russell to sign Batch.

fargo_steelerfan: Ed, I am disgusted about the possibility of the SB being played in London. Your thoughts?

Ed Bouchette: That's a long drive for Pittsburgh fans. I don't think you'll ever see it. The more the NFL denies it, the more word out of London say it's true. I don't think the backlash would be worth it to the NFL.

BPiccolo: Ed, We signed McHugh to a 3 year deal and C Davis to a 1 year deal, then drafted Summers. Does Davis finally get cut now?

Ed Bouchette: Why would you want to cut Carey Davis? There's still room for both and McHugh is counted as a TE, even though he's their starting FB.

DFWSteeler: Is Dallas Baker gonna make the team this year?

Ed Bouchette: Boy, he looked great in practice the other day catching the football. He has a shot, but only if they keep 5 wide receivers or there is an injury.

mike_tomlins_barber: Ed, Pens in 6?

Ed Bouchette: How about Caps in 4?

Mwarren18: Ed, great chat as always ... when do we go back to once a week?

Ed Bouchette: Please, my headache was just starting to disappear. We'll do another in June, first Tuesday. I'm not sure of our camp schedule yet.

Mwarren18: Ed, what did you think of Tampa during the Super Bowl?

Ed Bouchette: The weather was great until about Wednesday, then it turned cold. I loved where I stayed, near the convention center. The work was better this year too.

Froylan: Do you think Ben is the best young quarterback all around.? Better than Cutler, Eli, Rivers, Romo?

Ed Bouchette: Yes, most certainly. In fact, I would only include Eli and Rivers in comparison. Romo, to borrow a phrase from a former Steelers receiver, what he done? Cutler was just traded. You don't trade a franchise QB for ANY reason.

jeparkernet: How do you like the fact your boss pays you for this chat and the rest of us are hiding from our bosses?

Ed Bouchette: Funny, I just discussed that with my boss. Do you know who I chat with? People at work. The only thing I will say is, they don't pay me enough for this.

Ed Bouchette: OK, that's it. I'm exhausted. That last comment was made in jest, of course. Perhaps that will prevent a few angry emails to the boss from some of you. Perhaps we can do this again soon. Like June.

First published on May 5, 2009 at 2:29 pm

Matt_in_LA: Should we go after Plax?Ed Bouchette: No, let the authorities handle that.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Interesting news from ProFootballTalk -- seems like Harris is a guy that Coach Tomlin has a comfort level with; he could be a good depth pickup @ ILB:

NAPOLEON HARRIS VISITS THE STEELERS

Posted by Mike Florio on May 7, 2009, 11:26 a.m. EDT

Napoleon Bonaparte’s career ended at the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon Harris’ career could be continuing near the waters of the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio.

(Wow. I somehow managed to type that sentence while simultaneously rolling my eyes and groaning.)

Per a league source, the veteran linebacker is visiting the Steelers today.

The team’s interest in Harris makes sense; with Larry Foote gone, the Steelers need someone to back up Lawrence Timmons at one of the inside positions in the team’s 3-4 defense.

Harris was a first-round draft pick of the Raiders in 2002. In 2005, Oakland traded him to Minnesota as part of the Randy Moss deal. After Harris’ contract expired following the 2006 season, he signed with the Chiefs as a free agent.

Kansas City cut him during the 2008 season, and he returned to Minnesota to help fill the void created by a season-ending injury to E.J. Henderson. Harris appeared in ten games for the Vikings last year, starting five of them.

In 2006, Harris started 14 games at middle linebacker for the Vikings, which also was the only season that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin served as defensive coordinator in Minnesota.

Link

I think we can sign him for less than Foote was making and get about the same production.

 

[Cookiemonster]

Interesting news from ProFootballTalk -- seems like Harris is a guy that Coach Tomlin has a comfort level with; he could be a good depth pickup @ ILB:

NAPOLEON HARRIS VISITS THE STEELERS

Posted by Mike Florio on May 7, 2009, 11:26 a.m. EDT

Napoleon Bonaparte’s career ended at the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon Harris’ career could be continuing near the waters of the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio.

(Wow. I somehow managed to type that sentence while simultaneously rolling my eyes and groaning.)

Per a league source, the veteran linebacker is visiting the Steelers today.

The team’s interest in Harris makes sense; with Larry Foote gone, the Steelers need someone to back up Lawrence Timmons at one of the inside positions in the team’s 3-4 defense.

Harris was a first-round draft pick of the Raiders in 2002. In 2005, Oakland traded him to Minnesota as part of the Randy Moss deal. After Harris’ contract expired following the 2006 season, he signed with the Chiefs as a free agent.

Kansas City cut him during the 2008 season, and he returned to Minnesota to help fill the void created by a season-ending injury to E.J. Henderson. Harris appeared in ten games for the Vikings last year, starting five of them.

In 2006, Harris started 14 games at middle linebacker for the Vikings, which also was the only season that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin served as defensive coordinator in Minnesota.

Link

I think we can sign him for less than Foote was making and get about the same production.

As a Northern California resident, and Oakland Raiders follower , it's safe to say he won't give nearly the same production. In practice, scout team, special teams, relief in game... Foote is way tougher and higher motor. Harris is much faster, but that's about it.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Looks like Gary Russell is a Raiduh now.

 

[Sheriff66]

Finnegan calls out towel stomping teammates

A regular-season win over the Steelers last December gave the Titans home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Which they squandered by losing to the Ravens in the divisional round.

Some would say that the Titans were the victims of a little Myron Cope karma, given that some of the players opted to disrespect the Terrible Towel at the tail end of Tennessee’s win over Pittsburgh.

Now, cornerback Cortland Finnegan has called out the guys who danced on the rectangular chunk of yellow material, during a chat on NFL.com (via JJ Cooper of Fanhouse).

“Certain individuals may do that, but that’s not what this team is all about,” Finnegan said. “That’s not what this coach is about, that’s not what our team is about. You do it in between the lines . . . the rest of it is unacceptable.”

Uh oh.

If/when LenDale White breaks his current diet, Finnegan might be in danger of being eaten.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

AFC North

Vet on the hot seat: Willie Parker

May 13, 2009 12:00 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

There are numerous reasons why Pittsburgh Steelers starting running back Willie Parker finds himself on the hot seat for 2009. Let's start with the fact that he's had back-to-back injury-plagued seasons.

A broken leg derailed Parker's otherwise stellar 2007 campaign, and he battled shoulder and knee ailments in 2008, when he rushed for just 791 yards and averaged 3.8 yards per carry. Those were Parker's lowest totals since becoming a full-time starter.

In a physical AFC North division, Parker has never been the biggest tailback at 5-foot-10, 209 pounds. Add in the fact that he's turning 29 in November, and Parker now has to deal with the age and durability questions in Pittsburgh.

Parker is in the final year of his contract, and all signs point to the Steelers letting him walk after the season. To date, there haven't been any serious discussions of extending Parker's contract before the start of the regular season, and the Steelers drafted tailback Rashard Mendenhall in the first round in 2008 to be his eventual replacement.

But a big year from Parker has the potential to change the landscape for his future in Pittsburgh and silence his critics.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Steelers to visit White House Thursday

Friday, May 15, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers will visit the White House Thursday at the request of President Barack Obama.

The traditional visit by the Super Bowl champions will take place at some point in the afternoon. The Steelers last visited the White House as Super Bowl champions in 2006, when George W. Bush was president.

First published on May 15, 2009 at 12:28 pm

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Steelers visit White House

Thursday, May 21, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Barack Obama, saying he became a Steelers fan while watching their 1970s team win Super Bowls while he was growing up in Hawaii, greeted Pittsburgh's latest Super Bowl winning team at the White House today.

Obama, referring to Pittsburgh as Six-Burgh in honor of the Steelers' sixth Super bowl victory in February, conducted what he called the most unique visit by a championship team to the White House.

The Steelers players and coaches joined the President and others, including Pennsylvania Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey, in assembling 3,000 USO care packages that will be sent to the troops overseas.

Wounded veterans from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda) joined them. The president pitched in, moving around and chatting with players for about an hour on the South Portico lawn.

Obama and many from the Steelers party termed the day's events more than the usual photo op of the President greeting another pro sports champion.

"It's an honor," said safety Troy Polamalu, who flew here from California. "It's an honor to be around real warriors, the President and the White House. It's a beautiful setting."

The weather was perfect as well, with temperatures in the mid-80's, low humidity and continuous sunshine as the players worked on their packages with the president. Behind them was a perfect view of the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial.

Afterward, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of the team's second visit to the White House in three years: "It's something we aspire to do each and very year."

Said defensive captain James Farrior: "This never gets old for me. I love coming to the White House."

First published on May 21, 2009 at 3:27 pm

Read more: "Steelers visit White House" - http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09141/97181...0GAfwoTDV&A

 

[JoeSteeler]

Road to Super Bowl XLIII DVD set comes out Tueaday. I bought this for SB XL and really liked it.

RELIVE THE STEELERS RECORD BREAKING TITLE RUN TO GLORY WITH THE RELEASE OF ROAD TO SUPERBOWL XLIII: PITTSBURGH STEELERS ON DVD AND BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF JUNE 2, 2009! Warner Home Video and NFL Films Deliver a Four-Disc Post-Season Collector’s Edition DVD Documenting the Pride of Pittsburgh’s Amazing Playoff Run DVD Features the Original Network Broadcasts of the Steelers’ Week 15 Division Clincher, AFC Playoff Victories and Super Bowl XLIII Historic Win! BURBANK, CA (March 25, 2009) – It was a year to remember in the Steel City as the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers brought home their record-setting sixth NFL championship - one more than any other NFL franchise. Now, Warner Home Video (WHV), the National Football League (NFL) and NFL Films are teaming up to give Steelers fans a commemorative gift documenting their post-season playoff run to glory with the release of the Road to Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers DVD. Black-and-gold supporters will race to stores on June 2, 2009 when the Road to Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers DVD hits shelves for $39.92 SRP and on Blu-ray™ hi-def for 49.99 SRP. Nothing is easy when everything is on the line. Four times during the 2008 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ fate hung in the balance. Each time they withstood the challenge and the result: their NFL-record sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Road to Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers DVD features the original network broadcasts of the Steelers’ four most memorable victories of the 2008 season: their Week 15 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, AFC playoff victories over the San Diego Chargers and Ravens, and finally their breathtaking win over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. Against their AFC North rival Ravens in Week 15, the Steelers displayed their classic toughness as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hit Santonio Holmes for a game-winning touchdown catch, foreshadowing things to come, as the Steelers clinched the division with a hard-fought 13-9 road win. In the AFC divisional playoffs, after falling behind early to the San Diego Chargers, Holmes again would spark the Steelers’ comeback with a long touchdown that would propel the black-and-gold to a 35-24 win. In the AFC title game, the Steelers would once again go up against the Ravens and their vaunted defense led by all-pro linebacker Ray Lewis. The pivotal play that would seal the win, however, would be made by the Steelers’ #1 ranked defense and their top playmaker, safety Troy Polamalu. Polamalu picked off Ravens rookie QB Joe Flacco and scampered in for a late touchdown that sealed the Ravens’ fate and sent the Steelers off to Super Bowl XLIII. Super Bowl XLIII would turn out to be one for the ages as the Steelers would triumph over the upstart Arizona Cardinals. Defensive player of the year James Harrison set the tone going into halftime with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, halting a Cardinals scoring drive. The underdog Cardinals would fight back to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. The Steelers would not be denied, however, as Roethlisberger would put together a masterful final drive culminating with a spectacular six-yard touchdown catch to eventual Super Bowl XLIII MVP Holmes that would catapult Pittsburgh to their record-setting sixth NFL championship. “The 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers made NFL history and now WHV is proud to honor this record-setting black-and-gold team with this new collectible DVD commemorating their post-season run,” said Don Polite, Executive Director, Sports and Fitness Marketing, Warner Home Video. “Steelers fans will be able to relive and enjoy every key play and classic moment with the sights and sounds from the original network broadcasts compiled specially for them in one DVD set.”

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Lolley never disappoints.

Monday, June 01, 2009

An early, early, early look at the 53-man roster

OK, you asked for it, so here it is, an early, early, early look at the 53-man roster.

QB (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch, Dennis Dixon. No explanation needed here.

RB (5): Willie Parker, Mewelde Moore, Rashard Mendenhall, Frank Summers, Carey Davis. Davis makes it on his ability to play special teams.

WR (5): Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Shaun McDonald, Limas Sweed, Mike Wallace. Sorry Dallas Baker. You're not making this club. McDonald beats out Brandon Williams.

TE (3): Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth, Sean McHugh. No surprises here. David Johnson goes to the practice squad.

OL (10): Max Starks, Chris Kemoeatu, Justin Hartwig, Darnell Stapleton, Wilie Colon, Trai Essex, Tony Hills, Ramon Foster, Kraig Urbik, A.Q. Shipley. Just a hunch here between Foster and Capizzi, but they won't want to risk putting Foster on the practice squad.

DL (7): Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel, Chris Hoke, Ziggy Hood, Travis Kirschke, Nick Eason. Again, no real surprises here.

LB (8): James Harrison, James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, LaMarr Woodley, Bruce Davis, Patrick Bailey, Keyaron Fox, Donovan Woods. Woods is kind of the surprise here. I think he sticks because he can play inside, even though they currently list him as an outside guy. Bruce Davis needs to have a good camp. Bailey is a very good special teams player as is Fox. Fox will be the top backup inside.

DB (9): Ike Taylor, William Gay, Ryan Clark, Troy Polamalu, Deshea Townsend, Keiwan Ratliff, Joe Burnett, Keenan Lewis, Ryan Mundy. This is a tough position to call. I see Tyrone Carter as the odd man out right now, with Deshea Townsend making the move to a safety/corner position.

Specialists (3): Jeff Reed, Daniel Sepulveda, Greg Warren.

Posted by Dale Lolley at 11:21 AM

 

[beavers]

Big Ben's knee knock with Fast Willie caused 'injury'

Thursday, June 04, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returned to practice today, wearing a wrap on his left knee, the only sign of the "injury" from Wednesday's practice.

And teammate Willie Parker revealed that it was a collision between the running back and quarterback that caused the temporary problem that led to Roethlisberger limping off the practice field Wednesday.

"Actually, me and him bumped knees on a certain play," Parker said.

Parker then laughed as he said, "But he's definitely all right and he's a competitor. I guess he just likes a lot of attention sometimes and he likes being the little baby, but Ben is definitely a warrior."

Parker said his knee that hit Roethlisberger's was "great."

"We bumped knees and my knee held up," Parker said.