Cookiemonster
Footballguy
KFFL reporting that Ziggy Hood is under contract! Not that I ever expect much from a rookie D lineman, but great for him and the team to have him in camp and learning all he can. We may need him in the rotation this year.
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***OFFICIAL*** Steelers 2009 Thread (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Frenchy Fuqua
- Start date
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Steel Dillo
Footballguy
ESPN says its a five year deal, but no other specifics have been released.
Sheriff66
Footballguy
I need to lay some cash on this 
Steelers a Top Landing Spot for Michael Vick?
July 28th, 2009 | by Matt Loede |
So BetUS is reporting that the Pats and Steelers are the two front runners for former Falcons QB Mike Vick. Here’s the story from Bloomberg News:
Michael Vick’s second chance in the National Football League is most likely to come from the New England Patriots or Pittsburgh Steelers, according to the Internet gambling Web site BetUS.com. Vick was conditionally reinstated to the NFL yesterday, a week after completing a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring. The NFL said that the former Pro Bowl quarterback can practice immediately and play in the preseason’s final two games if he can find a team that will sign him. The Patriots and Super Bowl-champion Steelers are given 4-1 odds of adding Vick by BetUS.com. They’re followed by the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills at 9-2, meaning a winning $100 bet would return $450 plus the original wager.
Ok, so let me understand this. The Steelers are and always have been a team very aware of its on and off the field look. So they are going to bring in a convicted dog killer and have him be the total focal point of a team that is going to go 100 percent after another Super Bowl?
Seems not like the Black and Gold. Vick is going to play somewhere in 2009. That’s fine with me. He served his time and deserves a second shot. As for playing for the Steelers, I don’t want to see it.
Steelers a Top Landing Spot for Michael Vick?
July 28th, 2009 | by Matt Loede |
So BetUS is reporting that the Pats and Steelers are the two front runners for former Falcons QB Mike Vick. Here’s the story from Bloomberg News:
Michael Vick’s second chance in the National Football League is most likely to come from the New England Patriots or Pittsburgh Steelers, according to the Internet gambling Web site BetUS.com. Vick was conditionally reinstated to the NFL yesterday, a week after completing a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring. The NFL said that the former Pro Bowl quarterback can practice immediately and play in the preseason’s final two games if he can find a team that will sign him. The Patriots and Super Bowl-champion Steelers are given 4-1 odds of adding Vick by BetUS.com. They’re followed by the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills at 9-2, meaning a winning $100 bet would return $450 plus the original wager.
Ok, so let me understand this. The Steelers are and always have been a team very aware of its on and off the field look. So they are going to bring in a convicted dog killer and have him be the total focal point of a team that is going to go 100 percent after another Super Bowl?
Seems not like the Black and Gold. Vick is going to play somewhere in 2009. That’s fine with me. He served his time and deserves a second shot. As for playing for the Steelers, I don’t want to see it.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Can I lay 1-4 that he WONT join the Steelers?I need to lay some cash on this
Steelers a Top Landing Spot for Michael Vick?
July 28th, 2009 | by Matt Loede |
So BetUS is reporting that the Pats and Steelers are the two front runners for former Falcons QB Mike Vick. Here’s the story from Bloomberg News:
Michael Vick’s second chance in the National Football League is most likely to come from the New England Patriots or Pittsburgh Steelers, according to the Internet gambling Web site BetUS.com. Vick was conditionally reinstated to the NFL yesterday, a week after completing a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring. The NFL said that the former Pro Bowl quarterback can practice immediately and play in the preseason’s final two games if he can find a team that will sign him. The Patriots and Super Bowl-champion Steelers are given 4-1 odds of adding Vick by BetUS.com. They’re followed by the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills at 9-2, meaning a winning $100 bet would return $450 plus the original wager.
Ok, so let me understand this. The Steelers are and always have been a team very aware of its on and off the field look. So they are going to bring in a convicted dog killer and have him be the total focal point of a team that is going to go 100 percent after another Super Bowl?
Seems not like the Black and Gold. Vick is going to play somewhere in 2009. That’s fine with me. He served his time and deserves a second shot. As for playing for the Steelers, I don’t want to see it.
toenail_23
Footballguy
Omar Khan and the front-office guys getting it done.
Steel Dillo
Footballguy
Winslow got 6yr/36mil contract, so 6yr/35mil seems kind of high for Heath. Oh well, I'll trust the FO knows what its doing.BTW, Witten's deal in 2006 was on 6yr/29mil. You know he's going to be looking for a payday soon.Omar Khan and the front-office guys getting it done.
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CrossEyed
Footballguy
Nice. Now they just need to throw him the ball more often. Heath is a beast.
treat88
Footballguy
12.5 mil guaranteed isn't too outrageous for a key contributor.
Heath better hit the buffet table and get the sand in his pants back that made him such an effective blocker his rookie season.
He's got to be better in the running game to be worth the cash.
Good signing if that happens.
Heath better hit the buffet table and get the sand in his pants back that made him such an effective blocker his rookie season.
He's got to be better in the running game to be worth the cash.
Good signing if that happens.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Steel Dillo said:Winslow got 6yr/36mil contract, so 6yr/35mil seems kind of high for Heath. Oh well, I'll trust the FO knows what its doing.Memphis Foundry said:Omar Khan and the front-office guys getting it done.toenail_23 said:
Heath Miller has outperformed Winslow, has no injury history, is a year younger, doesn't have the baggage of Winslow and comes at a price $1 million less. I guess I am missing your point...
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Sheriff66
Footballguy
Steel Dillo said:Winslow got 6yr/36mil contract, so 6yr/35mil seems kind of high for Heath. Oh well, I'll trust the FO knows what its doing.Memphis Foundry said:Omar Khan and the front-office guys getting it done.toenail_23 said:
Winslow is a trainwreck
Fiddles
Footballguy
Steel Dillo said:Winslow got 6yr/36mil contract, so 6yr/35mil seems kind of high for Heath. Oh well, I'll trust the FO knows what its doing.Memphis Foundry said:Omar Khan and the front-office guys getting it done.toenail_23 said:
Steel Dillo
Footballguy
I personally can't stand the "soldier", but I thought that the general perception was that Winslow (when healthy) was one of the elite TE talents in the league. 
Cookiemonster
Footballguy
"(when healthy)" never happens for him. He's always sitting out practice, is in constant pain, and never 100%. I'll be surprised if he can still play in 3 years. He is very good, but for my team, I'd rather have Miller.I personally can't stand the "soldier", but I thought that the general perception was that Winslow (when healthy) was one of the elite TE talents in the league.
CrossEyed
Footballguy
I wouldn't be so sure. Vick certainly isn't the type of player the Steelers bring in, but don't forget that Tony Dungy is in his corner. Both Mike Tomlin and the Rooney family have a great amount of respect for and a good relationship with Dungy. I'm not predicting it will happen, but it wouldn't be as far fetched as some are suggesting.I think it is more likely the Steelers would sign Kordell Stewart than Vick.
3C's
Footballguy
Also, Vick and Tomlin grew up in the same town and know each other. Tomlin has already spoken out that Vick should be given a 2nd chance, that he's paid his debt. That said, I'm not sure Rooney would go for it. And they don't need a qb. Or the disruptions Vick would bring.I wouldn't be so sure. Vick certainly isn't the type of player the Steelers bring in, but don't forget that Tony Dungy is in his corner. Both Mike Tomlin and the Rooney family have a great amount of respect for and a good relationship with Dungy. I'm not predicting it will happen, but it wouldn't be as far fetched as some are suggesting.
CrossEyed
Footballguy
The two rumored landing spots are Pittsburgh and NE and neither need a QB. Vick's QB days may be over. He wasn't that good anyway. Turn him into a wideout, give him a few snaps under center in a wildcat formation. Slash IIAlso, Vick and Tomlin grew up in the same town and know each other. Tomlin has already spoken out that Vick should be given a 2nd chance, that he's paid his debt. That said, I'm not sure Rooney would go for it. And they don't need a qb. Or the disruptions Vick would bring.I wouldn't be so sure. Vick certainly isn't the type of player the Steelers bring in, but don't forget that Tony Dungy is in his corner. Both Mike Tomlin and the Rooney family have a great amount of respect for and a good relationship with Dungy. I'm not predicting it will happen, but it wouldn't be as far fetched as some are suggesting.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
He's going to wind up in New England. It makes sense:
- Strong organizaiton that are probably better equipped than a lot of others to weather any negative initial PR.
- They employ a surly coach that is already, basically, a pariah to the press because of his attitude so more potential bad press will be nothing more than a blip on his radar, if that. He focuses on the bottom line(wins) and ignores most secondary issues(e.g. public opinion).
- He/they have been one of the few coaches/organizations, if not the ONLY one, who haven't immediately said "We aren't interested in Mike Vick." when questioned about their leanings thus far.
- They have a history of taking on other "problem children" if they're productive players and being able to control/eliminate any distractions from them. Dillon, Moss, et al.
I can totally see Belly-chick getting Vick in the fold, using him as a gimmick player/emergency QB for a year-ish, then flipping him to some team for a 4th rounder or something after the dust settles. If he becomes even a remote distraction/"doesn't get with the program" at any point, the Needy Hobo will just cut him and ignore any uproar in the press, like he does with anything else.
Pretty much, since the Hobo is already viewed as a ginormous bag used for douching that keeps tightlipped to the press about most of the teams "going ons", he has very little risk of a s-@#$storm of negative PR, in my mind. Sure, they'll get the PETA protestors outside of games. They'll likely have the nasty op ed pieces in the local press from the same types, etc etc etc. The Hobo won't care, and has enough freedom from Kraft to at least attempt it. The first time Vick gets put in the game and scores, a lot of the "outraged homers" will shut their traps immediately(not codemning them or supporting them, but that's going to happen regardless of where he lands. The local fans will stop caring much if he starts scoring.)
Again, The Hobo can remind his owner that at the first sign of Vick becoming a serious distraction he'd be gone without a second thought and he's got a giant middle finger for anyone who gives a crap. He gets cut, the Pats issue a statement saying how disappointed they are it didn't work out and wish Vick well in his future endeavors and that's the last time they'll speak of it.
I think the biggest deal with Vick getting a gig, right now, is the fact that he hasn't played in about 2 years. Someone's going to give him a shot. It won't surprise me at all for it to be New England. I almost expect it.
- Strong organizaiton that are probably better equipped than a lot of others to weather any negative initial PR.
- They employ a surly coach that is already, basically, a pariah to the press because of his attitude so more potential bad press will be nothing more than a blip on his radar, if that. He focuses on the bottom line(wins) and ignores most secondary issues(e.g. public opinion).
- He/they have been one of the few coaches/organizations, if not the ONLY one, who haven't immediately said "We aren't interested in Mike Vick." when questioned about their leanings thus far.
- They have a history of taking on other "problem children" if they're productive players and being able to control/eliminate any distractions from them. Dillon, Moss, et al.
I can totally see Belly-chick getting Vick in the fold, using him as a gimmick player/emergency QB for a year-ish, then flipping him to some team for a 4th rounder or something after the dust settles. If he becomes even a remote distraction/"doesn't get with the program" at any point, the Needy Hobo will just cut him and ignore any uproar in the press, like he does with anything else.
Pretty much, since the Hobo is already viewed as a ginormous bag used for douching that keeps tightlipped to the press about most of the teams "going ons", he has very little risk of a s-@#$storm of negative PR, in my mind. Sure, they'll get the PETA protestors outside of games. They'll likely have the nasty op ed pieces in the local press from the same types, etc etc etc. The Hobo won't care, and has enough freedom from Kraft to at least attempt it. The first time Vick gets put in the game and scores, a lot of the "outraged homers" will shut their traps immediately(not codemning them or supporting them, but that's going to happen regardless of where he lands. The local fans will stop caring much if he starts scoring.)
Again, The Hobo can remind his owner that at the first sign of Vick becoming a serious distraction he'd be gone without a second thought and he's got a giant middle finger for anyone who gives a crap. He gets cut, the Pats issue a statement saying how disappointed they are it didn't work out and wish Vick well in his future endeavors and that's the last time they'll speak of it.
I think the biggest deal with Vick getting a gig, right now, is the fact that he hasn't played in about 2 years. Someone's going to give him a shot. It won't surprise me at all for it to be New England. I almost expect it.
CrossEyed
Footballguy
His lying there pretending to be hurt after he dropped a sure TD pass told me a lot about his "demeanor". The guy has a LOT of growing up to do.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
take it with a grain of salt but Stan & Guy said a cab driver called and told them he just dropped off Michael Vick at the Steelers front office.
Put me in the camp that would not be shocked if we sign him.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
If you don't think Batch has anything left and you're unsure about Dixon it makes sense considering you have a QB that takes a beating and a team that has a shot at the Super Bowl. He doesn't really fit the Steelers image but he'll only be around 1 year anyway. Kinda like the Leftwich situation last year.
A friend and I were talking about this today. He was asking whether Batch was a safe bet to make the final roster. I told him that I thought he was, unless we sign Vick. Even if Dixon beats out Batch, it would take some cojones to plug in Mike Reilly @ QB3 right now given that he'd only save the team about $500,000.
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CrossEyed
Footballguy
I thought the reports were that he was in New England?
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Could be. I was listening to Stan & Guy around noon and they said that a cab driver just called them and said he took Mike Vick to the Steelers office. They said that it could be a bogus report but they were just passing along what they heard.
Cookiemonster
Footballguy
In the Vick thread, the rumor of him meeting with the Pats in Boston was just debunked. He is in Virginia.
Sheriff66
Footballguy
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Sheriff66
Footballguy
:haterade:
Tom Servo
Nittany Beavers
It's OK, dude; we hate you too.
Franknbeans
Footballguy
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
It was pretty much a non-story the moment the "got dropped off in a cab" stuff was reported.
Had the Steelers been in town and were bringing Vick in for a visit, they'd tell him to grab a cab from the airport? I'd say "unlikely", at best.
Had the Steelers been in town and were bringing Vick in for a visit, they'd tell him to grab a cab from the airport? I'd say "unlikely", at best.
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H8fulHuck
Footballguy
Assuming Vick is in shape, he would definitely be an improvement over what we have now for QB #2. Add in the fact that Ben takes alot of hits due to his style/our O-Line...the #2 is likely to play a big role for at least a couple games.
It would be a luxury to have a backup QB with a winning record on the roster.
It would be a luxury to have a backup QB with a winning record on the roster.
mcintyre1
Footballguy
I don't know. I feel like at this point Dennis Dixon could be just as good or better than a former NFL starter that has been in prison for two years and wasn't known for his throwing in the first place. Dixon is awfully mobile in his own right, and by accounts is a more accurate passer. Plus he's been in the system for a whole year.
Steeler Bräu
Footballguy
The cab driver if full of it!!! How could he be dropping Vick off at the Steelers front office when him and I were chillin' at the club together. FYI he told me that he didn't want to sign with the Steelers because the Rooney's would have him on........."a short leash".cricket........chirp.......cricket.
H8fulHuck
Footballguy
Despite his shorcomings as a QB, ATL won more games with him than without. I've never been a big fan, but he finds a way to get the job done.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I am not enthralled with the idea of the Steelers signing another Kordell Stewart.While I can understand why some teams might bring him in I don't think he is a very good fit for the Steelers. Add to the fact that he brings with him a ton of baggage. I just don't ever see him wearing the black and gold. Hopefully the Rooneys will agree.
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timschochet
Footballguy
Training camp tweets from Jim Wexell and Adam Schefter:
steelers not talking extension with ryan clark.
steelers talking extension with Reed and Kiesel.
since james harrison got his money, Donovan Woods is now the meanest guy on the team
Justin Hartwig said he didnt injure foot this offseason, but told me privately he wont be in run test. said will practice 1st day.
espn reported Vick at airport? Hilarious! Not a shred of truth...
Hampton must've lost 40 pounds. He didn't stop to answer questions tho. Colon is in better shape, too.
harrison just showed up in a smart car. Tomlin came out laughing and the 2 drove off. pix will be everywhere.
Essex in great shape. Said he lost "a ton" of weight. Ready for battle at RG. Could very well be the favorite now.
all here, all passed run test. tomlin pleased.
stefan logan on PUwith sprained foot. media not allowed to cover run test this year, but from top of hill it appears Hampton finished fine. tomlin pc next.
minor injuries according to tomlin: heath miller had surgery early in summer on sports hernia. more to follow
hartwig will sit early with big right toe injury. townsend and polamalu mild hamstrings. stapleton swelling in knee.
Stapleton replaced Hartwig at C this morning. Why did Hartwig lie about toe injury?
Ben spoke to a media mob after practice. He was combative, as should b expected, and only answered fb questions.
Sepulveda hit many rockets this morning. Stud.
Dermontti Dawson, Earl Holmes, Jerry O, Mike Shanahan on sidelines this morning.
As good as Rashard Mendenhall looks, still think Willie Parker is primary ball carrier. Willie told me this is best he's felt in two years.
Shanahan going to study Steelers for a few days, then on to New England to study the Pats. Learning from two of the best organizations.
Steelers Dir. of Football Ops Kevin Colbert took Mike Shanahan to lunch and set him up to study tape after. Steelers beyond accomodating.
It's very early, but the one Steeler rookie standout so far is cornerback Keenan Lewis. Looks like he could have a future here.
Encouraging sign for Steelers: WR Limas Sweed talking about how the game has slowed down for him. Steelers would like him to be #3 WR.
Rashard Mendenhall - bounced a big outside run. Looked good. Looked fast. Looked healthy.
The other Mike and Mike: Mike Tomlin now talking with Mike Shanahan. Big welcome from Tomlin.
Fact of week; Steelers DC **** LeBeau, 71, shot his age in golf 24 times this summer. 14 were in 60's. Holy moley.
Mike Shanahan and Bob Slowik standing by Steelers defense, studying how the world champs do their thing.
World champion Steelers on field. Gorgeous day. No Dan Rooney, which is odd. He now lives in Ireland.
Publicly, Steelers say they cant afford any more extensions. Privately, my sources insist, they want to reel in Keisel and Reed.
steelers not talking extension with ryan clark.
steelers talking extension with Reed and Kiesel.
since james harrison got his money, Donovan Woods is now the meanest guy on the team
Justin Hartwig said he didnt injure foot this offseason, but told me privately he wont be in run test. said will practice 1st day.
espn reported Vick at airport? Hilarious! Not a shred of truth...
Hampton must've lost 40 pounds. He didn't stop to answer questions tho. Colon is in better shape, too.
harrison just showed up in a smart car. Tomlin came out laughing and the 2 drove off. pix will be everywhere.
Essex in great shape. Said he lost "a ton" of weight. Ready for battle at RG. Could very well be the favorite now.
all here, all passed run test. tomlin pleased.
stefan logan on PUwith sprained foot. media not allowed to cover run test this year, but from top of hill it appears Hampton finished fine. tomlin pc next.
minor injuries according to tomlin: heath miller had surgery early in summer on sports hernia. more to follow
hartwig will sit early with big right toe injury. townsend and polamalu mild hamstrings. stapleton swelling in knee.
Stapleton replaced Hartwig at C this morning. Why did Hartwig lie about toe injury?
Ben spoke to a media mob after practice. He was combative, as should b expected, and only answered fb questions.
Sepulveda hit many rockets this morning. Stud.
Dermontti Dawson, Earl Holmes, Jerry O, Mike Shanahan on sidelines this morning.
As good as Rashard Mendenhall looks, still think Willie Parker is primary ball carrier. Willie told me this is best he's felt in two years.
Shanahan going to study Steelers for a few days, then on to New England to study the Pats. Learning from two of the best organizations.
Steelers Dir. of Football Ops Kevin Colbert took Mike Shanahan to lunch and set him up to study tape after. Steelers beyond accomodating.
It's very early, but the one Steeler rookie standout so far is cornerback Keenan Lewis. Looks like he could have a future here.
Encouraging sign for Steelers: WR Limas Sweed talking about how the game has slowed down for him. Steelers would like him to be #3 WR.
Rashard Mendenhall - bounced a big outside run. Looked good. Looked fast. Looked healthy.
The other Mike and Mike: Mike Tomlin now talking with Mike Shanahan. Big welcome from Tomlin.
Fact of week; Steelers DC **** LeBeau, 71, shot his age in golf 24 times this summer. 14 were in 60's. Holy moley.
Mike Shanahan and Bob Slowik standing by Steelers defense, studying how the world champs do their thing.
World champion Steelers on field. Gorgeous day. No Dan Rooney, which is odd. He now lives in Ireland.
Publicly, Steelers say they cant afford any more extensions. Privately, my sources insist, they want to reel in Keisel and Reed.
timschochet
Footballguy
Sepulveda hit many rockets this morning. Stud.
If trues, this is great news for the Steelers.
If trues, this is great news for the Steelers.
timschochet
Footballguy
Encouraging sign for Steelers: WR Limas Sweed talking about how the game has slowed down for him. Steelers would like him to be #3 WR.
Let's just hope this isn't training camp hype.
Let's just hope this isn't training camp hype.
timschochet
Footballguy
USA TODAY Preseason Steelers Report:
PITTSBURGH — Just two weeks ago, there was little reason to worry about the Pittsburgh Steelers heading into the 2009 season.
The Super Bowl XLIII champions lost only two starters in the offseason. No major medical or contractual issues were lingering. Heck, with the Steelers' successfully completed quest to "win one for the other thumb" — the club's record sixth Super Bowl ring — perhaps its biggest challenge was to come up with a catchy slogan to mark their next title drive.
Maybe "The Extra Point" or "Pittsburgh is Seventh Heaven."
But any pursuit of Lombardi Trophy No. 7 will temporarily take a backseat to Pittsburgh's most famous No. 7, Ben Roethlisberger.
Nevada casino worker Andrea McNulty filed a civil lawsuit against the two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback July 17, accusing him of rape.
Roethlisberger vehemently denied the allegations six days later. He contended that the "false and vicious allegations are an attack on my family and on me" while saying he had never forced himself on any woman.
"I'm gonna fight to protect my family and my reputation," Roethlisberger added in a brief news conference, concluding, "I have an obligation to our fans, to my teammates, to my coaches and everyone in the organization to remain focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I will do that. The allegations against me are reckless and false. … I am confident that the truth will prevail."
Though any speculation to the suit's outcome is decidedly premature, the Steelers hope the truth will prevail in Roethlisberger's favor. If not, they could face a predicament similar to their predecessors as AFC champions. The New England Patriots played valiantly in 2008 after a 16-0 regular season in 2007, but they could not manage a playoff return after reigning league MVP Tom Brady went down with a season-ending knee injury in the opener.
FRANCHISE REPORTS: In-depth previews of all 32 teams prior to camp
At the very least, Roethlisberger will face a lot of questions even though he doesn't plan to discuss his case in the media. But as coach Mike Tomlin presciently acknowledged at the team's final offseason workouts in June, distractions are inevitable.
"If you are going to be good, distractions are a part of it," said Tomlin, heading into Year 3 as coach. "I am more concerned about embracing that and dealing with it and performing in the midst of it as opposed of being resistant to it.
"We have the desire to be a good team, a consistently good team, a world championship-caliber team. You have to acknowledge some attention, some potential distractions come with that."
But if the commissioner or the courtroom takes Roethlisberger off the field in 2009, could backups Charlie Batch or Dennis Dixon do a reasonable impersonation of Matt Cassel? The former Patriots stand-in guided the team to 11 wins if not the tiebreaker New England required for a postseason return.
"I think they're in a good spot if it unfortunately ends up that way," NFL Network analyst Charles Davis says of the Steelers.
Batch has been an able understudy over the years, winning two starts in place of injured Roethlisberger during the team's march to the Super Bowl XL title in the 2005 season. Batch also won the '06 opener as Big Ben worked his way back from an infamous motorcycle crash and an emergency appendectomy.
But Batch is 34 and missed last season with a broken collarbone.
Batch might not have been on the roster if the Steelers had kept Byron Leftwich from signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But could Dixon, who has thrown one NFL pass, offer more upside and be better able to engineer a run like that of Cassel, who also provided opponents with little NFL game film before he took the reins from Brady?
"If there's one place that understands how to utilize a guy's talents and use him, it's Pittsburgh," says Davis, who compares Dixon to former Steelers Pro Bowl quarterback Kordell Stewart.
"(Dixon's) a quarterback, not a gimmick guy," stresses Davis, who scouted him before the 2008 draft and believes Oregon likely would have won the national championship if Dixon had not hurt his knee late in 2007. "As far as him being a pro quarterback and stepping up in pocket (and) making reads and throws, don't rule him out."
But at this juncture, neither Roger Goodell nor a judge or jury seems to be anywhere near rendering rulings on Roethlisberger's case.
And that's good news for a team that seems otherwise loaded … and reloaded.
Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons, a first-rounder in 2007, replaces Larry Foote on a defense that was tops in the NFL in 2008 and arguably one of the finer units in league annals, some major lapses against Arizona's Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald in the second half of Super Bowl XLIII notwithstanding.
Cornerback William Gay is likely the team's only other new starter, and he and Timmons have the look of upgrades.
The Steelers also get an infusion of first-round talent in the backfield and in the trenches. Their top pick from 2008, tailback Rashard Mendenhall, returns from a broken shoulder blade that limited him to four games as a rookie. He should bring added juice to a running game that atypically ranked 23rd in '08. On the other side of the ball, the Steelers' newest first-rounder, Evander "Ziggy" Hood, who played defensive tackle at Missouri, should bring needed relief inside and out on the team's three-man front.
"I like where they are. They have an understanding of how we do business here," Tomlin says of his youngsters. "We held those guys in high regard when we drafted them. That's why we drafted them where we drafted them."
And don't forget the contributions of another former first-rounder not named Roethlisberger, who was the Steelers' No. 1 pick in 2004. Santonio Holmes, the Super Bowl MVP and the Steelers' top selection in 2006, is ready for the big stage entering his fourth season, a stage the team seems equally equipped for.
"If Pittsburgh doesn't have a season that doesn't put them in a contending spot," Davis says, "it'd be a big surprise."
AROUND THE FIELD IN PITTSBURGH
• Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger's numbers dipped after he threw 32 TD passes in '07, his only Pro Bowl season. But with two rings after his latest Super Bowl run, the only question about Big Ben is the legal maelstrom swirling around him. Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon will vie for the backup job, though Dixon's potential in a Wildcat set could give him an edge to be active on game days.
• Running back: Is overuse catching up to Willie Parker? Injuries in '08 led to his worst season since becoming the starter in 2005. The return of Rashard Mendenhall, last year's first-rounder, from a shoulder injury should ease his burden. Mewelde Moore is a factor on third downs.
• Wide receiver: Hines Ward is coming off his first 1,000-yard receiving season since 2004. Ward, 33, also is coming off offseason shoulder surgery. After his MVP performance in Super Bowl XLIII, Santonio Holmes is on the cusp of stardom. The free agent loss of deep threat Nate Washington hurts, unless Limas Sweed or Shaun McDonald steps up to ease the pain.
• Tight end: Heath Miller is a weapon down the field and in the red zone, and he doesn't get enough credit for his blocking. Matt Spaeth also sees the field frequently.
• Offensive line: Often maligned as the vanguard for a 23rd-ranked running game and for allowing 46 sacks of Roethlisberger last year (and 139 since 2006), this quintet nonetheless returns intact. However, right guard Darnell Stapleton might have to battle to keep his job from third-rounder Kraig Urbik.
• Defensive line: Oldies but goodies. Ends Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel and Travis Kirschke and nose tackles Casey Hampton and Chris Hoke are all north of 30 but effectively serve as the front men for Pittsburgh's devastating linebacker corps. But help is on the way in the form of first-round selection Evander "Ziggy" Hood.
• Linebacker: They're akin to four horsemen who often have apocalyptic results for opposing offenses. Reigning NFL defensive player of the year James Harrison had a club-record 16 sacks and made history with his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl. He and fellow outside backer LaMarr Woodley, an emerging force, combined for 27½ sacks, the most ever by a Steelers duo. Steady James Farrior had a Pro Bowl year on the inside, where athletic freak Lawrence Timmons replaces Larry Foote at the other post.
• Secondary: Ubiquitous strong safety Troy Polamalu teams with bone-crushing Ryan Clark on the back line. William Gay takes over for departed corner Bryant McFadden. They all benefit greatly from the play of the front seven.
• Special teams: Jeff Reed might be the NFL's most underrated kicker, and his remarkable accuracy at windy Heinz Field cannot be understated. Punter Daniel Sepulveda and long snapper Greg Warren return after tearing knee ligaments in 2008. Look for rookies to largely assume the return duties from Holmes and Moore. The coverage teams were stellar in 2008.
• Coaching staff: At 36, Mike Tomlin became the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl. He's masterful at connecting with his players, so don't expect him to allow complacency to set in or permit Roethlisberger's situation to negatively distract the team. Defensive guru **** LeBeau is second to none, crafting the NFL's top-ranked defense three of the past five years.
• Outlook: With 20 of 22 starters back and Mendenhall, Timmons and Hood providing fresh legs on both sides of the ball, there's little reason to believe Pittsburgh isn't primed to keep the Lombardi Trophy ... unless Roethlisberger's problems seep onto the field.
PITTSBURGH — Just two weeks ago, there was little reason to worry about the Pittsburgh Steelers heading into the 2009 season.
The Super Bowl XLIII champions lost only two starters in the offseason. No major medical or contractual issues were lingering. Heck, with the Steelers' successfully completed quest to "win one for the other thumb" — the club's record sixth Super Bowl ring — perhaps its biggest challenge was to come up with a catchy slogan to mark their next title drive.
Maybe "The Extra Point" or "Pittsburgh is Seventh Heaven."
But any pursuit of Lombardi Trophy No. 7 will temporarily take a backseat to Pittsburgh's most famous No. 7, Ben Roethlisberger.
Nevada casino worker Andrea McNulty filed a civil lawsuit against the two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback July 17, accusing him of rape.
Roethlisberger vehemently denied the allegations six days later. He contended that the "false and vicious allegations are an attack on my family and on me" while saying he had never forced himself on any woman.
"I'm gonna fight to protect my family and my reputation," Roethlisberger added in a brief news conference, concluding, "I have an obligation to our fans, to my teammates, to my coaches and everyone in the organization to remain focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I will do that. The allegations against me are reckless and false. … I am confident that the truth will prevail."
Though any speculation to the suit's outcome is decidedly premature, the Steelers hope the truth will prevail in Roethlisberger's favor. If not, they could face a predicament similar to their predecessors as AFC champions. The New England Patriots played valiantly in 2008 after a 16-0 regular season in 2007, but they could not manage a playoff return after reigning league MVP Tom Brady went down with a season-ending knee injury in the opener.
FRANCHISE REPORTS: In-depth previews of all 32 teams prior to camp
At the very least, Roethlisberger will face a lot of questions even though he doesn't plan to discuss his case in the media. But as coach Mike Tomlin presciently acknowledged at the team's final offseason workouts in June, distractions are inevitable.
"If you are going to be good, distractions are a part of it," said Tomlin, heading into Year 3 as coach. "I am more concerned about embracing that and dealing with it and performing in the midst of it as opposed of being resistant to it.
"We have the desire to be a good team, a consistently good team, a world championship-caliber team. You have to acknowledge some attention, some potential distractions come with that."
But if the commissioner or the courtroom takes Roethlisberger off the field in 2009, could backups Charlie Batch or Dennis Dixon do a reasonable impersonation of Matt Cassel? The former Patriots stand-in guided the team to 11 wins if not the tiebreaker New England required for a postseason return.
"I think they're in a good spot if it unfortunately ends up that way," NFL Network analyst Charles Davis says of the Steelers.
Batch has been an able understudy over the years, winning two starts in place of injured Roethlisberger during the team's march to the Super Bowl XL title in the 2005 season. Batch also won the '06 opener as Big Ben worked his way back from an infamous motorcycle crash and an emergency appendectomy.
But Batch is 34 and missed last season with a broken collarbone.
Batch might not have been on the roster if the Steelers had kept Byron Leftwich from signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But could Dixon, who has thrown one NFL pass, offer more upside and be better able to engineer a run like that of Cassel, who also provided opponents with little NFL game film before he took the reins from Brady?
"If there's one place that understands how to utilize a guy's talents and use him, it's Pittsburgh," says Davis, who compares Dixon to former Steelers Pro Bowl quarterback Kordell Stewart.
"(Dixon's) a quarterback, not a gimmick guy," stresses Davis, who scouted him before the 2008 draft and believes Oregon likely would have won the national championship if Dixon had not hurt his knee late in 2007. "As far as him being a pro quarterback and stepping up in pocket (and) making reads and throws, don't rule him out."
But at this juncture, neither Roger Goodell nor a judge or jury seems to be anywhere near rendering rulings on Roethlisberger's case.
And that's good news for a team that seems otherwise loaded … and reloaded.
Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons, a first-rounder in 2007, replaces Larry Foote on a defense that was tops in the NFL in 2008 and arguably one of the finer units in league annals, some major lapses against Arizona's Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald in the second half of Super Bowl XLIII notwithstanding.
Cornerback William Gay is likely the team's only other new starter, and he and Timmons have the look of upgrades.
The Steelers also get an infusion of first-round talent in the backfield and in the trenches. Their top pick from 2008, tailback Rashard Mendenhall, returns from a broken shoulder blade that limited him to four games as a rookie. He should bring added juice to a running game that atypically ranked 23rd in '08. On the other side of the ball, the Steelers' newest first-rounder, Evander "Ziggy" Hood, who played defensive tackle at Missouri, should bring needed relief inside and out on the team's three-man front.
"I like where they are. They have an understanding of how we do business here," Tomlin says of his youngsters. "We held those guys in high regard when we drafted them. That's why we drafted them where we drafted them."
And don't forget the contributions of another former first-rounder not named Roethlisberger, who was the Steelers' No. 1 pick in 2004. Santonio Holmes, the Super Bowl MVP and the Steelers' top selection in 2006, is ready for the big stage entering his fourth season, a stage the team seems equally equipped for.
"If Pittsburgh doesn't have a season that doesn't put them in a contending spot," Davis says, "it'd be a big surprise."
AROUND THE FIELD IN PITTSBURGH
• Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger's numbers dipped after he threw 32 TD passes in '07, his only Pro Bowl season. But with two rings after his latest Super Bowl run, the only question about Big Ben is the legal maelstrom swirling around him. Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon will vie for the backup job, though Dixon's potential in a Wildcat set could give him an edge to be active on game days.
• Running back: Is overuse catching up to Willie Parker? Injuries in '08 led to his worst season since becoming the starter in 2005. The return of Rashard Mendenhall, last year's first-rounder, from a shoulder injury should ease his burden. Mewelde Moore is a factor on third downs.
• Wide receiver: Hines Ward is coming off his first 1,000-yard receiving season since 2004. Ward, 33, also is coming off offseason shoulder surgery. After his MVP performance in Super Bowl XLIII, Santonio Holmes is on the cusp of stardom. The free agent loss of deep threat Nate Washington hurts, unless Limas Sweed or Shaun McDonald steps up to ease the pain.
• Tight end: Heath Miller is a weapon down the field and in the red zone, and he doesn't get enough credit for his blocking. Matt Spaeth also sees the field frequently.
• Offensive line: Often maligned as the vanguard for a 23rd-ranked running game and for allowing 46 sacks of Roethlisberger last year (and 139 since 2006), this quintet nonetheless returns intact. However, right guard Darnell Stapleton might have to battle to keep his job from third-rounder Kraig Urbik.
• Defensive line: Oldies but goodies. Ends Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel and Travis Kirschke and nose tackles Casey Hampton and Chris Hoke are all north of 30 but effectively serve as the front men for Pittsburgh's devastating linebacker corps. But help is on the way in the form of first-round selection Evander "Ziggy" Hood.
• Linebacker: They're akin to four horsemen who often have apocalyptic results for opposing offenses. Reigning NFL defensive player of the year James Harrison had a club-record 16 sacks and made history with his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl. He and fellow outside backer LaMarr Woodley, an emerging force, combined for 27½ sacks, the most ever by a Steelers duo. Steady James Farrior had a Pro Bowl year on the inside, where athletic freak Lawrence Timmons replaces Larry Foote at the other post.
• Secondary: Ubiquitous strong safety Troy Polamalu teams with bone-crushing Ryan Clark on the back line. William Gay takes over for departed corner Bryant McFadden. They all benefit greatly from the play of the front seven.
• Special teams: Jeff Reed might be the NFL's most underrated kicker, and his remarkable accuracy at windy Heinz Field cannot be understated. Punter Daniel Sepulveda and long snapper Greg Warren return after tearing knee ligaments in 2008. Look for rookies to largely assume the return duties from Holmes and Moore. The coverage teams were stellar in 2008.
• Coaching staff: At 36, Mike Tomlin became the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl. He's masterful at connecting with his players, so don't expect him to allow complacency to set in or permit Roethlisberger's situation to negatively distract the team. Defensive guru **** LeBeau is second to none, crafting the NFL's top-ranked defense three of the past five years.
• Outlook: With 20 of 22 starters back and Mendenhall, Timmons and Hood providing fresh legs on both sides of the ball, there's little reason to believe Pittsburgh isn't primed to keep the Lombardi Trophy ... unless Roethlisberger's problems seep onto the field.
Although it's nice to see this, I would have preferred to hear that he ran tough inside and was hard to tackle.
Tex Goldstein
Footballguy
amen Brother, amen. Too much weed, too many years away from the game (in prison in leavenworth - no country club, from what i've heard), too little coachability = bad seed, imo.
Tex Goldstein
Footballguy
Winslow coulda been one of the all-tiem greats imo, but he RLY screwed up his knee in that rice rocket wreck. too bad, we'll never know how great he coulda been without that incident. Miller signing is a great move, imo, as others have pointed out above. guys like him who aren't afraid of the middle of the field and can block decent are hard to find."(when healthy)" never happens for him. He's always sitting out practice, is in constant pain, and never 100%. I'll be surprised if he can still play in 3 years. He is very good, but for my team, I'd rather have Miller.I personally can't stand the "soldier", but I thought that the general perception was that Winslow (when healthy) was one of the elite TE talents in the league.
Cookiemonster
Footballguy
Notes from 1st day of practice - From CBS Rapid Reports:Grid71 said:
