Steelers Morning Training Camp Notes

by Blitzburgh on Jul 30, 2008 1:58 PM EDT

A couple of notes from this morning's session:

James Farrior took the morning off, giving second year LB Lawrence Timmons an opportunity to work with the first team. According to Dale Lolley, Timmons looked great ($):

With the team practicing a lot of inside runs, Timmons got the opportunity to show his wares sticking his nose in the middle and he really looked good flowing to the ball. He also showed that he’s willing to jump into the hole and take on blockers.

Timmons looks so much more comfortable this year than he was last season.

Rookie Limas Sweed apparently looked more like the rook that he is in comparison to yesterday afternoon's stand-out performance. Lolley noted that Sweed muffed two consecutive Charlie Batch throws, the first one being a pass that was near the shoelaces. Now's a good time to note that from the dozens of games that I have seen Sweed play, low passes were most certainly not his forte. I would say that Big Ben is above average in terms of consistently delivering throws into the breadbaskets of his receivers, but when he's on the run, one can't expect him to constantly be delivering passes on the money. Sweed's going to need some work getting to the level of his running mates Hines and Santonio on catching not-quite-perfect passes.

Quick aside here: did anybody else love the Steelers throwback uniforms that were on display last season against Baltimore? I sure did, and I can't wait to see them unveiled again when we play the Giants in September and the Ravens in October.

Punter Daniel Sepulveda was at practice joshing with teammates this morning. Lolley noted that perhaps he and the team are awaiting a second opinion before officially shutting him down for the year. On a similar note, replacement punter Paul Ernster did not impress in the morning's lone special teams session.

For those of us, myself included, who thought that the camp and pre-season battles for the offensive line starting spots would be drawn out and intense, perhaps we were wrong. From Larry Zeirlein, our offensive line coach:

“We’re pretty well set,” he said of the line, which gave up 53 sacks in 17 games last season and lost Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca to free agency. “We’ll see what happens with the center thing once we get into preseason, but I’d say we’re pretty well set.”

Hmm. Really?

More later.

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Comments

Eph
If Starks doesn’t have a real chance at unseating Colon, what the heck was the purpose of giving him a contract at all?
And please please please don’t let us see Mahan starting at center again.That really sucked.

by Cols714 on Jul 30, 2008 2:23 PM EDT 0 recs

I think that with loosing Faneca and knowing the line was stinking at times (despite having the number one rusher for most of the season) they just didn’t want to loose another basically known commodity-that, and maybe they were predicting the run on linemen in the draft so didn’t want to rely on that.

by SCSteeler on Jul 30, 2008 4:38 PM EDT up 0 recs

couple things

- I’m pulling this straight from memory so I could be way off but it seems like to me that when Ben misses on a receiver, he misses high. I’d think that Sweed is pretty good at going up to get balls, agree?

- Awesome news about the throwbacks. I know most people didn’t like them but on a limited basis, I really liked them. I held off buying one last year b/c I was hoping it wasn’t a one year wonder type of thing but I’ll have to get me one now.

- OL: On Mahan versus Hartwig, I remember reading somewhere that after watching practice, it was clear that Hartwig was stronger but that Mahan was a much smarter player. Whichever media member who wrote it was quick to say that the ‘battle’ won’t be as cut and dry as we all think that will.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 30, 2008 2:31 PM EDT 0 recs

Mahan the intelligent center – we all know that his ass smarts at the end of each game.

by steelguy99 on Jul 30, 2008 3:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

Big Ben

I “remembered” the same thing about Big Ben misses when I read Limas missing the low ones. Like you i have only my anecdotal evidence, but, while can think of a number of times hes over thrown someone, i am having trouble thinking of a low mis-fire.

by _ET_ on Jul 30, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

Thinking back

It seems like he has had quite a few duds that just didn’t make it far enough (or receivers ran the wrong route?), but I do remember a few instances of Hines catching them off of his toes – maybe Ben was throwing “low” for Hines and will compensate too high for Limas.

by SCSteeler on Aug 1, 2008 5:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

Good to hear that Timmons is playing run support well, which is one of his biggest question marks this year. It sounded like the OL was getting dominated, though, which can’t hurt your LB’s.

Well, now we know what having the Suck Trifecta on the IOL looks like. Essex, Mahan, and Simmons are starting for now, so basically it’s the line last year, only with three stopgaps instead of two. Kemo should give a burst of strength when he returns, but it’s still the same issue we had last year. Simmons and Mahan can’t be lined up next to each other. We have two acceptable RT’s battling each other while there’s no one that deserves to be starting in the interior. I can live with Starks letting up 15 sacks if the middle of the line can get some push and handle nose tackles in pass pro. Bring Colon inside!!!!

As for Mahan vs. Hartwig, there are some interesting pictures on the website of the two about to snap the ball. I don’t know if Mahan is smarter, but Hartwig is decidedly lower in those pictures. No wonder Mahan gets mahandled so much.

by BadMaafala on Jul 30, 2008 2:39 PM EDT 0 recs

and

Hartwig looks considerably bigger. He’s been a starter before, he’s obviously smart enough to play the position. the job will be his.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Jul 30, 2008 2:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'll take Hartwig over Mahan

if that’s an accurate assessment. Mahan was degrading both guards by being shoved backwards constantly immediately after the snap. Even if he can do a better job at identifying the rush than than Hartwig, I’ll take the guy who can actually challenge those rushers physically.

by Desroko on Jul 30, 2008 2:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

Just don't get your hopes up too much

Hartwig might be better, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be that much better. Wexell said Hoke was beating Hartwig when the faced off on the first day. I sure hope Hartwig win it, but I’m not going to expect much out of the center position regardless.

by BadMaafala on Jul 30, 2008 3:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

good point

I think we all might be a little high on Hartwig.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 30, 2008 3:07 PM EDT up 0 recs

yup!

...but that’s mostly in desperation over last years center play, so forgiveable. That could be just about anyone bigger and we’d probably be the same way. If Mahan comes in as the starter…..I don’t know how that’s going to be a better situation.

by SCSteeler on Jul 30, 2008 4:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

Mahan is the new Okobi.

by BadMaafala on Jul 30, 2008 4:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

Mahan did look quite smart last season, laying on his back pondering the heavens…

by BluegrassSteeler on Jul 30, 2008 2:54 PM EDT 0 recs

Throwback Uni's

As far as the Throwback uniforms go, does anyone know/think that they are going to still have the 75th logo on the top right of the uni’s? Are those going to be removed completely or are they going to be replaced with the current logo? What do you want to see?

by k7brown on Jul 30, 2008 2:55 PM EDT 0 recs

Oh, and I love the throwbacks.

I didn’t even know they were unpopular.

by Desroko on Jul 30, 2008 2:56 PM EDT 0 recs

Nah
I like the normal unis better. The throwbacks made the Steelers look like a bunch of bees. On 2nd thought, this isn’t really a manly topic to be discussing.

I don’t know why people are so high on Kemo. The guy couldn’t beat out Simmons over the last couple of years and Simmons basically sucked last year.

The interior OL is going to be problematic for most of the year.

by Cols714 on Jul 30, 2008 3:15 PM EDT 0 recs

Changed on me...

I didn’t think I would like them before the season, but after the first game they grew on me. Like ‘em just fine. Why do they go with white pants though?

by SCSteeler on Jul 30, 2008 4:41 PM EDT up 0 recs

I liked them just fine

when we were up 28-0 against Baltimore. I keep envisioning an angry bumble bee named Harrison flying around stinging everyone in sight.

by BadMaafala on Jul 30, 2008 4:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

Sepulveda

Interesting note: instead of putting him on IR right away, they cut Kevin Marion to make space for the new punter.

by BadMaafala on Jul 30, 2008 3:37 PM EDT 0 recs

NOOOOOOOOO

Not my boy Marion. So much for my proclamation that he’d make the roster. RIP Mr Marion

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 30, 2008 3:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

bummer

Figured it would happen, but I liked the kid. Hope he gets a chance in some other team’s camp.

by Blitzburgh on Jul 30, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think his fate was sealed

the moment he was injured. With only one available WrRspot (Ward, Holmes, Nate, and Sweed are locked in), losing any time at all was a virtual death sentence.

by Desroko on Jul 30, 2008 4:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

plus

That WR Warren seems to be making a big splash this week so there’s really only room for one low-profile 5th WR type candidate.

by Blitzburgh on Jul 30, 2008 5:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

whatever happened with Baker

He had a great OTA but haven’t heard peep about him since.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 30, 2008 5:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

Marion

I must of forgot or missed the news of his injury. I was hoping for him to make it too.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Jul 31, 2008 4:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

yeah

I heard he’s going to get a second opinion before going under the knife

by schnifin on Jul 30, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up 0 recs

$$$

Hey with the big money the FO is throwing at the O line, do you think they could throw some our way? I can’t believe Zerlein made such a preposterous statement. Oh wait a minute! Yes I can.

by steelersrock08 on Jul 30, 2008 5:50 PM EDT 0 recs

Zerlein...

...may not be as smart as Hartwig, much less Mahan. What coach motivates his players by difusing competition on only the third day of training camp with that “we’re set” comment? I guess the same one that expects Starks to rework a rich contract with no incentive to do so, or the one that can’t keep straight the send and delete buttons on his email program while surfing porn… Why does such a bright, young coach tolerate such amateurism? What a travesty!

by ec on Jul 30, 2008 6:16 PM EDT 0 recs

really is

Kinda ridiuclous for him to say that three days into camp.

by Blitzburgh on Jul 30, 2008 6:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

it is possible

that he just means they are set in terms of the group of players they have, and not set on the starters at each position…

by TheMostViolentTeam on Jul 30, 2008 6:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

Wishful thinking maybe, but

I read it like they are set on the players we have, and will not be bringing in anyone else (i.e. Bentley). It seems even more perplexing to proclaim the starters set with Chris K. missing out on practices when it was thought he would be 1st in line to take over for Faneca.

by _ET_ on Jul 30, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

After the analysis of Z’s awesome career, I think we were all hoping there was something there. As time goes by it seems that the “something” is just an illusion. Here’s to hoping though.

by steelguy99 on Jul 30, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

ET may be on to something

I didn’t interpret Z’s comments to mean what some of us have interpreted it as meaning. Though I agree from a coach’s perspective it wasn’t necessarily the smartest thing to say at this juncture. I for one am really pleased about what I’m hearing from this camp. Besides being bummed about the punter most of the news is promising.

Center. Hartwig is new to the system. I would suspect that Mahan would seem more savvy at this stage of the game. But it sounds like Stapleton still could have a shot. Of course a lot of us were hoping they would have tied Mahan to the back of a garbage truck and hauled him away by now. That is cause for concern.

LBs. The word on Timmons and Woodley seems more on target with our hopes than with our fears. Silverback is maintaining. We could have one of the most formidable LB corps in the league.

WRs. Sweed is performing better than I expected at this point, and Nate has been spectacular. The top four are set. The firght for the 5th spot should be something to behold.

The one report I saw on McBean was very encouraging. In general it seems that last year’s draft class is stepping up nicely. It also speaks to the talents of one of our least heralded coaches DL Coach John Mitchell.

By all indications Big Ben is getting better. Not surprising considering his age, experience and familiarity with the system. Is it hearsy to suggest that he may soon be the best in the league? Ben and Charlie are in my mind the best 1/2 in the league.

No news is good news: nothing about Hines, FWP or Ryan Clark

I like the throwbacks, particularly the gold helmets. A nice occasional shange of pace.

So far so good.

by RickVa on Jul 30, 2008 9:06 PM EDT 0 recs