Notes and Sights From Camp Tomlin Day Four
by maryrose on Jul 31, 2008 10:27 PM EDT
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PrintMy daughter and i went to Latrobe today to soak in the sun and camp activities. St. Vincent is such an ideal place for an NFL training camp. Lots of land, picturesque, beautiful dorms and cafeterias for the players and an area just for kids to engage in fun and interactivities. Here are some notes and sights from Camp Tomlin Day Four.
St. Vincent is Really the Perfect Setting for a Camp
Ben was perfect today also. Every pass in drills or scimmage was laser sharp, quick enough yet soft to the catch. He threw long, he threw outs, he threw long outs and laid it in there to perfection.
All the receivers looked good except Reid. He dropped at least three punts or passes. I can't picture this guy making the team again. That's the bad news. The good news is that Nate looked terrific again. Caught everything like a man on a mission. Sweed looks like a winner also. This might be the best foursome of wide receivers since the mid-70s when we had Swann, Stallworth, Shanklin and Frank Lewis. I honestly can't remember being this good this deep since then.
Starks and Hartwig played exclusively with the second team, giving way to Mahan and Colon. I really hope they give guys chance. With Kemo out, this would be the perfect time to try Colon at left guard and Starks at right tackle, but all they did was move Essex into left guard.
That Grant Mason guy looks like he really wants to make the team. He was all over the place. He's got some giddyup. He flew out of nowhere to intercept a long pass (Batch) and seemed to have a good presence today.
Mendenhall is getting alot of time with the first bunch. That guy changes directions really quick for a fairly big back. He really is impressive in person and he doesn't seem the least bit a rookie. Sweed sometimes does look like a rookie. Mendenhall got as much attention today as Parker, at least as many touches.
Our new punter Paul Ernster, or Edinger as Tomlin calls him, looked good today. He got the loudest cheers for some boomers that were unreturnable. I'm sure we are going to look at others, but if you never heard or read anything about him and showed up at practice today, you'd be happy with what you saw. Of course, a broken clock works twice a day. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Timmons and Woodley are ready to bust. Those guys look so much better in year two. They just want to hit people. They are moving around before each snap, something they couldn't be smart enough to do last season. And if you are an offense, you better account for them.
The Red Hats Were Quick Today, Especially Timmons and Woodley
Kevin Greene was helping us coach today. The guy looks like could still play. He has a hundred something sacks in his career. He was vocal with the linebackers. I think he is having an impact on our young backers. He put some juice and know-how into them.
Hines looks like his belly if flatter (not that he ever had a belly) and his upper body is bigger than past seasons. He also looks quick. Took alot of extra sprints after practice when the others had left the field, then he caught balls out of the machine. I noticed that Santonio, Sweed and Nate hung around after practice also, almost as if they felt obliged to not leave before the old vet. After Hines took catches from the ball machine, the others did the same. I think Hines is sending some messages to those guys. That whole scenario was great to see.
Casey Hampton is still in the doghouse. He was more than a hundred yards from any action, hanging out with some conditioning guy. All he did was walk around a field all afternoon, which is better than eating cheeseburgers I guess. Maybe he did more vigorous stuff in the morning. He looks bad. The sad thing was, from what I saw, guys like Chris Hoke expended alot more calories during practice than the Big Snack.
The Smith Brothers, Aaron and Marvel look fully healed and in great shape. Those guys were impressive today. They both had a quick burst about them.
Lots of Interactive Stuff For the Kids
And to Top it Off, Ben Signed My Daughter's Football
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awesome read
thanks for sharing, ‘rose. Really great to hear that about the receiving corps. Ward is just a quality football player. :)
Linebackers
Based on what you’ve seen so far, I’m curious if you think Timmons will replace Foote. I know its probably too early to tell but I’m hoping for big things out of Timmons in his second year, much like Polamalu.
Great Stuff
There’s some pretty good news in there, although it looks lie Reid is done as a return man. Any idea of who gets the #5 spot?
Also, I’m making my way to camp on Sunday. Does anyone have any suggestions for a local place to eat within 25ish miles of the college?
DeLallo Italian Marketplace
It’s in Jeannette (home of Dick Hoak and Tyrell Pryor) on Route 30 about 8-10 miles east of Latrobe. They are national suppliers of pasta and sauces in grocery stores. They have deli sandwiches about four inches thick that are out of this world. They also have other stuff like meatballs, chicken parm stuff, etc. You sit on the patio if you can get a table. DeLallo Italian foods are everywhere now (I am guessing) and it all began right there in Jeannette. The address is 6390 Route 30 and the phone number is 724-523-6577.
Wow!!!
I’m so jealous – I’ve never had a chance to go to Steelers camp. Damn you and your close proximity.
by smashmouthsteel on Aug 1, 2008 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
another recommendation for DeLallo
I’ve been there, and had an awesome sandwich – really good italian meats and cheeses.
Awesome!
Thank you, maryrose for the excellent summary, recap and commentary. I want so badly to be there in Latrobe, but reading all of these excellent reports by people is the next best thing. Thank you for letting us be there through your eyes!
Great Recap
Maafala there is alot of places to eat on rt30 by westmorland mall, my favorite along that road would be olive garden IMO, I will also be there sunday GO Steelers!!
by 92SteelersFan4Life07 on Aug 1, 2008 7:45 AM EDT reply actions
1st timer
Hello all! I’m a first time blogger in any forum, so to post my first internet comment on my favorite team is really cool. Now I am not the most articulate (hope I spelled it right) person in the world but I do know good reading. That being said, this has to be the most informative blog anywhere in the internet world. I have been a reader here for at least the past 6 months and every article and following comments have been very well thought out and the discussions are thoughtful and informative. Have been trying to get my account set up for some time now, and have finally got it done. I also hope to make it to camp this year with my 1 yr. old son. Got to start him off early. Moved to VA late ‘05 and bought the dish just for my Stiller games. Have them all on tape since ‘01. (minus a couple of AFC championship games, had to tape over them, hurt to bad to watch). Anyhow, to maryrose, Blitzburgh (hope the move went well), cgolden (i’m sort of a cards fan too with fitz, russ and whiz being there), BadMaafala, Bluegrass, HIGHSCHOOL, and others THANKS FOR ALL OF THE ARTICLES, INTERVIEWS, AND POSTS that keep fans like me going!! I’ll see yunz later!!! (a little Pittsburghese for yunz)
thanx man
How do you get quotes by your name? “Revenge of the Birds”
by I.W.H.F.M.D.95 on Aug 1, 2008 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
pretty easy
At the very top of your page you should see your username. Click on that and then click on edit profile. From there you add an avator (mine is the G), add a description about yourself that others can see, and add a signature (which is what the Revenge… is).
welcome indeed
Glad you signed up and joined in. Glad to have ya!
Hope you make it down with your newborn in the future.
Be blessed.
Nice
Thanks for actually taking pictures, and for the good news on Timmons and Woodley. I couldn’t get a good read on those two when I went.
Thanks for the report 'Rose
And welcome LW. I’m realizing I’m getting more from the reports that our regulars make from their visits to camp than the media reports and speculation. I tend to trust your judgement, also we all generally understand what the questions that need answering are. A pretty positive report with the exception of Reid and seeming inflexibility of the O-Line issues.
Some of you guys are also making me feel guilty. Have been debating with myself if I was going to make the trip to Latrobe this year (I’m four hours away in Virginia, and I love to drive). From the above comments I feel I would be disrespecting you guys if I didn’t go.
by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Aug 1, 2008 2:04 PM EDT reply actions
Great report
That’s cool to hear about Hines setting the example for the young WRs! As others have said, it’s good to hear so many good reports. We may even have a decent punter out of this Ernster guy. Hopefully, he’s much improved since this time last year.
It surprised me to hear that Kevin Greene was helping coach up the LBs. Is he actually on staff, now, or was he just there informally? I loved seeing him play back in the day, and the one time I got to meet him, he was very friendly.
by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 1, 2008 3:32 PM EDT reply actions
Greene is doing some kind of internship
So his presence is temporary, unless I am mistaken. I have no idea how good he might be teaching Xs and Os, but his leadership and enthusiasm were quite evident. And, having had such a successful Hall-of Fame-type career, he speaks from authority.
Cool
He could be the next Bill Cowher, a slightly crazed former linebacker coaching. :) He was always an enthusiastic player, so that part isn’t surprising at all.
by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 1, 2008 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Gildon is there too,
He is doing the same intern program, and he still looks like he could play too.
"Damnit mom! You almost ran over Greg Lloyd!"
at an autograph signing back in 95. He walked out in front of our minivan, and my mom almost hit him. He apologized.
by PA ARMY OFFICER on Aug 5, 2008 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Sweed gets contacts
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_580513.html?source=rss&feed=9
He didn’t know until May- which is startling. I thought players went through all kinds of examinations. An eye exam would seem a no-brainer.
I’m tempering the impact, but a part of me is really, really excited that he could be that much better with good vision.
86
is just unbelievable. He is so much more than a WR. We all know how he blocks but he’s been there helping since the beginning. He helped Troy Edwards, Plaxico, Nate, Santonio and now Sweed. And what do you think the effects are on the linemen and linebackers, the tight ends and the backs when they see him working out daily? Do you think Peezy was going to let himself be shown up in the weight room by a WR?
How many one on one matchups can you remember him losing? He outplays every DB assigned to him including Champ Bailey.
There’s not a single player as responsible for the Steeler’s success the past decade as Hines Ward. And no, I’m not forgetting #36.
He’s a WR, he’s a FOOTBALL player, he’s an incredible teammate, he’s the definition of leader. He’s the super bowl MVP. He’s the all-time leading Steeler receiver in every meaningful category.
The man deserves a first ballot bust in Canton.
Thank you Mary Rose. Your posts are fantastic!
Fantastic
Great post Rose, I really enjoyed reading your account and observations of camp 08 goings on. As others of stated, H. Ward is a unique player and a real pro. I’ve always been a huge fan of #86, but after reading your post and other recent coverage about his development as a mentor and leader, I cannot express how thrilled I am about the commitment, dedication and love of the game that he brings to this football team.
Honestly, it’s hard not to get all worked up about the talent on this football squad. Yet it does appear that the WR and LB corps are poised to stand out as a particularly special group indeed. Combine that with #7, who despite his terrific success thus far, is still getting better, a healthy and talented backfield on both sides of the football, and a HC who is a leader of men = a damn good, I mean damn good football team. And your post Rose affirms this. Thanks for the review.
still wondering
Has anyone heard anything in the last 24 hrs. about our next pro bowl c/g;Lecharles Bently??
If they wanted Bentley,
they wouldn’t have brought back Legursky.
centers and guards
Why not sign 2 guys on the cheap and see who works out best?
Haha. has worked like a charm.
haven’t we all heard those wonderful (major sarcasm) reports about the O-Line not even opening up a big enough hole to score from the 1 yard line? (We were 2 out of 10 tries or something like that?)
Or how about the reported constant domination of our O-line by the front 7 of our defense.
Meanwhile, we still have a returning hopeless starting C, blocking the path of our only hope at an improvement in the O-line in Justin Hartwig. Also our starting RT, who I think many of us will agree belongs at the starting left or right Guard, is blocking the way of our $7 million backup who came into camp looking like man determined to fight for his starting job again.
I sure hope we see some switching around of guys on the O-line this week.
by iBleedBlack&Gold on Aug 5, 2008 5:07 AM EDT up reply actions
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