Big Snack is Back

by 36chambers on Aug 10, 2008 10:36 PM EDT

Hampton seems to have satisfactorily slimmed down to be the fat man on the line again. I saw him on the sidelines on Friday night and he still looked pretty immense. In shorts and a tee he was about the size of one of the other linemen in full pads. Always nice to have a 4 time probowler stopping the run, tho.

http://news.steelers.com/article/93238/

We were all wondering when he'd be back in the mix. I'm glad to hear he now gets to get ready for football by playing football. Still waiting on Troy...

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Move aside Jenny Craig

If Hampton really lost that much weight that fast, he should give up football. He’d make billions with his weight-loss program…

Rather, I think Tomlin made his point, but couldn’t have a player of that caliber watching from the sidelines for much longer. I also think Tomlin wants the big guy to prove himself in the thick of things. So you think you can still play, fat boy? Prove it!

by TURFgeek on Aug 10, 2008 10:52 PM EDT reply actions

I will post a picture from yesterdays training camp later on today. I stopped by camp yesterday afternoon and hampton was in pads and was chatting with Coach Tomlin.

by frankrmineo on Aug 11, 2008 9:21 AM EDT reply actions

Does Anyone

think Hampton is on the decline. He really didn’t do much last year towards the end of the season and he always gets taken out like every 2 or 3 plays. The team really didn’t need a more out-of-shape Hampton, after the in shape Hampton got tired last year. I know I am being a little unreasonable but he will probaly get taken out more then usual. I don’t expect a 325 or 375 NT to be out there all day, but I like Chris Hoke as a guy to spell big snack and when will he get his chance to start. He has been a great backup for a while. It would be cool to move Aa.Smith and Keisel inside and have Woodley and Timmons or B.Davis pass rush. On third downs

by steelcitykid on Aug 11, 2008 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

LB on OT

IMO the best way for the Steelers LB to get pressure on the QB in a LeBeau D is not to line up a 250 lb LB against a 340 lb OT. The Steelers 3/4 works best when they flood a zone or trick the OL on who is rushing.

Smith is great. Keisel was a better back up DE but is ok. Hoke is a competent back up but Timmons and Woodley will not get consistent pressure because they beat OT on the way to the QB but because they beat a RB or TE or came untouched.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Aug 11, 2008 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

98

Hampton is fat and not in the best shape. He is on the downside of his career with the end closer than the beginning. He gets taken out in passing situations.
That said, he is the best NT the Steelers have on the roster and still a competent NT in the NFL. He may even have a Pro Bowl left in him if the Steelers D shines.
The FO needs to acquire depth and youth on the OL and the DL STILL. I agree with most draft picks as the lineman available weren’t equal in value to where Pittsburgh was picking. It doesn’t change the fact that since the Steelers didn’t address the trenches in the draft this year it has become an even bigger priority for next.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Aug 11, 2008 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

They

will have to hit the lines hard next year in the draft. I feel confident in the first few rounds of picks, but I think they could have gotten decent value later in the draft. They went a different direction and I will trust them in that. That doesn’t change the fact that depth in the trenches is a worry for most of us. Give us a healthy pair of lines this year, and I think that we have a great shot at a deep playoff run.

by steelerark on Aug 11, 2008 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed

But, even so, there is some hope in McBean and Clement. And, the OL looked much better than expected. The OL is already pretty young right now, so it is the DL that can expect to get some attention in next year’s draft, I think.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 12, 2008 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

True

They would not be best lined up head on against OL, but I meant just use the LB like they have been lined up 1 or 2 yards back from the TE.Just as stand up pass-rushers but only on some third downs. Like I said the have been doing this so my comment just meant I would like Woodley and Timmons to be there.

by steelcitykid on Aug 11, 2008 11:23 AM EDT reply actions