Steelers Training Camp Updates: Day Two
Feel free to post any updates you hear on ESPN, NFL Network, Twitter Accounts, or even first hand reports from Latrobe in this spot.
As of this morning Adam Shefter of ESPN has said that Mike Shanahan is visiting Steelers training camp today and received a warm welcome from Mike Tomlin. Schefter also commented that Rashard Mendenhall broke a solid run today and looked strong and fast.
Jim Wexell has reported this morning that despite a hamstring issue reported by Mike Tomlin yesterday, Troy Polamalu is participating in the morning practice.
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Very Interesting news about Shanahan
I wonder if there’s a position anywhere in the coaching staff…My guess is he’s there by invitation of Mike Tomlin. Really nothing else.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions
Could it be that...
Tomlin invited Shanahan to camp to have open competition with Bruce Arians?
Hmmmmmmm…
It may have also been strategic.
Get another story line side the civil suit.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 2, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Twitters from Scott Hanson from the NFL Network
Hanson is currently in Latrobe
“Steelers team official just told me “watch Limas Sweed… he’s put in a ton of work this offseason.”
“Couple drops for Santonio Holmes. Time management was the offseason challenge for the S.B. MVP”
" AM practice done. Big Ben spoke to media, but only about football. He appeared relaxed and calm."
“Big Ben was animated/happy when talking about teamates. When asked about “off the field”, he just said, “I’m here to play football.”"
“He was gracious with his time and availability. I don’t think he’ll be asked many more “off the field Q’s”, since he got it out of the way."
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 12:36 PM EDT reply actions
His Twitter Page
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Also a former Ravens and Browns Scout had this to say
“One to watch: Frank Summers FB Pittsburgh… He has a chance to be a really good short yardage back.”
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 12:40 PM EDT reply actions
Here ya go
Twitter link. It was in the middle of the page around 7 pm, but with more updates, the farther it will fall.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions
UPDATE
“From ”http://twitter.com/Adam_Schefter" target="new">Adam Schefter Steelers Dir. of Football Ops Kevin Colbert took Mike Shanahan to lunch and set him up to study tape after. Steelers beyond accommodating."
And then this:
Adam_Schefter: 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.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions
whoops
Schefter’s Twitter link was supposed to be up there
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Sounds as if we might be taking genuine interest.
The only other position in the coaching staff I can even think of him taking would be OC. I’m not sure if the Steelers would just boot Arians like that, but I sure as hell wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Think he is probably
looking for a HC job and wants to learn from the pros.
by SteelerBuddha on Aug 1, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
He's got to be taking notes
Denver’s Casey Hampton-sized weakness the last few years Shanahan was there was their defense, specifically their defensive line. None of their draft picks were panning out so they kept trying to plug holes with those ex-Browns for awhile, and it eventually caught up to them.
I’d say he’s taking notes on coaching/developing a defensive line by seeing it done in person by two of the best in the league. At the same time he’s probably also learning the nuances of the 3-4 since it’s very much in vogue now (just look at the Packers), so again he’s seeing it operate in person by two of the best in the league.
Jim Wexell thought Sep looked great
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
Napoleon Bonaparte
by LV Steelers Fan on Aug 1, 2009 1:15 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
NFL Total Access
Nfl total access today 8/1 supposed to have an inside look at Latrobe. Airs 4pm here, 7pm on the east coast
by RoethlisCrosby on Aug 1, 2009 1:55 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Sirius NFL Radio
Will do theirs on August 6th.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions
regarding favorite whipping boy on the O-line
With Hartwig out, Darnell Stapleton, who was also expected to be slowed early on, played center and did a good job there, keeping Casey Hampton at bay several times and actually getting some push on the big man.
via http://www.nflfromthesidelines.com
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
Er…
http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
The question of course…is this good news about Stapleton, or bad news about Hampton?
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
Wexell also says
Tomlin’s listing it as a cramp.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Urbik and Hills look bad in drills
Great news! Best chances for young o-line talent… terrible. (via wexell).
Let’s hope it’s just early in camp.
brightside
Steelers 2008 3rd round pick Bruce Davis just ran over a back as if he were Harrison or Woodley.
From twitter via Adam_Shefter
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
from lolley
Bruce Davis was disappointing and looks more like a finesse player than a powerful linebacker. He still has a long way to go.
Oh well. At least Woods is looking like a stud again.
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
Yeah, most scouting reports said he was more of a run around the OT kind of guy than a power rusher, and even then he’s not a breath-taking athlete. I think Davis and Hills are both gone – the only caveat being if there’s no one around to take Hills’ spot.
charity standing orders
Yeah
but we’re thin at OT, especially LT, and Foster is a marginal RT and more of a guard. We’ve added a good bit on the interior, but if Hills has any value, it’s at LT. Maybe Capizzi could fill in there.
charity standing orders
Trade value?
If Hills doesn’t pan out maybe he could have value for one of those baseball type trades where someone is shipped for 14 bats and a roll of toilet paper. Except in our case we could swap Hills for a couple blocking sleds and a new cooler, and even throw in Davis if they’ve got a spare one of those ultra padded helmets like the one that was supposed to help salvage Dan Morgan’s career.
That's more of a baseball thing
In baseball, having control of marginal players is important because it’s easy to maintain control in the minors. In football, all you have are 53 roster spots (which Hills won’t earn) and practice squads, which aren’t protected.
More to the point, Hills should be more valuable to us than just about any other team in the league. We have a marginal right AND left tackle and one suitable backup (Essex) who may be our starting right guard this year. If we don’t want Hills, no one else will either.
charity standing orders
Like how no one wanted Harrison for how many years?
Yeah, yeah he’s the exception to the norm. I’m more hoping for some sort of anti-jinx karma effect with the universe going out of its way to prove me wrong and turning him into the next Walter Jones. I really want him to live up to those high praises he received from his coaches at Texas when they said he was better than one of the Lions’ starting tackles.
At the rate we’re going we really could use one of those helmets for Big Ben though. I really wonder now if they could find a taker for a trade like that…
Keenan Lewis looking good.
And Schefter apparently favors Latrobe over all other camps and says:
it’s very early, but the one Steeler rookie standout so far is cornerback Keenan Lewis. Looks like he could have a future here.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 7:10 PM EDT reply actions
scared me
I saw the words “Rashard Mendenhall broke…” and I thought, oh god, not again… and then I saw the next line. Whew.
On another note, who here wouldn’t want to see Arians replaced by Shanahan? I doubt the Steelers would do that to Bruce, but the idea would tempt me. “Hey, Bruce, how’d you like a year long vacation — pick your location…”
lol +1
Like I said earlier, I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. In fact, I may sleep better @ night. Doesn’t really seem like something the Steelers would do though. Then again, why ask Shanahan to waltz into Pittsburgh and show him some of our plays.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Wexell has said repeatedly that Tomlin “has a little bit of Belichick in him”, so why would he open up his camp to a potential rival? I also think that there’s little chance than Arians is canned at this point. Best case scenario in my mind is that he comes in as some sort of “offensive consultant”, assistant HC type of role.
charity standing orders
Edited... for the Youth of America (and world)
Well-well look. I already told you: I deal with the [gosh-darn] customers so the engineers don’t have to. I have people skills; I am good at dealing with people. Can’t you understand that? What the [heck] is wrong with you people?
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 3, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Not that scene, but an under-rated favorite...
The ratio of people to cake is too big.
Truly words to live by.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 3, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Strictly a professional courtesy
Shanahan is not working for anyone. He will be a head coach for some team no later than a year from now, possibly earlier. He’ll be a welcome visitor to most teams while he’s unemployed because he is a member in good standing of the coaching fraternity and will have some useful opinions that any coach would like to hear. He’s not going to learn much about 3-4 defenses that he wouldn’t already know by looking at film, he’s just staying in the loop and developing professional and personal relationships. No doubt he’ll be interested in seeing firsthand how Tomlin interacts with his staff and players. I don’t see anything in this visit that connects him to the Steelers in the future, or anything that gives him a better chance to beat the Steelers in the future. He’s just doing what head coaches do and trying to be prepared for his next job.
by steeler.lifer on Aug 3, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Kinda overlooked but
From Scheft:
Adam_Schefter: 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.
And then Wex:
jimwexell: Sepulveda hit many rockets this morning. Stud.
Great to hear about robo. Man if he’s back pinning teams inside their own 20, think of how much better our D will be, not having to start inside their own territory.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 8:09 PM EDT reply actions
I’m looking for Limas Sweed to actually look good. I don’t care about what he says.
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
Yeah, I read that this morning. Encouraging news.
I won’t believe in Sweed until he does it in a real game though. That kid needs to get over the crowd performance nervousness in the NFL. These reports aren’t just blowing smoke though. Most news about Sweed last year and over the minicamps was negative. Improvement in practice is a huge start.
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
Wow look at all those HighSchoolSteeler Helmets
I counted 13 lol :P
Bleeding Black and Gold.....forever
lol.
yea idk i meant to group the comments better but obviously didn’t.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 1, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Make that 14 :D
Bleeding Black and Gold.....forever
by Michael Hewitt on Aug 1, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions
How long does training camp go for?
I am driving from Philly to Ohio this Friday or Saturday. I could swing by Latrobe and show my boys the real deal. If camp is still running, it would be a very welcome rest stop on the drive.
Training Camp
goes on until Aug 21, with Aug 12, 14, 21 having no practice. Here is the official schedule from the Steelers website http://news.steelers.com/article/105734/
by 92SteelersFan4Life07 on Aug 2, 2009 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions
some encouraging news today i hope alot of these early signs come to fruition. it would be nice if sweed played a bigger roll in the offense. if mendy broke one hopefully he will break a few this season. stapleton getting push on big snack is a good sign even if snack wasnt fully there. troy already playing through a bit of pain. and thank god we dont have to rely on mitch berger to punt this season.
by guns dont kill people pittsburgh does on Aug 1, 2009 10:43 PM EDT reply actions
Great to hear the news
On Stapleton, Sweed and even Legursky.
However incredibly disappointed with the feedback on Hills and Urbik….hopefully not a sign of things to come
Bleeding Black and Gold.....forever
another place to follow along
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-reports/team/PIT
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
Aug 1 2009 | 5:31:16 pm|Steelers QB Charlie Batch has been overthrowing his receivers in the 7-on-7 drills.
Aug 1 2009 | 5:28:47 pm|Steelers QB Dennis Dixon connected on a long TD pass to rookie WR Tyler Grisham.
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
Aug 1 2009 | 4:55:20 pm
Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall looks completely healed from last season’s knee injury. He’s running hard and is showing good hands out of the backfield.
When did Mendenhall have a knee injury? I thought it was just the broken shoulderblade.
by barnerburner on Aug 2, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
fwiw, wexell says cbs feed = shit
completely wrong and inaccurate
by syrsteelerfan on Aug 2, 2009 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Ziggy Hood drew RAVES — from those who know best — yesterday for his work in practice.
via wexell
Don’t get too excited about Hood news until he is practicing at least with the second team.
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
You guys don't have personal coverage from anyone here?
Wow, I thought at least one of the head guys would be at training camp reporting and taking pictures like myself and Bruce have been doing the past week for the Ravens.
Anyone want to check out some real Ravens coverage, head on over to the the Beatdown.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Thanksfor the invite. How's it feel to have Mason back?
By the way our guys are out at their jobs paying taxes, providing for their families, improving their communities & all that other blue-collar stuff.
I'll be covering it on Thursday, Fri and Sat.
I’ll have pics and videos of what’s happening.
When I say who dey, you say we dey.
Follow me @Sn0w13allz
Ill be there this weekend…anyone who wants to meet up send me an email, and we will try to get a few people together.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Aug 3, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
MT quote
"I know that they’re capable, but are they willing?" he said. "It will not only be the theme for camp, but the theme for the 2009 season. Capability is not an issue with these guys. We know we have a team that is capable. But what are they willing to do, and not only inside stadiums on Sundays, but on a day to day, drill to drill, and moment to moment basis?"
That is…perfect.
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
Sweed and Wallace continue to look solid thus far
Tweet:
jimwexellprecise 3rd down pass scrimmage. ben and batch complete 1st 10. sweed, wallace star. details in sci report 2night.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 2, 2009 5:01 PM EDT reply actions
I went, and my quick thoughts
-Sepulveda’s first punt was 70 yards, which got cheers from the crowd. After that he booted several for 65 yards, then was hitting 60
-Sweed was looking really good. On one play he had a nice jumping/diving catch for about 20-25 yards on Keenan Lewis (who actually had really good coverage, but Sweed gave him a little push)
- Lewis is actually pretty good in coverage, but plays college style and face guards (Tomlin called him for pass inter on one play in the scrimmage for that)
-Wallace is looking really nice, and has incredible game speed. On one play he ran a route across the middle against a zone D and zoomed by the defense for a huge gain
-Rashard ran hard
-Don’t know what to make of the Oline/Dline matchup. In the plays they ran against one another, the line held up, even against the simple blitzes thrown in (except one play where Silverback would’ve had a sack). But then again, I think the Dline might’ve been letting up a little to get the secondary, receivers, and quarterback some work
Sep's punts
take off 10 yards from what I mentioned. I forgot to factor in the line of scrimmage. I just remember his first punt he hit it at the 10 and the returner caught it on the 20
Thanks for the updates
It’s fun to get them first hand.
by Chicago Steeler on Aug 2, 2009 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Sounds real good
Sweed and Wallace=so far so good.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 2, 2009 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions
What’s sepulveda’s hang time? Just as important.
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
they were pretty good
just as impressive as the yardage, which was a very encouraging sign. After last year, we all know how important the punting game can be
apparently he's looked good.
Hope he’s able to make something happen.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 3, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, he could be a passable lineman, but he’s yet another strength-over-mobility interior OL that we’re going to try to use in our athleticism-based zone blocking scheme. Foster probably fits in this category as well, but I’m a little more optimistic, considering he was a passable college OT.
I liked one of the reporters’ comments (Lolley maybe) that said something like “A lot of 2 TE, 1 RB formations. In other words Arians-ball.”
charity standing orders
didn't know that he was German.
Says on ESPN he was born in Frankfurt.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 3, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
For now
He is the big Legursky. If he makes the team, he will be :“The Dude”
by SteelerBuddha on Aug 3, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Good News and Bad News
jimwexell: Timmons was back at practice this morning. He blew up Frank the Tank. The Tank runs too high.
Must be a lot of wreckage to pick up.
Good to hear Timmons up and running. Tank just needs to put those pads down.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Aug 3, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions
I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this around here, but Wexell said yesterday that William Gay (you know, that 5-10, 190 CB) leveled Summers in the goal line drill. Is it possible that a rookie 5th round pick isn’t “The Answer” for our running game?
charity standing orders
LOL
I saw that. Love it. He said that if guys have a nickname like Tank, they are going to have to earn it. Much rather see him flattened by Gay in the pre-season and get wise or get gone – then get leveled by Terrel Suggs – or Ed Reed during the season because he runs too high.
by SteelerBuddha on Aug 3, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you implying that there isn’t a silver bullet that can fix our goal line offense? I’m shocked.
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
If you drink enough Coors, it might not bother you quite as much…
People all over the world (everybody)
Join hands (join)
Start a love train, love train
charity standing orders
hahahah
I think the tank got run over by the love train (and pretty much everyoneon the steelers – D)
No worries rook. Either you toughen up and run right or you get picked up by the Browns.
by SteelerBuddha on Aug 3, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
You want to give Gay the nickname Love Train?
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
Why not?
It’ll give the secondary more personality.
D-line has Big Snack, Diesel, and Ziggy.
Linebackers have Deebo/Silverback.
Secondary will have Polamalu’s hair and the newly minted Love Train.
obligatory
Is Gay the caboose?
Willie Colon doesn’t get flagged because he has long arms; he gets flagged because he sucks. - cliff harris is still a punk!
we could decide to be more “pc” and refer to him as “William Homesexual”
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Aug 3, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel kinda bad...
Everytime he makes a play I can’t help but yell “That’s a pretty Gay tackle!” Read into the multiple meanings of it all, but it just never sounds right.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 3, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL
I love this news. Not because I dislike Summers. I just like the notion that Gay is hitting like Clark.
+1
Love our corners physical. I also love the feedback on Keenan Lewis….i wasnt so sure about him, but it sounds like he is really coming along well as a Steeler-type player
Bleeding Black and Gold.....forever
by Michael Hewitt on Aug 3, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions
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