BTSC Steelers Daily Six Pack- Brett Keisel Signed For Five Additional Years Edition
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Aug 31, 2009 2:16 PM EDT
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PrintIX-The big news coming out of Pittsburgh today is that veteran Brett Keisel has signed a five year contract extension locking him up for what is most likely to be the duration of his NFL career. Keisel is a former seventh round draft pick that was able to develop slowly in the Steelers system and has eventually become a player that the front office and coaching staff have deemed to be very important to future success. They other big news is guard Darnell Stapleton will be placed on Injured Reserve which will end his entire 2009 season.
X- Sometimes it takes an article like this one to remind me how fortunate I am to be a fan of one of the best organizations in the NFL with one of the strongest and most dedicated fan-bases. Evidently the economy is actually really affecting some NFL teams and the number of teams that might have blackouts of their games in the local market this season could be as high as 12. Last season only three teams had blackouts, and those three teams had a total of nine blackouts between them. This year the Jacksonville Jaguars actually are not expecting to sell out any of their home contests leaving them with eight blackouts of their games to the local markets.
XIII-If you missed Mike Tomlin's interview with Bob Costa's last evening here is the clip from youtube. The big quotable story out of the interview is what Mike Tomlin has to say about Pittsburgh's interest in Michael Vick before he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.
XIV-Fantasy football names can be quite amusing and some people have a talent for creating a name that not only incorporates football, but also some sort of obsure pop-culture reference or some great pun. Here is a list from the blog "Detroit4Lyfe." Their are quite a few "not-safe-for-work" entries, so be cautious where you are reading the list.
XL-I have a feeling the demographic make-up of BTSC is heavily skewed towards males, but perhaps some of the female readers would be interested in this opportunity. (Or perhaps a gift for a die-hard Steeler wife, girlfriend, sister, or daughter). The opportunity is the 2009 Steelers "Ladies Night Out At Heinz Field." The event is only $95 dollars and includes tours of Heinz field, the opportunity to meet at least one current player, and a gift bag with some Steelers swag.
XLIII-Brett Farve's Minnesota Vikings jersey is flying of store shelves and virtual store shelves like NFL.com, where it has been the most popular jersey in the month of August despite only being available for a few weeks in the month. Troy Polamulu is the third most popular jersey this month, Ben Roethlisberger is the fifth most popular, and Hines Ward is the 13th most popular making three Steelers in the top twenty of jersey sales this month.
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Nice intel ESPN.com...
I read that Stapleton could be back by the end of preseason, if not by the end of this week, not 5 days ago. Quality research.
Congrats to Keisel, he wanted to stay in the ’Burgh, and the Steelers gave him what he wanted. Glad to see they got it done before the season, just one less contract to worry about next off season.
I don’t think you can blame ESPN for that one too much…I think that is basically what the Steelers organziaton was releasing about Stapleton. I guess it was “best case scenario”
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Aug 31, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
And Legurski showing he can play G and C gave them the final push, I think it means they like what they’ve seen of the other guys thus far. They’re starting to feel they’ve got depth in the middle, IMO…
Agree on the OL depth in the middle
Yesterday I stayed late night watching the Buffalo & Redskings games again. I was specifically looking at the performance of the offensive line and RB’s. IMO the Steelers have definetly found four solid players at the interior OL and two that definetly jump out.
My opinions below:
1. Urbik. This guy is going to be an excellent interior lineman. Right now his only problem is that he plays a bit “standing up”, if he can manage to learn to play with his knees bent down a tad more, he will be an anchor OG for years to come. Superb run blocker He gets off the ball, he is nasty and is very good at finding players at the second level after coming off a double. Good hand placement but does need to improve on that to sustain blocks longer. He was never pushed back and never stood there doing nothing (which is what sometimes an OL does if the play is going to the other side… you can see it every week even at the NFL level).
Good pass blocker, his greatest deficiency is that he is not bending his knees all the way for better positioning, but has good feet for an interior lineman and more than adequate arm strengh.
The “bending his knees” part is probably a sign that he needs to hit the weight room and build those legs up.
Urbik displays very good awareness and football instincs for an interior lineman. I can definetly see why the Steelers took him with their second pick.
2. Legursky: He is not an outstanding run blocker or pass blocker, but he is never out of position. He knows exactly what needs to be done, has great technique getting his body between the defender and the ball carrier and plays with leverage. He seems more comfortable at center, but I think he is better suited at guard. He is ready to play right now, and I actually think that he is a much much better pass protector than Kemo, and a definitive upgrade over Stapleton, I am not at all surprised to hear that he has been IR’d. He will suit up as the swing lineman and if Kemo struggles I wouldn’t be shoked if they benched him in favor of Legursky.
3. A.Q. Shipley can play for my team any day. He has a nasty, mean streak. He shows great communication skills with his linemen and shows a very good understaning of what the defense is trying to do, pre-snap. Whenever he was in the games, the line never seemed to be phased with any “games” that the D-line and LB’s threw at the Steelers. He is a good run blocker, with excellent hand placement, and you can see that he is as strong as any of the other steelers linemen.
I really hope that he can pass waivers and get to the practice squad because he will play in the NFL, and I don’t think that it will be too long to see it. It would be hard to see this guy leave to other pastures.
4. Ramon Foster: I don’t know why this guy went undrafted, but definetly a keeper. Give credit to he FO as always. Foster needs to learn how to play the run game better as an interior lineman (doubling and then moving up to the second level) but definetly has the feet, strengh, and football instinct that are needed. It would be good to see him play vs. better level of competition but he was an asset when he had the opportunity to play in this games.
The RB’s in general look to be in good form, Justin Vincent is Ok.
I really like Redman, he could play for a team that wants a spelling back for their 1st RB.
Mendenhall is legit (I have read the criticism and find it un-founded, he is definetly a good back, and his pass blocking is pretty solid).
Those are my two cents…
by The_Nation_in_Mexico on Aug 31, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Way more than two cents...
More like a buck-fifty. Good stuff from south of the border. I haven’t stayed up any nights, watching any film, so that earns you a tip of the cap in my book.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 31, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks a lot for the O-line analysis, I still can’t read O-line play outside of positioning and reading the blitz.
by Phantaskippy on Aug 31, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Excellent work
You have a good pair of football eyes there Nation. When Simmons went down last year the interior O-line had no depth at all. Essex was a tackle, Legursky a non-factor. Seemingly overnight there is now depth in the middle of the line and some people in place should they not keep Hartwig (I don’t think they will) or if Kemo doesn’t improve (he’s mediocre at best).
by steeler.lifer on Aug 31, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks. Played 15 years as OL and coached for 10, it helps whenever I get to watch tape with detail.
It is indeed the reason that I wanted to see them in particular. I read FC’c comment over at steelersfury.com that Mike Tomlin is one who attacks each problem individually until there is a solution; he was talking about the return game but clearly interior linemen was weak last year.
I beleive that they signed Essex back after having evaluated the potential of him playing inside. Legursky must have shown something last year in order to keep him oin the PS, so improvement was expected, but probably a bit more surprised with his development.
All in all, I agree that Kemo will fight for his spot if he does not improve his pass pro (did you see him get beat 1-on-1 vs Bills? Awful).
BTW Colon is, right now, showing that he is a pretty darn good right tackle. Let’s hope that he keeps mental mistakes to a minimum.
Saludos
by The_Nation_in_Mexico on Aug 31, 2009 5:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
you can say that again
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Thanks. Played 15 years as OL and coached for 10, it helps whenever I get to watch tape with detail.
It is indeed the reason that I wanted to see them in particular. I read FC’c comment over at steelersfury.com that Mike Tomlin is one who attacks each problem individually until there is a solution; he was talking about the return game but clearly interior linemen was weak last year.
I beleive that they signed Essex back after having evaluated the potential of him playing inside. Legursky must have shown something last year in order to keep him oin the PS, so improvement was expected, but probably a bit more surprised with his development.
All in all, I agree that Kemo will fight for his spot if he does not improve his pass pro (did you see him get beat 1-on-1 vs Bills? Awful).
BTW Colon is, right now, showing that he is a pretty darn good right tackle. Let’s hope that he keeps mental mistakes to a minimum.
Saludos
by The_Nation_in_Mexico on Aug 31, 2009 5:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The Tomlin factor
I’m happily addicted to the Tomlin Kool-Aid. Every year there has been specific improvement in an area that was poor. This year it’s the O-line turn’s and more specifically the run-blocking and short yardage running. One of my lingering images of the 08 season is Tomlin’s frustration in short-yardage situations. Going for a field goal in the Super Bowl from the six-inch line was him basically waving the white towel on a losing battle in a war that Ben somehow won with his legs and arm. When they drafted a run-blocking guard, a short-yardage runner and a blocking TE, you knew Tomlin was committing resources to fighting a winning battle this year. It won’t happen overnight but I think we’re already seeing signs of what will be a strong running game this year. It’s the best way to keep the heat off Ben.
by steeler.lifer on Aug 31, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Great break down
Love the analysis. Curious how you watched the game? Tivo or did you find it one the web? Does anyone know how I can track down game tape on the web?
by SteelerBuddha on Aug 31, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
You just explained the O-line to me - thankyou!
I’m pretty football savvy, but you broke that down, thank you!
I love Ship – hope he stays – gotta support my fellow Nittany Lions.
I think mendenhall is good…but I think we still need work blocking to create the gap. I’m still not 100% happy with the run game. I happen to LOVE Isaac Redman and if we don’t keep that dude, someone is picking him up. I think we are fools to let him go, especially since FWP is injury prone…I know, I know, it’s only a hamstring and it’s just pre-season…but soon it will be regular season and hasn’t he been doing pilates that is supposed to work on core? You ‘d think he’d be more stretched out.
OK, I know I have been MIA for a while – been busy busy busy – but it’s almost regular season…I’ll be commenting away.
And @dymilkshake, I will try to bring you some more female readers!!!
Steelergurl
Urbik & Foster
Good catch….They are good at what the Steelers do (now)…they are Zone blockers. Zone plockers have to know how to read backers so they know how to come off the double team because that is the nuts and bolts of the Zone block. Double, Read, Hand off DL before release, Next level. Zone blocking takes more than just brute force, you have to have the intelligence to know what you are reading from the backers. Missed assignments are harder to judge in zone blocking until you see the game in “film study”. Sometimes it looks like someone is getting beat but the fact is another is misreading the backers and releasing when he should be staying home. Like at times where you see a guy standing there doing nothing or looking like he’s lost after he releases his block to his double team partner. You got me on the Line experience. Never played line but coached line 5 years. Learned zone blocking to help a high school coach friend, but never used the scheme for my own teams.
I’m curious if you have the same opinion on why Stapleton isn’t very good at the Steelers’ blocking scheme. Would you say it’s quickness/recognition?
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Very true...
I’m just bitter because I ran with it on this site on Friday. I hate to mislead my fellow BTSC’ers.
Best of luck rehabbing Stapleton, hopefully you come back next year ready to fight for a starting job, in my opinion at center.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 31, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I can back that up
You did bring it up, and I expressed skepticism. Seriously, I was skeptical about something.
Well you didn’t make it very clear what you were trying to say. So, you’re welcome.
by Craig Sager's Wardrobe on Aug 31, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Nah, you don’t seem like the type of guy who’s ever used a smiley in your life. Wouldn’t wanna mess with your chi.
by Craig Sager's Wardrobe on Aug 31, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Live to be a skeptic...
Be a skeptic to live Worldtrip. I like your style.
When I am wrong, call me on it. That’s how it should be. When a man is wrong, and knows he is wrong, he must admit it. And I do. Never meant to mislead anyone. This is why I tend to wait in the backround until someone else breaks news. I’ve had a bad run lately, between Vick to the Bills, which was all over my local radio that day, and this, I fear I’m slipping.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 31, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
not enough
information to start a post, but I just saw that some cuts are starting to be announced too. Nance and a few other recievers have officially been cut!
Hey I appreciate the link!
But our blog is Detroit4lyfe, not “Pride of Detroit” although we’ll take that as a compliment as the Lions blog on the SB Nation is a phenomenal blog. You guys do great work here, too. I was a reader during the playoffs last year.
by Detroit4lyfe on Aug 31, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
sorry about that all fixed
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Aug 31, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Notice Tomlin's answer regarding Vick....and put it in context....
He doesn’t insult anyone, doesn’t make any enemies, and yet he goes out of his way to show some love to his quarterback, saying Ben didn’t need any more distractions.
The context of this was he had just decided to cut Ben’s old college buddy Martin Nance, a decision announced today.
Tomlin is remarkable in the way he does business. His people skills are off the charts.
Thoughts on J. Capizzi?
I actually think Capizzi has played pretty well this preseason. He had the one presnap penalty against the Bills, but other than that, his man hasn’t sniffed the QB, he’s played both LT, RT, & a little G, and he’s even lined up at tight end during the goal line drills during training camp.
That sounds like someone who would be the gameday swing LT/RT on game day tomorrow. Besides, who else would you want for that position – Jeremy Parquet (U say Parkay, I say Butter) or Tony “Turnstile” Hills?
It’s a no brainer. D. Legursky and J. Capizzi are the gameday backups. R. Foster and K. Urbik are the other 2 OL backups that make the team. If they keep 10 OL, then that final spot probably goes to T. Hills by default. A.Q. Shipley to the practice squad.
datruth I would say the handwriting is on the wall for Capizzi to be on the practice roster or at best inactive to start the season. I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised by Hills’ athleticism this year and think he’s making some progress, but there’s no way I would want any of our current backups forced into a starting role. Maybe by IRing Stapleton they are trying to create roster room to add an OT from the waiver wire.
by steeler.lifer on Aug 31, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Tough call
I think the tackle back-up is harder than it is in the interior. I have to agree with Lifer.
I think that Hills has shown enough to be the back-up LT if in an emergency, and thus merits a roster spot, but I agree that not enough to dress on game-day and be that swing tackle.
Capizzi seems to be that guy but it could also come from outside the organization as lifer says. The tackle spots are the thiner ones on the depth chart for the OL, so let’s hope that Max and Willie hold up as they have so far done, injury wise, in the past seasons.
by The_Nation_in_Mexico on Aug 31, 2009 5:50 PM EDT reply actions
Hills has been with no doubt the best LT backup in the team this preseason, he may not be eligible to play guard or even RT like Capizzi but thats not a problem because u can place Essex at RT if Colon gets hurt and bring Urbik or any of the other guard backups in. Capizzi will go back to PS and if need mightl dress up sometime anyway..
Good article over on the PG, with an insightful quote into Clark:
“As for me, you just finish playing football. Nothing I can do. I want to be here; I made that known. I’m tired of moving, my wife is tired of moving, my son plays tailback and free safety on his little community team, I’m excited to watch that.
“We love it here, we want to be here and we’ll see what happens.”
Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/09244/994643-66.stm#ixzz0PrCanqJh
Willie Colon - top 2 RT in the NFL
Love Clark and love the Clark quote....
…vintage Black and Gold. No room for any divas on the team (except BB when he gets hurt!).
Ryan Clark is a tough call when it comes to a long-term contract because of his physical condition.
Don’t know how many years he has left, having lost his spleen. But he’s a true warrior and a big part of the heart and soul of the team.
To think that the Redskins let him go and went out and spent $40-million of Adam Archuleta! Ryan Clark is yet another reason why the Steelers’ front office plays the free agent game as well as any team in the league.
I know it'll never happen but......
you would think that with the economy the way it is that the nfl would consider stopping the blackouts. I mean its not like people are staying away because they would rather watch it on tv they are staying away because they cant afford to go. oh and btw i meant stopping them for now until the economy recovers not forever.
The owners could cut the ticket prices. I believe that’s part of the reason for the blackouts, is that it’s the owner’s responsibility to sell their franchise to the local fanbase and run a product that sells out.
For ideas on statistical analyses, email me at wolfpacksteelersfan@gmail.com.
by WolfpackSteelersFan on Sep 1, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Blackouts
I have heard and read something of a groundswell for doing just that, at least for this year. Jacksonville and Oakland particularly, have higher than average unemployment, in smaller than average markets. With Jax struggling not to be blacked out in a good year, the only way to keep that franchise viable in that town is to do something. If the fans can’t afford to go to games, and can’t watch them due to blackouts, they are going to find something else to do on Sundays, or switch allegiances to a team they can watch. Either way, it means fewer tickets sold next year. The cycle would then continue. I know I am having a hard time coming up with the cash to hit a couple of games in our area this year.
"Scoreboard, b*tches!" That means you Baltimore, and you too, New England.
Apparently Jax only has to sell over 50k tix to not be blacked out. I think the stadium seats like 68k. That is something being done specifically for Jax as far as I know.
So I guess all Jax has to do is invite the steelers down more
We fill up stadiums wherever we go. Come to think of it, perhaps we function as a charity to other owners. When a Pittsburgh game is in town, the hotels are full, the beer is gone by kickoff, and every other seat in the stadium has someone with a terrible towel. Have to wonder if the Rooneys are appreciated in that sense by the other owners.
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