My thoughts on Latrobe Stadium night Practice (08/08/09)

by sn0wballz on Aug 8, 2009 1:50 AM EDT Comment 22 comments

Bumped. Good stuff! Thanks for taking the time to so thoughtfully share. - Blitz - (Michael B.)

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Okay, so tonight the Steelers loaded up into yellow school buses and made the short trip from Saint Vincents College to Latrobe Memorial Stadium to hold a night practice under the lights for the fans.

Tonight was my third year going, we travel from Richmond during this time just so we can see this session. In the past two years, it has been the highlight. This time, however, things were just a little different. The energy just wasn't there. Don't get me wrong, I had a blast, it was very fun. But, most plays that were attempted fell flat and it seemed like the players were missing that extra little something that translated into good play.

Last year, there were hard hits, amazing plays and an atmosphere in the stands that felt like it was an actual game. None of that this time. I have no idea what that means, and I certainly do not think that one night will determine the fate of our season I just wanted to write about the difference that I noticed between last year and this year.

Take a look at my videos below. I shot these. You will see what I am talking about. They are somewhat hard to see but you will get the idea.

Troy Polamalu intercepts Ben Roethlisberger on the very first play of the night. Very weird crowd reaction to this one by the way. Who do you cheer for in this case? ;)

It wasn't all bad though; check these ones out:

Mendenhall is back!!

Announcer says Sean McHugh but that is Matt Spaeth catching the TD pass from Ben.

Here's another Ben to Spaeth, similiar play.

Check out my other post: Sepulveda update from Latrobe.

I have other videos uploaded that you can see here: http://www.youtube.com/user/chrisfabbott. Most of them are on this page and like I said, sadly a lot of them are weren't executed.

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Spaeth looks good out there. Like he should look, like a tall slow receiver. He’s not a blocker, he had better play like a receiver.

by Phantaskippy on Aug 8, 2009 2:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sweet videos.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Aug 8, 2009 2:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

great videos, bro. thanks for sharing with us...

I’m always workin my ass off and will maybe never get to come up to Latrobe for training camp…please keep the video and info coming…good job..enjoyed it…GO STEELERS!

by SteelersFnRule on Aug 8, 2009 8:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the videos! even though the team didn’t look very impressive it’s still good to get that feeling that football is back… can’t believe the first preseason game is in 5 days.

by mdc2457 on Aug 8, 2009 8:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No problem

I’m happy to provide the videos. Today is my last day here, I’ll try to get a couple of more. Check out my Twitter page if u want live updates today from Latrobe.

When I say who dey, you say we dey.
Follow me @Sn0w13allz

by sn0wballz on Aug 8, 2009 9:43 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Nice stuff, Thanks for the info

Yea I wouldn’t get too worried about that practice. I’m sure that that happens a lot with every team in football, just a lot less frequently with the Steelers. The last 2 years you went you caught them on a good day, while today you caught them on an off day.

I can’t help but laugh as Bill Hillgrove announces: " It’s caught by uhhhh, Sea-Sean McHugh. Must have been an off day for old Bill too; good to see Spaeth looking solid in the scrimmage.

One last thing

Mendenhall is back!!

I completely agree with you other than the back part. I think it’s more like he’s here at last. Good to see him doing well though.

"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Aug 8, 2009 9:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah you have good days and bad ones

I dont expect every practice to look sexy. I think its so early that Ben needs that time to get in a rhythm. But he will. Always does. We usually come out the gate strong.

by Mechem on Aug 8, 2009 2:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for posting these!

I can see why you’re concerned. On most of the plays presented here, too many players look like they’re either standing around, playing too upright, or going through the motions. It looks as if they’re confused about something. (New schemes or playing out of their normal positions?) I can’t see why they wouldn’t be into it since it’s their careers at stake (for some). Maybe the vets figure they can turn it on at will after the National Anthem. We’ll see in the first couple series with the Cards.

by workingon7 on Aug 8, 2009 2:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Greetings from overseas

Greetings from an undisclosed place in the desert, my fellow friends of Steeler Nation! Yes it is that time again, and you can be damn sure my Terrible Towels and at least 5 jerseys made it into my duffle bag for the trip over here and are now hanging from my bunk much to the dismay of the Dallas Cowboys fan I have for a roommate. As Coach Cowher recently declared on his trip over here, this place is STEELER NATION, as evidenced by the black and gold you find around base…Dallas is America’s Team? I don’t think so…the hordes of Steeler Nation that descend upon the TV room each Sunday take full command of the big screen, do I need to say what game will be shown? Get up at 4 am to watch the games? No problem! Well, off to hit the friendly skies over the desert for the night…and if you check out my avatar I got my Towel with me for every flight, it looks great up at 35,000 feet! Best of wishes to all, I am excited for this upcoming season..I am waiting for Frank the Tank jerseys to go on sale because I will be ordering one…I will be home in October for a ride up to Heinz Field..until then my friends, yinz all be safe, keep the Iron City and Yuengling cold…and GO STEELERS!

by BlackandGoldSSgt on Aug 8, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Go for it!

If you ever buzz through Colorado Springs, I’ve got the first two rounds (and they’re not fifty caliber)!

Take care buddy!

by workingon7 on Aug 8, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Blitz, I sent you email, when you get a chance . . .

For ideas on statistical analyses, email me at wolfpacksteelersfan@gmail.com.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Aug 8, 2009 5:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

great vids! thanks snowballz

by Johnny_S on Aug 8, 2009 6:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought Spaeth looked fast out there (for a TE anyway). Good to see him get YAC.

The other videos, meh……….leave a lot to be desired (except the Mendenhall one of course)

by shleeve on Aug 8, 2009 9:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This was great, thank you!

And take a look at the second video. At one point before the snap, Aaron Smith bumps down onto the nose and he’s the only guy in a three-point stance. Other players are flashing to the ball right and left, jumping up and then falling back. No wonder the offense looks confused. Who the hell is coming and who is dropping into coverage? Defense is always way ahead of offense early in the pre-season (it’s why there are so many 13-9 pre-season games), and this defense is probably WAY ahead. I wouldn’t freak out about the offense too much. Not now, anyway. If it looks like this in three weeks, that’s another story…

by cliff harris is still a punk! on Aug 8, 2009 10:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A good point.

A plus from the bad look of the offense is the good look of our defense. Sometimes I take our great defense for granted!

When I say who dey, you say we dey.
Follow me @Sn0w13allz

by sn0wballz on Aug 8, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good point, its important to remember that our D is being run by Dick Lebeau. If our offense looks only ‘ok’ against that D then I’m fine with that.

by shleeve on Aug 8, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, our D plays so fast...

…the O hasn’t caught up yet. Most offenses never catch up!

by cliff harris is still a punk! on Aug 9, 2009 1:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Autograph freaks!

I felt the practice was so so. me and the wife dove 3 hrs to get there n we stil had fun. whats with the autograph freaks tho? my LORD! I got farriors on my 51 jerz just cuz we hapend to be there, but grown adults pilin thru people!? wtf! Had a great time rgardless. 7x

is Perenialness a word? cuz if so, thats what the stillers got. perenialness

by Steelchamps !! on Aug 9, 2009 5:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great Video!

How did this year’s draft picks look at practice last night?

DT: ‘Ziggy’ Hood
OG: Kraig Urbik
WR: Mike Wallace
CB: Keenan Lewis
CB: Joe Burnett
FB: Frank Summers
DE: Ra’shon ‘Sonny’ Harris
C Allan ‘A.Q.’ Shipley

by SirGeorge on Aug 9, 2009 3:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs