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Don't look too much into this, but 3/4 of the Steelers starting secondary have skipped the first day of the team's second session of OTA's.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Ryan Clark, Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu not at voluntary Steelers OTA 4 today.</p>— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib/status/339418641860816897">May 28, 2013</a></blockquote>
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The OTA's are voluntary, and each of these players have proven enough to the coaching staff to be able to get away with taking the time away, but I was hoping some of the vets would attend if only to provide leadership for the younger players coming in this year in the secondary.
Woods plays NT with second team
Four-year pro Al Woods is getting consistent reps as the Steelers second-string nose tackle
Obviously, the flip side to the veterans missing OTA's are that there will be more opportunities for Steelers rookies to exhibit their skills and learn from the coaching staff. Rookies such as Terry Hawthorne (who will be on the sidelines after a knee procedure) and Shamarko Thomas will be able to receive more playing time (in shorts), and receive more attention from the coaching staff, and with both expected to play significant backup roles this upcoming season.
OLBs are sharpening iron with iron
The absence of James Harrison and the recent injury issues of LaMarr Woodley give Jarvis Jones, Jason Worilds, Adrian Robinson and Chris Carter plenty to shoot for in what looks to be an intense competition for playing time.
Veterans will also receive some extra attention from the coaching staff with the three starters missing camp. Cortez Allen should be a main target of coaching, as he is expected to take over the fourth starting spot in Pittsburgh's secondary. William Gay will need to get back into the swing of things after a season away from Pittsburgh, though it shouldn't take long for him to remember LeBeau's system. Josh Vitorian, Curtis Brown, and Robert Golden could all use some extra attention as they battle for roster spots and depth chart seeding.
Come to think of it, the veterans missing some of these early stages of team activities might be better in the long run, giving experience to younger players. Alright Ben, no need to show up for training camp, Landry Jones needs practice.