Steelers Training Camp Report

For the next 3 weeks, I'll be covering Steelers training camp off and on. So I'll be blogging as much as I can about some of the sights and sounds from around camp.

Friday

The players show up for camp. Everybody is in as good of a mood as they possibly can. Rookies Mike Wallace and Keenan Lewis brought enough honey buns for the entire season. Chris Hoke has a big ol' bag of M&M's. But James Harrison takes the cake. After signing a 6-year, $51 million contract, the man rolled up to camp in a smart car. It was so shocking that coach Mike Tomlin came out of the dorms to test drive the car.

The only other piece of news is that everyone - including Casey Hampton - passed the running test, even coach Tomlin was curious to see how the big man would do. Even though big Hamp walked the last leg of the test, he passed.

Saturday

Even though it was the first day of practice, the team practiced like Super Bowl champions. A lot of hustle and physicality came from the Steelers. After practice, Ben Roethlisberger answered questions from the media for the first time since the civil suit. Granted, the media asked for this because every question was about how to avoid distractions. But Ben at one point threatened to walk away from the scrum of reporters. However, you have to give Roethlisberger credit because he barely ever talks to the media, but on Saturday he knew that he had to.

In the afternoon practice Lawrence Timmons was unable to finish after cramping up. No word on how long he would be out. One final note, former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan attended both morning and afternoon practice. During the A.M. practice, which was closed to the public, Shanahan studied Dick Lebeau's defense like a hawk. I talked to him for a minute, asking how it felt to be there as a fan. He said it was different because this is the first time in 35 years he hasn't been coaching during a camp.

Sunday

A pretty laid back day for the defending champs, but it did provide a few fireworks. Hines Ward got the afternoon off to rest. Troy Polamolu is technically still in limited capacity, but he did record an interception from an errant Big Ben throw. Lawrence Timmons also didn't practice after leaving yesterday with cramps. Toward the end of practice, Frank Summers got his "Welcome to the NFL" moment by getting rocked on the last play.

Talked to Limas Sweed after practice, he said from last year to this year is like "Night and day." He even admitted last year he didn't know where Latrobe was. But now he feels more comfortable with the offense, and his approach to practice. He's back to playing football, treating every night like "Friday night" because back in high school was the most fun he had playing football. He's back to having fun.

3 guys who have impressed so far

1. Limas Sweed - Sweed definitely has the inside track on the slot receiver job. Even though he's facing competition from veteran Shaun MacDonald and rookie Mike Wallace, Sweed continues to show not only the physical tools that made him a second round pick, but also the mental approach I mentioned above.

2. James Harrison - Usually after a big season and a big contract, players will get complacent. Not Harrison. Harrison has not only shown up to camp in better shape with more muscle, but shows the same intensity that made him last year's defensive player of the year. When he steps on that practice field whether he's in a drill or coaching the younger guys, Harrison shows the same intensity he showed all last season. (Side note: When I talked to him on Friday, I learned on the 100-yard interception return during the Super Bowl Harrion was supposed to blitz. Instead of blitzing, he dropped back, and needless to say, it worked out.)

3. Ziggy Hood - Impressive for a rookie to have an approach to training camp like Ziggy. First, he stayed in Pittsburgh all summer keeping in shape, getting acclimated with the city, and readying himself for camp. Second, he signed his contract before camp started allowing him to be there for the beginning, which is crucial when learning the Dick Lebeau defense. Finally, he already shows the intensity of Harrison even in his first training. It looks like Pittsburgh drafted themselves a first round steal at pick 32.

I have Monday off, but I'll be back at camp on Tuesday and Wednesday with more updates.