Wednesday - Steelers training camp report
At some point you have to feel bad for the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line. Last year, there were a lot of question marks, but overcoming the adversity, this unit won the Super Bowl. Coming into camp, still seen as a weak link, at least the same five starters would be coming back. But so far, 40% of the line is down with injuries, only leaving young guys to fill the place. Justin Hartwig's toe and Darnell Stapleton's knee have given young guys like Trai Essex, Doug Legursky, A. Q. Shipley, and Kraig Urbik an opportunity for some playing time, but the injuries have also raised more questions about a line that ranked 23rd in rushing offense last season.
The afternoon practice (as the morning practice before it) ended up very light today. Still a lot of intensity, but not the same pulse that has paced the last couple of practices. Hines Ward, Troy Polamolu, Darnell Stapleton, and Justin Hartwig - even though Hartwig did play center during the 7-on-7 drills - all did not participate in practice today. Even Ben Roethlisberger was not in pads and not throwing during the afternoon session.
Coach Mike Tomlin has downplayed leaving the guys out of practice. He says he's going to evaluate each guy day to day. But his reasoning is that with guys like Hines and Troy, you know what they are capable of. Not necessarily that they don't need to get reps in camp, but he did say it's more beneficial to get younger guys the reps. With a number of young receivers in camp - Martin Nance, Dallas Baker, and Mike Wallace, who is among the throng of rookies - Tomlin feels it's only fair to get them more reps, allowing the coaching staff to more fully evaluate the talent at camp. Not to mention, it gives Limas Sweed a chance to also learn the outside receiver on top of the slot receiver, just in case an injury would strike Hines or Santonio.
Still the big issue currently is the injuries to the offensive line. Tomlin gave no indication as to the status of Darnell Stapleton other than that more tests are coming. It was encouraging to see him on the field with the team with not brace, wrap, or ice. However, it seems to me that coach knows the situation with Stapleton, but he doesn't want to tip his hand until they know how they are going to handle it, which would seem to spell bad news for the Steelers. However, we'll know more simply as time passes.
I'll be in Pittsburgh the next two days covering our beloved Buccos, but I'll be back in Latrobe this weekend when the Steelers only have one practice both Saturday and Sunday. Still counting down to the preseason opener in the Burgh on August 13, I'll be here for the rest of camp. Until next time, try not to drop a weight on your toe because it might cost you your starting center job.
At some point you have to feel bad for the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line. Last year, there were a lot of question marks, but overcoming the adversity, this unit won the Super Bowl. Coming into camp, still seen as a weak link, at least the same five starters would be coming back. But so far, 40% of the line is down with injuries, only leaving young guys to fill the place. Justin Hartwig's toe and Darnell Stapleton's knee have given young guys like Trai Essex, Doug Legursky, A. Q. Shipley, and Kraig Urbik an opportunity for some playing time, but the injuries have also raised more questions about a line that ranked 23rd in rushing offense last season.
The afternoon practice (as the morning practice before it) ended up very light today. Still a lot of intensity, but not the same pulse that has paced the last couple of practices. Hines Ward, Troy Polamolu, Darnell Stapleton, and Justin Hartwig - even though Hartwig did play center during the 7-on-7 drills - all did not participate in practice today. Even Ben Roethlisberger was not in pads and not throwing during the afternoon session.
Coach Mike Tomlin has downplayed leaving the guys out of practice. He says he's going to evaluate each guy day to day. But his reasoning is that with guys like Hines and Troy, you know what they are capable of. Not necessarily that they don't need to get reps in camp, but he did say it's more beneficial to get younger guys the reps. With a number of young receivers in camp - Martin Nance, Dallas Baker, and Mike Wallace, who is among the throng of rookies - Tomlin feels it's only fair to get them more reps, allowing the coaching staff to more fully evaluate the talent at camp. Not to mention, it gives Limas Sweed a chance to also learn the outside receiver on top of the slot receiver, just in case an injury would strike Hines or Santonio.
Still the big issue currently is the injuries to the offensive line. Tomlin gave no indication as to the status of Darnell Stapleton other than that more tests are coming. It was encouraging to see him on the field with the team with not brace, wrap, or ice. However, it seems to me that coach knows the situation with Stapleton, but he doesn't want to tip his hand until they know how they are going to handle it, which would seem to spell bad news for the Steelers. However, we'll know more simply as time passes.
I'll be in Pittsburgh the next two days covering our beloved Buccos, but I'll be back in Latrobe this weekend when the Steelers only have one practice both Saturday and Sunday. Still counting down to the preseason opener in the Burgh on August 13, I'll be here for the rest of camp. Until next time, try not to drop a weight on your toe because it might cost you your starting center job.
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