Pittsburgh Steelers training camp and preseason 2010

• Non

  

  
  
  
  Only a week away from the start of training camp. This marks the 45th year the Steelers will hold summer camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.
  
  The Steelers report Friday, July 30.
  
  The first practice open to the public is Saturday, July 31.
  
  The afternoon workouts (open to the public) generally run from 2:55 p.m. to 5 p.m. with a few exceptions, including a night practice at Latrobe Stadium on Aug. 6.
  
  Preseason Schedule
  
  Sat, Aug. 14 - vs. Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
  Sat. Aug, 21 - at N.Y. Giants, 7 p.m.
  Sun., Aug. 29 - at Denver, 8 p.m. (FOX)
  Thurs, Sept. 2 - vs. Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
  
  Outlook
  
  The Steelers are coming off a disappointing 9-7 season, but I think if you had told the front office that would be the biggest issue facing the team during the offseason, they would've gladly taken it.
  
  Gone is one Super Bowl hero, Santonio Holmes, while another, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, will be suspended for at least the first four games of the regular season.
  
  Undoubtedly, the biggest question mark entering the season will be at the quarterback position. Veteran Byron Leftwich is expected to compete with third-year man Dennis Dixon for the starting spot during Roethlisberger's absence.
  
  Other key storylines:
  
  Will Tomlin set the tone?
  ...Mike Tomlin has had three winning seasons in three years as a head coach, and he has a Super Bowl title on his resume. And now he has a new contract extension. But there were some rumors circulating late last season of some locker room problems. Perhaps the Steelers were frustrated during a five-game losing streak which included losses to Kansas City, Oakland or Cleveland, but it will be interesting to see how together this team is as they gear up for the 2010 season.
  
  Re-emphasis on the run?
  ...The Steelers put up some prolific passing numbers last season with Roethlisberger throwing for over 4,300 yards and two receivers going over 1,000 yards. But the passing attack wasn't able to lift the Steelers into the playoffs. Pretty much everyone from head coach Mike Tomlin to team president Art Rooney II came out publicly and stated that the Steelers must get back to running the ball more. Was offensive coordinator Bruce Arians listening?
  
  Draft impact
  ...No question the Steelers have gotten old at some spots, but they were able to bring in 10 new players through this year's draft. It's always fun to watch new players at training camp and during the preseason games. From a football standpoint, it's important that a few of these players contribute either in major roles or as depth.
  
  Polamalu, Smith, McFadden and Foote return
  ...The Steelers defensed slipped last season but keep in mind that several of the starters from the 2008 defense were either on other teams or out with injuries. Polamalu and Smith are two galvanizing players on that side of the ball and they are players the Steelers simply can't replace. If they're back healthy in 2010 the Steelers defense should improve significantly. The Steelers also welcome back cornerback Bryant McFadden, who should start opposite Ike Taylor, and Larry Foote, who will compete for a starting spot at inside linebacker.
  
  Breakout candidates/sleepers
  
  Mike Wallace, WR
  ...Fast. Smooth. Reliable. Those are some of the words to describe Wallace's performance as a rookie. He showed off his speed several times but perhaps his biggest catch was a game-winning grab on the final play of regulation as the Steelers defeated the Packers. Wallace had a fine rookie season with 39 receptions, 756 yards and 6 TDs but the Holmes trade has placed a lot of added pressure on Wallace.
  
  Keenan Lewis, CB
  ...Lewis has good size (6'0, 208) and long arms. He had a strong training camp and preseason last year but injuries derailed much of his rookie season. He likely won't start but should have a chance to get on the field more and make some things happen.
  
  Isaac Redman, RB
  ...Out of little known Bowie State, Redman was a training camp sensation last year due to his ability to break tackles and score in goal-line drills. He spent the regular season mostly on the practice squad and improving his conditioning. He'll have a chance now to take a step forward.
  
  Notable players who could be in trouble
  
  James Farrior, LB
  ...The 14-year veteran has been one of the leaders of the defense the past several years but he's coming off a rough year, finally showing some age and decline. The Steelers brought back Larry Foote and they drafted three linebackers. Just looking at the numbers, Farrior may have to prove himself, again.
  
  Matt Spaeth, TE
  ...The 6'7 Spaeth is a weak blocker and only a moderately effective receiver. The Steelers didn't draft a tight end, which could help Spaeth's chances of sticking around, but he may still have a tough time beating out David Johnson and Sean McHugh.
  
  Frank Summers, FB
  ...The Tank never really got going in his rookie season. This will be a pivotal camp for him.
  
  Position battles
  
  Quarterback
  ...Byron Leftwich vs. Dennis Dixon...advantage Leftwich due to his experience but don't count out Dixon, who has shown some savvy, in addition to his dangerous running ability.
  
  Offensive line
  ...The competition will be at center, right guard and right tackle. If Justin Hartwig holds up he'll likely remain the center with first-round pick Maurkice Pouncey the favorite to start at right guard. Right tackle is up for grabs. Trai Essex, Ramon Foster and Jonathan Scott are all in the mix.
  
  No. 2 running back
  ...Jonathan Dwyer vs. Isaac Redman...Dwyer tore up at Georgia Tech but it remains to be seen how much of that was the product of the option attack. It looks like he could be the right fit as the Steelers power running back, although Redman remains a sleeper.
  
  Inside linebacker
  ...Larry Foote vs. Lawrence Timmons vs. James Farrior...Foote was a durable, consistent player for the Steelers at inside linebacker. He doesn't have the speed or playmaking ability of Timmons but week-in, week-out, he might be the better option. One of those players will have to become more of a vocal leader of the defense if they're going to bump Farrior from his spot.
  
  Cornerback
  ...Bryant McFadden vs. William Gay vs. Keenan Lewis...the Steelers consider this a competition so I guess I will but there is really not much doubt it will be McFadden.
• killer_ewok

  

  Well done, Zod. I always look forward to training camp and this year even moreso for many of the reasons you stated above.
  
  I'm very interested to see if Arians will make a commitment to the run. Let's hope the Steelers can right the ship this year.
• rock_knutne

  IMO, it all comes down to the defense. Injuries hurt them last year and it showed, they couldn't hold a lead to save their lives. I'm hoping with a healthy Polamalu and Smith, the defense will be back on track and dominate again, of course that's if they stay injury free.
  
  Steelers need to navigate the first four games with out Ben and hopefully they will be fine.
• Art Modell

  

  Ryan Clark is on espn this morning with Skip Bayless. Ryan has them going 11-5 and Skip has them 9-7.
• Heretic

  

  If Polamalu and Smith stay healthy, the defense will be good. That's a big "if" though, as both guys have had injury problems over the last few years. Arians has to make a commitment towards the run. Can't win with either Leftwich or Dixon throwing as much as Ben did. And if the running game's working out for the team and they're winning without Ben, I think it'd be dumb to go pass-happy the second he's back. Now, if the team's struggling while Ben's out...yeah, make the needed strategy changes when he returns. Take the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" concept to heart, though.
• GoPens

  

  I'm glad that nobody is picking the Steelers in the division. Less pressure and they can "sneak" up on teams. If the defense stays healthy, they've got a good shot at the division.
• killer_ewok

  

  GoPens;430793 wrote:I'm glad that nobody is picking the Steelers in the division. Less pressure and they can "sneak" up on teams. If the defense stays healthy, they've got a good shot at the division.

  
  Totally agree.
• Footwedge

  WGAS about Pittsburgh?
• killer_ewok

  

  Footwedge;431171 wrote:WGAS about Pittsburgh?

  
  ES,MN.
• Non

  

  Steelers sign Flozell Adams
  
  now they have big slow tackles on both sides lol
• Pick6

  

  Flozell has some talent. But i dont think he fits the mold for the steelers organization. When I watched him with the Cowboys, he always seemed like a dirty player and cost the cowboys a few times by stupid penalties.
• rock_knutne

  Non;436005 wrote:Steelers sign Flozell Adams
  
  now they have big slow tackles on both sides lol

  
  
  He's not a world beater anymore but a good pick considering Pittsburgh's Oline problems. They needed more depth.
• rock_knutne

  Big Ben had a very warm reception from the fans today at St. Vincent's College in Latrobe for the first day of training camp. He also ran the first team offense and Flozell Adams was also in the first team offense. Ben looks like he's in shape, looks a lot trimmer than he did the last couple years.
  
  http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp10/news/story?id=5426141
• Heretic

  

  I'd guess after the events of the offseason, Ben pretty much knows he's in a nut up and shut up position with the team's hierarchy where he has to be a model employee. Him improving his conditioning is a positive. An even bigger positive will be him improving on the mental aspects of the quarterback position, as the one on-field weakness he has is very questionable decision-making from time to time (which, I guess, also ties in with the off-field stuff). We all love it when he eludes the pass rush, breaks a sack attempt and fires a first-down completion, but when that's followed by two sacks because he held on to the ball for about 15 minutes, it makes you think the dude would become truly elite if he augmented his physical ability by becoming more of a student of the game.
• Non

  

  It still amazes me on the interception by Polamalu in the AFC Championship Game, the hustle by Aaron Smith.
  
  Sure, Flacco was probably the only player who had a real shot and it wasn't too much to block the quarterback but just the effort by a 300-pound lineman.
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdh5u1KM3ck
• DeyDurkie5

  

  steelers will finish 4th in the afc north this year
• Automatik

  

  DeyDurkie5;438997 wrote:steelers will finish 4th in the afc north this year

  
  lmao.......Delhomme.
• Non

  

  we'll see
  
  this season could be over before it begins if they dig themselves in a hole while Ben is out
  
  although I think the defense has a lot to prove and could carry them through that stretch
• Automatik

  

  I'm hoping for 2-2 going into the bye week.
• Non

  

  according to Ed Bouchette, Thad Gibson stood out in yesterday's "backs vs. backers" drills
• killer_ewok

  

  DeyDurkie5;438997 wrote:steelers will finish 4th in the afc north this year

  
  Disagree. They'll finish 5th in the AFC North.....
• rock_knutne

  I've been listening to radio coverage of Steelers training camp. The word has been that Ziggy Hood has been performing like a beast, he had a one on one drill with Pouncey and destroyed him, gave him an good old Reggie White "club" and instantly dropped him to the ground. After that drill, Tomlin ordered them to line up again......same result and Tomlin again lined them up for a third time where Pouncey finally held his ground.
  
  There's also speculation that Pouncey may be given the chance to take the center job from Hartwig.
  
  Also.......Jeff Reed, shut your fucking mouth! You're a franchise tagged punter, no need to yapp about getting a new contract.
• Non

  

  I don't think Hood is in the right system.
  
  If he played in that Tampa 4-3 like Warren Sapp he'd probably dominate. Because he has great quickness as an inside pass rusher.
• rock_knutne

  Non;439705 wrote:I don't think Hood is in the right system.
  
  If he played in that Tampa 4-3 like Warren Sapp he'd probably dominate. Because he has great quickness as an inside pass rusher.

  
  
  Tomlin must think otherwise or he wouldn't have drafted him. Time will tell.
  
  FYI, Hood has been lining up at nose guard too.
• Footwedge

  I have a feeling the Steelers are gonna suck this year.