tony hipchest
07-31-2006, 08:44 PM
http://news.steelers.com/article/66458/
The pads were popping on Monday afternoon
Monday, July 31, 2006
By BOB LABRIOLA
Steelers.com
LATROBE, Pa. ? The 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers may have the most dynamic young quarterback in all of football, and they may be without the guy who stands fifth on the NFL's all-time rushing list.
But that doesn't mean they're going to stray from their offensive identity.
During the afternoon portion of this camp's first two-a-days, the Steelers slugged it out in a tight ends vs. linebackers drill, and then in their patented nine-on-seven. The pads were popping, as the tone was being set on a day that offered the perfect climate for growing bananas.
The tight ends vs. linebackers drill matches one player from each unit in a hand-to-hand battle for control of the edge of the line of scrimmage. It's a drill that tests strength, technique and will.
Jerame Tuman got a lot of praise from coordinator Ken Whisenhunt for his work in the drill, and Clark Haggans was strong at the point of attack for the defense. The final repetition matched James Harrison against undrafted rookie Jonathan Dekker, and Harrison put his man on the ground.
"It really wasn't that bad," said Coach Bill Cowher of the afternoon working conditions. "It was only a 97-degree heat index, and there still was a little bit of a breeze. I think we're going to get a couple of more days of this, but it's been good. There's no substitute for that, but the guys have really done a good job of acclimating to this.
"When you look at some of the serious consequences of the heat, the first three days are very important. The guys have done a good job of hydrating and taking care of their bodies, and we're monitoring them out here. We didn't do any (running) at the end; I think this practice in itself was enough. Any running we did at the end just would've been detrimental. These guys came here in good shape; there wasn't one who didn't come in at the proper weight."
Nate Washington continues to do good things every time he steps on the field. After making the catch of the day on Sunday, Washington continued to be a difficult guy for the cornerbacks to handle. He beat Ricardo Colclough on a couple of shorter patterns, and then he beat him deep after first making him think the route was going to be a slant.
"In his second year, Nate is definitely a guy who is more confident," said Cowher. "You can see that in his understanding and the way he carries himself on the field."
For the defense, both Tyrone Carter and Mike Logan had interceptions. Carter's came on a play where Ben Roethlisberger tried to lead Hines Ward into an open area but never saw the safety lurking there; Logan made a diving catch of a ball Charlie Batch threw high and behind Tuman.
"Ty Carter and Ryan Clark are alternating (with the first unit) and we'll see how that unfolds," said Cowher. "Ty is a good player. He obviously feels a lot more comfortable now that he's been in the system for a couple of years. That makes a big difference. Those two are competing for the starting job, and Anthony Smith is another guy we're looking at back there. Mike Logan has been very solid, and safety is a very competitive position right now."
CAMP NOTES: The Steelers re-signed linebacker Malcolm Postell. With Joey Porter on the physically unable to perform list, and with Mike Kudla nursing a hamstring injury, the Steelers made a move to add another linebacker. Postell had been with the team through minicamp but was waived in June.
Also, Lee Vickers, the undrafted rookie from North Alabama, started working at outside linebacker. Vickers is built a lot like Mike Vrabel, and he is a guy who can run. At 6-foot-6, and a listed 270 pounds, Vickers was too slight to be an end in the 3-4 this season.
After parking more than 3,000 cars on Monday, officials estimated attendance for the afternoon workout at 9,000.
INJURY UPDATE: Dan Kreider (foot) and Travis Kirschke (back) did not practice on Monday. Cowher said Kirschke's back tightened up, and he'll be monitored daily ? Santonio Holmes injured the same hamstring he originally hurt while working in Pittsburgh prior to the start of camp. Cowher said he didn't know just yet if that would cause Holmes to miss any practice.
The pads were popping on Monday afternoon
Monday, July 31, 2006
By BOB LABRIOLA
Steelers.com
LATROBE, Pa. ? The 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers may have the most dynamic young quarterback in all of football, and they may be without the guy who stands fifth on the NFL's all-time rushing list.
But that doesn't mean they're going to stray from their offensive identity.
During the afternoon portion of this camp's first two-a-days, the Steelers slugged it out in a tight ends vs. linebackers drill, and then in their patented nine-on-seven. The pads were popping, as the tone was being set on a day that offered the perfect climate for growing bananas.
The tight ends vs. linebackers drill matches one player from each unit in a hand-to-hand battle for control of the edge of the line of scrimmage. It's a drill that tests strength, technique and will.
Jerame Tuman got a lot of praise from coordinator Ken Whisenhunt for his work in the drill, and Clark Haggans was strong at the point of attack for the defense. The final repetition matched James Harrison against undrafted rookie Jonathan Dekker, and Harrison put his man on the ground.
"It really wasn't that bad," said Coach Bill Cowher of the afternoon working conditions. "It was only a 97-degree heat index, and there still was a little bit of a breeze. I think we're going to get a couple of more days of this, but it's been good. There's no substitute for that, but the guys have really done a good job of acclimating to this.
"When you look at some of the serious consequences of the heat, the first three days are very important. The guys have done a good job of hydrating and taking care of their bodies, and we're monitoring them out here. We didn't do any (running) at the end; I think this practice in itself was enough. Any running we did at the end just would've been detrimental. These guys came here in good shape; there wasn't one who didn't come in at the proper weight."
Nate Washington continues to do good things every time he steps on the field. After making the catch of the day on Sunday, Washington continued to be a difficult guy for the cornerbacks to handle. He beat Ricardo Colclough on a couple of shorter patterns, and then he beat him deep after first making him think the route was going to be a slant.
"In his second year, Nate is definitely a guy who is more confident," said Cowher. "You can see that in his understanding and the way he carries himself on the field."
For the defense, both Tyrone Carter and Mike Logan had interceptions. Carter's came on a play where Ben Roethlisberger tried to lead Hines Ward into an open area but never saw the safety lurking there; Logan made a diving catch of a ball Charlie Batch threw high and behind Tuman.
"Ty Carter and Ryan Clark are alternating (with the first unit) and we'll see how that unfolds," said Cowher. "Ty is a good player. He obviously feels a lot more comfortable now that he's been in the system for a couple of years. That makes a big difference. Those two are competing for the starting job, and Anthony Smith is another guy we're looking at back there. Mike Logan has been very solid, and safety is a very competitive position right now."
CAMP NOTES: The Steelers re-signed linebacker Malcolm Postell. With Joey Porter on the physically unable to perform list, and with Mike Kudla nursing a hamstring injury, the Steelers made a move to add another linebacker. Postell had been with the team through minicamp but was waived in June.
Also, Lee Vickers, the undrafted rookie from North Alabama, started working at outside linebacker. Vickers is built a lot like Mike Vrabel, and he is a guy who can run. At 6-foot-6, and a listed 270 pounds, Vickers was too slight to be an end in the 3-4 this season.
After parking more than 3,000 cars on Monday, officials estimated attendance for the afternoon workout at 9,000.
INJURY UPDATE: Dan Kreider (foot) and Travis Kirschke (back) did not practice on Monday. Cowher said Kirschke's back tightened up, and he'll be monitored daily ? Santonio Holmes injured the same hamstring he originally hurt while working in Pittsburgh prior to the start of camp. Cowher said he didn't know just yet if that would cause Holmes to miss any practice.