Reserve role doesn't frustrate McFadden

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

McFadden too late with great play
By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, August 29, 2008

• Bryant McFadden may have waited too late to make a serious bid for the starting left cornerback slot, but McFadden was all over the field Thursday night. McFadden made a nice breakup of a Carolina pass intended for Dwayne Jarrett in the first quarter. McFadden, who plays behind Deshea Townsend, reached in and swatted the ball away on first-and-10 from the Steelers' 42. In the second quarter, McFadden intecepted another pass intended for Jarrett, this time on third-and-12, and returned it 31 yards to the Carolina 41. Six plays later, Jeff Reed kicked a 41-yard field goal, giving the Steelers a 10-3 lead. On McFadden's inteception, right cornerback Ike Taylor executed an all-out outside blitz, forcing quarterback Matt Moore to step up in the pocket before releasing the ball.

• Yonkers Raceway president Timothy J. Rooney, one of the Steelers' owners, has been elected to the Living Hall of Fame, harness racing's highest honor. He has been president of the track, now called Empire City Gaming at Yonkers Raceway, for 36 years. Rooney, also a longtime standardbred breeder, was selected in balloting conducted primarily among members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association. Earlier this year, the New York chapter of the harness writers association selected Rooney as its "Man of the Half Century."

• Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger appeared in two series and was on the field for eight plays. Roethlisberger did not attempt a pass, but the Steelers did operate from a no-huddle on their second series. For the preseason, Roethlisberger was 21-of-30 (70 percent) for 245 yards, two touchdeowns, one interception and a 102.8 passer rating.

• Lawrence Timmons started at right inside linebacker in place of Larry Foote, who was sidelined with a knee injury. Linebacker Mike Humpal (stinger) and safety Ryan Mundy (ankle) did not dress.

• Rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall fumbled for the second consecutive game. Mendenhall's fumble, which followed a 12-yard run in the second quarter, was recovered by former Steelers cornerback Ricardo Colclough.

• Another Steelers rookie, receiver Limas Sweed, nearly made a spectacular leaping grab in the back of the end zone on a bomb from backup quarterback Byron Leftwich in the second quarter. Sweed got both of his feet down after making the catch, but replays showed that his body touched out of bounds first. Later in the quarter, a wide-open Sweed, who has struggled with drops all preseason, dropped a perfect pass from Leftwich.

• Running back Willie Parker, who averaged 2.9 yards per carry in the first three preseason games, rushed four times for 34 yards (8.5 yards per carry).

• Punter Paul Ernster may have kicked himself out of a job last night. Ernster, who was averaging 44.3 yards per punt in preseason, shanked a 22-yarder in the second quarter.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_585482.html

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

• Punter Paul Ernster may have kicked himself out of a job last night. Ernster, who was averaging 44.3 yards per punt in preseason, shanked a 22-yarder in the second quarter.

Ernster was averaging 7yards more than Sepulveda...will the one shank sour Tomlin that much on his ability?

[Steeldude]

ernster can also kick off

[Elvis]

Ernster is pretty much a back yard kicker that thinks he is good...

[Havik]

I think McFadden should be starting, he is much better than Townsend, and we would probably see more interceptions if he were starting. Townsend is a decent player but he is too short and too old. I hope he retires next year.

[dunkuntou]

Originally Posted by lamberts-lost-tooth

Ernster was averaging 7yards more than Sepulveda...will the one shank sour Tomlin that much on his ability?

Ernester is terrible and he shanks punts like its his job...Berger is a much safer bet

[ricksteelers55]

Originally Posted by Havik

I think McFadden should be starting, he is much better than Townsend, and we would probably see more interceptions if he were starting. Townsend is a decent player but he is too short and too old. I hope he retires next year.

We might also see a lot more pass allowed to the opponents on the weak side as McFadden is nowhere near as good as Deshea as man to man.

He might not be as fancy as other CB in this league but you surely know how safe he is when it comes to coverage.

My pick: Townsend

[The Duke]

Originally Posted by Havik

I think McFadden should be starting, he is much better than Townsend, and we would probably see more interceptions if he were starting..

it's a good thing you're not coach then

I respect your opinion on bmac and deshea, but the reason he hasn't taken his job is because he is not consistent, something townsend is most games

sure, he doesn't make flashy plays all the time, but I prefer that to mcfadden's inconsistency. imo he's gone in 09. he may find a starting job with the likes of the 49ers or browns. you know, non playoff teams

he's a good #3 corner, I'll give him that. but I'm glad the steelers don't choose a flashier player over a consistent one. he has to earn it

Townsend is a decent player but he is too short and too old. I hope he retires next year

ok, now that's just stupid. only corner that may leave next season is bryant because he may not be resigned, cause he isn't better than townsend

and don't get me wrong. I'd love to see him be better than townsend. heck, I'd love to see him be better than ike, better than woodson and blount, but just having "more interceptions" isn't gonna cut it

that said...kick some ass in 09 bryant

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

Reserve role doesn't frustrate McFadden
By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, August 30, 2008

On the final day of training camp, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin burst Bryant McFadden's bubble.

By telling reporters that Deshea Townsend is his starting left cornerback, with McFadden settling for leftovers as the nickel back, Tomlin effectively killed McFadden's dream of becoming a starter in 2008.

In the wake of Tomlin's stinging comments, McFadden has never looked better.

McFadden's strong performance in the final two preseason games won't change Tomlin's mind about who will start at left cornerback against the Houston Texans on Sept. 7 at Heinz Field. But it speaks loudly to McFadden's professionalism and his desire to improve.

"I'm a competitor. My No. 1 goal was to be the starter. If that's how (Tomlin) sees it, so be it. I still have a job to do," McFadden said.

"There's nothing wrong with being labeled as the third corner. Most teams have three real good receivers and the fourth one can probably be a starter also. You need to have at least three corners that can get the job done."

McFadden was asked how it felt to be passed over for the starting job. Normally reluctant to speak his mind, McFadden revealed that his emotions were still raw.

"Being human, it's easy to find fault and negativity," McFadden said. "Something my mother always told me: It might not look how you want it to look right now, but just continue to press forward and continue to believe and positive things will happen for you."

McFadden's ball-hawking skills produced a first-quarter interception against Carolina on Thursday night that showcased his ability to absorb defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's massive playbook.

McFadden read quarterback Matt Moore's eyes from snap to pick. After dropping into coverage, he drove aggressively to the ball and stepped in front of receiver Dwayne Jarrett to make the grab and navigate a 31-yard return.

"It was third and long. I read the quarterback pretty good. I got a good feel where he wanted to go. I wanted to disguise and show him something he wasn't expecting," McFadden said.

This is a critical time for McFadden, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. A second-round draft pick in 2005, McFadden needs to enjoy individual as well as team success to spark negotiations for his new contract.

Becoming a starter this season would have helped McFadden's negotiations with the Steelers. Given the team's growing reluctance to sign its potential free agents, this could be McFadden's final season in Pittsburgh.

Not that McFadden is concerned with what his future holds.

"Going into camp I wanted to be consistent. These last couple of weeks I just told myself go ahead and turn it loose," McFadden said. "As long as you're making plays and doing positive things, people will notice, regardless if you're coming off the bench or if you're on the field all the time."


http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_585602.html

[augustashark]

Very good team attitude! If he keeps making plays and stays healthy, I can see him cracking the starting lineup very soon. Right now it's all mental for him and he has to stay in the right frame of mind.