KDKA interview with Shipley

[I-Want-Troy's-Hair]

There is a short segment with Dawson and his thoughts on Shipley....

http://kdka.com/video/?id=60893@kdka.dayport.com

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Its a good interview. I think Shipley is gonna end up on the PS and he probably will look to stay there this year and not sign with another team.

Given that Hartwig and Stapleton are each in the final year of their contracts...he could end up being the #2 center next year instead of the #4 option this year.

[mmalone]

Originally Posted by El-Gonzo Jackson

Its a good interview. I think Shipley is gonna end up on the PS and he probably will look to stay there this year and not sign with another team.

Given that Hartwig and Stapleton are each in the final year of their contracts...he could end up being the #2 center next year instead of the #4 option this year.

if stapleton has a bad report tonight.. shipley maybe the #2 guy this week.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by mmalone

if stapleton has a bad report tonight.. shipley maybe the #2 guy this week.

Yeah, but he still looks to be sitting out behind ........"The Big Legursky"!!

Legursky held his own out there. Reminding me of Fraley's first year.
http://twitter.com/jimwexell

[mmalone]

Originally Posted by El-Gonzo Jackson

Yeah, but he still looks to be sitting out behind ........"The Big Legursky"!!

Legursky held his own out there. Reminding me of Fraley's first year.
http://twitter.com/jimwexell

thats cool. when hartwig is back, then shipley will be #3

[PA/VA Guy]

I'm a big PSU fan so I'm pulling for Shipley but if he wants to play with the Steelers, he will need to be able to fill in at guard. It's all about position flexibility. Plus if he could grow his arms 2 or 3 inches longer, that might help.

[43Hitman]

Originally Posted by PA/VA Guy

I'm a big PSU fan so I'm pulling for Shipley but if he wants to play with the Steelers, he will need to be able to fill in at guard. It's all about position flexibility. Plus if he could grow his arms 2 or 3 inches longer, that might help.

Stretcher maybe?

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by PA/VA Guy

I'm a big PSU fan so I'm pulling for Shipley but if he wants to play with the Steelers, he will need to be able to fill in at guard. It's all about position flexibility. Plus if he could grow his arms 2 or 3 inches longer, that might help.

To me Shipley is a short, solid, stocky guy.....but he isnt as thick in the lower body to carry that natural weight and either anchor, or move the big NT's that we face in the AFC. He was probably the quickest C at the NFL combine and does a great job of getting angles on defenders.

I think you may be right that if he is a guard for the Steelers, he can get to LB's vs a 3-4 defense well, and probably hold up better against 300lb DT's in a 4-3, where he will face more 325lb+ NT's at center.

He is a Steeler and I hope he is great, but I think he may be better suited to play guard for the Steelers like you say.

[mesaSteeler]

(Another Shipley interview goes with article. See URL - mesa)
http://www.wjactv.com/sports/20283126/detail.html

Steelers Rookie Shipley Stays Close To Home

Posted: 7:57 pm EDT August 4, 2009Updated: 11:13 pm EDT August 4, 2009
LATROBE, Pa. -- Four days into Steelers training camp, one rookie is feeling very close to home.

A.Q. Shipley, a center from Penn State, was drafted by the Steelers in the seventh round of April's NFL Draft. He is also a native of Moon Township, about 25 minutes northwest of downtown Pittsburgh, and is quite familiar with his surroundings at Saint Vincent College.

"I grew up here and came to camp here the last ten years," Shipley told WJAC. "Now, my family gets to watch me play here. It's a pretty awesome feeling."

Shipley was drafted to a team whose offensive line woes are well-documented in the NFL. The Steelers allowed 102 sacks over the course of the last two seasons. However, the former Nittany Lion says his veteran counterparts make for quality teachers.

"I've learned a lot from those guys," said Shipley. "Guys like Justin Hartwig and Willie Colon have meant a lot to me. Just to get a chance to learn from them, and come in and try to compete, that's all you can ask for."

Shipley comes to the Steelers after two extremely successful seasons playing center at Penn State. He was an All-Big Ten selection in 2007 and 2008, an AP First Team All-American in '08, and the Rimington Trophy award winner for the nation's top center his senior season. Shipley is also just six-feet tall, generally considered small for an NFL offensive lineman. Yet he weighs over 300 pounds, meaning Shipley is short -- not small -- by league standards.

"(Shipley) would have to be concerned if he were playing a pickup basketball game," said Steelers offensive line coach Larry Zierlein. "He's a very good run blocker with a good base. He's tough. He's fast. He's smart."

Zierlein added that Shipley is competing against lineman who are better pass blockers, but believes he is progressing very well in that aspect of the game. If he keeps progressing, the former Nittany Lion knows he can beat the odds which come with being a late-round pick, and acheive one of his main goals: making the Steelers 53-man roster.

"I've never backed down from a challenge. I always want to be the starter," Shipley told WJAC. "I'm going to do everything I can to be the starter on this team."

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