Notes from minicamp

[BB2W]

Some observations from the first day of minicamp:

-- Omar Jacobs is a big guy who stands tall in the pocket. According to the team's roster, Jacobs at 6-foot-4 is one-inch shorter than Ben Roethlisberger, but there's nothing short about Jacobs. He showed a quick release, and even though the ball was coming out at shoulder height that might not be a problem for a guy as tall as him. Jacobs also showed good accuracy, but he did fumble two exchanges from center.

-- During the portion of practice where the team divides itself into separate units, over with the defensive backs rookie Anthony Smith spent a lot of time shadowing veteran Ryan Clark. While both players are newcomers to the Steelers, Clark is a four-year veteran, and so this is elementary to him even as it's all new to Smith. Every time Clark would make a call based on a shift or motion from an imaginary offense, Smith was there to see it from the vantage point of the free safety on the field, and then hear it from Clark's own mouth.

-- Later, also with the defensive backs, veteran Mike Logan made Smith do push-ups after dropping an interception. Smith showed quick feet in his backpedal and turned smoothly to track the ball in the air, which are techniques he'll need to play free safety in the NFL.

-- Santonio Holmes made a few nice catches, with his hands and with his arms extended while running across the field. On one occasion, Holmes was running over the middle and extended his body to make a very nice catch of a ball thrown hard and low. But he didn't pop up off the ground and run, and when he got back to the huddle receivers coach Bruce Arians reminded him that in the NFL the play isn't over unless you're touched down by a defender.

During the afternoon session, Holmes used a quick little move to escape an attempted jam by Ike Taylor, and when Ben Roethlisberger went deep to that side of the field, Taylor reached out and grabbed Holmes by the jersey rather than risk getting beat for a long touchdown.

"He made some very difficult catches," said Cowher about Holmes. He dropped the last one at the end of team drills in the afternoon. He's picked it up very well ? both him and Willie Reid. That's going to be a very competitive position, because there are some guys who are not going to go down easy. It's a very deep position, and it'll be fun to watch the whole thing unfold."

INJURY UPDATE: QB Rod Rutherford is still on crutches after breaking his foot in the days leading up to the NFL Draft ? WR Quincy Morgan, who ended the 2005 season on injured reserve after breaking a leg in the playoffs, is running, but he didn't participate in either of the workouts ? T Max Starks is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery, and he also didn't participate; neither did S Mike Logan (knee) ? CB Chidi Iwuoma (shoulder), OLB Andre Frazier (ankle) and rookie OLB Mike Kudla (hamstring) all were limited. "I would anticipate all these guys being ready to go by training camp," said Cowher. "Between now and the end of coaching sessions, some of them may get back. We'll take it on a day-to-day, week-to-week basis."


link: http://media3.steelers.com/article/64132/

[clevestinks]

How much do we know about Jacobs? Could he come in for some slash type roles, whether he has a QB draw, or bootlegs or something!

[Stlrs4Life]

Interesting read.

[Midnightwriter07]

He better be able to do something than sit in practive and throw sidearm becuase that is going to mean one less person that makes the team for him to carry a clipboard. I dont think he is really fast... but i would hope they would have him catching some balls at some point so he can be used for something.

[Haiku_Dirtt]

Originally Posted by clevestinks

How much do we know about Jacobs? Could he come in for some slash type roles, whether he has a QB draw, or bootlegs or something!

I read a quote that made me think that he thinks he is competing for the No. 1 QB. He's apparently accurate but his throw is hideous.

If he just wants to play no matter what then you'd have to believe that Whiz will find ways. If he is hellbent on playing QB then I don't know. He may be accurate but this is the NFL...his passes may look more like unsuspecting prey for waiting wolves.

[Haiku_Dirtt]

It sure won't help Ike and his agent that "Taylor reached out and grabbed Holmes by the jersey rather than risk getting beat for a long touchdown".

Flashback: November 28
Dateline: Indianapolis

Marvin Harrison 80 yard touchdown from Manning.

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by BB2W

-- Santonio Holmes made a few nice catches, with his hands and with his arms extended while running across the field. On one occasion, Holmes was running over the middle and extended his body to make a very nice catch of a ball thrown hard and low. But he didn't pop up off the ground and run, and when he got back to the huddle receivers coach Bruce Arians reminded him that in the NFL the play isn't over unless you're touched down by a defender.

as long as holmes didnt get up and spike a live ball (see plex)

as for jacobs, with 4.8 40 time he will not be a gatget guy and he wont be groomed as wr. charlie batch has as goot of a shot being the next gadget guy, and we all know thats not happenning. heres a look at jacobs strengths and weaknesses:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2006/jacobs_omar

Omar Jacobs
Height: 6-4
Weight: 233
40 Speed: 4.83 C
Position: Quarterback
College: Bowling Green
Final Grade: E 5.4

[clevestinks]

Steelers Enter Final Day Of Mini-Camp
(KDKA) PITTSBURGH The Steelers are wrapping up their first mini-camp since winning Super Bowl XL.

The three-day mini-camp concludes with a practice this morning.

The team has practiced twice a day the last two days without pads.

Wednesday marks the beginning of 14 voluntary spring drills that run through June 8.

The Steelers visit the White House on June 2 in celebration of their Super Bowl championship.


Looking forward to a good shot of the World Champs at the White House!

[Ohio Steeler]

Originally Posted by BB2W

Some observations from the first day of minicamp:
.

-- Santonio Holmes made a few nice catches, with his hands and with his arms extended while running across the field. On one occasion, Holmes was running over the middle and extended his body to make a very nice catch of a ball thrown hard and low. But he didn't pop up off the ground and run, and when he got back to the huddle receivers coach Bruce Arians reminded him that in the NFL the play isn't over unless you're touched down by a defender.



link: http://media3.steelers.com/article/64132/

I think that takes some time to get use to for rookies, I never did get why collage makes it so if your knee or any part of you touchs the ground you are down....