2014 Training Camp

[Ice]

Big number to live up to for Tuitt. Sorry if mentioned before, I just noticed.

[lifelongsteel]

Alex Kozora @Alex_Kozora · 1m

Couple plays where team had three safeties on the field. 20 21 29

Glanville big nickel. Both Ziv and Hitler called this one.

[Legacy User]

Alex Kozora @Alex_Kozora · 43s

Terence Garvin has been all around the ball today. Sean Spence also looks good. Nice day for the ILBs.

Alex Kozora @Alex_Kozora · 4s

Blanchflower is getting work in tram drills. But Gradkowski ran into him one play, creating a broken play.

Alex Kozora @Alex_Kozora · 1m

Chris Elkins has been given work at center and left guard today.

[Kodiak]

How does someone as athletically gifted as Ike have such bad hands? We're not talking bad hands just by NFL standards, we're talking bad hands as in some kid playing catch for the first time in his life.

It's really mind boggling. How unbelievably poor does someone have to be for people to be justifiably surprised when he actually catches one?

[Legacy User]

Will Graves @WillGravesAP · 1m

Roethlisberger gets into Martavis Bruant after a pass is batted down. "Keep coming back to the ball!"

Alex Kozora @Alex_Kozora · 1m

Wes Johnson having a bad day. Waist bending issues.

Retweeted by Steelers Depot
Alex Kozora @Alex_Kozora · 1m

The Emmanuel McCray test. You don't get to belong in the NFL if you can't beat him one on one.

WRs @LanceMoore16 & @ThaBestUNO talking during practice. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/RrxeNA47QX

[rooneytunes]

How does someone as athletically gifted as Ike have such bad hands? We're not talking bad hands just by NFL standards, we're talking bad hands as in some kid playing catch for the first time in his life.

It's really mind boggling. How unbelievably poor does someone have to be for people to be justifiably surprised when he actually catches one?

Made a nice catch in SB 40

[bradshaw2ben]

I'm telling you, Wheaton is going to end up in the slot and Lance Moore is going to split snaps with Bryant.

Justin Brown still slow, I see.

[Legacy User]

Roethlisberger gets into Martavis Bruant after a pass is batted down. "Keep coming back to the ball!"

This looks suspiciously like Ben being a leader.

[Legacy User]

How does someone as athletically gifted as Ike have such bad hands? We're not talking bad hands just by NFL standards, we're talking bad hands as in some kid playing catch for the first time in his life.

It's really mind boggling. How unbelievably poor does someone have to be for people to be justifiably surprised when he actually catches one?

Made a nice catch in SB 40

He saves it for the big games.

[lifelongsteel]

I'm telling you, Wheaton is going to end up in the slot and Lance Moore is going to split snaps with Bryant.

Justin Brown still slow, I see.

I think Wheaton will start outside and play slot in some packages that feature Bryant. I don't see Moore outside at all.

[steelclan]

Listening to Tomlin sounded like a really crappy practice. Wheaton had a poor day.

[V DUB]

How does someone as athletically gifted as Ike have such bad hands? We're not talking bad hands just by NFL standards, we're talking bad hands as in some kid playing catch for the first time in his life.

It's really mind boggling. How unbelievably poor does someone have to be for people to be justifiably surprised when he actually catches one?

Made a nice catch in SB 40

He saves it for the big games.

I remember him making a horizontal diving interception vs. NE in '04. Just ridiculous jumps on that one...he became one of my favorite up & comers after that, despite a reporter labelling him one of the worst picks in recent history.

[Pabst]

No they are not reasons the run game WILL be better.

They are reasons you are HOPING the run game will be better.

The run game barely improved last year even as Bell gained more experience and the OL gelled a little bit and Miller and Spaeth got healthier. There's no evidence yet that we are suddenly going to reach an inflection point.

We have no idea if Pouncey is really "healthy" or if he will hold up.

We have no clue how much of the OL issues have been due to coaching as opposed to overall talent level on the line. My hunch is- Munchak's value-add will be much less than many people are counting on.

In short...I am hoping for improvement because we need it...but am not counting on it.

What?!?!?

In the first 4 games last season, the Steelers put up rushing totals of: 31, 44, 80, 77 yards. An average of 65.5 YPG
In the final 4 games of the season, they put up rushing totals of: 84, 106, 151, 120 yards. An average of 115.25 YPG

Their YPC barely budged.

Again, not correct.

First 4 games averaged under 3.2 YPC
Last 4 games averaged over 4.0 YPC

- Quick edit to my first post: the YPG average through the first four games should be 58, not 65

[Ice]

Who would that reporter have been, Van? That article certainly belongs in his greatest hits collection.

[V DUB]

Who would that reporter have been, Van? That article certainly belongs in his greatest hits collection.

Was it the shit eater? (Love that story, FC)

Honestly can't remember.

[Legacy User]

Unlike you and B2B, who can't enjoy the process of being a fan and watching our team evolve, I don't need to preface all my statements with conditions such as:
"until I see it"
or
"after they win every game, I'll believe it"
or
"i won't believe it until after we win the super bowl"
or
"yea, that looks good on paper, but let's see them play a game first"

I can sit and analyze and assert opinions, based on facts such as draft, free agency, stats, etc, -- and project into the future, a belief one or the other that the team will be better or not.

Based on all the FACTS i have cited to, I BELIEVE the run game will be dramatically better.

No, I don't need you or B2B to say "well, that's just your opinion -- we won't know the truth until we've played all 16 games plus playoffs"

No shit, Sherlocks

You got on my case for using definitive language...well, you used definitive language as well. You were even more definitive than me...that not only would the run game improve. ..It would DRAMATICALLY improve.

And I used the same facts and data you did to come to a different conclusion. I could even argue that I stayed more within what the facts and data would allow by way of extrapolation than you did, because you are assuming maximum improvement from every input into the run game that you cited (I.e. Miller's health would lead to a dramatic improvement in his effectiveness, Munchak would add huge value, etc).

I do not believe the facts at hand warrant such an aggressively optimistic assessment.

PS I enjoy watching the team immensely. I prefer, however, to be grounded in reality while I watch it evolve.

Not the same thing at all.

The only evidence on the record of the state of mind of the Ben and the Steelers and their mutual feelings going forward is entirely CONTRARY to what you said. There is NO EVIDENCE AT ALL to support your stated opinion. The only evidence supports the OPPOSITE. Hence, my statement that your assertion is horseshit.

You can argue with my statement that our run game will be better or worse this year. you can argue that dwyer/redman are better than bell/blount, or that munchak is not an upgrade over jack bicknell or that spaeth/miller will make no difference to the run game.

But you cannot simply disregard the steelers' and Ben's statements regarding their mutual intentions to work out a long term deal so that Ben retires in pittsburgh.

[Legacy User]

Who would that reporter have been, Van? That article certainly belongs in his greatest hits collection.

Was it the shit eater? (Love that story, FC)

Honestly can't remember.

Correct. It was Mark Madden. Labeling him a reporter isn't fair to even the worst reporter in the world, though.

Mark's Madness: Steelers make history with worst draft pick ever

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

The Steelers made history Sunday. They made their worst draft pick ever.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. I like a good bad draft choice. I derived as much enjoyment from the reigns of error provided by Troy Edwards, Jamain Stephens and Deon Figures as I did from the Super Bowl years. Being indescribably bad is often more intriguing than being incomparably good.

Which brings us to Ike Taylor, the Steelers' fourth-round pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette.

Louisiana-Lafayette is technically Division I-A, but the football program's primary purpose seems to be to pick up big paydays by acting as a record-building punching bag for larger schools like, well, everybody else.

Taylor's claim to fame during his one season at cornerback for Louisiana-Lafayette was that he knocked four people out of games, two via concussive effect and two via sprains. My attempt to check if Taylor sprained the knee of Middle Tennessee receiver Tyrone Calico by using (whoooo!) the figure-four leglock proved inconclusive. Check the video? Yeah, like that game was on TV anywhere.

Taylor was a tailback at Louisiana-Lafayette in 2001, making the team as a walk-on. Taylor's draft profile on NFL.com says he did not play in 2000 because he "concentrated on academics." Before that, he was a Prop 48. Before that, he was dumb. Probably still is.

Probably not dumb enough to pick himself in the fourth round, though. This pick makes no sense. On a scale of one to 10, Ourlads Scouting Service gave Taylor a one. They projected him to be drafted when hell froze over.

But Taylor is a Steeler. I guarantee he will make the team. Taylor could lose a leg at rookie camp, have a lobotomy at minicamp and develop a heroin habit at training camp, and he would make the Steelers. When a team makes a bad draft choice, cutting him right away fairly screams the club's stupidity in all-too-short order.

At 6-foot, 197 pounds with 4.33 speed in the 40-yard dash, Taylor could turn out to be the latter-day Mel Blount. Or the black Scott Shields. I'm betting on the latter.

Said Steelers defensive backs coach Willy Robinson -- yes, someone actually admits to having that job -- "The one thing you can't do is teach a guy to be 6 feet, almost 6-1, 197 pounds and run a 4.3 like he can." How come no one ever drafted Jesse Owens?

With all those marvelous physical attributes, how did Taylor wind up at Louisiana-Lafayette? Why wasn't he at Southern California with Troy Polamalu? Wouldn't a big-time school take a Prop 48 recruit that projected as a fourth-round NFL draft pick? Absolutely. But while you can't teach anyone to be 6 feet, 197 pounds and run a 4.3, you probably can't teach Taylor to play football.

Taylor played four different positions in high school, two in college. You say that's because he's versatile. I say it's because he couldn't figure out any one position.

Taylor will be a total bust for the Steelers. The only person he hurts will be me after he reads this column.

[Ice]

Who would that reporter have been, Van? That article certainly belongs in his greatest hits collection.

Was it the shit eater? (Love that story, FC)

Honestly can't remember.

It would be. And I agree, that story was awesome, and singlehandedly stopped me from being able to take anything said reporter spoke or wrote seriously again.

[Legacy User]

Mark Madden is a radio show character.

[bradshaw2ben]

I'm telling you, Wheaton is going to end up in the slot and Lance Moore is going to split snaps with Bryant.

Justin Brown still slow, I see.

I think Wheaton will start outside and play slot in some packages that feature Bryant. I don't see Moore outside at all.

Moore played outside quite a bit in New Orleans, where Colston was the #1 slot receiver. As poorly as Moore played last year, he's still the one WR aside from AB with some historical success as an outside receiver.

Also, Wheaton in interview with Tunch and Wolf talked about being "groomed to be the slot receiver". I think he might play some outside, a la Sanders... but he's a slot receiver, ideally.

[bradshaw2ben]

Listening to Tomlin sounded like a really crappy practice. Wheaton had a poor day.

totally predictable after a day off.

[rooneytunes]

Who would that reporter have been, Van? That article certainly belongs in his greatest hits collection.

Was it the shit eater? (Love that story, FC)

Honestly can't remember.

Correct. It was Mark Madden. Labeling him a reporter isn't fair to even the worst reporter in the world, though.

Mark's Madness: Steelers make history with worst draft pick ever

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

The Steelers made history Sunday. They made their worst draft pick ever.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. I like a good bad draft choice. I derived as much enjoyment from the reigns of error provided by Troy Edwards, Jamain Stephens and Deon Figures as I did from the Super Bowl years. Being indescribably bad is often more intriguing than being incomparably good.

Which brings us to Ike Taylor, the Steelers' fourth-round pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette.

Louisiana-Lafayette is technically Division I-A, but the football program's primary purpose seems to be to pick up big paydays by acting as a record-building punching bag for larger schools like, well, everybody else.

Taylor's claim to fame during his one season at cornerback for Louisiana-Lafayette was that he knocked four people out of games, two via concussive effect and two via sprains. My attempt to check if Taylor sprained the knee of Middle Tennessee receiver Tyrone Calico by using (whoooo!) the figure-four leglock proved inconclusive. Check the video? Yeah, like that game was on TV anywhere.

Taylor was a tailback at Louisiana-Lafayette in 2001, making the team as a walk-on. Taylor's draft profile on NFL.com says he did not play in 2000 because he "concentrated on academics." Before that, he was a Prop 48. Before that, he was dumb. Probably still is.

Probably not dumb enough to pick himself in the fourth round, though. This pick makes no sense. On a scale of one to 10, Ourlads Scouting Service gave Taylor a one. They projected him to be drafted when hell froze over.

But Taylor is a Steeler. I guarantee he will make the team. Taylor could lose a leg at rookie camp, have a lobotomy at minicamp and develop a heroin habit at training camp, and he would make the Steelers. When a team makes a bad draft choice, cutting him right away fairly screams the club's stupidity in all-too-short order.

At 6-foot, 197 pounds with 4.33 speed in the 40-yard dash, Taylor could turn out to be the latter-day Mel Blount. Or the black Scott Shields. I'm betting on the latter.

Said Steelers defensive backs coach Willy Robinson -- yes, someone actually admits to having that job -- "The one thing you can't do is teach a guy to be 6 feet, almost 6-1, 197 pounds and run a 4.3 like he can." How come no one ever drafted Jesse Owens?

With all those marvelous physical attributes, how did Taylor wind up at Louisiana-Lafayette? Why wasn't he at Southern California with Troy Polamalu? Wouldn't a big-time school take a Prop 48 recruit that projected as a fourth-round NFL draft pick? Absolutely. But while you can't teach anyone to be 6 feet, 197 pounds and run a 4.3, you probably can't teach Taylor to play football.

Taylor played four different positions in high school, two in college. You say that's because he's versatile. I say it's because he couldn't figure out any one position.

Taylor will be a total bust for the Steelers. The only person he hurts will be me after he reads this column.

Holy crap!!!!! Lol. Anyone ever call this fat fuck on this?

[Kodiak]

But you cannot simply disregard the steelers' and Ben's statements regarding their mutual intentions to work out a long term deal so that Ben retires in pittsburgh.

Action talks, bullshit walks. I don't doubt their feelings/expectations are genuine, but if there weren't some strong concerns on one or both sides a deal would have been done.

I think what Jeemie and I are saying is if PIT misses the playoffs again this year, there's nowhere near 99.9% probability Ben puts his John Hancock on an extension.

[Legacy User]

Retweeted by Steelers Depot
Will Graves @WillGravesAP · 51s

So Lawrence Timmons just knocked away a pass to Justin Brown 35 yards downfield. Was step for step with big wide receiver.

Will Graves with a substantiative tweet!

[lifelongsteel]

But you cannot simply disregard the steelers' and Ben's statements regarding their mutual intentions to work out a long term deal so that Ben retires in pittsburgh.

Action talks, bullshit walks. I don't doubt their feelings/expectations are genuine, but if there weren't some strong concerns on one or both sides a deal would have been done.

I think what Jeemie and I are saying is if PIT misses the playoffs again this year, there's nowhere near 99.9% probability Ben puts his John Hancock on an extension.

Understood. The general feedback you're hearing is that that's asinine chicken little bullshit.

[Legacy User]

Seriously can you guys start a new thread to continue to fucking stupid Ben extension discussion in? I'll happily avoid it. I just waded through pages and pages of bullshit to finally get some camp updates.

[lifelongsteel]

Seriously can you guys start a new thread to continue to fucking stupid Ben extension discussion in? I'll happily avoid it. I just waded through pages and pages of bullshit to finally get some camp updates.

Fair enough. I inadvertently started this when I listed the Ben contract as one of my top 5 "non stories" of camp. Little did I know . . .

[Ice]

Thoroughly agreed. It would be nice to keep this thread holy.

[Legacy User]

http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, August 06, 2014
The dog days
Mike Tomlin said what we all were thinking after today's practice: It was a lackluster effort.

From defenders jumping offside to running backs putting the ball on the ground, it was a bleh effort the whole way around.

As Tomlin said, guys were just looking to survive instead of improve.

@ Tomlin also said that nose tackle Steve McLendon is dealing with a concussion. That would explain why he's been absent from four consecutive practices - though McLendon was doing some running today, which is a good sign.

Cam Heyward also got a little nicked toward the end of practice - not seriously - and that left the Steelers with a line of ends Cam Thomas and Stephon Tuitt paired with nose tackle Hebron Fangupo.

As I have been saying all along, the McLendon injury could be a blessing in disguise for Tuitt. He's gotten an extended look with the first unit and hasn't looked out of place.

@ Ryan Shazier and Jarvis Jones were both still out today.

Jones looks like he's close to returning with groin strain. But Shazier is limping noticeably. I doubt he plays on Saturday against the Giants, giving Sean Spence a big start.

@ The coaching staff really worked rookie tight ends Rob Blanchflower and Eric Waters over today.

Those two took the majority of the snaps against the linebackers today in one-on-one run blocking drills.

Waters looks to be a quick study. He'll lose a rep to a guy once but then bounce back and win the next one against the same guy.

Blanchflower, whose bigger, was scolded for getting too high in his blocks. He seems to be a quick study as well.

After practice, the coaches had those two working against defensive ends doing the same drills.

They appear to be seeing which one is going to make the practice squad.

@ Rookie left tackle Wesley Johnson just doesn't seem to have the functional strength to play that position in the NFL at this point.

He's also prone to bite on some moves and got schooled a couple of times in one-on-ones today by Terence Garvin, who's not exactly known for his pass rush moves.

[Ice]

Ugh on the Shazier injury.