A Couple Of Queries To Get Started...
[size=7][b]A couple of queries to get started[/b][/size]
BY JIM WEXELL
For The Tribune-Democrat
PITTSBURGH — The Steelers report for training camp Sunday and coach Mike Tomlin admitted to four questions he has on his mind.
1. Offensive line.
2. Third-team quarterback.
3. Finding roles for the running backs.
4. The development of the second-year players.
“I never try to tell a story,” Tomlin said. “I let the story unfold and call it as I see it.”
Reporters, on the other hand, can tell the story before it unfolds, so here are the pre-camp answers to Tomlin’s questions, as well as the answers to questions he should have on his mind:
Offensive line: Tomlin said the competition at center would be “hotly contested,” but the thinking behind closed doors is that Sean Mahan was overextended last season as a starter. He’s a backup, and that’s how he’ll be used this year behind newcomer Justin Hartwig. As for Max Starks, he’s focusing on right tackle, according to Tomlin, but “there will be instances or moments” of him playing left tackle. It sounds as if Tomlin is planning to keep Starks as a swing tackle, making him the highest-paid backup in team history.
Third-team quarterback: Dennis Dixon had problems understanding his assignments in the spring, so this is an understandable concern. But Dixon flashed quickness and a strong arm, even if his release point is too low.
Roles for running backs: This should be rephrased as “How good is Rashard Mendenhall?” because this spring Willie Parker was the lead dog and Mewelde Moore was the pass-downs back. Mendenhall is considered “a supplemental runner” at this point, so only if he has a great preseason will any of the roles change for the opener.
Second-year players: LaMarr Woodley will move into the starting lineup, but Lawrence Timmons must compete against Larry Foote for the inside Mack linebacker position. Foote took all the run-down snaps in the spring and Timmons played on passing downs. To beat out Foote for the starting job, Timmons must show better instincts and run-down toughness this preseason.
Depth on the defensive line: Tomlin continues to praise the signings of Travis Kirschke and Nick Eason, but they’ll need to show the public more for this question to go away. Ryan McBean, a rookie last season, impressed his position coach late in the year, but an injured foot kept him out of spring drills. Word is that McBean is fully recovered and has been in the South Side weight room every day this summer. The only other person to show that kind of dedication in recent years, according to a source with the team, has been James Harrison.
Free safety: Even though Clark had his spleen and gall bladder removed after playing in the high altitude in Denver last season, Tomlin said he’ll treat Clark like everybody else at camp. But Clark must prove he has more than the right mental approach to come all the way back as the starting free safety.
Return men: The Allen Rossum Project fizzled last season, so Tomlin told Santonio Holmes that he’s in the punt-return mix with Willie Reid and Moore. The Steelers also used Mendenhall as a kickoff return man in the spring as they continue their search to replace Antwaan Randle El.
“More than anything,” Tomlin said of his camp questions, “are group dynamics, the development of leadership, the chemistry. The things you can’t measure are always a question to me. Some of the other things that are more obvious always sort themselves out where they should: On the grass at training camp and in preseason games.
“I’m more concerned and more interested in the development that you don’t measure: The camaraderie, the natural leadership, the ever-changing roles that involve the football team.”
Re: A Couple Of Queries To Get Started...
What I want to see happen:
- Mahan is the starting center at the beginning of the season
- Mendenhall is used sparingly and mostly just to give Parker a rest
- Santonio Holmes opens the season as the primary punt returner
- Timmons starts at ILB at the beginning of the season
- Anthony Smith as the starting FS
What I don't want to see happen:
- Hartwig is the starting center at the beginning of the season
- Mendenhall splits carries with Parker
- Moore opens up the season as the primary punt returner
- Foote starts at ILB at the beginning of the season
- A healthy Ryan Clark as the starting FS
Re: A Couple Of Queries To Get Started...
[quote=Jom112]What I want to see happen:
- Mahan is the starting center at the beginning of the season
- Mendenhall is used sparingly and mostly just to give Parker a rest
- Santonio Holmes opens the season as the primary punt returner
- Timmons starts at ILB at the beginning of the season
What I don't want to see happen:
- Hartwig is the starting center at the beginning of the season
- Mendenhall splits carries with Parker
- Moore opens up the season as the primary punt returner
- Foote starts at ILB at the beginning of the season[/quote]
:Hater :moon :P
Pappy
Re: A Couple Of Queries To Get Started...
[quote=Jom112]What I want to see happen:
- Mahan is the starting center at the beginning of the season
- Mendenhall is used sparingly and mostly just to give Parker a rest
- Santonio Holmes opens the season as the primary punt returner
- Timmons starts at ILB at the beginning of the season
- Anthony Smith as the starting FS
What I don't want to see happen:
- Hartwig is the starting center at the beginning of the season
- Mendenhall splits carries with Parker
- Moore opens up the season as the primary punt returner
- Foote starts at ILB at the beginning of the season
- A healthy Ryan Clark as the starting FS[/quote]
What I want to see happen:
Another post interception meeting of former college teammates and roommates, with Troy once again plowing over Carson at the goal line for the touchdown. :D
:bungalssuck
[img]http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/51386939.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1939847EC77F5F8D1CEE7C71240C1564013A40A659CEC4C8CB6[/img]
Re: A Couple Of Queries To Get Started...
[quote=RuthlessBurgher][quote=Jom112]What I want to see happen:
- Mahan is the starting center at the beginning of the season
- Mendenhall is used sparingly and mostly just to give Parker a rest
- Santonio Holmes opens the season as the primary punt returner
- Timmons starts at ILB at the beginning of the season
- Anthony Smith as the starting FS
What I don't want to see happen:
- Hartwig is the starting center at the beginning of the season
- Mendenhall splits carries with Parker
- Moore opens up the season as the primary punt returner
- Foote starts at ILB at the beginning of the season
- A healthy Ryan Clark as the starting FS[/quote]
What I want to see happen:
Another post interception meeting of former college teammates and roommates, with Troy once again plowing over Carson at the goal line for the touchdown. :D
:bungalssuck
[img]http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/51386939.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1939847EC77F5F8D1CEE7C71240C1564013A40A659CEC4C8CB6[/img][/quote]
What Jom doesn't want to see happen
Roethlisberger to holmes for 60 as Palmer chokes away the last 3 games and fails to make playoffs. Again.
:tt2
Re: A Couple Of Queries To Get Started...
[quote=RuthlessBurgher]What I want to see happen:
Another post interception meeting of former college teammates and roommates, with Troy once again plowing over Carson at the goal line for the touchdown. [/quote]
Well, I don't care whether it's an INT or not, but I really love the idea of Troy blasting Carson again as he did before.....
But alot of folks on here are preaching that Troy should stay put in the secondary... If this happens (which I hope it doesn't), you may not see that sort of play..... But who knows....
Re: A Couple Of Queries To Get Started...
[quote=Jom112]What I want to see happen:
- Mahan is the starting center at the beginning of the season
- Mendenhall is used sparingly and mostly just to give Parker a rest
- Santonio Holmes opens the season as the primary punt returner
- Timmons starts at ILB at the beginning of the season
- Anthony Smith as the starting FS
What I don't want to see happen:
- Hartwig is the starting center at the beginning of the season
- Mendenhall splits carries with Parker
- Moore opens up the season as the primary punt returner
- Foote starts at ILB at the beginning of the season
- A healthy Ryan Clark as the starting FS[/quote]
That's about how I would see it if I was a Bengals fan.
Re: A Couple Of Queries To Get Started...
[quote=RuthlessBurgher]
What I want to see happen:
Another post interception meeting of former college teammates and roommates, with Troy once again plowing over Carson at the goal line for the touchdown. :D
:bungalssuck
[/quote]
To bad the end of the game is going to look more like this after the Bengals win:
[img]http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/Jom112/1788353.jpg[/img]
Re: A Couple Of Queries To Get Started...
[quote=Jom112][quote=RuthlessBurgher]
What I want to see happen:
Another post interception meeting of former college teammates and roommates, with Troy once again plowing over Carson at the goal line for the touchdown. :D
:bungalssuck
[/quote]
To bad the end of the game is going to look more like this after the Bengals win:
[img]http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/1788353.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1939057D9939C83F106DD10D1FFA64E01E85A5397277B4DC33E[/img][/quote]
... I just see an "X"......
Re: A Couple Of Queries To Get Started...
[quote=NKySteeler][quote=Jom112][quote=RuthlessBurgher]
What I want to see happen:
Another post interception meeting of former college teammates and roommates, with Troy once again plowing over Carson at the goal line for the touchdown. :D
:bungalssuck
[/quote]
To bad the end of the game is going to look more like this after the Bengals win:
[img]http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/1788353.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1939057D9939C83F106DD10D1FFA64E01E85A5397277B4DC33E[/img][/quote]
... I just see an "X"......[/quote]
Thats because he's right.Thats all you'll see after a Bungles win....................whatever year that may occur in. :lol: