Chem At Camp

[SteelTorch]

This is just my uniformed opinion, but I'm still not comfortable with Colon at RT. He has short arms, and let's not forget he gave up more sacks than anyone on the line. If he can play guard, I'd like to see how he stacks up compared to Ken-doll Simmons.

Let our overpaid Starks earn his paycheck at RT. Honestly, I don't think he played too badly last year either. It couldn't hurt to at least try.

I'm not really sure that would cure anything at this point.

The way I see it, Starks and Colon are on fairly equal footing at this point. If Colon can play guard, then see how he does compared to Simmons.

If he actually does end up being better than Simmons, then we have an upgrade at RG and about the same talent at RT.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I find it funny but I can't remember hearing anything on Simmons in these reports.

We keep hearing about Starks and Colon.
We keep hearing about Mahan and Hartwig.
We have heard things about Smith.
We have only heard bad things about Kemo, and heard about Essex replacing him.
Poor repots on Hills, unfortunate on Capizzi.
But, for the life of me, I can't remember hearing one thing about the way Simmons has performed so far.

[SteelerNation1]

Great report Chem. Thanks.

[SteelerNation1]

Oops, forgot to add, I am almost expecting all 5 lineman to just fall backwards on the 1st snap next Friday. I mean EVERY report I have read have had nothing really positive to say about anyone. I'm envisioning 1976 Buccaneers bad. UCK!

[kennyes]

i'm sorry, but what are your qualifications to make these judgements?

Two bad knees, a very bad hip, broken bones, very ugly fingers, and a high handicap on the golf course.

[sd steel]

We are leaving soon to go to the home of "The Big Nip In The Green Pony Bottle". The traffic has not been as bad as previous years so I'm sure the little yellow bus from St. Vincent should have minimal problems manuvering to Latrobe.

Where do I start. There have been so many surprises and dissapointments this year. I cannot take notes, for obvious reasons, so I guess I'll just let things flow.

- This Camp appears to be not as organized as Camp Cowher. Coach Cowher was not a "Control Freak" but he was responsible for all Camp activities and the assistants were more involved with one on one player instructions than group organizations. Coach Tomlin is really a nice guy and straight forward. He talks freely when in the company of trusted people. I think his favorite Press Guy is Jim Wexall. Go figure.

- I mentioned last year and again this year my opinions of the Special Teams. The problems are not due to the guys catching the ball but from some marginal concepts involving hitting people on the run. Last year the front retreated on the receiving team way too much. The flyers and middle men on the opposition were given too much penetration. This seems to have changed this year. If they are serious about using McBean he could make a difference. No more muffed catches.

- I pray there is truth to the belief that a great QB or running back can make an offensive line look good. The technique, strength, flexibility and line calls are mediocre at best for our OL guys. If Willie Colon is our best RT then we are in very deep trouble. This guy gets beat on 11-11 and 7-7 scrimmages and on all one on one drills. Woodley makes him look very pedestrian and close to pathetic. The OL coach appears to have no personnel connection with any of the guys except for Rah! Rah! stuff. Zerlien stated that Colon is the starting RT. If that is true then I am missing something.

Our starting RG still cannot knock anyone down when pulling and at full speed.

Hartwig is far superior to Mahan both in blocking and strength. He is by far the best option we have at this very important position. He picks up blitzes better than Mahan and can stop any tackle we have dead in his tracks. He is a little behind on line calls but he should progress in this. Mahan seems to be too far over the ball before centering. He is off balance.

I don't think Stapelton is the answer either. He has gotten beat by mediocre rookies and Hoke owns him.

Marvel is great and the best OL we have. Extend him to three years right now.

We have one all around TE who can block and catch and run. I don't think I need to mention his name. Matt Spaeth is painfully slow out of his breaks but sems to be a little stronger this year and not over extending himself on blocks. He will make the team. The next best all around guy seems to be a rookie named Sherrod. He is not as big as the others but quicker and can block. He is lost on play calls and has to be directed by "The Best Athlete On This Team" on positioning.

- I knew we had someone special several years ago in Santonio Holmes. This guy is a very special athlete. He is very smooth in catching, running and blocking. He makes every thing look easy. He is fantastic shape also. I don't know of any CB who can cover him.

- Timmons, Woodley, and Harrison are unstoppable. I don't know if that is because of the poor play of the OL but Mendenhall seems to be the only guyin Camp who can block or at least get in the way of our LB's.

Woodley is the best guy in Camp so far. He is very strong this year, especially in his arms. He throws Colon around like a pillow. Timmons has spent considerable time training and studying assignments. In all scrimmages, he is right never out of position. He is hitting like a ton of bricks. Harrison is Harrison and makes out TE's look very inept, except for Heath Miller.

- Mendenhall is a real find. This guy is Pro Ready right now. He is so smooth running the ball and catching the ball. He also has the inate ability to find a hole. Most runners do not have this but he does. He may be number 1 by our first game. Willie is not as fast as last year. I don't think he is 100% yet. Meldwe is a lot smaller than I thought but is great at fielding punts but our best HB in screens. The defense just cannot find him.

Jim, how do you personally feel about Larry Z, and wht have you heard?

Thanks in adavnce

[phillyesq]

Great post chem. I really enjoy your insights.

[BIG FAN]

Another great camp post Chem.
Thanx.

[Chemsteel]

ShawnMedGuy wrote:

One question: How is Russell looking?

Russell is a good back and has shwon up in Camp in very good shape. He has added a few pounds and is running with authority. He may not be our best choice in a one back set as he is very tentative in play action and his desire to block blitzers like Harrison is wanting. If I had to make a choice between Moore or Russell I would choose Moore but they all should make the final roster.

I was a little confused about Coach Tomlins comments concerning the goal line drill and Mendenhall's failures. The coach should have stated that the blocking for Mendenhall was zone on three straight calls and the first team defense knew the calls. Russell ran two plays with a man on man scheme and the holes were there even without Dan Kreider.

Mendenhall was looking for a hole. It is just a rookie mistake that is easily corrected knowing that you have minimal time in goal line running. The defense just stacks.

Simmons still does not knock anyone down when pulling or straight line blocks.

Starks would have a lot of difficulty playing guard. Max has a tremendous ability to extend his arms and mirror any defender. At guard he does lack some power in his hip roll and can be knocked off balance by the shorter, more powerful defenders. He needs to block with someone off his shoulder, especially his left shoulder. I think he is a natural LT.

[ANPSTEEL]

Chem-

Thanks as always for the great updates.

Question-
We keep hearing about Timmons' performance in camp, yet apparently Foote is still starting. Do you perceive this as a reflection of Foote's performance, or is Timmons still missing assignments?

The way the beat reporters talk about him blowing up plays during scrimmages and drills, makes me wonder why they don't have him in all the time-


Thanks again-