Ward: Don't worry about me
By Scott Brown, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, May 2, 2010
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A strained hamstring limited Hines Ward to the role of de facto coach Saturday at Steelers minicamp, but he said the injury is not a cause for concern -- especially with the regular season more than five months away.
"I'm trying to go into the season healthy," said Ward, who hurt his hamstring Friday after slipping during the morning practice session. "Trust me: Byron (Leftwich) or whoever's our starting quarterback, I'm going to get plenty of (work) with that guy."
The quarterback order yesterday didn't change from the day before; Leftwich ran the first-team offense, followed by Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch. One of them will start at least the first four games this season because of Ben Roethlisberger's suspension.
"I've caught balls from all of them, so I'm not going to go out there and stress myself during minicamp," Ward said.
Ward spent the past two days giving pointers to younger receivers, and they were no doubt eager to listen to him. Ward is going into his 13th season, and at 34 he is three years older than new receivers coach Scottie Montgomery.
Of that dynamic, Ward said, "I want him to evaluate me and still push me, because you get to a point where some guys think they know it all. But I'm never one of those guys."
Going back to Cali?
After today, the Steelers may not see a whole lot of Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu -- at least until training camp in late July.
The Steelers will hold their final mandatory minicamp practice this morning. The 12 sessions that follow minicamp are voluntary, and in recent offseasons Polamalu has trained in Southern California instead of attending.
Asked whether he will participate, Polamalu said, "It all depends on what Coach says, requires of me."
Under the collective bargaining agreement, coaches cannot demand a player attend voluntary sessions.
Harrison returns
Pro Bowl outside linebacker James Harrison returned to the South Side facility yesterday and took part in the afternoon practice.
Harrison missed the first three practices of minicamp after the death of his uncle. Coach Mike Tomlin granted him excused absences for the time he missed.
Private bidder
Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden apparently likes to do -- or, rather, keep -- his bidding behind closed doors.
When the Steelers reacquired McFadden last month in a trade with the Cardinals, "B Mac" had to go through second-year cornerback Keenan Lewis to get his No. 20 back. Lewis has since switched to No. 23, though McFadden wouldn't reveal what the number cost him.
"I won't answer that question," McFadden said with a smile. "We had a mutual agreement, a couple of conversations in phone and in person."
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