Keenan Lewis practices with 1st team defense

Keenan Lewis, the second year pro from Oregon practiced with the first team defense for the first time this training camp.

Lewis, who was injured the majority of last year has high expectations from the coaching staff and fans alike especially given the struggles last year with the loss of Polamalu. The steelers defense needs another playmaker in the secondary; lewis may be that guy.

Lewis has looked impressive in training camp and preseason. Although Lewis gave up a touchdown against the Detroit Lions, Lewis played well matched up against Calvin Johnson, one of the most talented and physically gifted receivers in the NFL.

Cut Hartwig, Pay Woodley

With the outstanding play of rookie center Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers are likely considering to cut Justin Hartwig.

Hartwig has been an adequate plug but its only a matter of time until Pouncey takes over.

With that being said, why not make Woodley happy and give him a 2 million dollar pay increase this year and release Hartwig. Hartwig is due to make 2 mil this year and that’s too muh for a backup center. Release Hartwig and give Woodley the 2 mil.

Revis or Woodley

With Lamarr Woodley not receiving a new contract this season as well as Darrelle Revis, the Steelers could be posed with an interesting scenario.

Both players are respectively one of the youngest “up and coming” stars in the National Football League (NFL) and both will be commanding huge, long-term contracts.  This begs the question that if the Steelers can afford extending Woodley then can’t they afford to sign Revis instead?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a history of developing great outside linebackers.  However, they haven’t been as lucky in developing top tier cornerbacks.  Revis is a gem and quite possible one of the best all around defensive players in the league.  Revis is being compared to a young Champ Bailey, a true lock down which many “experts” say cannot exist in today’s pass happy NFL.

With that being said, which player would you rather have?  If the Steelers could sign either player based on their current status and contract demands, would you choose Revis or Woodley?

Florio Confirms His Stupidity, Again

Sporting News reporter Mike Florio confirms his stupidity in his latest article.  Florio provides us a list of 5 players that should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame compared to 5 players that should not be included in the Hall of Fame.

Florio is so biased against the Steelers it’s almost humorous but yet exhausting.  Purely opinionated, most consider Florio and Pro Football Talk the paparazzi of the National Football League (NFL) reporting.

In his list of 5 players that should NOT be in the Hall of Fame include both Dick Lebeau and Lynn Swann.  Out of all the players in the Hall of Fame, Florio picks 2 Steelers in his list of 5.  Big Surprise!

If Florio looks at Lebeau’s statistics like he does everyone else, then he’ll see that Lebeau clearly deserves his Hall of Fame bid.

Lynn Swann not deserving to be in the Hall of Fame is laughable.  Maybe the most clutch wide receiver in playoff and Super Bowl history.  He compares Swann’s stats which are in fact on the low end, to today’s players.

Someone needs to tell Florio to wake up…. Swann played in a completely different era and mostly in a run first offense.  How can you possibly compare Swann to a wide receiver of today which is a “pass first” league?

I guess Florio doesn’t take in consideration a players playoff appearances & wins as well of Super Bowl rings in his analysis of who should get into the Hall of Fame.

If Florio still has any sport writer credibility left, he lost it all in his latest article:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=tsn-fivewhoshouldbeinthehallo20100806

Pouncey Signs 5-year deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed center, 1st round draft pick, Maurkice Pouncey to a 5-year deal. Terms have not been disclosed.

Pouncey, a standout center for the University of Florida is expected to compete for a starting job at either the center or guard positions.

Center is the Steelers worst position along the offensive line and Pouncey is expected to be a huge upgrade over Justin Hartwig.

Steelers Open Camp

Yesterday the Pittsburgh Steelers opened camp in Latrobe and you could sense the excitement in the air.

Mike Tomlin in particular was all smiles. And why not? He just signed a nice extension when some thought he may be coaching for his job this year given the embarrassing meltdown last year against far inferior opponents.

However, with the excitement also comes many question marks and I believe Tomlin acknowledges that. Here are just a few of those question marks:

1) Can the Steelers survive the first six games without Big Ben (possibly 4 games)?

2) Is this Woodley’s last year in a Steelers uniform?

3) Can Mike Wallace be productive against teams #1 cornerbacks?

4) How will the loss of Colon impact the offensive line?

5) Is Polamalu healthy and can he stay healthy?

6) Will the secondary be improved with McFadden starting? Will Burnett and Lewis step up in their second year?

7) Will Pouncey start? If so will it be at center or guard?
Will Mendenhall share carries with Jonathan Dywer

9) Will Farrier, given his age, struggle like last year? Is this Farrior’s last year?

10) Can Ward stay healthy? Is this Ward’s last year before retiring?

The return of Roethlisberber

Ben Roethlisberger will be returning to the Steelers OTA’s on Tuesday. Roethlisberger has completed the mandatory evaluations imposed by commisioner Roger Goodell. With that being said, Roethlisberger still faces the 6 game suspension and will likely practice as the Steelers number 2 quarterback behind Byron Leftwich.

It is expected that Roethlisberger’s suspension will be reduced to 4 games but that has not been confirmed by the NFL league office.

Welcome to Planet Steelers, SteelersFever Members!

I would just like to give a warm, Planet Steelers welcome to the sudden influx of traffic and membership to the Planet Steelers Forum (i.e. Message Board) mostly due to the recent transpiring that has occurred at SteelersFever. SteelersFever has been around a long time and is one of the first fan-based Pittsburgh Steelers sites I’ve visited. It’s unfortunate that these events have occurred and I wish SteelersFever the best. With that being said, I am ecstatic about the new memberships and we are glad to have you.

Planet Steelers has seen an incredible amount of growth the past couple of years (basically 2 years old) and this has continued for quite some time and I don’t see Planet Steelers slowing down.

I must say that I am lucky to have such a great membership base. The discussions, news updates, etc posted by our members is unmatched in my honest opinion. I can’t tell you the last time I visited a site other than PlanetSteelers.com for the most thorough and up to date Pittsburgh Steelers news. This includes Fox Sports, ESPN, SI.com, etc. Planet Steelers is just unmatched for the die hard Steelers Fan.

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Steelers / Reed thinking long term

The Pittsburgh Steelers are attempting to work out a long-term deal kicker Jeff Reed.

Earlier in the off season, the Steelers franchised the kicker for 2.8 million.

Reed has had a few off the field incidences and has struggled in kickoffs which has brought Reed criticism from the Steelers faithful.

However, Reed has been a clutch field goal kicker at Heinz Field which is widely considered the most difficult field in the NFL to kick at with its sloppy winter field conditions and the swirling winds.

Sweed injured at minicamp

According to reports Limas Sweed was injured during minicamp practice. Initial reports indicate that Sweed injured his Achilles tendon. An examination is scheduled but if Sweed tore his Achilles tendon then he is facing a 12 month rehab process. This will also be Sweed’s last chance as a Steeler.

Sweed is an athletic WR with all the measurables that you would ever want but has been a disappointment so far. Like most Steeler fans, I was hoping Sweed could be our #1 receiver of the future. He’s a mismatch waiting to happen due to his size and ability to get open. However, he has struggled with concentrating on catching the ball. With the loss of Holmes, the Steelers need Sweed to be the player we all know he can be. Let’s hope his injury is minor.

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