what are you waiting to be reported from the OTA camps?

[steeler_george]

For me I want to hear how the O is embracing Halleys offense.

The health of Sanders and Batch.... two players, I think, if healthy can be BIG ROLE PLAYERS!

[Mister Pittsburgh]

I don't pay attention till training camp.

[ikestops85]

For me I want to hear how the O is embracing Halleys offense.

The health of Sanders and Batch.... two players, I think, if healthy can be BIG ROLE PLAYERS!

Those are 2 guys that I am interested in also. Sanders because he was a guy really coming on his rookie year ... somebody Ben seems to like ... and Batch just cause I like the guys spirit.

[RuthlessBurgher]

It's tough to tell anything about line play with no pads allowed, so I'd imagine that the focus for fans will be on the passing game

I think the four-game-suspension-bound Weslye Saunders will impress and make it mighty difficult for the team if they are considering cutting him after signing Leonard Pope and Will Johnson and drafting David Paulson.

[hawaiiansteel]

I love the smell of OTAs in the morning...

[Jigawatts]

No injuries

[BURGH86STEEL]

From a fans perspective, very little reported from these functions really matters. Personally, I think it's football over kill. The best thing is for players to remain healthy.

[phillyesq]

No injuries

Good call. This is probably the biggest thing. Second would be how guys coming back from injuries are doing, and hoping for no setbacks.

[hawaiiansteel]

I don't pay attention till training camp.

OTA's (Organized Team Activities) Are Just a Reminder that We're Still Two Months Away from Training Camp

by Anthony Defeo on May 21, 2012

Tomorrow, the Steelers begin their OTA's, and for die-hard fans, it's at least a little taste of football, so to speak. We'll get to see our boys in action again, albeit only in shorts, and we'll get another glimpse of the new rookie crop...........well, except for DeCastro and Adams.

Speaking of that, Mike Wallace also won't be there because of his contract dispute, and his absence will probably dominate much of the talk. Coach Mike Tomlin will more than likely have to spend the majority of his time with the media deflecting questions about his speedy receiver.

I don't think that will be the only news. I'm sure there will be some "OTA Wonders" that really look good in their helmets and shorts, and we'll marvel at their sheer athleticism.

Although, I'm pretty sure we won't be allowed to marvel because I don't think OTA's are open to the general public.

In years past, before OTA's, there was mini camp (there might still be mini camp, and if there is, I'm sure I won't be able to tell the difference), and the thing that I remember most about Steelers mini camp was that it wasn't training camp.

Mini camps, OTA's, whatever you want to call them, are like the two or three days before your big vacation. You're really excited about it, but you're still bummed because you have another few days of work. Plus, you still have tons of things to take care of like packing, making sure the dogs get to the kennel on time, confirming your flight, and if you're going out of the country, finding your passport.

You still have to get all of that stuff out of the way before you can even dream about being on the plane.

Training Camp, when the boys head to Latrobe in late July, now that's more like it. For a football fan like me, that''s the equivalent to being on the plane to your tropical destination. It's still not quite September, but you're heading in the right direction.

OTA's are more for the players than they are for the fans. It's like the read-through before the actual rehearsal. I don't know about you, but I'd love to see some of my favorite actors and actresses rehearse before their big scenes; I find that pretty intriguing. But I have no desire to see them sitting around a table and reading their lines for the first time, months before the movie will even begin production.

I do realize that, at least for the offense, these OTA's will be a little more urgent than in years past because of Todd Haley's new terminology. But again, it's for the players; it's their script readings. As a fan, I don't know how much enjoyment I'd get from it even if I could see it live.

When it comes to OTA's, I'm more concerned about what a player doesn't do than what he does do. I don't want to hear about the great moves that (insert young rookie phenom here) displayed in OTA's. I just want to know that his ACL is still intact after those great moves and that he'll be attending training camp.

To sum it all up, these are the dog days of the offseason for a huge football fan like me. And OTA's are just a reminder that we still have two months to go before training camp, which means we're still a good four months away from the start of the regular season.

Oh man, now I'm even more depressed, Is there a way I can go into hibernation until September?. I hope that flight serves free drinks.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/5/21/3033782/otas-organized-team-activities-are-just-a-reminder-that-were-still#storyjump[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

What To Look For During Steelers First OTA Session Of 2012

May 21st, 2012 by Jeff SneddenSteelers

While fans will have very limited access to the happenings this week on the South Side, the Steelers first Organized Team Activities (OTAs) of the 2012 season should bring out the newshounds in the traditional media who have been stumbling through hockey and baseball highlights for the past four months while reporting every miniscule Steelers tidbit as if the season were starting tomorrow.

The OTA season is upon us, and that means very little to us – the “media” or to you, the fan. Other than giving the football-starved folks of western Pennsylvania some Steelers gossip to chew on between gulps of depressing Pirates game nights, very little happens during the OTA’s. In a normal year for the Steelers, the team would simply gather a third of their roster – mainly newly signed rookies and free agents – and bring them into the fold to start learning playbooks and terminology. This is not a “normal” year for the Steelers. New offensive coordinator Todd Haley has arrived with an entirely new offense that has turned a simple coaching change into a certified Black and Gold emergency, taking fans back in time to the year 1999, when Head Coach Bill Cowher brought offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride into Steeler Nation and helped make the final two seasons at historic Three Rivers Stadium two of the worst campaigns the team ever enjoyed at the old concrete bowl. Change is a curse word in Steeler Country, a term rarely heard uttered around the most consistent organization in football. For a team that has had three head coaches since 1969, fans are used to just tuning out anything that happens before the players move into their dorm rooms at St. Vincent College in late summer. Not this year, folks. Change is upon us – at least in theory – and both fans and players alike have hit the panic button already in late May. Since Phase One of the OTA sessions are basically conditioning practice, the only real news we will hear will be if someone shows up grossly overweight (my money is on RB Jon Dwyer) , but it is football so we will be thrilled to hear about it.

Nobody knows who will show up for these OTA sessions, as they are not exactly mandatory for the veterans. We know that first and second round draft picks OG David DeCastro and OT Mike Adams won’t be there, as they are still putting the finishing touches on their final year of college. S Troy Polamalu won’t be there because he trains on his own until camp starts. WR Mike Wallace won’t be there because he is still pouting over his failure to land a “Larry Fitzgerald-sized” contract in his restricted free agency period. There is a chance Wallace will milk this contract business until he is mandated to be in Latrobe, and his story will be a source of endless debate all year.

So what can fans look for once the news starts pumping out of the South Side Complex this week? Here are a few items that are worth investigating this week.



1. Larry Foote takes over the starting “Buck” ILB slot for the departed James Farrior – The last time the Steelers entered a season without #51 calling the defensive plays was 2001. Foote has been with the team since 2002 – minus a one-year stint with his hometown Detroit Lions – and is going to be counted on as the leader in the middle of this Steelers defense. The team will be without Farrior, DE Aaron Smith, and DL Chris Hoke – three of the respected, grizzled veterans of the past decade – and will need Foote to divide his time between making a ton of tackles against the run and trying to help develop young ILB Stevenson Sylvester and Sean Spence (who though unsigned, will most likely be in Pittsburgh this week). For his part, Foote has always been a steady hand as a player. As a starter between 2005-2008, Foote was a productive linebacker who was always better than he was given credit for. As a back-up, he has been a consummate professional, understanding his role and just happy to be the Steeler. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to becoming a major piece of the puzzle again, and taking over the former slot of his legendary buddy, James Farrior. His battle to become a respected leader can begin this week.



2. The Cornerback position derby begins – Let’s just call it like it is – not many people are crying their eyes to sleep at night over the though of a Steelers secondary sans William Gay. Gay took his ball and a nice contract and headed to Pittsburgh-West, leaving the Steelers with only Ike Taylor as a CB with any kind of game experience. Since Ike can’t “swag” alone, he will need a new “swagging” partner in the defensive secondary. That player will come from a group that includes Keenan Lewis, Cortez Allen, Curtis Brown, and newcomer Terrence Frederick. The odds-on-favorite for the job is Keenan Lewis, who heads into his fourth season and at 6-foot tall and 208 lbs., has a natural build for the position. Lewis will be pushed hard for the job by both Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown, second-year players that both turned heads last year. Frederick comes in as one of the Steelers 7th rounders and has a real chance to make the roster for special teams duties. No matter who wins the starting job, the Steelers finally seem to have some legit depth in talent at cornerback – a spot they have lacked solid backups for some time. We should see all four players at OTAs this week, and it will be a good chance to see how their off-season conditioning either thrusts them into the limelight or turns them into the next Joe Burnett.



3. The new Defensive Line takes shape – The first true team activities without Aaron Smith and Chris Hoke are upon us, and NT Casey Hampton is still nursing his ACL injury. That means the Steelers will be looking at a defensive line potentially featuring DE Cameron Heyward, DE Ziggy Hood, and NT Alameda Ta’amu -not just for OTA action, but for the start of the season. We won’t count out another stellar season coming from “The Diesel” Brett Keisel, but at 33-years old he should begin to be phased out this season. It is a transitional period for the Steelers front three, and we should get a good look at how the young guns on the defensive line are looking this week. While they won’t be wearing pads, just seeing the new players out there sweating and pushing around offensive linemen should be a sight that warms Steeler fans hearts.

[URL]http://nicepickcowher.com/2012/05/21/what-to-look-for-during-steelers-first-ota-session-of-2012/[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

OTAs set to begin

MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012
posted by Dale Lolley

The Steelers OTAs are set to begin this week and the team has some interesting battles that will begin.

We all know by now of the team's shakeup on the offensive line. As I've said, Jonathan Scott will likely take first-team snaps at left tackle and Ramon Foster will be at right guard - for now.

But rookies Mike Adams and David DeCastro will be pushing from the start.

The other big battle will be at cornerback across from Ike Taylor.

William Gay, last year's starter, is gone and Keenan Lewis will get the first chance to replace him.

But second-year players Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown will be pushing hard.

Of course, one of those three will be in the starting lineup. Another will be the third corner.

[URL]http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/sidelines/[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

5 things to watch at Steelers OTAs

May 21st, 2012

When the Steelers open up OTAs tomorrow they will be without 3 main players. They have starter and Pro Bowler Mike Wallace out. They also will be missing potential starters on the offensive line David DeCastro and Mike Adams. Even with those guys out there will be plenty to watch. The team is very young now and there are many positions open and up for grabs. It will be intriguing to see where these guys line up.

5 Things to Watch:

Who lines up across from Ike Taylor at Cornerback? The Steelers no longer have William Gay for fans to pick on this year. The player across from Ike Taylor will be on of three guys. It will either be Keenan Lewis, Cortez Allen or Curtis Brown. Who lines up across from Taylor will say a lot about where the team is going. It is expected to be Lewis. That would be status quo. We all would expect that. If someone else is in that starting roll tomorrow then it could be a battle to see who starts week one. It will also show how little the Steelers feel about Lewis on the field.

Where is Marcus Gilbert lined up with the first team? It looks like second round pick Mike Adams is expected to start for this team. They have moved Willie Colon to left guard. The tackle position is open. The question is which one will it be. Gilbert was told to prepare to be the teams left tackle. Mike Adams has spent his rookie mini camp as the left tackle. If Gilbert plays on the right side tomorrow out of the gate that is how the Steelers will likely line up when they open up the season.

Who is James Harrison’s back up? Many people were very underwhelmed with Jason Worilds last season. More was expected of him when Harrison went down. When the Steelers second team goes on the field tomorrow the person backing up Harrison will likely be the future at that position. It should be between Chris Carter and Worilds. If Carter lines up behind Harrison then Worilds may have already been passed on the depth chart. LaMarr Woodley is not going anywhere for a good long while. Harrison’s position is the one that will be up for grabs sooner. That back up will be the player to watch for the Steelers of the future.

Will Ziggy Hood line up at NT? This has been rumored all offseason. Ziggy may move to NT with Hampton out. Then Keisel and Heyward would take over the DE duty for the time being. The Steelers did draft Alameda Ta’amu to be the up and coming NT. If Steve McLendon lines up as the starting NT in the defense then Ta’amu will be looked at to play NT more then Hood. Hood can then stay at DE.

Will Todd Haley yell at Ben Roethlisberger day one? I am really hoping to get this out of the way early. Haley is going to yell at Roethlisberger sooner or later. It is going to happen. Let it happen now and let Roethlisberger have time to get over it and adapt to it. He is not going to like it but it is better to be done with it. See how Haley and Roethlisberger react together and move on.

How nice is it that football is about to kick into gear even if it is just a short time.

[URL]http://bleedblackandgold.com/blog/[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers Day 1 OTAs Recap

May 22nd, 2012

The Steelers opened up their first round of OTAs today. As expected Mike Wallace was not in attendance. Wallace was in town to meet with Mike Tomlin last week though and he got his playbook. Wallace will wait as long as he can to sign his tender. He can not wait that long though. With a new offense he will have to get in tune with Roethlsiberger and the other wide receivers.

The practice went off with no one getting injured that we know of. Though there were a few guys absent. Brett Keisel was not at practice. Neither was Ike Taylor but he will be on the field tomorrow. He just arrived late to the facility and missed today. The only other players missing were the rookies who were not allowed to attend. That would be Mike Adams, David DeCastro and Alameda Ta’amu. The Steelers did have a few players sit out with prior injuries. Ramon Foster had a hamstring. Casey Hampton and Rashard Mendenhall were on site but neither is able to practice.

Here are some other notes from practice today:

Starting Offensive line consisted of Trai Essex, Willie Colon, Maurkice Pouncey, Doug Legursky and Marcus Gilbert. Gilbert was lined up on the right side. That looks like it is where he will play. That means when Adams and DeCastro return they will likely move into the open positions of Right Guard and Left Tackle.

Ben Roethlisberger seems extremely frustrated. He is not picking up the offense as quickly as he would like. He likened things to his rookie year when he knew one read and then ran for his life. He is joking about it but you can see the frustration on his face when he talks.

Everyone else seems really happy. Emmanuel Sanders came out of practice ready to go and excited about his role. The offensive line seemed happy to especially Center Maurkice Pouncey. Everyone seems to be moving a long and happy with what is going on except Roethlisberger. He will get it with time. As happy as everyone else is with what is going on though he may feel more pressure because he is the one not getting it.

The offense seems to be Play Action oriented which means the Steelers will be running the ball. It may not be heavily but it will be more often. This passing game is made off of quick passes where guys can run after the catch or play action where guys get open after the fake. Roethlisberger will be expected to get rid of the ball instead of holding onto it.

All in all it was a good first day. Any day of mini camp or OTAs without an injury is a good day. The team will be back on the field tomorrow and we will learn more about what things are going to look like next season.

[URL]http://bleedblackandgold.com/blog/[/URL]

[Crash]

Smashmouth. Yay.

[Slapstick]

Smashmouth. Yay.

Makes sense with Colon playing in a new position and two rookies projected to start on the o-line...

Run blocking is much easier...