Casey Hampton Contributing As A Coach While Rehabbing His Knee

[hawaiiansteel]

Casey Hampton Contributing As A Coach While Rehabbing His Knee

Wednesday, June 13th, 2012 by Dave Bryan


Pittsburgh Steelers veteran nose tackle Casey Hampton might not be ready to practice yet, as he continues to recover from off-season knee surgery, but it is not keeping him from contributing in mini-camp as coach and mentor to fourth round draft pick Alameda Ta'amu.

The video recap of the first day of mini-camp, that is posted on steelers.com, shows Coach Hampton in action as he instructs the Washington product during the Tuesday practice. This is the type of stuff that you love to see as a Steeler fan, and it is by no means a new occurrence, as the veterans have a long history of helping the young players on the roster instead of viewing them as someone that could ultimately take their job.

According to Will Graves, the Pittsburgh area AP writer, somebody put a "Coach Hampton" sign over Casey's locker recently. Hampton was evidently asked about it and joked that he's all for it "if they add it to my salary," according to Graves.

Since being drafted by the Steelers back in April, Ta'amu has said all the right things including how much he admires Hampton. With Chris Hoke now retired, the rookie will have to learn most of the nuances of playing nose tackle in the Steelers 3-4 system from both Hampton and Steve McLendon, along of course with defensive line coach John Mitchell. Even the Hoke is retired, he has been spotted at the Steelers practices this off-season, which gives Ta'amu yet another experienced player to learn from. That's the Steeler way in action.

Hampton was not only asked about his tutoring of Ta'amu thus far, but also about McLendon, who will likely start the season at nose tackle if Hampton is not ready by week one. According to Graves, Hampton said that McLendon could start for a number of other teams in the NFL already in his opinion. That's high praise, but not unexpected as Mitchell said following the selection of Ta'amu that the Troy product should not be discarded as big contributor in 2012. "Everybody wants to discard McLendon. Let me tell you this, hold your opinion until the season is over,” Mitchell said. “I’m just saying keep your opinion until after the season, (then) you make the decision.”

Hampton also commented Wednesday on his recovery from his third career ACL surgery as well. Graves reports that Hampton said that his rehab is going well so far at that his main focus right now is being ready for the week one game against the Denver Broncos. He added that he doesn't expect to be ready by the start of training camp and that is not a big concern to him. Hampton has long been expected to be placed on the Active PUP list once he arrives in Latrobe a little more than a month from now.

Prior to the draft, Hampton, who is entering his final year under contract, was asked to take a pay cut, and he obliged. The veteran surrendered his $1 million workout bonus he was scheduled to earn and allowed his 2012 base salary of $4.89 million base salary that he was scheduled to be paid to be reduced down to $2.8 million. The moved saved the Steelers $3.09 million in cap space as a result.

Ta'amu, who reportedly needs to lose 10 more pounds by the start of training camp according to Graves, will benefit greatly by having Coach Hampton around as he attempts to make up for time lost because of NFL rules that prevented him from attending OTA sessions until his college course work was completed.

[URL]http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/ben_roethlisberger_says_hes_not_going_to_change_hi s_game/11006321[/URL]

[steelz09]

Glad to see this...

I agree that McClendon is a guy we need to keep around. Our d-line is deep this year. Keisel, Hampton, McClendon, Ta'mu, Hood, Heyward. That 6 solid players to rotate and all could be starters on many teams.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Ta'amu, who reportedly needs to lose 10 more pounds by the start of training camp according to Graves, will benefit greatly by having Coach Hampton around

Hope we're not talking about Hampton coaching Ta-amu on his weight loss program...

Maybe the plan is for Coach Hampton to devour all the food that would tempt Ta'amu...

[Crash]

Then they want him at 335. He was 345 when we was drafted.

Not a big deal. He's not fat, he's massive, and he's wide.

Casey's all belly.

[hawaiiansteel]

Hampton still believes he will play in opener

JUN 13
By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com

PITTSBURGH -- Veteran nose tackle Casey Hampton is still targeting to play in the regular-season opener, which would be eight months removed from tearing his ACL.

"I’m planning on coming back for the season," Hampton said Wednesday. "That’s what I’m looking at. That’s realistic for me. I don’t know about anybody else.

The Steelers will have to make a decision on Hampton's status when they report to training camp in late July. They could put him on the physically unable to perform list, which would make him ineligible to play in the first six games of the regular season, or keep him on the active roster.

Hampton said he has yet to practice but he spent the time at Steelers mandatory minicamp running.

Has anyone mentioned the PUP list to Hampton?

"Nah, I can’t see that happening," he said. "I feel like I’m ready to go."

Hampton isn't the only one being optimistic. "The one edge Casey will have on anybody is that he's been through this [injury] twice," Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said in February. "He knows what to expect. He knows how to do this. He knows how much work he has to do and he knows how he feels."

If Hampton isn't ready, Pittsburgh has two options: go with backup Steve McLendon or rookie fourth-round pick Alameda Ta'amu. Asked about the massive 6-foot-2, 348-pound Ta'amu, Hampton said, "He’s got to be strong, not necessarily thick. He’s a big kid, though. He looks powerful. We’ll see when we put the pads on."

[URL]http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/49695/hampton-still-believes-he-will-play-in-opener[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Hampton mentors likely replacement

June 14, 2012
By Gerry Dulac / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A hand-written sign on top of nose tackle Casey Hampton's locker reads "Coach Hamp," a light-hearted poke at Hampton's new-found status as the oldest member of the Steelers defense.

Hampton, a five-time Pro Bowler, will be 35 when the regular season begins Sept. 9 in Denver, and his goal is to be ready to play that game after recovering from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

For now, he is playing the role of coach at Steelers minicamp, at least to the newest member of the defensive line and the player who ultimately could be his replacement -- rookie Alameda Ta'amu.

"It's easier than when I came to rookie camp," Ta'amu said. "I have Hamp and [Steve]) McLendon out there helping me out so I can get my technique right and play this defense right compared to one I had at [Washington]."

"At UW, as a defensive lineman, you want to shoot, get deep in your gaps. Here, you just want to stay on your man and play gap defense. You get out of your gap, you mess up the whole defense. It's hard, but I'll learn it."

Ta'amu, the team's fourth-round draft choice, is a 6-foot-2, 348-pound nose tackle who played at the University of Washington. Like Hampton, he is thick, powerful and harder to move than a grand piano.

But, until he sees Ta'amu perform at training camp, Hampton will not evaluate the player who is expected to be his heir apparent.

"He listens, he's willing to learn, but I don't judge guys until they put the pads on," Hampton said Wednesday between practice sessions. "He's a big kid, though. He looks powerful, but, like I said, we'll see when we get the pads on."

Hampton took a pay cut to return for one final season with the team after having ACL surgery on his left knee Jan. 27. He has been doing some resistance running at minicamp and said his rehabilitation is right on schedule.

"I'm where I need to be," Hampton said. "I feel my goal is to be ready for the regular season."

With one day of minicamp remaining, McLendon has been lining at nose tackle with the first-team defense and Ta'amu has been the backup. That is OK with Ta'amu, who is just trying to learn a different style than the one he employed in college.

Ta'amu did not attend the offseason training activities because of NFL rules that prohibit attendance from players whose college class hasn't graduated.

"It's real cool to be here," said Ta'amu, a native of Samoa. "It feels like I'm already part of this team. The veterans are already helpful. No one is trying to put you on the spot.

"I just want to help out. Whenever McLendon or Hampton get tired, I'll be there to back them up."

The Steelers defensive line has a decidedly different -- and younger -- look at minicamp. Not only is Hampton sidelined, but defensive end Aaron Smith and longtime backup nose tackle Chris Hoke retired after last season.

"It's definitely different when you've been with guys for 10-plus years," Hampton said. "That's the nature of the beast. That's how it is. I've seen a lot of guys come and go. I'm one of the old guys now."

Ta'amu loves having Hampton around because he considers himself a similar model of nose tackle.

"Hampton and big guys like [Vince] Wilfork [of New England], someone I can compare myself to, someone who can eat up the middle," Ta'amu said. "To have him here, to be like a leader and mentor to me, is a good thing."

Maybe he is Coach Hamp.

[URL]http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/hampton-mentors-likely-replacement-640230/#ixzz1xjf0Y1Te[/URL]

[flippy]

Hampton's coaching advice - Be fatter, be stronger, be short, be quick off the ball, and use leverage.

[D Rock]

Hampton gave up a lot of money for the good of the team. I hope they bring him back as a coach in some way for at least one year and pay him the salary he gave up. He deserves it.

[hawaiiansteel]

Hampton Will Likely Finish Career Outside of Pittsburgh

June 15, 2012
by steelblitz.com



Casey Hampton is expecting to be ready for the start of the 2012 season. He is also hoping to play for a couple more seasons. Hampton’s contract is up after the 2012 season, however, which means he would have to sign a new contract to stay with the Steelers. With Hampton’s track record and ability he will demand at least $3-4 million. However, given the Steelers salary cap issues and Hampton’s age, he will turn 35 before the start of the 2012 season, it is unlikely that he will get a new deal in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers shy away from giving older players big time contracts. They have let multiple veterans walk via-free agency rather than give them a new contract. Joey Porter and Alan Faneca are a few recent examples. Hampton may have a few more years of playing time left, but history would say he only has one year left in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers drafted his replacement, Alameda Ta’amu, in April and are excited about third year player Steve McLendon. When Hampton leaves, likely during the 2013 offseason, the Steelers will be left with Ta’amu and McLendon. This will leave them without a veteran presence in the middle of the defensive line for the first time in years. Hampton’s long-time back-up Chris Hoke is also gone; he retired following the 2011 season leaving a hole behind Hampton.

This leaves open snaps at nose tackle during the 2012 season. These snaps will be given to Ta’amu and McLendon which works into the Steelers plans. Their two young players will gain some experience allowing them to more easily replace Hampton next year. When Hampton leaves next year via-free agency the Steelers will allow Ta’amu and McLendon a chance to win the starting nose tackle position. Whoever wins will start in 2013 and the other will likely back him up.

Hampton has been a great player for the Steelers, but like so many before him he will likely end his career somewhere else. It’s always hard to watch it happen, but replacing talent is one of the reasons why the Steelers have remained consistently competitive.

[URL]http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/hampton_will_likely_finish_career_outside_of_pitts burgh/11012645[/URL]

[squidkid]

Hampton gave up a lot of money for the good of the team. I hope they bring him back as a coach in some way for at least one year and pay him the salary he gave up. He deserves it.

casey didnt voluntarily give any money back for the good of the team. he could have either taken what was offerd or be cut. he's been stealing money the last couple years and i am hoping they still can figure out a way to dump him and save the cap space.

[BURGH86STEEL]

casey didnt voluntarily give any money back for the good of the team. he could have either taken what was offerd or be cut. he's been stealing money the last couple years and i am hoping they still can figure out a way to dump him and save the cap space.

Hampton took less money to stay with the Steelers. Not sure how he was stealing money the last couple years? If he stole money I believe the Steelers would had cut him already. The organization believes Casey can still come back and be a contributor or he would had been cut like Ward, Farrior, or Smith.

[squidkid]

Hampton took less money to stay with the Steelers. Not sure how he was stealing money the last couple years? If he stole money I believe the Steelers would had cut him already. The organization believes Casey can still come back and be a contributor or he would had been cut like Ward, Farrior, or Smith.

took less money to stay? who was going to give him more? if the steelers cut hampton, no nfl team was going to pay him more than what the steelers offered coming off his injury.
sure casey is an insurance policy incase the other NTs dont work out. i'm hoping that they do and they can save money by dumping hampton.

[Sugar]

casey didnt voluntarily give any money back for the good of the team. he could have either taken what was offerd or be cut. he's been stealing money the last couple years and i am hoping they still can figure out a way to dump him and save the cap space.

Stealing? Really?? How in the world did you come to that conclusion?

[squidkid]

Stealing? Really?? How in the world did you come to that conclusion?

when i use the term stealing, im not referring to actually taking money. i use it based on his production, or lack thereof, compared to the amount of money he is receiving.

[Sugar]

when i use the term stealing, im not referring to actually taking money. i use it based on his production, or lack thereof, compared to the amount of money he is receiving.

OK, but the hyperbole still doesn't match. Casey is a hard working veteran member of this team and an integral piece of the DL. Of course they are paying the man. They should be.