Notes from OTAs

[phillyesq]

Get excited - there is a battle of the punters!

[url]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/6220845-74/steelers-defensive-draft#axzz33dpavq8I[/url]

Even though it is early and means nothing, nice to see a positive report on Wheaton.

[phillyesq]

According to this report, Justin Brown is looking good:

[url]http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/2014/06/week-2-of-otas-start.html[/url]

Wexell also thinks he beats out DHB as the #5 WR.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Even though it is early and means nothing, nice to see a positive report on Wheaton.

I'm very surprised there was so much dislike and low expectations for the kid this year. Even on the bench, he was on the team, watching, learning. Not his fault he was stuck behind Sanders, Cotchery and AB, even when healthy. They were solid. All of 'em. If we had high expectations last year, I have those same expectations THIS year. Just didn't see the sense in the 1st round WR so many were asking for.

Picking a project with potential in the middle rounds, while we're secure with AB, Lance Moore and potential for veteran FA if Wheaton looks bad in camp - perfect decision. I give them an A+ for how they handled WR this offseason

[hawaiiansteel]

by Mark Kaboly

* We all may look back on the offseason signing of Lance Moore and call it brilliant. Moore has been tremendous through the first two weeks of OTAs, and he’s just learning the offense and just getting used to Ben Roethlisberger.

Wait until he knows what he’s doing.

I hate to put numbers on players in OTAs, but I will. From what I’ve seen from Moore, I wouldn’t be surprised with 60 catches for 850 yards and seven touchdowns.

* Mike Mitchell instantly makes the Steelers defense better. Now, I am not exactly breaking news here, but comparing the closing speed of Mitchell and Ryan Clark last year is night and day.

* With close to 90 players on the field at the same time, it’s hard to focus on one player. Usually one or two will jump out at you that get you to pay a little closer attention. Saying that, I have yet to notice Stephon Tuitt at all. Once again, I haven’t been looking for him, but he hasn’t done anything that made me notice, either. Maybe I’ll be closer attention on Thursday?

* Steve McLendon looks a lot leaner. Jason Worilds looks a lot thicker. Jarvis Jones looks the same. Lawrence Timmons looks like one of the best linebackers in the NFL.

* I still say wide receiver Justin Brown has a chance to be this year’s Derek Moye. Just keep him in mind.

* Saying that, linebacker Vic So’oto just may be pushing Chris Carter out of the door. Yet another battle to keep an eye on.

* Rookie cornerback Shaquille Richardson is a nice bump-and-run guy … well, from what I’ve seen. He’s no Terry Hawthorne, I’ll tell you that.

[URL]http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/2014/06/04/kaboly-tomlins-message-to-martavis-bryant/#ixzz33me9I5xu[/URL]

[RuthlessBurgher]

* With close to 90 players on the field at the same time, it’s hard to focus on one player. Usually one or two will jump out at you that get you to pay a little closer attention. Saying that, I have yet to notice Stephon Tuitt at all. Once again, I haven’t been looking for him, but he hasn’t done anything that made me notice, either. Maybe I’ll be closer attention on Thursday?

How are linemen supposed to be noticeable at OTA's when there is no contact? The main focus is on WR and CB with RB and LB running around as well, but all that OL and DL can do out there is play patty cake with one another.

[Iron City Inc.]

#5 wr should be able to help on special teams. DHB vs Brown may come down to that. Brown in his small playing sample last year and at camp looked excellent on punt returns and kick coverage. Will that be enough to keep him around? Probably not in and of itself however if he improves as a wr and shows those special team skills he may get the spot over a DHB. A camp battle to watch for sure.

[papillon]

Dang it, I knew it was too good to be true, Tuitt is a bust, Kaboly didn't notice him on the field, a wasted pick.

Pappy

[fordfixer]

Dang it, I knew it was too good to be true, Tuitt is a bust, Kaboly didn't notice him on the field, a wasted pick.

Pappy

Crap I just got his jersey

[Discipline of Steel]

by Mark Kaboly

* With close to 90 players on the field at the same time, it’s hard to focus on one player. Usually one or two will jump out at you that get you to pay a little closer attention. Saying that, I have yet to notice Stephon Tuitt at all. Once again, I haven’t been looking for him, but he hasn’t done anything that made me notice, either. Maybe I’ll be closer attention on Thursday?

I don't care who you are. That there is funny

[Slapstick]

Crap I just got his jersey

I just signed him to a ten year contract extension...

[hawaiiansteel]

Ben Roethlisberger leading way at OTAs

June, 6, 2014
By Scott Brown | ESPN.com

PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger merely confirmed after the Pittsburgh Steelers' final practice this week what his actions on the field the last two weeks have shown.

"I feel younger than ever," the Steelers quarterback said Thursday.



QB Ben Roethlisberger has high expectations for the Steelers' offense in 2014.

That much is evident by Roethlisberger doing some extra jogging in when he is not running the Steelers' offense during organized team activities. Or directing a two-minute drill that ends with him firing a touchdown pass to Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Brown on a slant pattern, something Roethlisberger did Thursday.

The only time Roethlisberger shows his age -- he turned 32 in March -- is when the 10th-year veteran is directing an offense that is his now more than at any point of his decorated career.

Roethlisberger may not be Peyton Manning with all of the hand gestures and barking of signals, but he is not far off.

And it is only June.

No one is more responsible for an offense that came into its own in the second half of last season integrating new players and inexperienced ones than Roethlisberger.

Gone are two of his top three wide receivers from last season -- and the 1,342 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns that Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery combined for in 2013. The backfield has also undergone change with the Steelers signing LeGarrette Blount and drafting speedy fast Dri Archer to complement Le'Veon Bell.

Roethlisberger is charged with pulling everything together, and he has clearly embraced that responsibility while not tempering his expectations for the offense in 2014.

"I think we have a lot of speed," said Roethlisberger, who played every snap last season while throwing for 4,261 yards, the second-highest single-season total of his career. "That's running the ball, that's throwing the ball, whatever. I want us to be fast and put a lot of points on the board."

The Steelers averaged just under 28 points in the final eight games last season. Roethlisberger is the key to them building on that and he has been nothing but a leader during OTAs. Roethlisberger has been front and center at the offseason practices, missing only one of them because of a family obligation.

"I love being out here. I love the game," Roethlisberger said. "I'm excited about this team and the direction we're headed."

[URL]http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/6942/ben-roethlisberger-leading-the-way-at-otas[/URL]

[Ghost]

So Kaboly says, "McClendon looks a lot leaner". Funny because McClendon has added 17 pounds and per the Post Gazette "now weighs a robust 330 at 6 foot 4".

Maybe he hasn't noticed Tuitt because his observational skills suck.

[sick beats]

So Kaboly says, "McClendon looks a lot leaner". Funny because McClendon has added 17 pounds and per the Post Gazette "now weighs a robust 330 at 6 foot 4".

Maybe he hasn't noticed Tuitt because his observational skills suck.

It also said he hit the weights more and stopped doing as much long distance type running, and upped his protein, all of which could make one look "leaner" even though he gained weight. I am guessing you have no experience on this front. Muscle weighs more than fat. When you hit free weights, you may appear more lean while you actually gained over all weight. I am not shocked you were not aware of this.

[Ghost]

Hey, idiot boy showed up. Thanks for the tips you fat, ignorant couch slug. It was obviously a tongue in cheek comment. But since we know your IQ is in the 70 range you missed it. Maybe if you're good today you'll be allowed to go outside without having to wear your helmet.

[sick beats]

Hey, idiot boy showed up. Thanks for the tips you fat, ignorant couch slug. It was obviously a tongue in cheek comment. But since we know your IQ is in the 70 range you missed it. Maybe if you're good today you'll be allowed to go outside without having to wear your helmet.

I am quite sure you have never touched a weight in your life, thus, your immaturity and defensiveness. Reading comic books doesn't make you have any special powers, and it most certainly, doesn't cause you to increase muscle mass. If you are ever in my neck of the woods, I will take you to my gym for a free work out lesson. You will be fine; they have girl-level weights so anyone can lift. You might look like Obama in doing so, but don't let that bring you down.