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Veteran Steelers get a break at training camp
By John Harris, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
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Inside linebacker James Farrior, defensive end Travis Kirschke, receiver Hines Ward and cornerback Deshea Townsend sat out the Steelers' first practice yesterday morning. Not coincidentally, Farrior (34), Kirschke (34), Ward (33) and Townsend (33) are among the oldest players on the roster.
"Whenever you have older, veteran guys, whenever you have an opportunity to give us a little time off and give us a little extra rest, you feel easy about doing it,'' Farrior said. "It feels good.''
Farrior, Kirschke and Townsend returned to the afternoon workout.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who ran a much tougher camp two years ago, made good on his promise to lessen the workload for his veterans.
"We didn't really talk about it,'' said Farrior, the defensive captain. "But it's that time in our careers where getting enough time off only helps the team. It was all (Tomlin's) move."
Said Tomlin: "We gave our thirty-something guys the morning off."
• Starting inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons returned to practice yesterday morning after sitting out Sunday and not finishing Saturday's practice because of cramps caused by dehydration. Tight end Heath Miller, limited the first two days of practice while recovering from sports hernia surgery, participated in individual drills and 7-on-7 drills in the afternoon workout. Rookie defensive end Sonny Harris continues to be limited because of a strained groin.
• With starting center Justin Hartwig (broken toe) still limited, Doug Legursky lined up at first-team center. Starting right guard Darnell Stapleton, who had been filling in at center, observed the morning practice from above the practice fields. Was Stapleton, who has experienced swelling in one of his knees, being punished by the coaching staff?
"No," he said. "I'm a good boy." Tomlin said the condition of Stapleton's knee will be evaluated.
• Free agent receiver Stefan Logan returned to practice yesterday morning after missing the conditioning run and sitting out the first two days of practice with a foot sprain. Logan did not participate in the afternoon workout.
• Tomlin said he spoke recently with chairman Dan Rooney, the U.S. ambassador to Ireland. Rooney told Tomlin that it was the first time he missed the start of training camp in 68 years. Tomlin said that although Dan Rooney isn't around, he speaks regularly with team president Art Rooney II.
"It's business as usual for us," Tomlin said Monday.
• The Steelers have two practices today. The second one starts at 2:55 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Inside the ropes
A daily look at the best parts of the Steelers' training camp in Latrobe:
LACK OF ETIQUETTE: Coach Mike Tomlin said it was "testy" at times during yesterday's second practice, probably the most physical practice so far. Tomlin said the Steelers need to develop better "football etiquette." Tomlin could have been referring to some of the big hits delivered on the field, none bigger than safety Tyrone Carter drilling rookie Mike Wallace after a catch even though those type of hits are generally frowned upon by the coaching staff. Wallace said the hit was a wake-up call. "This is the NFL," he said. "There are going to be hits like this all the time." In another case, rookie Joe Burnett intercepted Ben Roethlisberger and was upended by a frustrated Limas Sweed. Burnett responded by tossing the ball back to Sweed, which could have resulted in a penalty in a game.
HIT PARADE: Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons returned to practice in a big way Monday morning. Timmons blew up rookie running back Frank "The Tank" Summers on a running play. Later during the same practice, outside linebacker James Harrison hit free agent Stefan Logan so hard on a pass play that Logan dropped the ball. Harrison picked Logan up.
BACKS VS. BACKERS: The popular backs vs. backers drill yesterday highlighted a couple of young running backs, second-year player Rashard Mendenhall and Summers. Playing running back in the NFL involves more than carrying the ball. Running backs are also expected to pass block. Mendenhall had his hands full with Harrison, but he got better as the drill progressed. Summers struggled his first time against linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who beat him with an inside rush. The next time, Summers managed to push Woodley outside.
DEFENSIVE SUPPORT: Safety Ryan Clark playfully admonished fans who cheered after Ben Roethlisberger completed a pass to Willie Parker yesterday afternoon. "Y'all better start cheering when we do something on defense," Clark said. Fans promptly took up a chant for the defense.
By John Harris, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_636642.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 36642.html[/url]
Inside linebacker James Farrior, defensive end Travis Kirschke, receiver Hines Ward and cornerback Deshea Townsend sat out the Steelers' first practice yesterday morning. Not coincidentally, Farrior (34), Kirschke (34), Ward (33) and Townsend (33) are among the oldest players on the roster.
"Whenever you have older, veteran guys, whenever you have an opportunity to give us a little time off and give us a little extra rest, you feel easy about doing it,'' Farrior said. "It feels good.''
Farrior, Kirschke and Townsend returned to the afternoon workout.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who ran a much tougher camp two years ago, made good on his promise to lessen the workload for his veterans.
"We didn't really talk about it,'' said Farrior, the defensive captain. "But it's that time in our careers where getting enough time off only helps the team. It was all (Tomlin's) move."
Said Tomlin: "We gave our thirty-something guys the morning off."
• Starting inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons returned to practice yesterday morning after sitting out Sunday and not finishing Saturday's practice because of cramps caused by dehydration. Tight end Heath Miller, limited the first two days of practice while recovering from sports hernia surgery, participated in individual drills and 7-on-7 drills in the afternoon workout. Rookie defensive end Sonny Harris continues to be limited because of a strained groin.
• With starting center Justin Hartwig (broken toe) still limited, Doug Legursky lined up at first-team center. Starting right guard Darnell Stapleton, who had been filling in at center, observed the morning practice from above the practice fields. Was Stapleton, who has experienced swelling in one of his knees, being punished by the coaching staff?
"No," he said. "I'm a good boy." Tomlin said the condition of Stapleton's knee will be evaluated.
• Free agent receiver Stefan Logan returned to practice yesterday morning after missing the conditioning run and sitting out the first two days of practice with a foot sprain. Logan did not participate in the afternoon workout.
• Tomlin said he spoke recently with chairman Dan Rooney, the U.S. ambassador to Ireland. Rooney told Tomlin that it was the first time he missed the start of training camp in 68 years. Tomlin said that although Dan Rooney isn't around, he speaks regularly with team president Art Rooney II.
"It's business as usual for us," Tomlin said Monday.
• The Steelers have two practices today. The second one starts at 2:55 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Inside the ropes
A daily look at the best parts of the Steelers' training camp in Latrobe:
LACK OF ETIQUETTE: Coach Mike Tomlin said it was "testy" at times during yesterday's second practice, probably the most physical practice so far. Tomlin said the Steelers need to develop better "football etiquette." Tomlin could have been referring to some of the big hits delivered on the field, none bigger than safety Tyrone Carter drilling rookie Mike Wallace after a catch even though those type of hits are generally frowned upon by the coaching staff. Wallace said the hit was a wake-up call. "This is the NFL," he said. "There are going to be hits like this all the time." In another case, rookie Joe Burnett intercepted Ben Roethlisberger and was upended by a frustrated Limas Sweed. Burnett responded by tossing the ball back to Sweed, which could have resulted in a penalty in a game.
HIT PARADE: Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons returned to practice in a big way Monday morning. Timmons blew up rookie running back Frank "The Tank" Summers on a running play. Later during the same practice, outside linebacker James Harrison hit free agent Stefan Logan so hard on a pass play that Logan dropped the ball. Harrison picked Logan up.
BACKS VS. BACKERS: The popular backs vs. backers drill yesterday highlighted a couple of young running backs, second-year player Rashard Mendenhall and Summers. Playing running back in the NFL involves more than carrying the ball. Running backs are also expected to pass block. Mendenhall had his hands full with Harrison, but he got better as the drill progressed. Summers struggled his first time against linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who beat him with an inside rush. The next time, Summers managed to push Woodley outside.
DEFENSIVE SUPPORT: Safety Ryan Clark playfully admonished fans who cheered after Ben Roethlisberger completed a pass to Willie Parker yesterday afternoon. "Y'all better start cheering when we do something on defense," Clark said. Fans promptly took up a chant for the defense.
