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Ravens' Suggs talks up rivalry with Steelers
By Scott Brown and John Harris, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_636780.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 36780.html[/url]
Terrell Suggs said the Steelers-Ravens rivalry is the "biggest in sports right now." The Ravens defensive end is doing his part to keep it that way. Suggs wore a shirt under his under his practice jersey last week said on the back, "You Bet Your Sweet (butt) I Hate The Steelers."
The Steelers beat the Ravens three times this past season, including in the AFC title game.
"I'd hate us too," free safety Ryan Clark said. "As far as a back and forth type of thing, we don't want to do that. I think when you do that you draw ugly attention to the game."
But, Clark added, "They can wear their shirts. I guess while they wear their shirts, I'll wear my ring, and we'll see which ones look nicer."
Suggs told Baltimore reporters Monday, "The rivalry is on. I think we've got the biggest rivalry in sports right now. I'm letting them know we're itching at another shot for them. So, we'll have to see what's up."
• Stefan Logan's time on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list proved to be short lived, as the running back/wide receiver started practicing with the Steelers on Monday. Logan arrived at camp with a mid-foot sprain that resulted from a weight dropping on it while he was working out. Playing through the discomfort wasn't a hard decision for the former Canadian Football League star since he is fighting for a roster spot.
"Coach (Mike) Tomlin made a pretty big point after (offseason practices) that he wanted to see me in pads and see what I can do," Logan said.
Logan stands just 5-foot-6 and weighs 180 pounds. But he is among the shiftiest and speediest players in camp. The Steelers will give Logan, who gained nearly 1,400 yards from scrimmage with British Columbia this past season, a long look as a kick returner as well as a hybrid running back/receiver.
"It's no secret that we were looking for some guys that had some return capabilities," Tomlin said. "He fits that bill, but he's also shown us some other skills and really shown some surprising savvy as a receiver."
• Starting right guard Darnell Stapleton had an MRI Monday on his right knee, and the results will determine whether the Steelers have their first significant injury of training camp. Stapleton has been dealing with swelling in his knee, and it has become enough of a concern that the Steelers put the knee through a battery of tests.
"Hopefully, we'll figure out what's wrong," Stapleton said Tuesday, "and I'll get back on the field."
When asked if the injury might be serious and require surgery, the 6-3, 305-pound Stapleton said, "I'm not a doctor. I can't tell." Stapleton, a third-year man from Rutgers, started the final 15 games at right guard last season. Trai Essex has been working with the first-team offense in Stapleton's absence.
• The Steelers held running back Willie Parker out of practice yesterday as a precaution, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. Parker experienced some soreness in his shoulder. Running back Mewelde Moore, meanwhile, suffered a minor hamstring injury near the end of the afternoon practice and may be held out of drills today, Tomlin said. Tight end Heath Miller (abdomen) and center Justin Hartwig (toe) were able to do more in practice yesterday. Of the two, Tomlin said "Like where those guys are going."
• Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who said Monday his arm strength is not where it needs to be yet, connected on several long passes yesterday, including an 85-yarder to Santonio Holmes.
"He was throwing darts out there," said Hines Ward.
• Singer John Legend attended yesterday afternoon's practice.
• The Steelers' afternoon practice today starts at 2:55 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:
ONE PUNT AT A TIME: Punter Daniel Sepulveda, who missed this past season because of a knee injury, isn't rushing his recovery. Sepulveda punted Sunday then took the next three practices off before returning to the practice field Tuesday afternoon. It wasn't because of soreness in his right knee, according to Sepulveda, a left-footed punter. Simply a case of taking his time. "It's such a blessing I was able to start off the way I did,'' Sepulveda said.
FOOT WORK: Kicker Piotr Czech of Poland and Wagner College blasted a 58-yard field goal yesterday, clearing the crossbar with plenty of room. Czech has virtually no chance of unseating incumbent Jeff Reed, who also has been kicking well in training camp. Yesterday afternoon was Czech's turn to kick. Reed kicked Monday.
FITTING IN: It wasn't until he intercepted a Ben Roethlisbeger pass Monday afternoon that rookie defensive back Joe Burnett said he finally started feeling comfortable as a member of the defense. Until then, Burnett said he was playing on his heels and hesitating about letting it rip on the practice field. The interception, he said, that resulted from him playing deep in the seondary before breaking on the ball, has enabled him to relax and play without having to think all the time. Burnett, though, took his lumps yesterday afternoon when Martin Nance burned him for a long catch.
NIGHT AND DAY: Second-year player Limas Sweed, in competition for the No. 3 receiver job, said playing football is easier this training camp because he knows what he's doing. The big difference between this year and last year? "I didn't know what was going on last year,'' he said. Sweed suffered several drops and looked totally out of place as a rookie. As a second-year player, he knows his way around camp like a veteran. "I played split end for seven years before moving to the slot,'' Sweed said. "I knew I didn't know.'' Sweed said his play has improved because he's familiar with the playbook and where he's supposed to be at all times. "Sometimes I don't even have to look,'' he said.
SPECIAL PRACTICE: The Steelers conducted their first training camp practice exclusively for special teams yesterday morning. Running backs Mewelde Moore and Rashard Mendenhall lined up deep on kickoff returns.
By Scott Brown and John Harris, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_636780.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 36780.html[/url]
Terrell Suggs said the Steelers-Ravens rivalry is the "biggest in sports right now." The Ravens defensive end is doing his part to keep it that way. Suggs wore a shirt under his under his practice jersey last week said on the back, "You Bet Your Sweet (butt) I Hate The Steelers."
The Steelers beat the Ravens three times this past season, including in the AFC title game.
"I'd hate us too," free safety Ryan Clark said. "As far as a back and forth type of thing, we don't want to do that. I think when you do that you draw ugly attention to the game."
But, Clark added, "They can wear their shirts. I guess while they wear their shirts, I'll wear my ring, and we'll see which ones look nicer."
Suggs told Baltimore reporters Monday, "The rivalry is on. I think we've got the biggest rivalry in sports right now. I'm letting them know we're itching at another shot for them. So, we'll have to see what's up."
• Stefan Logan's time on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list proved to be short lived, as the running back/wide receiver started practicing with the Steelers on Monday. Logan arrived at camp with a mid-foot sprain that resulted from a weight dropping on it while he was working out. Playing through the discomfort wasn't a hard decision for the former Canadian Football League star since he is fighting for a roster spot.
"Coach (Mike) Tomlin made a pretty big point after (offseason practices) that he wanted to see me in pads and see what I can do," Logan said.
Logan stands just 5-foot-6 and weighs 180 pounds. But he is among the shiftiest and speediest players in camp. The Steelers will give Logan, who gained nearly 1,400 yards from scrimmage with British Columbia this past season, a long look as a kick returner as well as a hybrid running back/receiver.
"It's no secret that we were looking for some guys that had some return capabilities," Tomlin said. "He fits that bill, but he's also shown us some other skills and really shown some surprising savvy as a receiver."
• Starting right guard Darnell Stapleton had an MRI Monday on his right knee, and the results will determine whether the Steelers have their first significant injury of training camp. Stapleton has been dealing with swelling in his knee, and it has become enough of a concern that the Steelers put the knee through a battery of tests.
"Hopefully, we'll figure out what's wrong," Stapleton said Tuesday, "and I'll get back on the field."
When asked if the injury might be serious and require surgery, the 6-3, 305-pound Stapleton said, "I'm not a doctor. I can't tell." Stapleton, a third-year man from Rutgers, started the final 15 games at right guard last season. Trai Essex has been working with the first-team offense in Stapleton's absence.
• The Steelers held running back Willie Parker out of practice yesterday as a precaution, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. Parker experienced some soreness in his shoulder. Running back Mewelde Moore, meanwhile, suffered a minor hamstring injury near the end of the afternoon practice and may be held out of drills today, Tomlin said. Tight end Heath Miller (abdomen) and center Justin Hartwig (toe) were able to do more in practice yesterday. Of the two, Tomlin said "Like where those guys are going."
• Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who said Monday his arm strength is not where it needs to be yet, connected on several long passes yesterday, including an 85-yarder to Santonio Holmes.
"He was throwing darts out there," said Hines Ward.
• Singer John Legend attended yesterday afternoon's practice.
• The Steelers' afternoon practice today starts at 2:55 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:
ONE PUNT AT A TIME: Punter Daniel Sepulveda, who missed this past season because of a knee injury, isn't rushing his recovery. Sepulveda punted Sunday then took the next three practices off before returning to the practice field Tuesday afternoon. It wasn't because of soreness in his right knee, according to Sepulveda, a left-footed punter. Simply a case of taking his time. "It's such a blessing I was able to start off the way I did,'' Sepulveda said.
FOOT WORK: Kicker Piotr Czech of Poland and Wagner College blasted a 58-yard field goal yesterday, clearing the crossbar with plenty of room. Czech has virtually no chance of unseating incumbent Jeff Reed, who also has been kicking well in training camp. Yesterday afternoon was Czech's turn to kick. Reed kicked Monday.
FITTING IN: It wasn't until he intercepted a Ben Roethlisbeger pass Monday afternoon that rookie defensive back Joe Burnett said he finally started feeling comfortable as a member of the defense. Until then, Burnett said he was playing on his heels and hesitating about letting it rip on the practice field. The interception, he said, that resulted from him playing deep in the seondary before breaking on the ball, has enabled him to relax and play without having to think all the time. Burnett, though, took his lumps yesterday afternoon when Martin Nance burned him for a long catch.
NIGHT AND DAY: Second-year player Limas Sweed, in competition for the No. 3 receiver job, said playing football is easier this training camp because he knows what he's doing. The big difference between this year and last year? "I didn't know what was going on last year,'' he said. Sweed suffered several drops and looked totally out of place as a rookie. As a second-year player, he knows his way around camp like a veteran. "I played split end for seven years before moving to the slot,'' Sweed said. "I knew I didn't know.'' Sweed said his play has improved because he's familiar with the playbook and where he's supposed to be at all times. "Sometimes I don't even have to look,'' he said.
SPECIAL PRACTICE: The Steelers conducted their first training camp practice exclusively for special teams yesterday morning. Running backs Mewelde Moore and Rashard Mendenhall lined up deep on kickoff returns.
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