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Steelers' Essex hopes to seize opportunity
By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, August 9, 2009
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_637463.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 37463.html[/url]
Darnell Stapleton is one of Trai Essex's closest friends on the Steelers. That doesn't mean Essex won't try to take advantage of the opportunity Stapleton's knee injury has provided for him at right guard.
Stapleton had knee surgery this past Thursday and is expected to be out for at least a couple of weeks. That will give Essex plenty of chances to show the coaches that the fifth-year veteran is ready to crack the starting lineup.
"If Darnell was healthy, he knew this would have been a competition," said Essex, who has been working with the first-team offense. "I came into camp knowing this was going to be a competition, and I was going to fight my hardest to get this position."
Essex's value to the Steelers in past years has been his versatility. His ability to play both guard and tackle has made him a key reserve in the event of a game-day injury.
But Essex re-signed with the Steelers in the offseason — he said he attracted interest from several other teams — because of his belief that he would get a chance to challenge Stapleton for the starting job at right guard.
Essex said he focused on adding strength, particularly to his upper body, during the offseason. When asked what he has to show the coaches during preseason practice, the 6-foot-4, 324-pounder said, "Consistency is the biggest thing. They know I know the playbook, and they know the mental part is good. Physically, I've just got to be more consistent."
Injury update
Running back Willie Parker woke up Saturday morning with back spasms and didn't take part in either practice yesterday. Coach Mike Tomlin said the Steelers held Parker out of drills as a precaution.
Also missing practice yesterday because of injuries were outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley (knee), running back Mewelde Moore (hamstring), wide receivers Martin Nance (hamstring) and Brandon Williams (abdomen) and defensive tackle Scott Paxson (calf).
Wide receiver Mike Wallace and cornerback Keenan Lewis didn't finish the afternoon practice as a precaution, Tomlin said. Wallace experienced some tightness in his groin, while Lewis had some tightness in his back.
Line 'em up
The Steelers will hold their first goal-line drill of training camp this afternoon. The drill is the most anticipated one of camp, and when asked if the Steelers would have it today, Tomlin smiled and said to reporters, "I would encourage you to come because you very well might see goal-line."
Fans who attend the 2:55 p.m. practice won't be the only ones who get to see the Steelers hit for the first time since training camp started. Today, the Steelers host the families of the players, coaches and staff.
Extra points
Tomlin held wide receiver Santonio Holmes out of practice yesterday morning to give him a rest. ... Rookie center A.Q. Shipley has been putting in some work as a long snapper at training camp as he did during offseason practices. "The more you can do the better," the former Moon High and Penn State standout said.
By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, August 9, 2009
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_637463.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 37463.html[/url]
Darnell Stapleton is one of Trai Essex's closest friends on the Steelers. That doesn't mean Essex won't try to take advantage of the opportunity Stapleton's knee injury has provided for him at right guard.
Stapleton had knee surgery this past Thursday and is expected to be out for at least a couple of weeks. That will give Essex plenty of chances to show the coaches that the fifth-year veteran is ready to crack the starting lineup.
"If Darnell was healthy, he knew this would have been a competition," said Essex, who has been working with the first-team offense. "I came into camp knowing this was going to be a competition, and I was going to fight my hardest to get this position."
Essex's value to the Steelers in past years has been his versatility. His ability to play both guard and tackle has made him a key reserve in the event of a game-day injury.
But Essex re-signed with the Steelers in the offseason — he said he attracted interest from several other teams — because of his belief that he would get a chance to challenge Stapleton for the starting job at right guard.
Essex said he focused on adding strength, particularly to his upper body, during the offseason. When asked what he has to show the coaches during preseason practice, the 6-foot-4, 324-pounder said, "Consistency is the biggest thing. They know I know the playbook, and they know the mental part is good. Physically, I've just got to be more consistent."
Injury update
Running back Willie Parker woke up Saturday morning with back spasms and didn't take part in either practice yesterday. Coach Mike Tomlin said the Steelers held Parker out of drills as a precaution.
Also missing practice yesterday because of injuries were outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley (knee), running back Mewelde Moore (hamstring), wide receivers Martin Nance (hamstring) and Brandon Williams (abdomen) and defensive tackle Scott Paxson (calf).
Wide receiver Mike Wallace and cornerback Keenan Lewis didn't finish the afternoon practice as a precaution, Tomlin said. Wallace experienced some tightness in his groin, while Lewis had some tightness in his back.
Line 'em up
The Steelers will hold their first goal-line drill of training camp this afternoon. The drill is the most anticipated one of camp, and when asked if the Steelers would have it today, Tomlin smiled and said to reporters, "I would encourage you to come because you very well might see goal-line."
Fans who attend the 2:55 p.m. practice won't be the only ones who get to see the Steelers hit for the first time since training camp started. Today, the Steelers host the families of the players, coaches and staff.
Extra points
Tomlin held wide receiver Santonio Holmes out of practice yesterday morning to give him a rest. ... Rookie center A.Q. Shipley has been putting in some work as a long snapper at training camp as he did during offseason practices. "The more you can do the better," the former Moon High and Penn State standout said.
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