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Steelers notes: Parker, Keisel sit out
By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff
Published: Friday, August 14, 2009 12:07 AM EDT
[url="http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2009/08/13/sports/steelers/doc4a84e2679f41e303792201.txt"]http://www.timesonline.com/articles/200 ... 792201.txt[/url]
PITTSBURGH — Running back Willie Parker and defensive end Brett Keisel were the only two first-stringers who sat out Thursday night’s preseason opener.
Parker was in uniform but didn’t play against the Arizona Cardinals. He’s missed the last few days of practice with back spasms.
Meanwhile, Keisel was a last-minute scratch because of a calf injury. The Steelers said Keisel, who wasn’t in uniform, sat out as a precautionary measure.
Starting in place of Parker was Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers’ first-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Starting in place of Keisel was Travis Kirschke, who’s in his 13th pro season.
BIG BEN’S STATS
As expected, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger played the first two series and then called it a night. He completed 4 of 6 passes for 33 yards but didn’t lead the offense on any scoring drives.
Roethlisberger was replaced on the Steelers’ third possession by back-up Charlie Batch.
Batch only played one series. He was replaced late in the second quarter by Dennis Dixon.
RAICH NOW ON SIDELINE
Matt Raich, a Monaca High School graduate, has moved from the press box to the sideline in his new role with the Cardinals.
The last two seasons as a defensive assistant, Raich was among the assistant coaches who worked games with a bird’s-eye view from the press box.
But now that he’s the Cardinals linebackers coach, he prefers to coach from the sidelines.
Raich started his pro career in 2002 with a two-year internship with the Steelers’ scouting department. He then switched gears by taking a job as an offensive assistant on Bill Cowher’s staff from 2004-06.
Raich then followed Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt, the former Steelers offensive coordinator, to Arizona two years ago to work as a defensive assistant.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
After a day off today, the Steelers are back at camp Saturday for a 2:55 p.m. practice.
Starting Saturday, they’ll practice every day at St. Vincent College until they break camp Friday after a short walk-through session in preparation for the Aug. 22 preseason game against the Washington Redskins.
On three of the last seven days of camp, the Steelers have two-a-day practices: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Those three morning workouts are closed to the public. Fans can only attend the afternoon practices.
HISTORY EXHIBIT
Beginning Monday at Senator John Heinz History Center, Steelers fans have a chance to revisit some of the great moments in franchise history.
There’s a new exhibit titled “Behind the Scenes with the Pittsburgh Steelers: Photographs by Mike Fabus.”
The exhibit includes more than 40 never-before-seen photographs that will be showcased on fourth floor of the History Center.
The exhibit runs through January.
In addition, the Steelers’ six Super Bowl trophies will be on display until Aug. 30. Fans will be allowed to take photos with the trophies.
Those visiting the special Steelers exhibit will have to pay regular admission prices of $10 for adults, $9 for seniors over 61, $5 for students with an ID and $5 for children ages 4-17.
X’S AND O’S
- Wide receiver Shaun McDonald, acquired during the off-season, produced game-highs with six catches for 69 yards.
- The Steelers defense recorded four sacks. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley, cornerback Keiwan Ratliff and defensive end Ziggy Hood had one sack each. Linebacker Arnold Harrison and defensive end Ra’Shon “Sonny” Harris shared a sack.
- The Steelers offensive line didn’t give up any sacks.
- Steelers kicker Jeff Reed booted a 50-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Piotr Czech, the other kicker in camp, missed a 36-yarder in the third quarter but made a 44-yarder in the fourth quarter.
- Tyler Palko, a graduate of West Allegheny High School, was the fourth quarterback to play for the Cardinals. He completed 8 of 14 passes for 103 yards. He threw a 20-yard TD pass to wide receiver Onrea Jones. He was also intercepted by linebacker Bruce Davis.
By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff
Published: Friday, August 14, 2009 12:07 AM EDT
[url="http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2009/08/13/sports/steelers/doc4a84e2679f41e303792201.txt"]http://www.timesonline.com/articles/200 ... 792201.txt[/url]
PITTSBURGH — Running back Willie Parker and defensive end Brett Keisel were the only two first-stringers who sat out Thursday night’s preseason opener.
Parker was in uniform but didn’t play against the Arizona Cardinals. He’s missed the last few days of practice with back spasms.
Meanwhile, Keisel was a last-minute scratch because of a calf injury. The Steelers said Keisel, who wasn’t in uniform, sat out as a precautionary measure.
Starting in place of Parker was Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers’ first-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Starting in place of Keisel was Travis Kirschke, who’s in his 13th pro season.
BIG BEN’S STATS
As expected, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger played the first two series and then called it a night. He completed 4 of 6 passes for 33 yards but didn’t lead the offense on any scoring drives.
Roethlisberger was replaced on the Steelers’ third possession by back-up Charlie Batch.
Batch only played one series. He was replaced late in the second quarter by Dennis Dixon.
RAICH NOW ON SIDELINE
Matt Raich, a Monaca High School graduate, has moved from the press box to the sideline in his new role with the Cardinals.
The last two seasons as a defensive assistant, Raich was among the assistant coaches who worked games with a bird’s-eye view from the press box.
But now that he’s the Cardinals linebackers coach, he prefers to coach from the sidelines.
Raich started his pro career in 2002 with a two-year internship with the Steelers’ scouting department. He then switched gears by taking a job as an offensive assistant on Bill Cowher’s staff from 2004-06.
Raich then followed Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt, the former Steelers offensive coordinator, to Arizona two years ago to work as a defensive assistant.
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
After a day off today, the Steelers are back at camp Saturday for a 2:55 p.m. practice.
Starting Saturday, they’ll practice every day at St. Vincent College until they break camp Friday after a short walk-through session in preparation for the Aug. 22 preseason game against the Washington Redskins.
On three of the last seven days of camp, the Steelers have two-a-day practices: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Those three morning workouts are closed to the public. Fans can only attend the afternoon practices.
HISTORY EXHIBIT
Beginning Monday at Senator John Heinz History Center, Steelers fans have a chance to revisit some of the great moments in franchise history.
There’s a new exhibit titled “Behind the Scenes with the Pittsburgh Steelers: Photographs by Mike Fabus.”
The exhibit includes more than 40 never-before-seen photographs that will be showcased on fourth floor of the History Center.
The exhibit runs through January.
In addition, the Steelers’ six Super Bowl trophies will be on display until Aug. 30. Fans will be allowed to take photos with the trophies.
Those visiting the special Steelers exhibit will have to pay regular admission prices of $10 for adults, $9 for seniors over 61, $5 for students with an ID and $5 for children ages 4-17.
X’S AND O’S
- Wide receiver Shaun McDonald, acquired during the off-season, produced game-highs with six catches for 69 yards.
- The Steelers defense recorded four sacks. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley, cornerback Keiwan Ratliff and defensive end Ziggy Hood had one sack each. Linebacker Arnold Harrison and defensive end Ra’Shon “Sonny” Harris shared a sack.
- The Steelers offensive line didn’t give up any sacks.
- Steelers kicker Jeff Reed booted a 50-yard field goal in the second quarter.
Piotr Czech, the other kicker in camp, missed a 36-yarder in the third quarter but made a 44-yarder in the fourth quarter.
- Tyler Palko, a graduate of West Allegheny High School, was the fourth quarterback to play for the Cardinals. He completed 8 of 14 passes for 103 yards. He threw a 20-yard TD pass to wide receiver Onrea Jones. He was also intercepted by linebacker Bruce Davis.
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