The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

[BigRob]

[url="http://www.theinsideronpittsburghsports.com/"]http://www.theinsideronpittsburghsports.com/[/url]

Like what they have to say about Timmons and Mendenhall:

12:44 p.m. A lot of emails coming in about Willie Reid. Word is Reid got into a skirmish with Antony Smith which is nothing new when it comes to Smith. He's always head hunting in camp. Speaking of Reid, he will battle Dallas Baker for the #5 spot. Right now I'd say Baker has the edge. What Reid has going for is he returns kicks and if he can resemble the player he was in college then he may earn himself a roster spot but he has do have a very good camp and perform very well in the preseason games.


12:35 p.m. Timmons and Mendehall looked very good in drills this morning. One source told me Mendenhall has the look of a superstar. Takes pride in what he does. Timmons seems more confident and you could see it on the field. He has also showed up to camp in great shape.
12:20 p.m. On the offensive line (1st team) the Steelers went with LT Smith, LG Essex, C Mahan, RG Simmons and RT Colon. Many expected to see Mahan at LG today and Hartwig at center but that wasn't the case.

11:35 a.m. - Word is Kendall Simmons, Max Starks and Willie Colon appear to be in excellent shape. Troy Polamalu is being listed as day to day. Could see him practicing tomorrow but Wednesday is a likely target date. Polamalu did watch the first session on the sidelines. LG Chris Kemoeatu was not on the field and the Steelers are being very mum on his situation. There appears to be little concern about Kemoeatu's injury. Practice updates in a bit

[costanza2k1]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

Glad to hear the news on Timmons...I hope he turns into monster...that can only help bring Blitzburgh back!

[blacknblue80s]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

Essex at LG in place of injured Kemo?!

I know it is just camp but still very intriguing.

[Ozey74]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

This writers view on Kemoeatu has me concerned!! I hope it's nothing major....

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

Mahan at starting center?? ?? ?

[costanza2k1]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

They probably just don't want to hand it to Hartwig...earn it type of deal (or at least I hope)

[frankthetank1]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

so whats exactly wrong with troy? didnt willie reid get into a fight with anthony smith last year or was it carter?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

If you are going to use a tackle at guard, I would have preferred to have them move Colon inside to LG while Kemo is out, putting the $7,000,000 man back in the starting lineup at RT. Then by the time Kemo comes back, perhaps Colon has already impressed the coaches enough at LG, and Kemo can battle with Simmons at RT (I think the mauling Kemo is better fit at RG than as a LG that should be more athletic than Kemo's 344 lbs.). I think the best combination of guys would be: Smith-Colon-Hartwig-Kemoeatu-Starks. You have veteran depth along the interior line with Simmons and Mahan plus the upstart Stephenson. The depth at tackle is obviously weaker with the likes of Essex, Hills, Capizzi, and Parquet, but if something happened to Smith or Starks, you could just move Colon back to tackle and insert Simmons as a starting guard again like last year.

[Mr Smartmonies]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

12:20 p.m. On the offensive line (1st team) the Steelers went , C Mahan, [/quote]

somebody wake me up and tell me I'm dreaming.

[Jigawatts]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

Mahan at starting center?? ?? ?

[blacknblue80s]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

If you are going to use a tackle at guard, I would have preferred to have them move Colon inside to LG while Kemo is out, putting the $7,000,000 man back in the starting lineup at RT. Then by the time Kemo comes back, perhaps Colon has already impressed the coaches enough at LG, and Kemo can battle with Simmons at RT (I think the mauling Kemo is better fit at RG than as a LG that should be more athletic than Kemo's 344 lbs.). I think the best combination of guys would be: Smith-Colon-Hartwig-Kemoeatu-Starks. You have veteran depth along the interior line with Simmons and Mahan plus the upstart Stephenson. The depth at tackle is obviously weaker with the likes of Essex, Hills, Capizzi, and Parquet, but if something happened to Smith or Starks, you could just move Colon back to tackle and insert Simmons as a starting guard again like last year.

Maybe unbeknownst to us, Essex has proven to be a legitimate guard?!

[Oviedo]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

If you are going to use a tackle at guard, I would have preferred to have them move Colon inside to LG while Kemo is out, putting the $7,000,000 man back in the starting lineup at RT. Then by the time Kemo comes back, perhaps Colon has already impressed the coaches enough at LG, and Kemo can battle with Simmons at RT (I think the mauling Kemo is better fit at RG than as a LG that should be more athletic than Kemo's 344 lbs.). I think the best combination of guys would be: Smith-Colon-Hartwig-Kemoeatu-Starks. You have veteran depth along the interior line with Simmons and Mahan plus the upstart Stephenson. The depth at tackle is obviously weaker with the likes of Essex, Hills, Capizzi, and Parquet, but if something happened to Smith or Starks, you could just move Colon back to tackle and insert Simmons as a starting guard again like last year.

Maybe unbeknownst to us, Essex has proven to be a legitimate guard?!

Don't forget. Both Tomlin and Coach Z seem to value linemen who can play multiple positions. Look at what we have:

Smith: LT and RT
Starks: RT and LT
Colon: RT and G
Simmons: both G
Mahan: C, both G
Kemo: both G
Essex: LT and LG
Stapleton: C and G

Guys on this OL who only play one position may be doing themseleves a disservice and lessening their chances of making this team.

[blacknblue80s]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

Thats true Oviedo, I just got excited at the prospect of one of our last 4 3rd round draft picks actually producing.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

Here is the latest update:

2:50 p.m. Word is Limas Sweed did not look out of place this morning during the 9 on 7 drills. A insider told me, what Sweed needs to work on is his separation at the line of scrimmage. Once he gets going in the open field his talent takes over and he's going to be a mis-match for defenses. Look for the offensive coaches to be working with Sweed primarily on his first couple steps to create separation against the bigger/faster cornerbacks he will be facing in the NFL.

2:35 p.m. Steelers are getting ready to take the field around 2:50. Santonio Holmes appears to have got what he wanted today - a chance to return punts. Holmes has been pressuring the coaching staff to let him be the teams primary punt returner. Travis Williams is another undrafted rookie to keep an eye on in the preseason. Williams is obviously a longshot to make the squad but there are some insiders who think he's one of those projection players that may develop into a contributor down the road. If Williams performs well he could make the practice squad. Williams and Jeremy Bloom also returned punts this morning.

[phillyesq]

Re: The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports Training camp update

The blog in the link seems like a great resource! I love updates like that. I realize that it's just the beginning of camp, but these updates are fantastic. I'll have to add it to the list of those that I monitor during camp. Out of curiosity, does anybody know who the author is?