The Pittsburgh Steelers started their off-season training program yesterday with the first day of OTAs or “organized team activities.” These team workouts are the first look at how the team is shaping up for 2013 and are just a stepping stone towards the start of the 2013 season. Training camp will be the best indication of where players are; especially young players and rookies, but these OTAs will give us some insight into what the team’s looking like moving forward.
Here are some important notes from today’s first workout:
Marcus Gilbert – Gilbert lined up at left tackle for the Steelers today and will get the first look from that position. It has been rumored for most of the off-season that Gilbert and Mike Adams would compete for the spot this and they are expected to do just that. Adams will get looks on the left side during training camp as well and the Steelers will go with whoever looks better moving forward.
Steelers start off first OTA with Marcus Gilbert at LT and Mike Adams at RT
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) May 21, 2013
However, most, including Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, that Gilbert is more suited for left tackle and Adams may be more suited for right tackle. Unless Gilbert struggled during camp he is expected to be the team’s starting left tackle in 2013, which will allow Adams to stay on the right side where he played very well as a rookie in 2012.
Le’Veon Bell – According to multiple reports Bell looked good during the first OTA and he was also praised for his play during the rookie camp. It’s hard to say just how good he looks at this point, though, until they put on the pads and start hitting each other. Bell is expected to win the starting running back job in 2013 and hopefully he will continue to impress even when the pads go on.
#Steelers rookie RB Le’Veon Bell looks like a wide receiver (6-2). Says for a time as a kid he wanted to be Randy Moss.
— Will Graves (@WillGravesAP) May 21, 2013
Troy Polamalu – A report came out yesterday that Polamalu had said he was in the best shape since he was at USC. That’s hard to believe because he has been in very good shape throughout his NFL career, but if he feels strong and healthy that is a plus for the Steelers. Polamalu is still one of the best defensive players in the NFL when healthy; the issue, though, has been keeping him healthy.
Polamalu also said after the workout today that the calf injury that plagued him during the 2012 season has bothered him for the past four years. He has been training this off-season to help recover from that injury and is hoping that it won’t bother him during the 2013 season. If he is able to put that injury behind him hopefully he can return to form and play a couple more strong seasons for the Steelers.
Jarvis Jones – Jones may be battling an injury right now and Mike Tomlin was asked about it after practice: ”He’s capable of practicing, which he did,” said Tomlin. “Had a good day.” Jones suffered a hamstring injury at his Pro Day with Georgia, but it’s unknown what was possibly ailing him today. The last thing Steelers fans want to hear is that another outside linebacker is battling hamstring injuries after LaMarr Woodley’s last two seasons.
Nick Williams – According to David Todd of ESPN radio in Pittsburgh Williams had a wrap on his mid-section today and did not participate in the workout. Mike Tomlin did not address Williams’ injury after practice.
Ike Taylor and William Gay – Taylor and Gay joined TribLive Radio after practice today to talk about how things went. Taylor talked about needing the young guys to step up: “I think pretty much all of the veteran guys understand that there is gonna be a point in time when we’re gonna have to rely on these young guys,” Taylor Said. “They are gonna have to step up ASAP.”
