Emmanuel Sanders attempts to haul in a pass during practice (Photo Credit: vader29)
Due to impending bad weather, the team bumped up practice one hour to 1:55.
If you are headed to @MySaintVincent to watch practice today, come early practice starts at 1:55 today to try and avoid some weather.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 7, 2013
More roster moves from the Steelers today. Due to the injuries at cornerback continuing to pile up, the team signed CB Devin Smith, waiving DE Cordian Hagans in a corresponding move. Smith, a 5’10 corner, played at Wisconsin and will serve as depth until the position gets healthier. He ended his senior year with four interceptions and ran a 4.49 at the Badgers’ Pro Day.
The team also waived RB Curtis McNeal to sign RB Alvester Alexander. McNeal was a UDFA from USC. Alexander, a Wyoming alum, was let go by the Titans on July 24th. ALexander’s best season in college came in 2010 as a sophomore (he left school as a junior), rushing for nearly 800 yards and 14 touchdowns.
steelers sign RB Alvester Alexander and CB Devin Smith, release RB Curtis McNeal and DE Cordian Hagans.
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) August 7, 2013
Bob Labriola explains the reason for McNeal’s relase.
@brandon_david His official designation was waived/injured. He might have an injury that was to sideline him for 2 long 2 have a chance
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) August 7, 2013
That means that like Nik Embernate, once McNeal passes through waivers, the team will place him on Injured Reserve.
I think it’s safe to say Shamarko Thomas is Ryan Clark 2.0
Ike Taylor on Shamarko Thomas: “Man, he is going to be a monster. When it comes to hitting.. he put an O-lineman to sleep [this camp]”Ken Laird (@Ken_Laird) August 7, 2013
– Mark Kaboly reports Matt Spaeth has been carted off with an unknown injury.
Steelers TE Matt Spaeth carted off with injury. Didn’t see what it was. Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) August 7, 2013
– Some other tidbits from today’s practice.
Pretty steady rotation of RBs w 1st team O in 11 on 11. Tough to tell a depth chart. Redman, Dwyer, Le’Veon, Batch, and LSH #steelers
— Ken Laird (@Ken_Laird) August 7, 2013
A rare OL v DL 1 on 1 run blocking drill. Adams v Heyward a good battle
— Ken Laird (@Ken_Laird) August 7, 2013
Josh Victorian slot CB in nickel today w Gay and Ike on outside
— Ken Laird (@Ken_Laird) August 7, 2013
Dwyer up first in team 11 on 11 drills. Entire starting D (minus Cortez) healthy #Steelers Ken Laird (@Ken_Laird) August 7, 2013
Then 3rd stringer Joe Long gets the best of Woods on consecutive plays in same drill. Not a good period for Marcus Gilbert. Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) August 7, 2013
– In the Steelers’ game notes for Saturday’s preseason contest against the Giants, Mike Adams is lifted at left tackle and Gilbert at right. We’ve noted the growing idea of that switch being permanent and although Jack Bicknell and Mike Tomlin have come and squashed the idea of making a big idea about the depth chart, it’s obviously something to keep an eye on.
Jarvis Jones just put on a clinic to end practice. Time for the rookie to graduate from third team.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) August 7, 2013
– QUOTES LINKS TO NOTE
Oh…this is awkward. No quotes to give you today. To make things up, a couple of good reads/watches on Steelers.com.
Doug Vitale visits the Steelers (as we mentioned Monday)
