Troy Polamalu was one of many to miss today’s practice (Photo Credit: vader29)
Laundry list of players out of today’s practice.
#Steelers out today: 91, 43, 47, 30, 31, 28, 23, 87, 41, 57, 39 (Moody).
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) August 4, 2013
For those who don’t know the roster. The players in order…
Nick Williams
Troy Polamalu
Brian Rolle
Terry Hawthorne
Curtis Brown
Cortez Allen
DeMarcus Van Dyke
Matt Spaeth
Ross Ventrone
Adrian Robinson
Curtis McNeal
– Steve McClendon, Jarvis Jones, and Le’Veon Bell were all limited and did not participate in team drills. Lawrence Timmons was not with the team to handle a personal matter.
But that’s the product of having a physical camp. Players are more prone to get nicked up.
Subsequently, many young guys were forced into action with the 1’s and 2′.
McFadden replacing Foote in scrimmage. Jarvis Jones also dressed but not practicing.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) August 4, 2013
Victorian the 3rd CB; undrafted WVU ILB Terence Garvin starting for #Steelers' Timmons at mack today.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) August 4, 2013
Cromartie-Smith in for Polamalu.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) August 4, 2013
– In a way, it’s a benefit to the team. You know what you’re going to get from a veterans like Troy, Timmons, and Foote. You know a lot less about Marshall McFadden and Terrance Garvin. The Steelers get the opportunity to learn more about and evaluate. What the preseason is all about.
– Mike Adams has spent the last three practices at left tackle with Marcus Gilbert on the right side. As we wrote yesterday, Coach Tomlin said not to read too much into the move but it is something to note heading into the first preseason game. Both players will likely see time there. There have been rumblings of Kelvin Beachum challenging for the starting RT spot but because of his value as a swingman, it makes the most sense he will be the team’s top backup Week 1.
– The second team offensive line per Labriola. From left to right. Guy Whimper, Justin Cheadle, John Malecki, D’Anthony Batiste, Kelvin Beachum
Most notable is Batiste’s insertion at right guard.
To make up for a day that even Mike Tomlin called “uneventful”, we’ll leave you with a boatload of quotes from yesterday and today.
QUOTES TO NOTE:
Kelvin Beachum
Positions he’s played in camp: “Left tackle, center, right tackle, and then [Saturday] I’ll be doing a little bit of tight end in goalline and short-yardage situations.”
If the zone blocking scheme is helping or hurting him learn multiple positions: “It’s actually helping me because a lot of the combination blocks, left to right or right to left, are the same. It’s just a different name and whether it’s the frontside or the backside. “
Thoughts on Coach Bicknell: “He’s cool. He’s funny. He’s doing well. We’re getting to know him, he’s getting to know us. Things are going pretty smooth. “
Ben Roethlisberger
Going back to “old terminology”:” We tried to make things simpler. If there was something that was confusing, everyone saw it one way and two people saw it this way, we just wanted to make it where everyone was able to be on the same page all the time. And I think if you watch practice and see what’s going on you can see that. As an offense, the cohesion is better than what I feel it was last year at this time.”
If camp is more physical this year than years prior: “Yeah, it definitely is. That’s the way Coach wanted it. With the young guys, he kinda wanted to set a tone early. That this is Steeler football. There’s not the old guys anymore that can lead by example so he has to do that. And I think it’s been good.”
How the offensive line is gelling to the zone blocking scheme: “Good. I think they’re doing a good job. I think we obviously have some wrinkles to iron out but for the most part they like it. We have a very athletic group out there. It helps them get on the move. I think it’ll be good for us.”
If Brown and Sanders are being underrated around the league: “Yeah, I think they are. They’re really good. You still gotta throw Cotchery in there. And Plax. I like our receiving core. Like I say with every position, if they stay healthy we can be pretty good. “
If camp is the time to build chemistry: “You get more time to work at it so this is the time to learn. I’ve been working with AB for awhile, with Emmanuel, with [Cotchery]. So this is a time I get to work with Wheaton, some of the other tight ends. Getting Matt Spaeth back and Paulson. So this is a good time to do that because you get so many reps.
Specific improvements of“Paulson: “His comfort level. And that comes with being a second year. As a rookie, your heads spinning, you’re just trying to figure things out. He fits right into that mold with Heath and with Spaeth back now. Of a really smart, heady player . Not going to wow you with his athleticism but he makes a one-handed catch, he’s got great hands…Just smart, he knows the offense. He fits into that room perfect.”
Kirby Wilson
Evaluation of offense’s performance in goalline: “Goalline wasn’t as successful as we hoped it’d be.You’re looking for line movement, you’re looking for a back that can makes some things happen because you’re always going to have an extra defender to run over or make miss. It’s a tough situation and yesterday, the defense got after us a little bit. “
On Le’Veon Bell giving himself a 5-6/10: “I don’t know if I’d be that hard ono him. Most good young players are extremely hard on themselves because they’re competitive. He’s no different. He’s had a solid camp. He’s still learning. Everything is still relatively new to him but he’s focused. Every day is an interview and he’s stepped up to the plate and represented himself very well. “
If the running backs are trying to prove people wrong: “I don’t know if it’s to prove people wrong. They’re competing for jobs. Anytime you get a group of highly motivated young men that want to play in the National Football League, they’re going to have a chip on their shoulder. It’s more of a personal drive. “
Cortez Allen
Missing time after the surgery: “Anytime away from these guys is hard. Not being able to go out there and compete with them is difficult. But we’re starting the process of getting back healthy and that’s the most important thing. “
Mike Tomlin
Troy Polamalu injury: “He’s got a contusion to the birth certificate.”
