LaMarr Woodley looks to rebound from a sub-par 2012 campaign (Photo Credit: vader29)
A lot of what is being covered today stems from Mike Tomlin’s press conference. Hit up our full transcript to read everything Tomlin had to say. I’ll throw in two fairly important quotes from the presser.
What he looks for in the rookies
“I’m just looking for a good representation not only of what they’re capable of but probably even more importantly what they know. Not only in terms of assignments but the nuances of the game. The understanding and unwritten rules of the game of football. The things they should know innately. I’m interested in the things you don’t coach are the things I’m going to value seeing from the guys I don’t have an in game experience with. “
Any decisions on how the RBs will be rotated
“No. We’ll discuss it today. Obviously, we’re going to play the ones for 10-12 snaps. Don’t be surprised if you see Le’Veon getting some snaps with those guys. I think he’s earned that. But don’t be surprised to see him play after those guys are out of the game as well. He, like a lot of the guys we need to get a lot of exposure to. And I’m sure that’s probably who you wanted to know about. “
With the injuries continuing to pile up at tight end, the team made yet another roster move signing TE Nate Overbay and releasing OT Mike Farrell.
The @steelers have signed TE Nathan Overbay and released OT Mike Farrell. Overbay is the nephew of former @Pirates 1B Lyle Overbay.
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) August 8, 2013
Overbay looks the part at 6’5 270 but has bounced around the league since coming out of Eastern Washington in 2009. He did produce in college though, including racking up 51 catches his senior season. Dale Lolley reports he will wear 48. Farrell was a UDFA from Penn St.
Some encouraging news from Will Graves on Sean Spence.
Steelers LB Sean Spence hard at work on agility drills. Doesn’t look like a guy who will be out all season.
— Will Graves (@WillGravesAP) August 8, 2013
Still, it’s difficult to expect Spence to contribute to the team much, if at all, coming off such a serious knee injury. He is still almost certainly going to begin the year on the PUP, automatically keeping him out the first six weeks.
The Steelers hosted a very special Dad today…
Where’s security? @Pittsburgh_Dad brought his Trapper Keeper full of plays with him to camp! pic.twitter.com/F4ISyQUjuI
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 8, 2013
– Steelers.com Missi Matthews reported OT Guy Whimper was carted off with an unknown injury.
– And Plaxico Burress was hurt late in practice.
Plax went up vs. Ryan Steed & Cromartie-Smith. Was outjumped and fell on his arm. Leaving in cart.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) August 8, 2013
QUOTES TO NOTE
Ike Taylor
What he likes about Markus Wheaton: Savvy. Young, humble guy willing to work. You can see him getting better. Him and Shamarko [Thomas]. Going against each other pretty much every play. They’re both really working hard, looking to get better. Shamarko has been asking me, [Clark], and Troy questions from the time we stepped on the field to even in meetings. To the point where [Clark] is like, ‘Hey man, this guy is getting on my nerves.’ But from my perspective, and [Clark’s] perspective, it’s a good thing coming from a rookie.
If there’s a different toughness from Tomlin’s first camp: It’s a more manageable toughness…One thing I said last night I like about Coach T is that he’s a great manager. He knows how to manage his coaches, his players, situations. He doesn’t let anybody dictate, he’s the dictator. Coach T sees a couple guys nicked up, we got a lot of guys nicked up, ok I’m going to lighten up practice….He laid the hammer down the first year as a coach. And then he’s kinda softened up. So you gotta respect that. If he had gone the opposite way, it probably wouldn’t have worked. He’s managing when we’re going to hit, how we’re going to hit, and how long we’re going to hit for.
Chris Hoke
If it’s interesting to see the other side of football, coaching: I think it’s good for me to see the other side. Now I know why there’s a method to the madness of coaches. Sometimes a coach would come I and say, this is how we’re going to do things, and you’re thinking ‘Why are we doing this that way.’ But now when you’re sitting in these meetings and you know why these decisions are being made it all make sense.
If it’s easy to relate to the players because he’s played with many: Definitely. I know a lot of these players, I played with a lot of them. And they know what kind of player I was. I wasn’t this big strong, physical player. I was more of a “above the neck” player. A technique guy. A guy that thought out the defense. So now I’m able to instill in these players, how to play good technique, how to play with good footwork, with good pad level. Because that’s how I had to play to be successful.
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NOTE: The team does not have practice on Friday or Sunday. TC Roundup will return Monday though we will have coverage of the team’s first preseason game.
