7/29/08 Afternoon session
According to a source, the longer the Kemoeatu situation drags out, the more the probability rises on LeCharles Bentley. The line has not looked great, according to this source.
Day 2 of training camp saw the Steelers lose their punter, Daniel Sepulveda for the season with a torn ACL in his right (non-kicking) leg.The team signed Paul Ernster, most recently of Detroit, to replace Sepulveda on the roster and Ernster will be in Latrobe Wednesday.Sepulveda tore the same ACL in college at Baylor and will have surgery sometime this week.
It was status quo at center on Tuesday, with Sean Mahan taking the majority of the snaps at center with the first unit. Mahan was beaten badly by Chris Hoke today.
In the battle for the No. 3 receiver, incumbant Nate Washington and rookie Limas Sweed both scored points Tuesday. Sweed made a beautiful diving catch on a deep ball down the sidelines that had the crowd cheering. Notto be outdone, Washington made a great leaping catch in the back of theend zone to end the first two-minute drill, beating William Gay and James Farrior. Sweed scored for the second unit, catching a fade pass from Charlie Batch while working against Anthony Madison
James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley looked very good again today. The same can be said for Rashard Mendenhall. He’s going to be a special player.
Willie Colon and Max Starks did not perform well in the afternoon session.
A Steelers insider I talked to, indicates If you’re looking for a sleeper to make this roster, keep an eye on tight end Cody Boyd, who displayed the best run blocking skills in one-on-one drills at that position Tuesday. Boyd was in camp with the Steelers last year, but was cut. Word is Boyd seems to have taken his blocking to another level and with Jerame Tuman gone, the team may be looking for a third tight end who can block well.
3:32 p.m. Anthony Smith and Bryant McFadden are not practicing today. Both are believed to be hindered by a hamstring or groin pull. This is a good chance for William Gay to step up as he will get reps against the 1st team.
3:00 p.m. first unit (O-Line) for afternoon session – LT Smith, LG Essex, C Mahan, RG Simmons, RT Colon are running with the first team for the second consecutive day.
7/29/08 Day 3: Morning Session
The Steelers worked on special teams this morning. Running back Mewelde Moore appears to be the #1 kick returner going into the season. Insiders have been raving about him since the OTA’s. Willie Reid also returned kicks and Rashard Mendenhall will get a strong look in camp to return kicks.
Santonio Holmes stated throughout the off-season that he wanted to return punts. Holmes got his wish yesterday and was returning punts but this morning he hinted to people that he may just want to concentrate on pass catching.
Chris Kemoeatu will be out until next week. I’m hearing he should return by next Wednesday. Kemoeatu suffered the injury three weeks ago lifting weights and believed the injury was more serious that it appears now.
Yesterday during the 11 on 11 drills, Holmes, Ward, Washington and Reid were 1-4 on the depth chart. That won’t last for long.
Jim Wexell is reporting Casey Hampton showed up to camp weighing 365 lbs.
A Insider has told me he believes the Steelers may have one of the games top linebacking corps.