5 players who need a strong preseason to make the roster
5 Players on the bubble 1. Ryan Mundy, Safety – The 2nd year safety has had a sub-par training camp after a strong mini-camp. Mundy has been beat deep on a number of passing plays in camp and has fallen behind the versatile Roy Lewis who has the inside track on making the 53 man roster. 2. Keiwan Ratliff, Cornerback – With William Gay, Ike Taylor, Deshea Townsend, Keenan Lewis as locks at conerback and the team being very high on 5th round pick Joe Burnett, Ratliff is battling Anthony Madison for the final cornerback spot. Carrying two rookies would enhance Ratliff’s chances of making the roster but head coach Mike Tomlin is very high on Madison.
The Latest From Latrobe
There has been a growing sense that if Limas Sweed wins the #3 receiver spot, it is a foregone conclusion that Hines Ward would be moved to the slot during three receiver sets. That may not be the case as Sweed continues to get reps in the slot. Sweed will be an asset to the Steelers on the outside but just because he’s 6-foot-4, doesn’t mean the Steelers don’t plan on using him in the slot at times this season. Sweed has had a very strong camp as he was the star of Sunday’s practice and made a few more tough grabs on Monday. Sweed has an early edge on Shaun McDonald for the #3 spot. *Linebacker Bruce Davis (2008,
Day 1: Mini Camp Report
The Steelers went through their first mandatory mini camp this morning. The only no show was linebacker Larry Foote who is still on the Steelers roster. There has been speculation that Willie Parker would be a no show but Parker did participate in team activities today. News and Notes from our source on the scene *The Steelers plan to use 3rd round pick Kraig Urbik primarily at guard but he will get some work at tackle and center throughout the off-season drills. *2008 4th round pick (LT) Tony Hills appears to be a project in year 2. Continues to struggle with his lateral movement against speed rushers . *Quarterback Dennis Dixon threw the ball very well on day 1. Dixon
Latest Rumblings from Monday’s OTA workouts
Mike Tomlin’s top project this off-season is wide receiver Limas Sweed. Tomlin is very high on Sweed and expects him to make a significant jump from year 1 to year 2. Project #2 is 2008 third round draft pick Bruce Davis. Davis has bulked up this off-season and the Steelers have hopes of him making strides in year 2. There continues to be some rumblings that Davis needs a stronger commitment to be a successful NFL player. Big off-season for him Hines Ward approached the Steelers in late March, expressing a strong interest in working out a two year extension before the season. The two sides will talk as training camp gets closer. No progress on the Max Starks front.
When it comes to the Super Bowl Champs, who needs free agency
“Photo courtesy of UCLA Athletic Program” Steelers see Bruce Davis as pass rushing specialist in 09 | Height: 6-3, Weight: 252 lbs | | Age: 23 | POS: OLB | A player the Steelers are expecting to make great strides when mini camp begins is 2008 3rd round pick Bruce Davis. Davis is a player Steelers fans seem to forget about after the Steelers received minimal production from their entire 2008 draft class. When the Steelers drafted Davis, he was seen as a projection player who wouldn‚Äôt have much impact his rookie season. That was obviously the case and in year two the Steelers expect Davis to develop into the situational pass rushing specialist they drafted him for. In his