Wednesday Afternoon Practice: Latest Buzz

The Pittsburgh Steelers will go through their final practice on Thursday as the team will break camp this week.

The defending Super Bowl Champions had one practice on Wednesday which showed a strong emphasis on their two minute drill execution.

Ben Roethlisberger and Dennis Dixon each got reps in the drill and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had the clock set at 2:37.

“We wanted to work in a vertical field,” said Tomlin. “I put 2:37 on the clock and put the ball minus-18 – that may sound familiar to some of you guys. I think those were the circumstances that we had in Florida a few months back.”

Dixon worked with the second team and performed well, completing a touchdown pass to Tight End Sean McHugh in a 4th and goal situation.

“He [Dennis Dixon] did pretty well,” said Tomlin. “Of course you saw him move the offense down the field. He was doing some good things, he has had some good days of course he has had some moments. It’s all part of the process. He’s growing like a lot of the other ones.”

Rookie wide receiver Mike Wallace is currently the #4 receiver on the depth chart and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is becoming much more comfortable throwing to Wallace as the speedster continues to learn the offense.

Roethlisberger and Wallace connected for a 70+ yard touchdown pass this afternoon as Wallace beat rookie corner back Keenan Lewis on a post route.

There has been a buzz about the Steelers rookies in camp. The buzz is not just about 1st round pick Ziggy Hood and third round pick Mike Wallace and Keenan Lewis.

6th round pick DT Sonny Harris was limited with a groin injury for the first part of camp but he has come on strong in the past week.

Harris is a player catching the eye of the coaching staff and his teammates.

CB Joe Burnett and Tight End David Johnson are also having a good camp and A.Q. Shipley is getting better with every rep.

Undrafted rookie Ramon Foster has earned himself a roster spot with his performance through the first three weeks of camp and undrafted rookie running back Isaac Redman is batting for the #5 running back spot.

Foster has worked extensively at left guard behind Chris Kemoeatu with the second team and at tackle with the third team. He is a lock to make the roster.

The player we have yet to hear from is

2009 3rd round pick Kraig Urbik. Urbik has been a major disappointment in camp and any talk of him battling for a roster this season can be put to bed.

He’s going to be lucky to see the field and infact there are some serious concerns about him.

**Frank Summers Hurt During Practice

“Frank Summers had a hamstring injury today … don’t know the extent of it, of course we’ll see what he looks like. “Other than that, it’s status quo”, Tomlin said

Mewelde Moore practiced (had been bothered by hamstring). Not expected to play on Saturday.

“He’s got a little stomach virus or something, we chose to leave him inside. It shouldn’t be a major issue.”