Steelers begin quest for 7th Super Bowl Title
The road to Miami kicks off Thursday night as the six time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers begin their title defense at home against the Tennessee Titans. Trying to repeat as champions is the hardest thing to do in sports. The Steelers found that out in 2006. The focus for the Steelers has been on the upcoming season not what they accomplished in 2008. Some believe the Steelers are deeper and more talented than last year. Opening up the season with the 4th easiest schedule in the NFL, expectations are high and it all starts Thursday night at 8:30 p.m.
Tomlin not ready to officially name a #3 wide receiver
Replacing Nate Washington (#3 receiver) was one of the few intriguing battles in training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the season opener just three days away, Second year wide out Limas Sweed has shown enough progress to have a hold on the #3 spot for now, but head coach Mike Tomlin is not ready to officially name Sweed the teams #3 wide receiver.
Mendenhall will make his second start of the preseason
Buffalo Bills (1-2) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) With the starters expected to play the entire first half against the Buffalo Bills, the Steelers will get an extensive look at 2nd year running back Rashard Mendenhall.
NFL: Wallace keeping a hold on #4 receiver spot
McDonald unable to pass Wallace on the depth chart for now Photo: David Hague – Inside Pittsburgh Sports Two weeks ago the Steelers depth at the wide receiver position was regarded as a major question mark but after two weeks of training camp and one pre-season game, some of those concerns are being put on the back burner for now. The performances of 2nd year wide out Limas Sweed and rookie wide receiver Mike Wallace have been promising thus far and the most intriguing battle in camp has been Mike Wallace holding off veteran Shaun McDonald for the #4 receiver spot. Limas Sweed has a strong hold on the #3 receiver spot behind Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward. Mike Wallace
Steelers vs Cardinals: What to watch For
Photo: David Hague – Inside Pittsburgh Sports As the Steelers suit up for their first preseason game Thursday night, all eyes will be on 2008 1st round pick Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall who only appeared in four games last season, will get the bulk of carries during the 1st half as Willie Parker may sit out (back spasms) or only play a series or two.
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,
Pursuit of veteran wideout has no bearing on Limas Sweed
The pursuit of free agent wide receiver Ashley Lelie has no bearing on the progress of 2008 second round pick Limas Sweed. The pursuit of Lelie is to bring him in as a 4th receiver and act as a possible fall back plan if Sweed doesn’t progress into the #3 receiver that the Steelers think he will. 2009 3rd round pick Mike Wallace will contribute on special teams but he needs a lot of work on his route running as he makes the jump to the NFL. As of early Tuesday afternoon, the Steelers have yet to make an official offer to Lelie but Lelie’s representatives expect an offer to be made by mid-week. As expected the Steelers will release
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
The Latest Steelers Buzz: Steelers to open up talks with Heath Miller in March
Free Agency begins on February 27th The Steelers have been involved in contract talks with James Harrison for about 7 days now. Reports indicate Harrison’s agent will meet with the Steelers at the combine. Talks with Heath Miller will begin in March once the Steelers priorities in free agency are taking care of. Miller is just as much of a priority for the Steelers as anyone. They have no intention of him entering 09 without a long-term extension. Jason Witten received a $6 year Р$28 million contract a few seasons ago. Miller doesn’t put up the numbers Witten does but is regarded as the most complete tight end in the game. Here’s some new stuff on Nate Washington, Bryant