Day 2: Report From Saturday’s Afternoon Session
Afternoon Session: Day 2 Report Running Back Duo The Steelers running game ranked 23rd in the NFL last season but if Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker stay healthy, the chances of that happening again are very slim. Mendenhall showed great speed, elusiveness in both sessions. He broke a long run, bouncing to the outside in the morning session. Mendenhall continues to build off of a strong mini-camp when he was regarded as one of the teams top performers As good as Mendenhall looked, it was also a very good day for Willie Parker. Parker who claims to be in the best shape of his career, is 100% healthy for the first time in over a year. He was cutting very
Steelers Notebook: News and Notes
The Latest Steelers Buzz A numbers of talent evaluators around the league believe the 09 Steelers will be the best Steelers team of the decade. That is saying a lot, considering the Steelers have won two Super Bowls this decade but it is a strong argument. Holmes motivated to have a big year * Santonio Holmes appears primed to have a breakout season in 09. The buzz around Holmes is that he has matured as a person since the Super Bowl and entering year four, he has the chance to set his price on his next contract. His value is extremely high right now and if he reaches his potential statistically and has a 75-80 catch season, with 1,000+ receiving
Dixon will have opportunity to unseat Charlie Batch
The Latest Steelers Buzz The agent for Larry Foote has confirmed that Foote will attend the Steelers mandatory mini camp in two weeks. Foote in the final year of his contract, did not attend the Steelers OTA’s this week. The Steelers have not approached Foote about restructuring his contract and while the team would like to keep him around, he could still become a salary cap casualty this off-season. The Steelers are up against the cap and Lawrence Timmons will be taking even more reps away from Foote this season. The Steelers won’t have too many position battles in camp this season but the #2 spot on the quarterback depth chart is up for grabs. Dennis Dixon will be given
Is it a reach to draft a center in the first round?
The Latest Draft Report With the last pick in the first round, the Steelers approach is to take the best player available just like they did last year in the first round, selecting Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall. The only positions they have ruled out in the first round are quarterback, running back and tight end. With a strong focus on upgrading their interior line, internal discussions are on-going about whether the team will draft a center over a better value pick. Some Steelers insiders believe you never draft a center in the first round, especially in this year’s draft with a deep group of centers and guards. Two players who will be under serious consideration at 32
The Latest on Leftwich, Chris Carr & More
Eleven days in free agency and there continues to be minimal interest in Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich. The Bears and Buccaneers were showing interest prior to free agency but the Bucs went in another direction and a source who spoke to Bears GM Jerry Angelo tells me the Bears have no interest in adding a veteran quarterback at this time. The agent for Bryon Leftwich has been trying to gauge some interest from the Washington Redskins. Leftwich, 29, has a strong desire to play in his home-town and believes he can beat out quarterback Jason Campbell. The problem for Leftwich is the Redskins are very reluctant to add a quarterback who could push Campbell out of the starting lineup. They remain
Pittsburgh Steelers Contracts
Quarterbacks 7 Ben Roethlisberger 3/3/2008: Signed an eight-year, $102 million contract. The deal contained $33.2 million guaranteed, including a $25.2 million signing bonus. Also included is a clause forbidding Roethlisberger from participating in hazardous activities. 2009: $4.75 million + $3 million roster bonus due in March | 2010: $8.05 million | 2011: $11.6 million| 2012: $11.6 million | 2013: $11.6 million |2014: $11.6 million | 2015: $12.1 million, 2016: Free Agent 2 Dennis Dixon 7/7/2008: Signed a three-year, $1.28 million contract. The deal included a $130,000 signing bonus. | 2009: $385,000 | 2010: $470,000 | 2011: Restricted Free Agent | Free Agents 4 Byron Leftwich 16 Charlie Batch
Mike Tomlin Press Conference Week 5
Week 5 PC Notes Steelers still exploring candidates when it comes to running backs. Tomlin would not mention any names but said the Steelers will sign two running backs by the end of the day. Najeh Davenport is expected to sign this afternoon according to Ed Bouchette. Injuries Out Mendenhall – Shoulder fracture – to have surgery relatively quickly Brett Keisel – Calf Casey Hampton – groin Willie Parker – knee sprain Carey Davis – questionable –Tomlin said Davis felt a lot better today Andre Frazier expected to play.
Breaking News: Simmons & Mendenhall out for the season
Mike Tomlin has announced Rashard Mendenhall will be placed on IR with a fractured shoulder and Kendall Simmons will be placed on IR with a torn achilles
NFL: Mendenhall’s text msg reaches Ravens players?
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall recently texted Ravens running back Ray Rice indicating he‚Äôs going to have a big game Monday night against statistically the league‚Äôs #1 defense. Rice a friend of Mendenhall quickly distributed the text message to his teammates. Bart Scott reacting to Mendenhall‚Äôs text message tells the media ‚ÄúHe said later that he was just joking, but it’s too late. Thanks for the bulletin-board material, rookie.” The Ravens haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 21 straight games ESPN
The Latest NFL Buzz
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had an extensive meeting with his offensive coaches yesterday. Roethlisberger doesn’t believe the coaching staff and players were on the same page Sunday afternoon against the Eagles. The Steelers rank dead last in completions to running backs. During OTA’s Insiders raved about Mewelde Moore’s ability to catch the ball out of the back field and some even compared him to Kevin Faulk. With Willie Parker sidelined it will be interesting to see if the Steelers utilize Moore in the passing game.