Aug. 1 morning practice update

There were a couple of surprise participants in the first practice session of the 2009 training camp as both Troy Polamalu and Deshea Townsend took part despite head coach Mike Tomlin saying both would be slowed early on by sore hamstrings.

Tight end Heath Miller (sports hernia surgery) and center Justin Hartwig (toe) did not practice.

With Hartwig out, Darnell Stapleton, who was also expected to be slowed early on, played center and did a good job there, keeping Casey Hampton at bay several times and actually getting some push on the big man.

Trai Essex worked with the first team line at right guard.

Daniel Sepulveda did his first major kicking in nearly a year and looked very good, often outkicking return men Santonio Holmes and Shaun McDonald. Rookies Joe Burnett and Mike Wallace were working with the gunners as this drill was more about punt coverage than returns.

First-round pick Ziggy Hood worked at left end with the third-team.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians let wide receiver Brandon Williams have it after Williams took his eyes off a pass in third down drills - starting running before he had the ball - and dropped the pass.

"Catch the $#^$#!$% ball before you start running with it. You've got to convert on the @#$%#$$#$!# third down."

Arians was very vocal this morning overall.

Ben Roethlisberger finally talked with the media this morning, but dodged all questions about his legal problems. In fact, after about the fifth questions about it, he threatened to walk away.