Visit NFL from the sidelines on the new Observer-Reporter site: http://www.observer-reporter.com/section/BLOGS08

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Tuesday news, notes

The Steelers today placed punter Adam Podlesh on the Reserve/Did Not Report list.

Podlesh and his wife have been dealing with a difficult pregnancy and he informed the team that he's still not ready to report.

The move was more or less an accounting one. The Steelers retain the rights to Podlesh but free up a roster spot, giving them 88 players in camp after the release of running back Jawan Jamison on Monday.

It also tells me they aren't necessarily happy with Brad Wing and want to bring in some competition.

The top veteran guys available right now are Mat McBriar and Zoltan Mesko, both of whom kicked for the Steelers in 2013, and former Ravens punter Sav Rocca.

I have to believe they are looking for a guy with some kind of NFL experience to compete with Wing.

@ Rookie tight end Rob Blanchflower went from penthouse to outhouse in about 10 minutes on Tuesday.

He was praised by practically the whole team for sealing off linebacker Terence Garvin on a run play during a team running drill.

Moments later, special teams coordinator Danny Smith spent two full minutes ripping him a new one for not blocking properly during a punt.

Blanchflower also got lit up by Jordan Dangerfield along the sideline on a short dumpoff.

Such is the life of a rookie.

@ Ike Taylor missed what should have been an easy interception from Ben Roethlisberger on the sidelines. The ball went right through his hands.

Mike Tomlin, just a couple of feet away, threw his hands in the air, "Come on Ike."

Then I think Tomlin realized who he was talking to and gave up.

@ Ryan Shazier is still working his way back from the knee "boo-boo" that has slowed him the past week and a half now.

He did individual drills for the second day in a row, but still isn't ready for team stuff.

Sean Spence is still his replacement.

@ Jarvis Jones was the only player completely not in pads today. He's been dealing with a groin injury.

@ Linebacker Vince Williams walked off the field during a special teams drill and went to the trainers, who immediately put him on a cart and took him away.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Podlesh and his wife have been dealing with a difficult pregnancy and he informed the team that he's still not ready to report."

I mean I can come up with something based on a few days but what could possibly be going on that he's had to miss almost 3 weeks of work?

Anonymous said...

"Ed Bouchette: Not if you've been reading me. I said awhile ago that his wife was having a difficult pregnancy. She successfully delivered but there were complications and now he is staying with her while she recovers from those. There is no more to it than that. Sounds like a good husband/father."

bruinmann77 said...

What a moron who thinks he making an excuse he doing the right thing as being a Father and Husband