A couple of restructures

The Steelers have restructured the contracts of nose tackle Casey Hampton and defensive end Brett Keisel according to some research dug up by SteelCityInsider.com capologist Ian Whetstone.

The Steelers converted $2 million of Hampton's 2008 salary and $1.85 million of Keisel's salary into signing bonuses spread out over this year's and next year's caps.

The moves would cut Hampton's cap number this year from $6,377,083 to $5,377,083, and bumps next year's number from $5,652,084 to $6,652,084. Keisel's 2008 number drops from $4,072,500 to $3,147,500, and next year's gets bumped from $4,072,500 to $4,997,500.

That frees up $3 million or so in cap space this year for the team. Part of that money may have gone to James Farrior's new deal.

The move also shows that the team is happy with both Hampton and Keisel. That's a big statement for Hampton, in particular, after he banged heads in training camp over his weight with head coach Mike Tomlin.

Key matchup

Here's this week's key matchup for the Steelers against Cleveland:
Ben Roethlisberger vs. the Cleveland secondary. Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright are second-year corners. Roethlisberger has admitted to having a chip on his shoulder for the Browns passing on him in the draft. The Browns are also banged up at safety. Roethlisberger could have a field day.

Some mid-week thoughts

Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Marvel Smith and Deshea Townsend took the veteran's Wednesday off from practice. All should be back at practice Thursday.

© Willie Parker said today that he had known for a little while that he was going to be the goal-line back, but the team was keeping it a secret. After Parker scored three TDs Sunday, the secret is out.

The team had been hiding it pretty well. Even fullback Carey Davis got more short-yardage carries in the preseason than Parker.

© Nate Washington of all people gave me an honest answer when asked about attacking Cleveland's young secondary. The Steelers are going to attack, attack, attack those two second-year corners.

© Casey Hampton's suggestion to teammate Justin Hartwig for blocking Shaun Rogers? Hold on for the ride.

Rogers is a force when he wants to be. Trouble is, he doesn't always want to be.

Hampton and Rogers were teammates at Texas. Rogers was the talented one. Hampton the overachiever. Kind of funny, isn't it, that Hampton took so much heat for coming to camp overweight?

© The Steelers' schedule continues to look better and better. Jacksonville put both of its starting guards on IR this week and Shawne Merriman is out for the season.

Tuesday news

Not a whole lot of earth-shattering news to come out of the Tomlin PC today.

Roethlisberger will be limited in practice early in the week with a sore shoulder. Not a big deal.

Townsend has a bruised heel and Marvel Smith a sore groin. They'll be limited early in the week as well but should play.

© Tomlin made it quite clear they are very concerned with Josh Cribbs. Cribbs, though, did not play last week and is questionable to play again this week with an ankle injury.

With Donte Stallworth also questionable with a hamstring, the Browns could be very limited at wide receiver.

© Not surprisingly, he was unconcerned with what else is going on around the AFC.

© Tomlin had a lot of praise for the special teams units, particularly Anthony Madison and William Gay.

Texans post-game thoughts

Many of the AFC's so-called heavyweights lost Sunday but the biggest loss came in New England, where the Patriots will likely be without quarterback Tom Brady the rest of the season.

Some would call it karma for the Patriots' apparent running up of the score last season during their march to a 16-0 season.

But really, the Super Bowl they didn't win was that.

Brady's knee injury is more about what happens in football.

Not long after Brady went down, Ben Roethlisberger took a shot from Amobi Okoye at the end of the first half that could have knocked him out for the season.

That's why you don't cheer about those kind of things. Don't mess with karma.

© The James Harrison-LaMarr Woodley tandem looks as good as advertised at outside linebacker.

© Any questions anyone had about Willie Parker were answered Sunday.

© Same goes for the offensive line – at least as run blockers.

The pass blocking was mostly OK, but Marvel Smith had his hands full with Mario Williams – not that most tackles don't.

© After Sunday's games, the Steelers supposedly toughest schedule in the NFL doesn't look quite as difficult as it did on Saturday, does it?

Key matchup for Texans game

NFL games come down to individual matchups. Here's the key one in Sunday's season-opener for the Steelers against the Houston Texans:

OLB James Harrison vs. LT Duane Brown: Many were surprised when the Texans took Brown in the first round of the NFL draft and he's far from a finished product. You'd better believe the Steelers like the matchup of their Pro Bowl linebacker against a rookie making his first NFL start - on the road. As Steelers rookie Rashard Mendenhall said in training camp after failing to score in the team's first goal-line drill, there aren't many guys running around college campuses who look like James Harrison. Welcome to the NFL rook.

Steelers add tight end

The Steelers added a third tight end to their active roster
today as they signed veteran tight end Sean McHugh to a one-year deal.

McHugh (6-5, 265) spent the past three seasons with the Detroit Lions on
both their active roster and practice squads. He was originally drafted
by the Tennessee Titans in the seventh round (214st overall) of the 2004
NFL Draft out of Penn State. McHugh was cut by the Titans following
their 2004 training camp and signed by the Green Bay Packers, where he
spent the entire 2004 campaign.

In 25 career games (14 starts), McHugh has 20 receptions for 277 yards
(13.9 avg.). He had his best season in 2007 for the Lions, playing in 15
games (12 starts) and making 17 catches for 252 yards (14.8 avg.).

This was the perfect storm for the Steelers. He not only spent time with the Lions,
he is also a Penn State guy. Both of those factors seem to be a must for free agent pickups.

Steelers trade Mahan

The Steelers traded veteran center Sean Mahan to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an undisclosed 2009 draft pick, the team announced today.

Mahan, a six-year veteran, signed with the Steelers prior to the 2007 season as an unrestricted free agent from the Buccaneers, who selected him in the fifth round (168th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft.

Mahan started all 16 games in the regular season and the Steelers’ only postseason game in 2007.

The Steelers presently have 52 players on their active roster and will be able to add one more player prior to Sunday’s (Sept. 7) season opener against the Houston Texans at Heinz Field.

It's a somewhat surprising move considering Mahan's salary and the timing of it all, but the team obviously feels comfortable with Justin Hartwig at center.

News and notes

There was no real earth-shattering news in Mike Tomlin's press conference today, but here are some of the highlights:

© Larry Foote appears to be ready to go Sunday against Houston, but Tomlin did say that Lawrence Timmons will be a part of the base 3-4 package as well. Foote will still start.

© As expected, Rashard Mendenhall will handle kickoffs, Mewelde Moore punts, with Santonio Holmes getting a spot punt return here and there.

© The No. 4 receiver spot is still up for grabs. It was thought when he was drafted that Limas Sweed would wind up being No. 3, but now he's battling Dallas Baker for the No. 4 spot.

© The team is unsure about how it will use Mendenhall in the base offense - at least publicly.

© Moore will be the primary third-down back, with Willie Parker seeing some action there as well.

© Look for Parker to get the majority of short-yardage carries - at least until Mendenhall proves he can hold onto the football consistently. Gay Russell is probably the team's best short-yardage back, but likely won't be active on game days. That's my opinion, by the way.

© Tomlin thinks the offensive line is better suited to protect Ben Roethlisberger.

© For the local football fans, center Dan Mozes, a Washington native, was not added to anyone's practice squad.

PS set

The Steelers signed eight players to their practice squad today in
addition to a ninth player who will remain with the team throughout the 2008 season
as part of the NFL's international player development program.

Each of the eight players added to the Steelers' practice squad were in training
camp with the team this summer. All NFL teams were able to sign a maximum of eight
players to their practice squad beginning at noon today.

The players signed by the Steelers include: LB Patrick Bailey, CB Roy Lewis, S Grant
Mason, OT Jeremy Parquet, DT Scott Paxson, WR Micah Rucker, TE Dezmond Sherrod and
RB Justin Vincent.

Wide receiver Marvin Allen was also designated to the team's practice squad as a
part of the NFL's international player development program.

The cuts are in

The Steelers trimmed their roster to the 53-player limit today by placing one player on the Reserve/Injured List and releasing 22 others.

Eleventh-year QB Charlie Batch was placed on the Reserve/Injured List after breaking his collarbone in the Steelers’ preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Third-year LB Arnold Harrison was placed on the Waived/Injured List after injuring his left knee in the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. The team also placed rookie LB Mike Humpal (neck) and rookie S Ryan Mundy (ankle) on the Waived/Injured List. Both players were selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

The Steelers released 18 other players from their roster today, including: LB Patrick Bailey, WR/KR Eddie Drummond, P Paul Ernster, FB Billy Latsko, OG Doug Legursky, OG Matt Lentz, CB Roy Lewis, S Grant Mason, DE Ryan McBean, OT Jeremy Parquet, DT Scott Paxson, DE Jordan Reffett, WR Willie Reid, WR Micah Rucker, TE Dezmond Sherrod, TE Lee Vickers, RB Justin Vincent and CB Travis Williams.

Wide receiver Marvin Allen will be added to the Steelers’ practice squad as part of the NFL’s international player development program. All NFL teams may sign up to eight players to their practice squad beginning after 12 noon on Sunday, Aug. 31. The addition of Allen enables the Steelers to carry a ninth practice squad player.

A few words about the Washington guys

There are a pair of Washington natives trying to make it in the NFL this season, with center Dan Mozes in camp with Minnesota, and running back Travis Thomas working with the Browns.

Word is, Mozes received news Friday night that the Vikings were cutting him on Saturday, when teams have to trim their rosters to 53 players. But he has a good shot of landing on the team's practice squad.

Starter Matt Birk is a free agent at the end of the season and the only other center on the roster is John Sullivan, a sixth-round draft pick this year.

Thomas' situation is a little more unsettled in Cleveland.

The Notre Dame product gained 70 yards on 11 carries Thursday night in a loss to Chicago. But he's buried behind starter Jamal Lewis and backups Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison on Cleveland's roster.

Thomas' saving grace may be that he's a solid special teams player.

Those who shined; those who didn't

Thursday night's preseason finale was a number of players' final chance at earning a roster spot with the Steelers. Here's who stood out or, at the very least, earned a roster spot:

© Andre Frazier is probably the big winner. With Arnold Harrison going down with what appears to be a serious knee injury, Frazier probably gets a roster spot where one was not available before.

Patrick Bailey made a couple of nice special teams tackles, but hasn't shown enough consistency doing that to merit a spot.

Donovan Woods also looked good – and has flashed at times, at least more so than Bailey – but he's an inside linebacker.

With Bruce Davis not ready to contribute, right now, the only backup outside linebacker ready to play other than Frazier is Lawrence Timmons. And he may be starting inside in place of an injured Larry Foote.

© Mitch Berger wins the punter's job just by letting Paul Ernster kick a few more times.

Berger's not going to set the world on fire, but he's also not going to kick the ball 22 yards.

© Willie Reid wins the fifth - make that fourth - receiver spot because of Limas Sweed's inconsistency.

Sweed will make the roster, but he isn't ready to contribute.

That means the Steelers need a receiver who is ready to make a contribution now rather than later. Reid has the experience factor at receiver over Dallas Baker. Eddie Drummond, meanwhile, did not show enough as a return man to earn a spot on this roster.

Drummond was bitching about not get enough opportunities after the game. Seems he knows his days are numbered as well.

© Charlie Batch will probably be played on the PUP list, giving the Steelers some more time to make a decision about what to do with their quarterback situation.

Bubble Boys

Heading into Thursday's preseason finale, here's a group of veterans who are clearly on the bubble and need a big performance:

Darnell Stapleton: Rookie offensive tackle Tony Hills has improved his play the last couple of weeks – though he's still not ready to contribute. And given the team's pending free agents at the end of the season, it has to keep Hills around this season. That could leave Stapleton on the outside looking in if the team only keeps nine offensive linemen on the roster.

Eddie Drummond: Willie Reid stretched his legs a bit last week as a receiver. Unless Drummond shows something truly special as a return man, he doesn't make this team. He's not even in consideration for the No. 5 receiver spot.

Dallas Baker: Reid has the advantage on Baker for the No. 5 receiver spot, but Baker could change that with a big game.

Nick Eason/Orpheus Roye: One's going to make it, the other isn't. Eason has actually had a good preseason, but his career has shown him to be nothing more than a backup. Roye has plenty of starting experience, but is only a one year stop-gap.

Paul Ernster/Mitch Berger: I'd give Berger the edge right now for the punting job. Coaches hate to go with the unknown at the position because they don't want to give it any thought.

Anthony Madison: He's too small to help out as a cornerback, but is a solid special teams player. But rookie Travis Williams or Roy Lewis might be more capable of playing corner and better special teams options.

Steelers release Boyd

The Steelers placed tight end Cody Boyd on the Waived/Injured List, the
team announced today. The release of Boyd brings the team's roster to the NFL
maximum of 76 players, including one international practice squad player.

Boyd (6-8, 264) was originally signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in
May of 2007. He was released by the team and spent a portion of the 2007 season on
the Washington Redskins active roster and practice squad. Boyd was re-signed earlier
this year by the Steelers.

The Steelers currently have 76 players on their roster due to the exemption of wide
receiver Marvin Allen, who will be a member of the team's practice squad this year
as part of the NFL's international player development program.

Hrad coach Mike Tomlin left the possibility open Tuesday for bringing Boyd back on the team once his shoulder heals. Boyd had surgery on the shoulder Monday and Tomlin said the damage wasn't as bad as the team feared.

It appears the team will open the season with two tight ends, using Max Starks as the third tight end - at least until Boyd is ready to return.

Steelers make roster moves

The Steelers placed punter Daniel Sepulveda on the Reserve/Injured List
and made three other roster moves, the team announced today, bringing the team's
total number of players to 77 players (one international practice squad player).

Sepulveda (6-3, 230) injured his knee prior to the team's first preseason game and
had season-ending surgery the following week. The Steelers' first of two
fourth-round draft picks (112th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft, Sepulveda was the
recipient of the Joe Greene Great Performance Award as a rookie, given annually to
the team's top rookie after averaging 44.3 yards per punt last season.

Additionally, the Steelers released quarterback Mike Potts, wide receiver Jeremy
Bloom and defensive lineman Martavius Prince.

The Steelers currently have 77 players on their roster due to the exemption of wide
receiver Marvin Allen, who will be a member of the team's practice squad this year
as part of the NFL's international player development program. The Steelers must
make one more roster move prior to tomorrow's 4 p.m. ET deadline to meet the NFL's
maximum roster limit.

Fantasy Wide Receiver Rankings

The interesting thing about the WR rankings is where to rank Brandon Marshall and Steve Smith? Both will be on suspension when the season begins, which hurts their fantasy value. But both are extremely valuable fantasy receivers.

1. Randy Moss, New England
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
3. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
4. Terrell Owens, Dallas
5. Torry Holt, St. Louis
6. Marques Colston, New Orleans
7. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland
8. Andre Johnson, Houston
9. Steve Smith, Carolina
10. Anquan Boldin, Arizona
11. Wes Welker, New England
12. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati
13. Roy Williams, Detroit
14. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati
15. Plaxico Burress, N.Y. Giants
16. Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh
17. Jerrico Cotchery, N.Y. Jets
18. Lee Evans, Buffalo
19. Roddy White, Atlanta
20. Brandon Marshall, Denver

Don't be too scared off by the Boldin situation in Arizona. If he wants paid or to get out of there at the end of the year, he'll have a big season. Colston should be good with the addition of Jeremy Shockey to take some pressure off of him. Smith would go a couple of spots higher if not for the suspension. White kind of scares me because of his QB situation.

Quick hits from Minnesota game

If you’re looking for some insight into the first round of cuts, quarterback Dennis Dixon, wide receivers Jeremy Bloom, Marvin Allen and Micah Rucker, running back Justin Vincent, defensive linemen Jordan Reffett, Ryan McBean and Martavius Prince and guards Doug Legursky and Matt Lentz did not play against the Vikings.

Dixon, however did not play because head coach Mike Tomlin wanted Byron Leftwich to play under fire in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. And Allen gets an exemption on the practice squad as a player from Great Britain.

The rest of that group are likely done here, if not this week, then later.

© I liked what I saw from Rashard Mendenhall - with the two fumbles being a very notable exception.

Mendenhall ran with greater power and had some very nice cuts.

Now, he'll have to work on that whole ball protection thing.

But it's better to get that kind of stuff out of the way now rather than in September against Houston.

Fantasy Running Back Rankings

Here are my top 20 fantsy running backs heading into 2008

1. LaDanian Tomlinson, San Diego
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
3. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia
4. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis
5. Frank Gore, San Francisco
6. Steven Jackson, St. Louis
7. Clinton Portis, Washington
8. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo
9. Marion Barber III, Dallas
10. Larry Johnson, Kansas City
11. Reggie Bush, New Orleans
12. Jamal Lewis, Cleveland
13. Brandon Jacobs, N.Y. Giants
14. Ryan Grant, Green Bay
15. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville
16. Willis Mcgahee, Baltimore
17. Edgerrin James, Arizona
18. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh
19. LenDale White, Tennessee
20. Ronnie Brown, Miami

LT is a no-brainer at the top, but Peterson is something of a risk at No. 2 given his injury history. Jackson could struggle after his lengthy holdout. I like Barber, but he's never had to carry most of the load and his running style lends itself to injury. My league counts catches as a point, which is why Bush is so high. If your league doesn't, bump him down about six spots. It's looking like Brown, who's been hurt throughout the preseason and is coming of a major injury, will be sharing carries with Ricky Williams.

Fantasy QB rankings

For those of you who aren't long-time readers of this blog, it actually started three years ago as a fantasy football blog.

I used to do preseason rankings and then give my hot wire pickups and weekly sleeper picks. Then I realized that all the guys I was competing against were reading my blog and discontinued that.

But as a nod to the good old days, I'm going to have my fantasy rankings available here for all to see:
QBs
1. Tom Brady. New England
2. Tony Romo, Dallas
3. Drew Brees, New Orleans
4. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
5. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati
6. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh
7. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia
8. Derek Anderson, Cleveland
9. Matt Haselbeck, Seattle
10. David Garrard, Jacksonville

Brady is a no-brainer at No. 1, while Manning slips a little because of his knee injury. I don't like Anderson as much as some fantasy magazines and sites do. In the second half of last season he had four games with fewer than 200 yards passing and only had 12 TDs. Garrard is something of a surprise on the list, but if you look at his numbers down the stretch, it's deserving.

OK, forget Humpal

Linebacker Mike Humpal did not practice again today as the Steelers held their first workouts at their training facility after breaking camp and head coach Mike Tomlin has already pretty much ruled the sixth-round draft pick out for Saturday's game at Minnesota.

I had Humpal on my 53-man roster I did Monday, but as Chuck Noll used to say, "you can't make the club in the tub."

Take Humpal off that roster and put Tyrone Carter back on, though linebacker Donovan Woods could make a strong case for himself this weekend.

© In case you missed it, former Steelers' punter Josh Miller was released by Tennessee Tuesday.

Miller, however, is 38.

My 53-man roster

NFL teams have another 10 days or so before they have to get down to their 53-man roster, but with training camp finished, I’m ready to trim the Steelers’ roster now. Here’s what I’m coming up with.

QBs: (3) Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon. The Steelers will wait as long as they can before releasing Charlie Batch, but it will probably happen.

RBs: (5) Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore, Carey Davis and Gary Russell. This is pretty much a no-brainer position.

WR: (5) Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington, Limas Sweed and Dallas Baker. It was once assumed Eddie Drummond would make this team and he still could. Baker is clearly on the bubble and needs to show something on special teams or Drummond could send him to the practice squad.

TE:: (3) Heath Miller, Matt Speath and Cody Boyd. This is a tough call because all of the guys vying for the third spot have been banged up with the exception of Lee Vickers, who was only signed Saturday. Vickers could beat Boyd out, particuarly if Boyd is unable to play Saturday at Minnesota with a lingering shoulder problem.

OL: (10) Marvel Smith, Chris Kemoeatu, Justin Hartwig, Kendall Simmons, Willie Colon, Max Starks, Trai Essex, Sean Mahan, Darnell Stapleton, Tony Hills. Hills is the only tough call here. He doesn’t deserve to make the roster based on play, but the team has to have an eye on the future.

DL: (6) Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel, Travis Kirschke, Chris Hoke, Orpheus Roye. This assumes Roye has anything left in the tank. And Nick Eason could actually beat out Kirschke, though I doubt it. Scott Paxson has one more year on the practice squad.

LB: (9) James Harrison, James Farrior, Larry Foote, LaMarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons, Keyaron Fox, Arnold Harrison, Mike Humpal and Bruce Davis. Humpal has been banged up a lot and Davis makes the team because of his draft status. It’s a tough call between Harrison, Andre Frazier and Donovan Woods for what will be a special teams position. Woods could open some eyes Saturday.

DB: (9) Ike Taylor, Ryan Clark, Troy Polamalu, Deshea Townsend, Bryant McFadden, Anthony Smith, William Gay, Ryan Mundy and Roy Lewis. Tyrone Carter spent all of training camp at strong safety with Polamalu out, but he is just so limited because of his lack of size. Lewis bumps Anthony Madison and Travis Williams because he can also play safety.

Specialists: (3) Jeff Reed, Mitch Berger, Greg Warren. Berger beats out Paul Ernster, but the team could still sign somebody else to punt depending on who’s released in the next two weeks.

Steelers sign Roye

The Steelers signed 47-year-old defensive lineman Orpheus Roye to a contract Sunday, hoping, praying, that somebody will knock Nick Eason off of this roster.

Roye, you'll remember, was a 1996 draft pick of the Steelers, who left the team to sign with Cleveland back in the stone ages. He was replaced in the starting lineup by a young Aaron Smith.

So much for getting younger on the defensive line.

Who's next? Ernie Stautner?

The signing of Roye shows a bit of the team's desperation for backup help on the defensive line. And desperation is not a good thing in the NFL.

Steelers make another flurry of moves

The Steelers made three roster moves today, including signing free
agent tight end Lee Vickers, placing tight end Jonathan Dekker on the Waived/Injured
List and waiving defensive end Kevin Huntley.



Vickers (6-6, 275) was originally signed as a rookie free agent by the Steelers as a
defensive end out of North Alabama in 2006 but was released that same season in
training camp. He was then signed as a tight end to the Philadelphia Eagles practice
squad where he spent most of the 2006 season on the practice squad. Vickers was
released by the Eagles and signed by the Baltimore Ravens in 2007 and played in nine
games as a tight end, starting two. He caught two passes for four yards but was
released last week from the Ravens.

Dekker (6-5, 250) suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Steelers' preseason
game against the Buffalo Bills. He originally signed as a rookie free agent with the
team in 2006 and spent the entire 2006 season and 11 games of the 2007 season on
Pittsburgh's practice squad. He was signed to the active roster for the final five
games of the 2007 regular season, seeing action in three contests.

Huntley (6-7, 290) was waived after failing his physical. He originally signed with
the Oakland Raiders as a rookie free agent from Kansas State in 2006. Huntley played
in the final five games of his rookie season with Oakland and registered 10 tackles,
2.5 sacks and a recovered fumble. He spent the 2007 season with the Atlanta Falcons
and recorded three tackles while playing in five games. The Steelers claimed him
last week from the Washington Redskins.

I like Vickers. He was one of the "offseason phenoms" of last season, but didn't work out as a defensive player. But the former quarterback and pitcher is a superior athlete who has some special teams experience.

© In other news, it appears the Steelers are targeting Tuesday for Troy Polamalu's return to the field. That would mean Polamalu would see some action in Saturday's game at Minnesota.

Post-game thoughts

I don't know how the coaching staff will be able to keep Lawrence Timmons off the field.

I like Larry Foote a lot. He's always been a stand-up guy with me through thick and thin. But Timmons has the look of a future Pro Bowl player.

His closing speed is Kendrell Bell-like. And unlike Bell, Timmons has a head on his shoulders.

© I don't lose a lot of sleep over preseason games – though it is currently past 2 a.m. when I'm making this post – but you know what I mean.

Buffalo really, really wanted to win this game in front of a Canandian crowd it was trying to impress.

That's no exuse for allowing Trent Edwards to look like the second coming of Steve Young, but hey, Tyrone Carter was on the field.

© Justin Hartwig's holding penalty was really the only thing I saw from him that I didn't like. Remember, he was facing a much defensive line this week than Sean Mahan did against Philadelphia.

Marcus Stroud is still a load in there when he wants to be. And Hartwig helped keep him out of Ben Roethlisberger's face.

Marvel Smith also saw just how good Aaron Schobel is.

Schobel might be the best player in the NFL nobody has heard of.

© Rashard Mendenhall has got to learn to get lower if he wants to pound it between the tackles in the NFL.

Running high through a hole may work against Minnesota, but he'll find out next week it won't work against the Vikings.

© I really like what I'm seeing now out of Dennis Dixon. The kid is looking much better than he did in the first week of camp.

Much of that is probably because he's shaken the rust off. It's hard to believe – especially after watching him hug the sidelines on his long TD run – that he had major knee surgery less than a year ago.

© Johnathan Dekker's injury may have opened a spot for Cody Boyd on this roster - though I thought Boyd was the better option until he was slowed by a shoulder injury.

But Dezmond Sherrod had a nice block as well on Dixon's touchdown run.

Steelers sign DE, cut Clement

The Steelers added a new name to their roster today when they claimed third-year defensive end Kevin Huntley off waivers from the Washington Redskins.

Huntley (6-7, 290) originally signed with the Oakland Raiders as a rookie free agent from Kansas State in 2006. He played in the final five games of his rookie season with Oakland and registered 10 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a recovered fumble. He spent the 2007 season with the Atlanta Falcons and recorded three tackles while playing in five games.

The Steelers made room for Huntley on their roster by releasing rookie free agent defensive end Kyle Clement.

Breaking for the Bills

Training camp is winding down and I know the players probably couldn't be happier.

After watching practice after practice for the past two weeks, I know that I'm tired of it all. The players have to really be sick of it.

Mike Tomlin must have sensed that a little and gave them the morning off after having them stretch to make sure nobody had gone over the wall.

I kept a close eye on new punter Mitch Berger today and came away with unimpressed.

Berger is more consistent than Paul Ernster, but doesn't kick the occasional 60-yarder than Ernster does. He also didn't shank anything, which Ernster has done a couple of times as well.

Tomlin took time during his press conference today to rip the media for what he thought was an unfair portrayal of safety Anthony Smith as a thug.

Tomlin said Smith's feelings were hurt by the portrayal.

Talking to Smith later in the day, I didn't get that sense. He just said that he's never robbed anyone and doesn't have a record, so he can't be a thug.

Guess he's got a different idea of what the word means than most people.

Tomlin did say, however, that Thursday's game against Buffalo will be a big one for Smith, who has missed a good amount of time in camp with a hamstring problem.

The team is liking what it has seen from rookie Roy Lewis, and it likes Ryan Mundy's upside.

It's possible Tomlin is looking for a good reason to rid himself of Smith.

Watching Leftwich

I came away from seeing Byron Leftwich for the first time in practice Monday morning impressed.

He's got a canon for an arm, far more so than Charlie Batch.

Now, I'm starting to think that maybe, just maybe, Batch's spot here isn't so firm.

Batch was having surgery Monday and it wouldn't surprise me if the team eventually releases him. Leftwich looks like a better player.

He threw a perfect strike to rookie Limas Sweed in the front corner of the end zone on his first play in red zone practice Monday morning. Sweed dropped the ball.

He just missed Dallas Baker on his next attempt on a short slant, but followed that up by threading the ball to tight end Jonathan Dekker at the goal line. It was a pass Batch couldn't make.

I like Charlie. He's a great guy.

But he doesn't have this kind of arm strength - not any more, not ever.

Leftwich signs, but what does it mean?

The Steelers signed Byron Leftwich and have led him to believe he has a chance to beat out Charlie Batch for the No. 2 job in Pittsburgh behind Ben Roethlisberger.

Maybe Leftwich was buying it, but I'm not.

Batch is a Pittsburgh guy who's very involved in the community, something that's very important to the Rooneys. He's also very popular with his teammates - perhaps more so than Roethlisberger.

And if rookie Dennis Dixon continues to show that he can be an eventual replacement for Batch, there won't be any room on the roster for Leftwich.

So long as Batch is only going to be out four to six weeks, I don't look for Leftwich to be around all that long.

Post-game thoughts

As I sit here on my couch at 1 a.m. re-watching the game - I'm sick like that – I'm a little surprised at how well the Steelers offensive line played.

The line is really gashing holes in the Philadelphia defensive front and the running lanes are very big for Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall.

© With Charlie Batch out four to six weeks, I'd look for the Steelers to sign Kelly Holcomb. He's worked with Bruce Arians before - in Cleveland - and would be a good short-term fit. If he's so inclined to come in and be a rent-a-QB.

© Daunte Culpepper and Byron Leftwich may be out of reach. They both still want to be starters.

And if they sign with the Steelers for a month and a starting job comes open, they'll be kicking themselves.

© I had to do a double take a couple of times when the Steelers lined up a couple of times in a one-back offense with Carey Davis at running back.

He ran the ball once out of that set and split wide to catch a pass on another occasion.

All that offensive talent on this team and you've got Carey Davis running and catching the ball?

I like Carey Davis, but come on.

© The battle for the fifth corner spot is going to be a very good one to watch.

Anthony Madison, who held the spot last season, played pretty well, but Roy Lewis and Travis Williams did as well.

Williams did have a pass interference penalty late in the game, but made up for it with a sweet step around later in the drive.

He also had two special teams tackles, including one as a gunner where he beat two guys down the field.

© Yes, that was Justin Hartwig getting out on the edge and sealing the corner for Mendenhall's 15-yard run in the second quarter

He'll start at center next week and won't give the spot back to Sean Mahan, not that Mahan played poorly Friday night.

Youngsters to watch

As promised, here are some young guys who have looked pretty good thus far during the offseason and training camp who I'll be keeping a close eye on in the Steelers' preseason opener:

© Dallas Baker, WR, No. 81 - Baker looks much more confident this season than last. The 2007 seventh-round pick has good size and has shown an ability to get open – when nobody is hiting him (Anthony Smith aside). Now will come the true test.

© Roy Lewis, CB, No. 30 – Lewis has stepped up and made some plays in training camp and has also played some safety as well as corner. His versatility could give him a roster spot if he can beat out Anthony Madison, but special teams will be key.

© Travis Williams, CB, No. 31 – Like Lewis, Williams is an interesting kid. He doesn't double as a safety, but he's a return man as well as being a corner. He won't get a shot to return against the Eagles, but likely will against the Bills next week. If he shows something as a gunner against Philadelphia, it's a plus.

© Martavius Prince, NT, No. 96 – Prince has a lightning quick first step. He probably can't win a roster spot this year at nose tackle, but this is a guy who could be the next Chris Hoke, somebody who continues to hang around and turns into a player.

© Mike Humpal, LB, No. 55 – Humpal missed some time because of a hamstring injury, but it will be interesting to see if he's the special teams demon the Steelers expected him to be when they took him in the sixth round of the draft. He looks like a pretty good coverage linebacker.

© Micah Rucker, WR, No. 87 – Rucker will look like a tight end out there. But the 6-6, 221-pounder is a receiver with great big hands. This kid could be the next Walter Young, a guy who hangs around for a few years but never amounts to much. Or he could wind up being a great find down the road. He's way more athletic than Young, though.

© Scott Paxson, DT. No. 71 – With Casey Hampton out, Paxson will play with the second team defensive unit. Can he hold up against another team's quality backups?

Smith still doesn't get it

Anthony Smith returned to practice for the first time since the opening day of training camp and immediately showed what had been missing while he was out – the knucklehead factor.

Smith, who blasted Willie Reid twice on the opening day of camp in non-contact drills - hammered Hines Ward to the ground in a seven-on-seven non-contact drill Wednesday.

The coaches were not at all happy, with one yelling, "Are you out of your God damn mind." It wasn't a question so much as a statement.

Smith was looked at as the team's free safety of the future as recently as last year's training camp, but it's becoming apparent that he just doesn't have the mentality to play the position.

Nailing the team's all-time receptions leader in a non-contact drill is no way to keep your roster spot.

© Surprisingly enough, everybody practiced today, save PUP listers Troy Polamalu and Casey Hampton. Mike Tomlin did say today that he expects Polamalu and Hampton to return as early as next week.

© I really like what I've seen of running back Mewelde Moore as a receiver. He catches the ball fluidly in space and never slows down. The Steelers haven't had a receiving option like him out of the backfield in some time.

© Check back here tomorrow for my picks on youngsters to watch in Friday's game.

OK, now Roethlisberger will play

Ben Roethlisberger must have lobbied hard Tuesday. Mike Tomlin said today Roethlisberger will play a series in the team's preseason opener against Philadephia.

The first-team line will play the first quarter, presumably while Charlie Batch is still in there. After that, the game will be in the hands of Dennis Dixon and Mike Potts.

Sean Mahan will get the start at center, while Tomlin said today that Justin Hartwig will start next week against Buffalo at Toronto.

Tomlin finally said he wants to have his starter in place by the third preseason game at that position.

Roethlisberger won't play

Don't look for Ben Roethlisberger to play at all Friday night against the Eagles in the Steelers' preseason opener. Mike Tomlin hasn't announced it yet, but I'm told he's leaning that way.

© Chris Kemoeatu looked very good today in practice and even did the old pulling play at the goal line to get Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall into the end zone against the first-team defense.

© The Jordan Reffett mystery has been solved. His wife is having a baby and the rookie defensive end went home to be with her. He's expected to return Wednesday.

© The funniest thing at practice Tuesday came after was over. A lot of the big boys - defensive and offensive linemen and tight ends - took turns fielding punts out of the juggs gun.

They don't get paid because they have good hands - except for the tight ends.

The only tight end to drop the ball was Jonathan Dekker.

© According to SteelCityInsider.com's Jim Wexell, Casey Hampton is now at 345 pounds, meaning he's lost 15 in the past week.

Rule changes and points of emphasis video

Just wanted to share something the league sent me today. This should help explain some rule changes and points of emphasis. This is the same video shown to the players at training camp.

www.nflfilmstv.com/NewMedia/071808/2008RulesChanges.mpg

Kemoeatu back

As I told you would happen yesterday, Chris Kemoeatu returned to practice today when he was activated from the PUP list.

I got a good chance to watch Kemoeatu in the one-on-one drills and you see why the team likes him so much. He's just a big, powerful guy with a nasty streak.

He did about 10 reps in the pass protection drill and dominated eight of them, with only Ryan McBean and Kyle Clement getting the best of him on one rep each. And that's a rusty Kemoeatu.

The only question with him over the years has been his ability to pick up the playbook. It's not that he's not bright, but he does have some language issues that seem to hold him back a little.

© Today was a big day off for veterans as 10 guys sat out, most with groin injuries. I've come to believe that the groin injury is now an excuse for Mike Tomlin to give his vets a rest.

James Harrison, Deshea Townsend, Marvel Smith and Brett Keisel were among our groin injuries today, with Kendall Simmons sitting with a shoulder injury. None are considered serious.

© If you're looking for some feeling into how the team is thinking, Lawrence Timmons replaced Harrison in the base defense, while Andre Frazier replaced him as a rush end in the quarter. That would lead me to believe Frazier is the leading candidate as the fourth outside linebacker – though Bruce Davis figures to get a scholarship year as a third-round pick.

But if Timmons shows he can play OLB, maybe they let Frazier go and just keep Davis. I doubt that, though.

Bryant McFadden was in the base for Townsend. No surprise there.

Max Starks replaced Smith, while Darnell Stapleton took over for Simmons. That was a little surprising as Trai Essex, who had been in for Kemoeatu at left guard, moved to the second team.

© The team did some kick return practice today, with Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore, Jeremy Bloom, Willie Reid and Eddie Drummond taking turns deep.

Mendenhall muffed one of his attempts.

© Justin Hartwig seems to be getting his feet under him in one-on-one drills and is no longer being beaten by Chris Hoke, the team's best practice player.

Hoke goes hard every rep - it's one of the things the coaching staff loves about him. And he routinely makes whoever he's working against look bad because he's working at game speed.

Hartwig appears to have adjusted to that, which is a good sign.

Some things I've learned

During Friday night's practice, I heard Bill Hillgrove announce over the PA system that there was a vehicle with an Ohio license plate registered to a certain person (he used the name, which I can't remember) that had its lights on.

I thought it was strange that if they knew who the vehicle was registered to, why they just didn't say his name and tell him his lights were on.

Turns out, it was a little inside joke.

The person in question was a scout from the Cleveland Browns and the Steelers wanted to let him know that they knew he was there.

There's nothing shady about scouting a practice, however, under league rules if the team is charging admission for it as the Steelers do every year at Latrobe's Memorial Stadium.

That's why the Redskins coaches were so angry with owner Daniel Snyder a couple of years ago when he charged admission to every Redskins training camp practice. By doing that, he opened all of their practices up to opposing teams.

© A source tells me Chris Kemoeatu will return to practice Monday afternoon. He's just waiting on a special brace for his injured elbow - which apparently happened when he was running and missed a step, falling into a wall.

The starting left guard spot is Kemoeatu's when he returns, even though the team has been happy with how Trai Essex has performed there while Kemoeatu is on the PUP list.

© Another source tells me there is no battle at right tackle. The job is Willie Colon's.

© The center battle won't be decided until the team sees Sean Mahan and Justin Hartwig play in the preseason.

Roethlisberger is fine

The e-mails were pouring in today. How's Ben Roethlisberger's groin?

Fine.

The Steelers quarterback apparently tweaked his groin at the end of Friday night's practice. He and the rest of the team's veterans sat out Saturday morning's practice, but Roethlisberger was back out on the field in the afternoon.

He didn't do any of the team portion of practice, but he did work in individual and seven-on-seven drills. It's no big deal.

LaMarr Woodley sat out today with a sore groin, but it gave the team a chance to work Lawrence Timmons at outside linebacker. It appears Timmons is going to be the team's fifth linebacker, kind of like being the sixth man in basketball.

James Farrior served in a similar capacity with the Jets early in his career. That worked out OK for him, though not so much for the Jets.

Random stuff that may interest only me

I just finished up doing a radio show with Bill Hillgrove at Sharky's here in Latrobe and it reminded me of what a consummate pro Billy is.

He just makes it so easy.

© The morning practice was pretty blah. The veterans were given the morning off after last night's practice.

But that did give me a chance to get a good look at young quarterbacks Dennis Dixon and Mike Potts.

It wasn't pretty.

Dixon delivers the ball like he's throwing a dart and is pretty inaccurate - though his athleticism is apparent.

Potts is more accurate, but doesn't have an NFL-caliber arm.

© That did afford some interception opportunities and Anthony Madison, Travis Williams and Ryan Mundy obliged.

I watched Mundy closely this morning and the sixth-round pick appears to be thinking too much out there rather than just reacting.

He's always a step slow to the play and it appears to be because he's trying to think about where he's supposed to be instead of just doing it.

On his interception - against Potts - he jumped a route down the middle and took a ball away from tight end Jon Dekker to end practice.

Mundy has the best size of any safety on this team. If he can put it together - not likely this season - he could be a player.

© Doug Legursky, a guard-center from Marshall, is back with the club, which released rookie placekicker Julian Rauch.

That tells me that Chris Kemoeatu isn't as close to a return as I thought and that the team is concerned with the back injury that kept center Sean Mahan out of practice Friday night.

Mahan, however, returned to practice this morning.

© Justin Hartwig looked pretty good at center in place of Mahan Friday night. Maybe that's why Mahan hurried back.

Friday night lights

Santonio Holmes was MIA because of a death in his family and will be gone until Sunday. That will afford Nate Washington an opportunity to run with the ones in his attempt to hold off rookie Limas Sweed for the No. 3 job.

Washington should be able to do that - at least initially.

Sean Mahan was out with a sore back Friday night, giving Justin Hartwig his first shot to work with extensively with the first-team line.

Hartwig actually looked decent, which means Mahan will likely be back sooner rather than later. That is, after all, how he basically beat out Chukky Okobi last summer. Okobi was injured too much for a true battle for the spot to take place.

Lawrence Timmons was the star of the backs on backers drill. The way he was exploding through would-be blockers, I thought they must have showed him film of Kendrell Bell in his rookie season. Of course Bell was exploding through offensive linemen, not running backs.

It was a former Steelers linebacker reunion as Jerry Olsavsky, Jason Gildon and Kevin Greene were all here Friday night.

Greene has been working with the team's outside linebackers through out camp, while Gildon arrived here to do the same.

Olsavsky is a linebackers coach at Youngstown State and was in town to watch practice.

Random suff that may interest only me

I got an e-mail this morning from former O-R hockey writer Bob Grove. He's working for Comcast now in its PR department in addition to doing his radio stuff for the Penguins.

Comcast's Steelers on Demand is offering fans all kinds of shows on the team this year, including live training camp updates with Tunch Ilkin. If you have Comcast and haven't checked them out, you should.

© We'll meet with officials this afternoon to go over any rules changes in the league this year. One of the officials here this year is Tony Steratore, a resident of Peters Township.

We exchanged some greetings this morning. I did a big story a couple of years ago on Tony and his brother, Gene, who at the time were the only brother combination on the same crew in the NFL.

Tony had just gotten done working the Super Bowl as well.

© I thought maybe I was a little crazy on my Billy Latsko assessment, so I asked about him last night.

It appears the team has noticed the backup fullback as well. I don't know that he'll make this team because it still likes Carey Davis and Davis is a solid special teams player. But if Latsko can prove his worth on special teams as well, maybe they keep both of them.

© I'll be doing a radio show on 970-AM from noon to 2 p.m. from Geo's in Latrobe with Bill Hillgrove. Give us a listen if you get a chance.

© Also, the officials clouded the issue of who will be able to wear the Steelers' other defensive radio in their helmet.

According to the officials, the two players with radios in their helmets can't be on the field at the same time. And they also said the second player with the radio in his helmet can't just change to a regular helmet to go on the field if the main guy is out there.

The Steelers were planning on using Ryan Clark as their second guy, but I asked today and they may have to change that with this clarification.

The reasoning, according to the officials, is so that they don't have to keep looking for the guys with the green dots on their helmets.

It will also be a five-yard penalty for illegal substitution if the backup radio guy enters the game and doesn't report to the officials.

Sounds like more trouble than it's worth.

Capizzi done

Offensive tackle Jason Capizzi, a fan favorite as a local kid, is done for the year. He re-injured his left foot and will require surgery.

The Steelers reached an injury settlement with him and it's unknown whether this is the end of the road for the former Pitt and IUP player.

But by reaching an injury settlement with him, the Steelers aren't keeping him on their roster, which means he may have played his last football here.

© The team used the morning off to check wide receiver Limas Sweed's vision. They found out he needs glasses.

© Many of the other injured players returned to practice today, with the exception of safety Anthony Smith, who tried to practice, but called it quits after position drills.

© Linebacker Mike Humpal was taken off with a hamstring injury that may be heat related.

© The Steelers signed kick return man Eddie Drummond – late of Kansas City and, where else? Detroit.

Drummond was immediately back returning punts with Jeremy Bloom, Travis Williams and Willie Reid.

Wednesday's thoughts

Trai Essex is making a strong case to make this team, something that wasn't a given at the start of camp.

Of course part of that is because he's quickly becoming the last experienced man still healthy on the left side of the line.

Marvel Smith sat out Wednesday with a sore groin and Essex slid out to left tackle, with Darnell Stapleton moving in at left guard.

But Essex, who looks more trim this year than in previous seasons, looks to be taking advantage of the extra playing time.

That, and the fact that rookie Tony Hills doesn't look ready to play this season, could make Essex a lock.

© The second-team offensive line with Chris Kemoeatu and Smith out was, from left to right, Hills, Matt Lentz, Justin Hartwig, Jeremy Parquet and Jason Capizzi. When Parquet left later in practice with cramps, Essex moved to right guard with the second unit.

Hey, the more you can do.

© Stapleton looks like somebody who plays up or down to his competition.

He'll go out and look so-so against a below average player, then go out and hold his own against a starter.

Some guys are just like that.

LeCharles Bentley rumor

I keep hearing about the Steelers signing LeCharles Bentley – from everywhere but here in Latrobe.

I'm not saying the rumor doesn't have some legs, but many times, things like this get started by an agent fishing for a contract offer for a client.

I'm not saying the Steelers couldn't use Bentley, particularly if Chris Kemoeatu continues to miss time. But I'd be surprised if the team panicked and did something. It's just not usually how the Steelers work.

If they were going to sign Bentley, they already would have done so and had him in camp from the beginning.

This morning's practice was in full pads and featured plenty of work on the running game.

James Farrior was out this morning, but it doesn't appear to be anything serious. Lawrence Timmons moved into the starting lineup, with Larry Foote sliding over to Farrior's spot.

Timmons really looks at home at inside linebacker.

Looking at the draft picks

I kept a close eye on some of the draft picks today and here's what I came away with.

Running back Rashard Mendenhall is a quick study, which is not surprising considering his Academic All-Big Ten status in college.

The team was working on ball control with the running backs Tuesday afternoon, having the backs yank and pull on each others arms as they ran while carrying the ball in one arm.

Mendenhall had the ball pulled out of his arm on the first attempt in both his right and left arms by Mewelde Moore. But Moore wasn't getting the ball out again after that no matter what he did.

This kid doesn't make the same mistake twice.

Limas Sweed works very hard and makes an attempt to catch everything, diving for overthrown balls and giving 100 percent effort at all times.

He's going to be a good one.

Third-round pick Bruce Davis, a linebacker, is a little disappointing in the strength department. He doesn't get much of a push when working on one-on-one blocking. But some of that may be because he missed all the offseason workouts because his class at UCLA hadn't graduated yet. That's an archaic rule the league needs to do away with.

I'm also unimpressed with fourth-round pick Tony Hills, who doesn't look to have the quick feet to play tackle. He is consistently beaten to the outside by whoever he lines up against.

Maybe his future is at guard, but he'll need to get stronger to play there. That also puts the Steelers in a bit of a bind with their future plans if Hills can't play tackle.

But hey, it's early.

Sepulveda done for season

Punter Daniel Sepulveda had tests done on his sore right (non-kicking) leg Tuesday and they showed that he had torn his ACL.

Sepulveda, a fourth-round pick last season, is done for the season.

The Steelers have claimed Paul Ernster off of waivers from the Detroit Lions.

It's a huge blow to the Steelers' special teams, especially considering the team had just one punter in camp this year and had high hopes for Sepulveda in his second season.

I can't drive, 365

According to Jim Wexell of SteelCityInsider.com, Casey Hampton weighed in at an impressive 365 pounds when he showed up at training camp, 25 more than the team wanted him at and 40 more than his listed weight.

That pretty much makes Hampton one of the biggest fat athletes in Pittsburgh history, though a now trim and slim Max Starks was pretty close to that weight last season.

Actually, that's not all that much heavier than what Hampton has reported at in previous camps as well.

The only difference is that Mike Tomlin decided to put his foot down with it this year. Gotta send a message.

Hampton also cost himself a nice chunk of bonus money for reporting overweight, but apparently that was not a concern to him.

Afternoon delight

Either LaMarr Woodley is going to be a beast this season or the Steelers' offensive line - and right tackles in particular - really stinks.

Woodley was unblockable in the one-on-one drills this afternoon by either Willie Colon or Max Starks.

Neither is going to be a Pro Bowler anytime soon, but they are legitimate NFL offensive linemen. So maybe Woodley is just that damn good.

I spoke with the second-year linebacker after practice and he's really raring to go this season after languishing on the bench a bit last season as a backup to Clark Haggans (?).

I know. Haggans had one of the least productive seasons of any outside linebacker in the past 15 seasons for the Steelers. And for whatever reason, they still kept running him out there.

That won't be the case this season and Woodley is going to put up monster numbers.

Somebody else who stood out this afternoon was second-year defensive lineman Ryan McBean.

They were using McBean on punt coverage and he was really getting down the field well for a 290-pounder. This team hasn't had a young defensive lineman to use as a wedge buster the past couple of seasons, but McBean could be that guy.

Rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall shows good learning ability. After being beaten a couple of times in backs-on-backers blocking, the No. 1 pick picked up his game after that and stoned some guys.

He looks good with the ball in his hands, too, slipping through holes.

One thing I forgot to mention

One thing I forgot to mention that I wanted to make note of Sunday has nothing to do with the football aspect, but everything to do with it.

When I was pulling into camp to unload my stuff, I noticed that they had already placed the parking signs out for the higher ups in the organization. They also placed Myron Cope's reserved sign up.

It was a reminder that Cope isn't with us this year.

A bunch of us media types went to dinner Sunday night and started telling Myron stories.

He hadn't been to camp much - if at all - the past couple of years, but Cope would call guys or send them notes on stories they did. He was that kind of guy.

The writers, in particular, will miss him. Cope was always a writer at heart, even when he was doing nothing but radio and TV.

Initial thoughts

The first practice is now in the books and it showed that some of these guys realize the window of opportunity is closing for them.

Anthony Smith took another hard shot at wide receiver Willie Reid - as he did several times last year in camp - and Reid popped up and fired the ball at him, touching off a scrimmish between the two that had to be broken up by teammates.

Reid later tangled with linebacker Andre Frazier on a running play after cracking down to block the bigger man.

Reid didn't back down on either occasion.

I waited to talk to Reid after practice and he had a long conversation with Ben Roethlisberger, who told the third-year receiver to let the coaches handle the cheap shots and to let that stuff go.

But the clock is ticking on Reid and he knows it. A third-round pick three years ago, he hasn't quite worked out to be what the Steelers envisioned.

And with the addition of second-round pick Limas Sweed this year, Reid is not guaranteed a roster spot.

He's clearly playing with something to prove.

Hampton starts on PUP

Nose tackle Casey Hampton was unable to complete the team's run challenge on the opening day of training camp and will begin camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

Hampton, who skipped the team's offseason workout program, finished just five of the eight 100-yard sprints and jogs back to the starting line.

Hampton looked very much out of shape when he arrived here at Saint Vincent College.

Head coach Mike Tomlin would not put a timeframe on when the Pro Bowl nose tackle will be removed from the PUP, but did say that it could be some time.

Safety Troy Polamalu arrived with a sore hamstrong, but completed his run test, as did guard Chris Kemoeatu, who has some weakness in his triceps.

Both could be held out of practice Monday morning when the team takes the field for the first time.

All in

Friday, the Steelers assured that all of their players will be under contract when they report on Sunday as the team signed its two remaining unsigned draft picks, running back Rashard Mendenhall and wide receiver Limas Sweed.

Mendenhall, the Steelers’ top pick, agreed to a five-year deal worth $12.55 million. Sweed, a second-round selection, came to terms on a four-year deal believed to be worth $3.5 million.

Mendenhall’s deal includes nearly $7 million in guaranteed money and could – at least at times this season – give the Steelers a very high-priced backfield.

Thoughts from Tomlin PC

Mike Tomlin held a pre-training camp press conference Wednesday. Here are a few of my thoughts of about what was said.

© Tomlin was asked about the team's defensive line depth and if it was a concern and he proceeded to give a long answer about how when he made his statement about the lack of depth and age issues at the position, it was before Travis Kirschke and Nick Eason were re-signed.

Now, I like Mike, but he sounded a lot like a guy trying to convince himself that things aren't all that bad.

It is my understanding, though, that second-year man Ryan McBean has been practically living at the team's facility since getting the walking boot off his injured foot and the team has some high hopes for the 2007 fifth-round draft pick.

Also, keep an eye on undrafted rookie Kyle Clement from Northwood.

If Eason makes this team, it will be because those two didn't pan out and this team could have problems down the stretch as it did last season.

© Tomlin spoke very highly of free safety Ryan Clark and his recovery from having his spleen removed last season.

Clark's weight is back to normal and he got through the team's offseason program with no problems. But you'd better believe the team will keep a watchful eye on how he handles contact.

This team needs Clark as the deep man in the secondary. He's a heady guy and a good all-around football player as we saw last season when he was out of the lineup.

That's not to say Anthony Smith didn't learn and get better from last year's debacle, but Clark makes very few mistakes.

© Tomlin said Max Starks will start camp primarily at right tackle, which tells me there will be a competition there between he and Willie Colon.

Last year's battle never really materialized because Starks was forced to play left tackle for much of training camp after Marvel Smith's back became troublesome.

I still think the best line may incorporate Starks at right tackle and Colon at one of the guard spots. If Chris Kemoeatu struggles at left guard replacing Alan Faneca, that could happen.

© Lawrence Timmons will open as the backup to Larry Foote, but Timmons will get plenty of action as a linebacker on passing downs as the team begins to phase James Farrior out of that role.

It may not happen right away because Farriror is such a smart player and is still very effective. But it wouldn't hurt to give the aging vet a chance to catch his breath every once in a while.

Good seats still remain

More than 10,000 tickets remain for the Steelers' preseason game against Buffalo in Toronto, Canada.

If you've never been to Toronto before, you should get there. Of course you will need a passport.

And it's an easy drive from Pittsburgh, right up I-79 through Buffalo.

© Here's an interesting story I came across breaking down NFL contracts.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jul/21/sp-nfl-contract-breaking-down-an-making-sense-of-d/?sports-bucs

Things are a little different on the road for the Steelers than for some other teams.

I travel on the team plane, so I get a little different look than writers do that cover some other teams that don't allow that.

The food available to the players on the plane is abundant. They also have a team snack after meetings the night before games and a breakfast the morning of.

The $90 given to them for meals per day really turns out to be pocket money.

One week to go

As Tom Petty says, the waiting is the hardest part.

As I write this, it's officially one week until the Steelers training camp opens next Sunday at Saint Vincent College with players reporting.

It's hard to believe another NFL season is upon us.

For me, I always look forward to training camp opening with some regret.

While I do enjoy very much what I do - otherwise I wouldn't be doing it - training camp opening up means that, at least for me, summer is over.

I'll spend much of the next six months watching practices and games and what unfolds in another NFL season.

© As of this writing, the Steelers still have two draft picks unsigned, second-rounder Limas Sweed and first-rounder Rashard Mendenhall.

Look for Sweed to get his deal done sometime later this week, with Mendenhall to follow Saturday or Sunday. At least that's the word.

© There may be another deal coming later this week as well with a veteran player already on the roster.

My source wouldn't tell me who, but the team does have some players it would like to get something done with, with perhaps Max Starks being first on that list.

Getting something done to lower Starks' salary this season and getting him signed past it would give the team some cap room to do some other things.

Good news, bad news

It was a good news, bad news thing for me this week.

I was tooling around the net looking for something - anything - interesting out there in the world when I came across the mondesishouse site.

On the site there was a poll for media people in Pittsburgh and you could vote whether you approve or disapprove of that person.

The good news was that I made the list – I guess.

The bad news was that my approval rating was like 29 percent.

Then again, guys like Joe Bendel and Bob Smizik were below me, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.

Now if I could only achieve total consciousness on my deathbed, I'd be set.

Some random thoughts

I just got off the phone a little while ago with former West Virginia University star center Dan Mozes.

For those of you outside the area, Mozes is a Washington native and signed with the Minnesota Vikings after last year's draft.

The 2006 Rimington Award winner as college football's best center, Mozes is a high-motor player who gives his all on the field.

He suffered a torn ACL in camp last summer with the Vikings while trying to make a tackle following an interception during a scimmage with the Kansas City Chiefs.

But Mozes is back on the field with the Vikings this year and has a good shot at making the roster. Starting center Matt Birk is considered one of the best in the business, but he's sat out the OTAs while trying to get a new contract. And Minnesota may not want to give him one considering he's on he wrong side of 30.

The Vikings selected John Sullivan from Notre Dame in the sixth round of this year's draft, but he's by no means a lock to make the roster ahead of Mozes. The team could, in fact, keep both around considering Birk's age and impending free agency.

© So Brett Favre now wants the Packers to release him. Who is really surprised by that?

Favre will likely be looking for one last shot at a Super Bowl – though he pretty much kept the Packers out of one last season with his NFC Championship performance – and my best guess is that he'll wind up in Baltimore for at least one season,

Miami is also a possibility and certainly he would make a nice mentor to Matt Ryan in Atlanta, but the Ravens have a better chance to win some games this season.

© The very public sale of the Steelers - or adjustment of the team's stock - has to be killing Dan Rooney, who prefers to do such things in private.

One thing for sure, when it's all said and done, the Rooneys will still be running this team.

It may cost Dan and Art III more money than they wanted, but it will happen.

© The Steelers agreed to terms with sixth-round picks Mike Humpal and Ryan Mundy Friday, leaving only first and second rounders Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed unsight.

Humpal and Mundy each got three-year contracts. Humpal receives $71,600 signing bonus, and Mundy gets a $67,600 bonus.

Dixon a done deal

As per several sources, the Steelers have signed fifth-round pick Dennis Dixon to a three-year contract that includes a $130,000 signing bonus.

Also, don't make too much of the Rooney family's shifting of some of the team's stock. This is something that has been coming for some time now as the NFL works to remove itself from any kind of gambling.

The family itself doesn't want to divest itself of its race tracks or the football team. You won't see the team sold to an outside source anytime soon - if ever.

Hills in the house

Fourth-round draft pick Tony Hills has become the Steelers' first choice to sign, putting his name to a three-year deal worth $1.45 million.

The deal includes a signing bonus of just over $300 thousand.

Kreider to Rams

Fullback Dan Kreider, the Steelers' 2000 rookie of the year, has been invited to training camp by the St. Louis Rams.

One of the best blocking fullbacks in the league, Kreider's season ended with a knee injury against Miami and the Steelers did not re-sign him.

He had shared time with Carey Davis before the injury as the Steelers went with more of an offensive threat at the fullback position.

Steelers cut Davenport

The Steelers have released running back Najeh Davenport after finding no takers in a trade for the seven-year veteran.

Davenport, who rushed for a career-high 499 yards and five touchdowns last season, became expendable when the Steelers selected running back Rashard Mendenhall in the first round of the draft and signed free agent Mewelde Moore from Minnesota.

By releasing Davenport now, the team is giving him a chance to find another job in the league before training camps open in July.

Davenport's release also opens the door for second-year pro Gary Russell to earn a spot on the roster.

Any questions

Not much going on right now in the way of Steelers news. I'm also on vacation this week - as you can tell by the unseasonably cold and wet Pa. weather.

But if anybody has any Steelers or NFL-related questions, feel free to ask away.

Week 4 OTA thoughts

Many of the stars were missing as the Steelers returned to practice this week after a day of bowling.

Ben Roethlisberger – who was at Dwight White's funeral – Troy Polamalu and Casey Hampton were among the missing. Polamalu, of course, is working out in California. Hampton may be at a clinic working on getting his weight down. At least that's the rumor.

Brett Keisel, Santonio Holmes and Najeh Davenport didn't practice Wednesday - not that Davenport is a star.

What it means, though, is that a lot of the younger players are getting more reps.

I mentioned last week that defensive lineman Kyle Clement, an undrafted rookie from Northwood, has been working with the second unit. Wednesday, Clement was getting extra attention from Aaron Smith after practice, as Smith worked with the 6-3, 315-pounder on his hand placement and coming out of his stance.

Clement is definitely somebody to keep an eye on at camp.

Another player who has caught my eye is undrafted cornerback Travis Williams from East Carolina.

Williams looks to have good playmaking ability and can run. He's just 5-9, 180, though, so he is lacking some size.

© Ryan Clark has had a solid camp coming back from his spleen injury.

That's a good sign. But the real test will be when the hitting starts.

Bowling day

Head coach Mike Tomlin took the Steelers bowling on Tuesday, the opening day of their final week of OTAs.

I guess after the chippiness of last week, Tomlin figured the players needed a little distraction - all while getting to hang out together.

There was no media access, so there is nothing new to report. But they'll be back at practice Wednesday and I'll be updating.

Week three OTA thoughts

Mike Tomlin had to get a little loud Wednesday at OTAs as a couple of minor scrimmashes broke out between players following plays.

The first involved right tackle Willie Colon – who else - and a defensive lineman who I believe was Nick Eason.

A couple of plays later, tackle Trai Essex – Trai Essex? – got into a scuffle with another defensive lineman.

Tomlin yelled at the players to stop with the stupid $#&^.

After practice, he held a lengthy huddle, talking to the players about how important it was for them in this third week with just one week remaining not to lose their focus.

© The Steelers had a welcome sight on their offensive line as Marvel Smith was back at his left tackle position. That left the line at, from left to right, Smith, Chris Kemoeatu, Sean Mahan, Kendall Simmons and the aforementioned Colon.

© Larry Foote sat out Wednesday with a stiff neck, allowing second-year pro Lawrence Timmons to take all the snaps with the first team at inside linebacker.

I like Foote a lot, but a stiff neck wouldn't keep me out at this point with the kid breathing down it.

© Rookie Rashard Mendenhall looks strong and fast running with ball. I'm anxious to see how the kid breaks tackles, something starter Willie Parker doesn't do all that well.

Parker, by the way, sat out Wednesday, though it's no big deal.

© The Steelers have a bunch of undrafted rookie defensive linemen in camp and the one they seem to be taking the biggest liking to is Kyle Clement. But it's very early and the hitting hasn't started yet.

Now it makes sense

The New England Patriots signed free agent offensive tackle Oliver Ross Monday in a move that didn't make sense to me - until Tuesday.

The Boston Globe reported Tuesday at Patriots' starting right tackle Nick Kaczur had been arrested for illegal possession of painkillers and as a result had been working as an informant for the DEA.

Kaczur's involvement as an informant may have gotten him out of hot water with the DEA, but it won't with the NFL.

It's likely Kaczur is facing a suspension, which is why the Pats signed Ross.

Steelers work out local pair

According to SteelCityInsider.com, the Steelers worked out Waynesburg University defensive end Mike Czerwien and California University punter Jace Amore after their OTA Thursday.

The 5-8, 225-pound Czerwien led college football with 23 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss last season. He finished his career with 53.5 sacks at Waynesburg.

Obviously, the North Hills High School product would be a linebacker for the Steelers, if they decided to sign him, but no move has been made as of yet.

Amore was a transfer from Temple. The Elizabeth Forward High School grad averaged 40.1 yards per punt last season.

The Steelers did not sign a rookie punter for camp behind Daniel Sepulveda following the draft.

Tickets on sale

A limited number of individual game tickets for the Steelers 2008 home games are available through Ticketmaster beginning on Saturday, June 21, at noon. This marks the second consecutive season fans will be able to purchase the tickets through Ticketmaster.

Fans may buy up to four tickets total for the eight regular-season games while there is no limit for the two preseason home contests. A majority of the tickets will be priced at either $59 or $62. However, there will be single seats available at prices ranging from $59-$240.

Tickets will be sold either on www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 412-323-1919. American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover will be accepted by Ticketmaster. Tickets will not be sold at Ticketmaster outlets.

Since there are a limited number of tickets available, tickets are expected to sell out very quickly.

Week 2 OTA notes

Rain shortened what was otherwise a pretty lackluster day Tuesday.

A team that had been very loose and having a lot of fun the first week back, didn’t seem all that interested in practicing today. It was probably a little hangover from the long holiday weekend.

The lone time somebody showed some real fire was when safety Anthony Smith jumped a sideline pass from Charlie Batch during a two-minute drill, intercepting it. Smith, of course, couldn’t just pick the pass off, he ran about 10 yards with the ball and then fired it at the fence surrounding the field.

Just when you though the kid might be learning a little something, he goes and does something totally stupid like that.

Why is it stupid?

Much like Joey Porter doing a foot-stomp in training camp and injuring his knee after beating a fourth-string tackle for a sack, Smith firing a ball as hard as he can after picking off a pass in practice is totally meaningless.

The only thing that can happen is an injury.

The coaching staff knows you picked off the pass Anthony. You don’t need any of the extracurricular stuff.

I can guarantee that Dick LeBeau never did anything like that after any of his more than 60 career meaningful interceptions.

© Marvel Smith was still a no-show as he is still at home helping his wife with the birth of their first child. Max Starks continues to hold down the left tackle spot with Smith out, with Willie Colon at right tackle.

Kendall Simmons was present, but still out of action, but Chris Kemoeatu was back at left guard.

With Kemoeatu back in action, Sean Mahan was back at center, with Darnell Stapleton filling in for Simmons at right guard.

The coaching staff seems to really like Stapleton and the fact they feel comfortable enough to line the youngster up at guard as well as his regular center position speaks volumes about that.

© James Harrison was another no-show today, but there was another Harrison, Arnold, holding down the outside linebacker position opposite LaMarr Woodley.

The team isn’t ready to move rookie Bruce Davis up the chart just yet.

© Wide receiver Kevin Marion was only signed by the Steelers after Dorian Bryant failed his physical with the team, but the little man from Wake Forest doesn’t look bad out there.

The 5-10, 168-pound speedster catches everything thrown his way and hasn’t looked like a guy who is technically the last player on the roster.

Just goes to show you that all some guys need is a chance.

Random thoughts

I talked at length to running back Mewelde Moore this week at OTAs and came away impressed with the young man.

While many free agent running backs the Steelers have signed in the past come in looking to carry the ball as much as possible or even win a starting job, Moore – who was signed away from Minnesota – seems to be more than happy to fill his niche with the Steelers.

What will that niche be?

Returning punts and possibly kickoffs and being the third-down back.

Those were both jobs Najeh Davenport filled in the past.

© Gary Russell, another young back the team has, looks awfully good running with the ball. His cuts are sharp and he has a nice burst.

Russell saw limited playing time as a rookie in 2007, but the team liked him enough that it didn't dare try to put him on the practice squad.

With the addition of Moore and first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers have a very crowded backfield.

© A national writer took the Steelers to task recently after Mendenhall suffered a strained hamstring during mini-camp, citing that and 2007 No. 1 pick Lawrence Timmons' groin injury as evidence that the Steelers are pushing their young players too hard in these drills.

Maybe he should take a look at Cleveland instead.

Cornerback Daven Holly blew his knee out in the Browns' workouts, adding just another injury to a long list of them that have happened to Cleveland players in that team's workouts.

And after trading Leigh Bodden in the deal to get Shaun Rogers from Detroit, cornerback was one spot the Browns couldn't afford to lose anyone.

Cleveland's run defense may be better this season, but the pass defense promises to be awful.

OTAs reconvene

The Steelers got back together Tuesday for what will be the bulk of their OTAs with most of the team on the practice field. Left tackle Marvel Smith, wide receivers Nate Washington and Santonio Holmes, and strong safety Troy Polamalu – who will miss all of the sessions while working out in Calfornia – were notable exceptions.

Washington, in particular, may not want to miss too much action. Second-year pro Dallas Baker continued right where he left off in mini-camp and was catching everything in sight.

Baker, a seventh-round pick last season who spent the year on the practice squad, looks like a player who's ready to contribute.

© Think the rookies' heads aren't swimming? Think again. Cornerback Travis Williams, an undrafted player, was checking the playlist tucked in his pants before every play, and even sometimes after the ball was snapped, getting a late jump off the line.

He made perhaps the defensive play of the session, however, breaking up a deep ball intended for Willie Reid. Reid, by the way, is firmly on the bubble with this team, especially since his return skills have proven to be less than what they should be.

© With Smith out, the Steelers looked at a lot of different offensive line combinations, using centers Sean Mahan, Darnell Stapleton and Justin Hartwig at guard, and tackles Willie Colon and Trai Essex at guard as well.

Max Starks saw plenty of action at left tackle.

© No. 1 pick Rashard Mendenhall was still out of action with the hamstring injury suffered in mini-camp, but second-year defensive end Ryan McBean had his cast off and was practicing lightly.

© I saw one player – I believe it was first-year wide receiver Matt Trannon, but it's tough to tell when they're in street clothes and I don't know all the faces yet – in the lunch room with a fresh cast on his hand, something that doesn't bode well for the youngster.

© Punter Daniel Sepulveda looks like his leg is even stronger than last year. He was consistently kicking the ball into the roof at the indoor practice facility, which is 100-feet high. And some of those balls were still rising when they hit.

OTAs start this week

The Steelers will begin their OTAs this week. Check back often to get the latest news and notes.

Spygate ended?

We learned earlier this week that after meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Matt Walsh had no new information on the Patriots' spying case.

That's actually not all that surprising. And it's not all that surprising that Steelers owner Dan Rooney is again saying this should put the issue to rest.

The NFL wants in the worst way for this to go away, The league knows that there were other teams involved in similar things over the years. Hence Goodell's memo to the league's teams saying that he wanted this stuff to stop – before the Patriots were caught.

With the money involved in this, don't expect a smoking gun to turn up. Too many people with far too much power and money have too much at stake for that to happen.

Not a good sign in Baltimore

According to Associated Press reports out of Baltimore Saturday, the Ravens' mini-camp was the site of a team brawl.

As per the report, nearly all 85 players in camp were involved in a squabble that began when offensive tackle Oniel Cousins and defensive tackle Amon Gordon threw punches after running back Allen Patrick was taken down hard on a burst up the middle. All the players surged toward the middle of the field, and it was nearly two minutes before peace was restored.

Later during practice, which was held indoors because of rain, defensive backs Corey Ivy and Frank Walker came to blows during a blocking drill.

It has a familiar ring to it for me.

Back in 2000, the Steelers were coming off a 6-10 season and had a similar locker room brawl in which linebackers Jason Gildon and Earl Holmes went after running back Richard Huntley for something that happened on the field.

The jawing continued into the locker room and the fight erupted, with reporters stuck in the middle. Luckily for me, I was not one of the guys stuck in the middle, but I was in the locker room at the time and it was not a pretty sight.

Baltimore is coming off a 5-11 season and many of the veterans, much like the ones in that Pittsburgh locker room, see themselves coming to the end of their careers.

And, in fact, by the time the Steelers were good again in 2001, Holmes and Huntley – two of the main combatants - were gone.

Thoughts on Kemoeatu

In talking with Chris Kemoeatu last weekend at mini-camp, I got the idea that he was feeling a little pressure.

Kemoeatu talked time and again about not wanting to let his teammates down as he attempts to replace All-Pro Alan Faneca at left guard.

Kemoeatu has talent. That's never been the question with him. It's his work ethic, not so much on the field, but off of it. He's never been one to hit the books very hard.

With the starting spot now in front of him, Kemoeatu seems to finally get it.

He talked about how the other veterans were counting on him and how he didn't want to let them down.

It's a start.

Mini-camp thoughts

The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their second mini-camp under head coach Mike Tomlin Sunday with hat day.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looked ridiculous dropping back to pass with his big, floppy sombrero, but not as ridiculous as placekicker Jeff Reed and long snapper Greg Warren, who were both running around with firemen’s hats on.

Roethlisberger was going for laughs – as was running back Najeh Davenport, who had a huge afro wig on. Reed and Warren undoubtedly thought they were being cool.

Of course, wide receiver Hines Ward wore a silly old-school football helmet all weekend, but he’s another matter altogether.

But the whole thing kind of showed how this team keeps things loose. Throughout every practice, they play little games with each other – ones that have been going on for years now – to keep everything a little light.

Talking to newcomer Justin Hartwig Sunday after his first camp with the team, he said the Steelers’ locker room was much different than any other he’s been in. Hartwig, who spent time with Tennessee and Carolina, said the outside view of the Steelers’ organization is one of class and respect all the way.

And things like Sunday are why this team doesn’t seem to flinch when it loses venerable leaders like Alan Faneca, as it did this offseason.

© It was particularly good to see Ryan Clark on the field running around again.

Had you seen Clark in the locker room last October, you would have wondered if he would make it through the week, not set foot on the football field again.

But Tomlin is still taking a wait-and-see approach. Until the hitting starts, we really won't know if Clark is back.

© Davenport was lining up at fullback some in this mini-camp and while that in itself is not all that uncommon, it’s become much more important for the veteran this year.

With the offseason additions of Mewelde Moore and Rashard Mendenhall, there aren’t many roster spots left for running backs behind Willie Parker and fullback Carey Davis.

Playing some fullback might be something that keeps Davenport on the active roster.

© Pity poor Ryan McBean.

Assistant head coach/defensive line coach John Mitchell usually has a promising rookie to beat up on in training camp every year, giving that youngster his undivided, and often caustic, attention.

We reporter types love to wander over to the defensive line workouts during training camp to listen to the Mitch-isms.

With no new draft picks on the line this year, McBean will again be Mitchell’s whipping boy – once he recovers from his lingering foot injury.

Steelers add WR

The Dorian Bryant mystery is over.

The Purdue WR/return man failed his physical with the Steelers, which is why he was in town Thursday, but not with the team Friday when mini-camp opened.

The Steelers signed Wake Forst wide receiver Kevin Marion to take his place on the roster.

The 5-foot-10 Marion caught 44 passes for 485 yards and one touchdown during his career at Wake Forest, making 18 catches for 192 yards as a senior in 2007.

Opening mini-camp thoughts

The first day of mini-camp is always tough because there are so many new players on the field, you actually need a roster handy to figure out who's who. By the time training camp rolls around, I've learned all the numbers, so it's not a problem.

But for now, I have to look at the roster before and after every play.

© Several vets were sitting out, Hines Ward, Aaron Smith and Troy Polamalu among them.

It's no big deal, as it gives some younger guys more reps.

© With Polamalu out, Tyrone Carter was at strong safety. Ryan Clark was at free safety. Clark, by the way, was wearing No. 21, as was new running back Mewelde Moore. I guess they'll have to wrestle to see who actually gets Ricardo Colclough's old uni.

© The starting offensive line was Marvel Smith at LT, Chris Kemoeatu at LG, Sean Mahan at C, Kendall Simmons at RG and Willie Colon at RT.

I spoke with Smith, who's coming off offseason back surgery, after practice and he said he feels better than he has in years.

The back had been hurting him for several years, but last year it got really bad, causing his right leg to go numb.

He's very excited about finally being able to play pain free.

© Rookie wide receiver Dorian Bryant, an undrafted free agent, is no longer on the roster.

Word is that he was in Pittsburgh Thursday night, but was a no-show for practice Friday. I don't know what's up with that, unless he changed his mind and signed with another team after he took a good look around.

© Quarterback Dennis Dixon, who wasn't supposed to be football ready yet, did take one snap with the offense Friday morning.

Looking at the URFAs

The Steelers picked up a couple of young defensive linemen as rookie free agents in Martavius Prince of Southern Mississippi and Jordan Reffett of Washington, but I wouldn't expect either to make a push to make this team as anything except as practice squad players.

My opinion may change once I see them practice - starting this weekend - but that's the feeling for now, as both went undrafted in what was considered a so-so defensive line draft.

Then again, they are just trying to beat out Nick Eason.

The two guys the Steelers did get as undrafted rookies who I like are wide receiver Micah Rucker of Southern Illinois and center Doug Legursky of Marshall.

Rucker is a 6-6 receiver with some speed who had an outstanding season at Southern Illinois last year. He caught two touchdowns working against Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie – a first-round draft pick – when those two squared off.

Legursky has good size and I felt he had a good chance to be drafted. But there isn't always a strong push to draft centers. He also may be able to play some guard.

That's a wrap

Let me just say this about the Steelers' draft, they had me right up until they took Dennis Dixon in the fifth round.

Rashard Mendenhall was a great value in the first round, as was Limas Sweed in the second.

Bruce Davis in the third round may have been a little higher than I had him rated, but he's a strong pass-rushing tweener end and that's the same round the Steelers have taken previous stars Joey Porter and Jason Gildon, so it fits – especially now that there are more teams running 3-4 defenses than before. Davis wouldn't have been there when the Steelers drafted in the fourth round.

If Tony Hills can play left tackle, he was well worth a fourth-round pick. He certainly has a better pedigree than Trai Essex, whom the Steelers selected in the third round a few years ago out of Northwestern.

Dixon is a bit of a mystery. He won't be ready to get back onto the football field for at least another month after suffering a torn ACL at the end of last season.

Considering he's fighting to be the team's third QB – which is basically a camp arm – the more time he misses, the worse off he'll be.

And there's a chance he may not even be ready until training camp. That's a lot of reps he'll miss between now and then.

He's a talent, to be sure, but it was a bit of a guilty indulgence.

Mike Humpall, the linebacker out of Iowa who was the first of the team's two sixth-round picks, is the new Clint Kriewaldt. A smart, instinctive player who was a tackling machine at Iowa, Humpall should be an excellent special teams player.

Ryan Mundy, the team's final pick, is another heady player, which is what the Steelers like in their free safeties.

In fact, Mundy is so smart, despite transferring into West Virginia for a fifth year under an NCAA rule that now no longer exists, Mundy was the guy who lined up the Mountaineers on defense last season.

He's also another player who should be a solid special teams player, as should Davis.

Yep, not a bad draft at all.

Where's the beef?

3:34 p.m. - Defensive line coach John Mitchell's head has to be spinning right about now as the Steelers have done nothing to address their defensive line in this draft.

With two picks left, one of them has to be a d-lineman.

The favorites right now are Wallace Gilberry from Alabama, Eric Foster from Rutgers or Keilan Dykes from WVU. But Foster and Dykes are NT-types and the Steelers' real need is at end.

A good day's work

There were plenty of happy faces around the offices of the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday.

And why not?

The team had just pulled off a pair of draft-day heists without giving anything up in selecting running back Rashard Mendenhall and wide receiver Limas Sweed with its first two picks in the NFL draft.

Think about an offense that gives Willie Parker the ball 15 to 20 times and Mendenhall another 10 or so touches?

Or how about one that now has the 6-4 Sweed to put on the field with Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Nate Washington and Heath Miller with Pro Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger distributing the ball?

Either way you look at it, it could be an explosive offense.

The Steelers came into the draft hoping to solidify their offensive and defensive lines. And to this point, they haven’t accomplished that.

It’s a priority heading into the second day.

By not taking an offensive tackle in the first two rounds Saturday, the Steelers may have uncharacteristically painted themselves into a corner for 2009, when Max Starks, Marvel Smith and Trai Essex are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.

And on the defensive line, the same cast of characters returns for 2008 that was here in 2007. That’s not necessarily a good thing considering what happened after Aaron Smith was lost in the second half to injury.

At this point, the team needs to either pick up some linemen, or at least add to its pass rush with a linebacker. They make look for some corner help for depth.

Here’s who the Steelers could be looking at going forward to fill those needs:

Round Three
Oniel Cousins, OT, UTEP; Red Bryant, DE, Texas A&M; Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton; Cliff Avril, LB; Purdue; Shawn Crable, OLB, Michigan; Marcus Howard, OLB, Georgia

Round Four
Bruce Davis, OLB, ULCA; Darrell Robertson, OLB, Georgia Tech; Bryn Smith, OLB, McNeese State; Breno Giacomini, OT; Louisville; Charles Godfrey, DB, Iowa; John Greco, OL, Kent

Round Five
King Dunlap, OT, Auburn; Eric Foster, DE, Rutgers; James Blair, OT, W. Michigan

Sixth Round
William Hayes, DE, Winston Salem State; Keilen Dykes, DL, West Virginia; Jamie Silva, S, Boston College

Draft day news

The Post-Gazette had Kentwan Balmer as the pick, but I've heard some on the coaching staff don't feel he's quick enough to play end in the 3-4.

With the Patriots taking Mayo, Cherlius is not back in play for the Steelers. Philadelphia and Houston will be key picks.

Baltimore didn't get as much as it should have for the eighth pick in the trade with Jacksonville, but it put the Ravens in a position to take a young QB without having to trade up from the second round.

It's look like Cherlius is going to fall to the Steelers, but it's still dicey. Houston will likely take a lineman, as could Philadelphia and/or Arizona.

Wow. Lots of trades today. Rashard Mendenhall and Michael Jenkins are falling. One of them should be available for the Steelers and would be solid picks.

It looks like Mendenhall is the pick. Wow. Never would have seen that coming until about 4 p.m. today when all the trades started.

Look for the Steelers to target offensive line or defensive line in the second. Targets include Kendall Langford and Dre Moore on the D-line and Chilo Rachal and ONeal Cousins.

The Steelers also like Calais Campbell, even though he's coming off a poor senior season at Miami.