Steelers Morning Huddle 5/30/13
By Lori Paddock
Dec 23, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of the game at Heinz Field. The Bengals won the game, 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Good morning Steelers fans. Here is the roundup of news about the Steelers from around the internet. Today is the last day of this second Organized Training Activity (OTA). I hope the Steelers are learning a lot about their players and starting to adapt the play book because of it. I am sure nothing will be firm until August, but at least we are under the 100-day mark until the start of the season.
Sean Spence was at the OTA’s this week and gave an interview which is posted on Steelers.com. Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, posted an article on LB Sean Spence’s status. Spence remains committed to return to the NFL and play for the Steelers and the Steelers are standing behind him. Mark Karboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review also posted a piece about Spence. Karboly talked to an orthopedic surgeon about the type of damage to Spence’s knee who said that the damage is extensive and the odds are against his return. It would be a heck of a story, wouldn’t it? You can’t help but root for a guy who appears to be working so hard and has such a good attitude. That’s what Yinzers like – hard work and effort! You can check out what Nice Pick Cowher’s staff writer Dom DiTolla had to say about Spence.
- David DeCastro sees similarities in the Steelers zone block system to his time at Stanford
- Emmanuel Sanders describes Todd Haley as someone who wants everyone on the same page, not a control freak.
- Next week’s practice will be 4 days compared to the 3 days in this week and last week
- William Gay thinks the defense hasn’t changed since his previous Steeler days
- Ryan Clark had good things to say about Cortez Allen
Teresa Varley, of Steelers.com, details LaMarr Woodley’s latest charity effort, his foundation’s inaugural “Impact Pittsburgh” gala which benefited P.A.C.T. which stands for Prevent Another Crime Today. She quotes Woodley:
"It’s a small organization that hasn’t gotten enough recognition,” said Woodley. “I have had the opportunity to meet mothers who have lost young sons due to violence. That is something that is going on everywhere. That is one of the highlights of the night, helping these people.”"
Woodley has been very active is charity efforts around Pittsburgh as well as around his hometown area and I commend him for it. I know many fans are critical of his on-the-field contributions lately, but I think everyone can agree that Woodley is a positive role model off the field.
Steelers.com also posted another player interview, this time for Jerrico Cotchery. He was asked about Markus Wheaton missing these training activities and how touch it must be. Cotchery agreed it is tough to miss the camps but said “We’ll be able to catch him up.” Sounds like Cotchery is willing to step into the veteran mentorship role.
NFL.com’s Aditi Kinkhabwala was in Pittsburgh and interviewed some of the players. She put together a piece after that begins very dramatically:
"Somewhere between that ugly December day in Dallas and Tuesday morning, Ben Roethlisberger decided he liked the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ offense. The skepticism is gone, the sometimes-churlish remove has left and the Steelers, in their second week of organized team activities, can definitely sense it.”"
While her article doesn’t have anything new or startling in it, there is one thing that is different. The quotes from the players are all upbeat. It’s not just saying the football cliches (think Bull Durham) because it is what they are supposed to say. I think the players are starting to come together as a group and work for each other. After two weeks of OTAs I have to say that I am cautiously optimistic that the vibe in the locker room is positive.
Jamison Hensley, who does the AFC North blog for ESPN.com, circles back to Roethlisberger’s discussion about last year’s rookie quarterbacks. I heard some commentary (on ESPN’s Around the Horn) that because of Roethlisberger’s off-the-field problems he forfeited the right to speak out like that. Other commentary said that it was precisely because of his off-the-field issues (i.e. his motorcycle accident) that he has gained the right. Hensley comes in on the side that Roethlisberger is an under-appreciated quarterback and his comments make sense. He felt Roethlisberger is ranked too low in the NFL Network’s Top 100. I agree with Hensley and while I know you can’t completely separate the on-the-field and the off-the-field activities, I do believe he is underrated because of his off-the-field issues. I’m not a fan of his behavior, but I do think he is an underrated quarterback and always has been.
Well, that’s it for today. Let me know what I got right, what I missed and what I got wrong!