Huddle up!
Mandatory Credit: Vincent Pugliese-USA TODAY Sports
We’re just about done with the first full week of training camp and are headed into Hall of Fame Weekend. Here’s what’s being said about your Pittsburgh Steelers around the football world.
Ramon Foster mentors Mike Golic Jr.
Nfl.com is doing a web series featuring three rookies’ experiences in their first NFL training camp while being mentored by veterans on their team. The series is sponsored by Gillette deodorant so; I guess that means they’ll all smell good. The series will look at Giovani Bernard, RB in Cincinnati, who is being mentored by BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Bernard was the first back taken in the 2013 draft. Kayvon Webster, CB for Denver will be mentored by Champ Bailey, and Mike Golic Jr. OG will be mentored by Ramon Foster. This is going to be a weekly series checking in on each of the rookies’ progress as they each try to earn a roster spot. I would have assumed that Mike Golic Jr. would be getting some kind of publicity on the team. While he went undrafted, his famous ESPN host dad gives him a certain degree of notoriety as well as a little more scrutiny. Should be an interesting series, depending on how it’s presented. Not many fans get to see what camp is like for an undrafted rookie free agent, or someone from the middle of the draft for that matter. I’ll look forward to watching the other parts of the series when they come out.
Tomlin’s thoughts on Day 5 of camp
Tomlin spoke to the media after Thursday’s practice and just like all training camps, and the regular season, injuries are always the hottest topic of discussion. For the most part, the Steelers have been relatively lucky in that there haven’t been any starters that have suffered significant injuries. Rookie guard Nik Embernate unfortunately, has suffered a significant knee injury and is still being evaluated. When questioned about if Tomlin was impressed with Mike Adams’ contributions to camp so far in light of him being nine weeks removed from a stabbing to the abdomen Tomlin responded,
"“I’m not going to ever describe Mike Adams’ performance in light of what happened. When doctors told me he had a clean health and medical clearance…that is in our rearview mirror. I’m not going to judge him on a curve in regards to what happened. He is here to play football, earn a job and be a positive contributor to our efforts. He gets no extra credit for that.”"
Steelers standards
Andy Benoit of SI.com is reviewing each team in the NFL based on their current roster, draft picks, history, and 2013 season out-look. With regards to the Steelers he says the outlook depends on the veterans and their contributions. While the Steelers defense is continued to be thought of as “old” Benoit points out that except for Ryan Clark, each of the defensive starters were originally drafted (or signed) by the Steelers and spent their rookie seasons backing up an existing veteran. With regards to the offense, Benoit shares the obvious conclusion that last years’ offense, while successful at times, was widely inconsistent and majorly contributed to the disappointing 8-8 record. I hope, along with the rest of Steeler Nation, that the offense plays more consistently and effectively this season without the distractions of Mike Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall, and the constant “Are Ben and Todd Haley getting along?” nonsense.
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