The Steelers made their first wave of cuts and a few are a bit surprising me. The initial list consist of LB Ryan Baker, DT Mike Blanc, WR Paul Cox, CB Andre Freeman, K Daniel Hrapmann, LS Matt Katula, CB Walter McFadden, TE Justin Peelle, S Myron Rolle, WR Juamorris Stewart, DT Kade Weston, WR Jimmy Young and the surprising cuts LB Mortty Ivy and OL Kyle Jolly.
I figured Ivy and Jolly had a great chance to make the roster due to their experience with the Steelers and the lack of depth at their positions. But in "the Steelers we trust."
Monday, August 27, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Run Game
Numerous times I have seen articles, news feed and videos about how the Steelers run game is a huge question mark. The Steelers have no real run threat and their so called "run game" has been obsolete in the preseason.
Really?
I'm so sick of hearing how bad our run game is and how we should be extremely worried about it. People have to realize its the preseason. Nothing more. Once the regular season kicks off it becomes a whole new ball game. Seriously lets look at this logically.
First, the Steelers have not started the same line in any preseason game. They have alternated starters and backups and are constantly moving people from position to position. As long as the coaches are unsure about who is going to start where, there will be inconsistencies. Its nothing new that offensive line cohesiveness is key for a good running game.
Second, the team has had the same shuffling when it comes to the backs. We have seen Redman and Dwyer start. Rainey has taken his fair share of snaps and even new comer Jason Ford has been given the load late in games. The coaches and players are still trying to fill their roles for the upcoming season.
Finally, we are still learning a new playbook. While the team works out the kinks the most detailed part of the game plan will suffer, the run game. When it comes to pass blocking its usually pretty simple; cover your gap, hit the guy your suppose to and sumo wrestle with them to the death. With the run game there are stunts, pulls, down blocks and you depend on more than the line to block; the tight ends and receivers need to be just as prepared.
Relax people. The run game will be just fine. Its just the preseason so don't get caught up in the hype that is created by the media. After all, they are just trying to sell newspapers and get traffic to their websites and shows.
Really?
I'm so sick of hearing how bad our run game is and how we should be extremely worried about it. People have to realize its the preseason. Nothing more. Once the regular season kicks off it becomes a whole new ball game. Seriously lets look at this logically.
First, the Steelers have not started the same line in any preseason game. They have alternated starters and backups and are constantly moving people from position to position. As long as the coaches are unsure about who is going to start where, there will be inconsistencies. Its nothing new that offensive line cohesiveness is key for a good running game.
Second, the team has had the same shuffling when it comes to the backs. We have seen Redman and Dwyer start. Rainey has taken his fair share of snaps and even new comer Jason Ford has been given the load late in games. The coaches and players are still trying to fill their roles for the upcoming season.
Finally, we are still learning a new playbook. While the team works out the kinks the most detailed part of the game plan will suffer, the run game. When it comes to pass blocking its usually pretty simple; cover your gap, hit the guy your suppose to and sumo wrestle with them to the death. With the run game there are stunts, pulls, down blocks and you depend on more than the line to block; the tight ends and receivers need to be just as prepared.
Relax people. The run game will be just fine. Its just the preseason so don't get caught up in the hype that is created by the media. After all, they are just trying to sell newspapers and get traffic to their websites and shows.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Steelers Game
So, I went to the Steelers game yesterday night in the Steel City versus the Indianapolis Colts. It was not only amazing because it was a home Steelers game, but it was also a chance to finally see some of these young players jocking for a spot.
Lets start with the game itself. If you think no one cares about preseason football, you've obviously never been to Pittsburgh. The place was electric. It wasn't as loud and rowdy as a regular season game and it was so amazing to see the support for the young guys from SteelerNation.
Player wise there were a few guys that really opened my eyes.
Jason Ford, RB, Illinois
8 carries 42 yards
Ford was extremely impressive when he carried the ball. He hit holes well and was extremely hard to bring down. He has stiff competition though with Jonathan Dwyer having an impressive game as well and Mendenhall and Redman already with roster spots.
David Gilreath, WR, Wisconsin
4 catches 78 yards
He caught everything. He had four passes thrown his direction and he caught every one of them. He ran crisp routes and seemed to get separation when he needed it. The most impressive part was he did it not only against backups but starters as well. Four roster spots are already taken (Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, Wallace) that leaves at least two spots up for grabs and he has a chance at one.
Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M
4 of 5 65 yards; 3 carries 11 yards
With four quarterbacks on roster and only three going into the season, Johnson really needed to impress the coaches more than the other two. He looked extremely poised in the pocket, has a great arm and made great decisions when under pressure. He's another Dennis Dixon, but much better.
We all know that usually 49 roster spots are guaranteed, its the last four or five spots that are up for grabs. The first cut is just over a week away and these guys will have only one more preseason game before that cut.
Lets start with the game itself. If you think no one cares about preseason football, you've obviously never been to Pittsburgh. The place was electric. It wasn't as loud and rowdy as a regular season game and it was so amazing to see the support for the young guys from SteelerNation.
Player wise there were a few guys that really opened my eyes.
Jason Ford, RB, Illinois
8 carries 42 yards
Ford was extremely impressive when he carried the ball. He hit holes well and was extremely hard to bring down. He has stiff competition though with Jonathan Dwyer having an impressive game as well and Mendenhall and Redman already with roster spots.
David Gilreath, WR, Wisconsin
4 catches 78 yards
He caught everything. He had four passes thrown his direction and he caught every one of them. He ran crisp routes and seemed to get separation when he needed it. The most impressive part was he did it not only against backups but starters as well. Four roster spots are already taken (Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, Wallace) that leaves at least two spots up for grabs and he has a chance at one.
Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M
4 of 5 65 yards; 3 carries 11 yards
With four quarterbacks on roster and only three going into the season, Johnson really needed to impress the coaches more than the other two. He looked extremely poised in the pocket, has a great arm and made great decisions when under pressure. He's another Dennis Dixon, but much better.
We all know that usually 49 roster spots are guaranteed, its the last four or five spots that are up for grabs. The first cut is just over a week away and these guys will have only one more preseason game before that cut.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Roster Moves
The Steelers announced today that Max Starks has been removed from the PUP, physically unable to perform, list. Max has spent nine seasons with the Steelers starting 80 of the 107 games he has played in, including Super Bowl XLIII.
The Steelers also announced the signing and waiving of running backs.
John Clay, the former undrafted back from Wisconsin, was put on the waived/injured list. Clay has only amassed 10 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown in his two years in Pittsburgh.
In Clay's place the Steelers signed rookie running back, Jason Ford. Ford, originally signed by the Texans, carried 432 times for 1932 yards and 26 touchdowns in four seasons with the Fighting Illini of Illinois. He's a big body standing 5'10 235 lbs who is best suited for the fullback position.
Ford will wear no. 21.
The Steelers also announced the signing and waiving of running backs.John Clay, the former undrafted back from Wisconsin, was put on the waived/injured list. Clay has only amassed 10 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown in his two years in Pittsburgh.
In Clay's place the Steelers signed rookie running back, Jason Ford. Ford, originally signed by the Texans, carried 432 times for 1932 yards and 26 touchdowns in four seasons with the Fighting Illini of Illinois. He's a big body standing 5'10 235 lbs who is best suited for the fullback position.
Ford will wear no. 21.
TE Roster Moves
David Johnson, aka DJ, tore his ACL and MCL in the Thursday night preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. In order to keep from paying his entire salary for the 2012 season, the Steelers waived/injured list. With an open roster spot the Steelers signed veteran tight end Justin Peelle.
Peelle was drafted in 2002 by the Chargers in the fourth round, 133rd overall out of Oregon. Since coming into the league he has played for four teams; San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers. Over his ten year career he has caught 123 passes for 1,003 yards and nine touchdowns.
Peelle will join Jamie McCoy, Health Miller, David Paulson, Leonard Pope and Weslye Saunders on the Steelers roster. He will wear no. 47.
Peelle will join Jamie McCoy, Health Miller, David Paulson, Leonard Pope and Weslye Saunders on the Steelers roster. He will wear no. 47.
Friday, August 10, 2012
HOF Trip
Since becoming an adult every time a Steeler gets into the Hall of Fame, I pile into my car and trek the two hours to Canton to see those men get immortalized forever. This year was even more special because of the two Steelers going in. Steeler fans finally got to see the long awaited arrival of 90's icon, Dermontti Dawson, and an even longer wait for the legend, Jack Butler.I'm not going to go into those details, because any Steeler fan with a TV most likely seen it. I was really excited about going into the hall and seeing the bust. Its such an awesome experience going into the circular room that holds the bust. It has such an ambiance and presence when you hit the doorway. I was so excited to see the bust of my all-time favorite player, Ernie Stautner. It was also really cool to see the bust of Rod Woodson, the first induction I went to.
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