Camp Rumblings

i like the talk about beachum that i'm hearing and he is already showing them some of his qualities at tackle where they were not going to use him at first. he may not be prototypical but he just keeps proving them wrong. what a nice pickup he was to add to the mix. it's nice to know he has a future and can be that extra guy if needed down the road. he's only going to get better.

i haven't heard anything bad about any of our backs so far. great competition and great depth at this position. all this bodes well for the team.

 

All these months and I still don't understand why Mendenhall is presumed out until December or "maybe for a playoff run" and the Adrian Peterson debate is whether he'll be back week 1 or week 2.

Good news about Dwyer, and especially Colon. I'm hearing nothing but great things about him so far. Wonder if he could make a run at the pro bowl?

 

I have always been a fan of a power run game with a bigger back and physical oline that punishes and wears down an opposing defense but even I have to say I like the things I have been reading about Rainey and the video we are seeing as well. A smaller fast RB could be such an asset in third down situation especially 3rd and mid-range yardage where it can be a passing down or a running down. The focus on the screens and running backs in the flats is going to help Ben tremendously if he buys into the program. Can you imagine the havoc it will play on the vaunted(sarcasm implied) Ravens defense to put a 3 wr set on the field with Miller and Rainy as well either with Miller on the line and Rainey as the single back or as side cars to Ben in the shotgun. Who do they get to cover Rainey? they don't have a fast enough LB on their team to cover this guy in open space and if they do bring a corner or safety up to account for him that leaves Miller in single coverage on a LB or single coverage with no over the top help for one of the wide-outs. It just opens up lots of possibilities.

 

AP is pushing to be back wk 1 and the Vikings are pushing as well because he is their only chance of staying competitive this season. Toby Gerhart is a punishing runner much in the frame of Bettis unfortunately the VIkings offense is geared more towards AP's style than the 3 yards and a cloud of dust that Toby brings. Add to that the fact that they cut much of their veteran leadership, they lost one of the best blocking TE in the game to retirement, Harvin is wanting off the team, the jury is still out on Ponder, and the will have as many new starter on the offensive line as the Steelers will, they need their biggest weapon back from the start, especially in that tough division. The Steelers by contrast have enough weapons and stability to allow Mendenhall the time to properly heal and ease him back into it and not rush his rehab and put him into a situation like the VIkings are doing with Peterson where he could reinjure himself and be out longer.

 

I am not ready to read much into Dwyer's shape/condition. The comments have not been particularly glowing, just not scathing. Tomlin: "He's better than he's been." CBS: "is in the best shape the coaches have ever seen him". Considering he has shown up in poor shape before, he could still be in mediocre shape and these comments would still hold true.

 

I wish Haley and Ben would have been photographed playing golf together a few months ago so everyone that was saying they hated each other would have shut up. That's good to hear about Dwyer though, I want to see him on the field.

 

Also, keep your eyes on OLB Adrian Robinson from Temple and FB Will Johnson from West Virginia, both are undrafted free agents. Both of these guys are turning heads in camp so far. Coach Butler was pretty high on Robinson after OTA's. I saw some good things when I was there on Friday. By the way, man does Chris Rainey have some amazing feet!

 

These rumblings are Jason La canfora's notes from Sunday as he spent the day @ training camp.... http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/1968 ... h-steelers

and he also tweeted this about Dwyer...

Jason La Canfora ?@JasonLaCanfora: I really keep hearing Dwyer is the kid to watch in the RB competition. Filed full Steelers report for @CBSSports.com. see ya on the Turnpike 3:11 PM - 29 Jul 12 via Twitter for Android

 

Interesting, and it certainly seems logical and possible. But at the end of the day what you're saying is that Minnesota, the doctors, and Adrian are all willing to put him out there at less than 100%, possibly months away from 100%. I'm not sure I believe that. They want to win, but even they know that putting him out there before he's healed will cost them even more than holding him out a bit longer.

The best explanation I can come up with is that Colbert said in his opinion it takes a year to heal fully. So people just said, "Okay, Mendenhall will be a year." Peterson said he wants back by the opener, and people accepted that. Mendenhall said don't count him out for the opener, and it fell on deaf ears. I'm not predicting he'll be back week 1, but frankly I'd be surprised if he was out until December or even November. And I wouldn't be surprised if he is not put on the PUP list and instead is only deactivated for the first couple games so that he doesn't have to miss 6.

 

Man, that is what I want to hear! I know he'll be a stud out of the backfield (for a fullback), but his blocking is a huge question mark. I heard good things about him in the backs on backers though. I hope he keeps it up.

 

I am really looking forward to some power running. All about balance of course, but I'm glad Redman is our solid backup. I don't think we'll miss a beat w/Mendenhall out.

Funny thing is, I think Haley will fit in better here than he has anywhere before due in large part that he's a homer.

He understands Steeler football. But he also knows the weapon he has in Big Ben since he faced him in the SB.

 

Dwyer should fit in with Haley's running attack...Dwyer and the triple option at Georgia Tech was a good match.

 

"You can't force that relationship," Haley said. "What I've always told my quarterbacks is, I go by what I see, not what I hear," Haley said. "And I'd expect them to do the same thing."

Well if Ben goes by that then what he is going to conclude is Haley is an A-hole. Ben is a 2-time SB champion. Haley should be saying Ben is a great talent and he is excited to be working with him. Not some baloney you would say about a marginal QB where you are trying to decide whether or not he should be starting.

 

Message to Haley...You may have told your quarterbacks...you go by what you see and not by what you hear...and you may expect this or expect that...but you will see and hear what coach Mike Tomlin expects to see...or you may go in short order...surely Haley respects the six rings...and the fact that Ben has two...like TerribleTowelFlying say's...results man,results... want the seventh ring.

 

i saw a tweet from todays camp and he said he's 258lbs. will johnson that is. i like it.

 

Awesome. I don't remember what I thought he was, but I think in my head he was around 240 or so. He absolutely has the size and it sounds like he's strong enough from reports. He still has a month and a half to hone that technique...

After looking it up, it says at his pro day he was 6'2", 242 lbs., with 30 bench reps and a sub-4.5 40 yard dash. If accurate, those are very, very impressive numbers. So if that tweet you saw is true then he's gained 16 pounds. If it's all muscle, he could still be sub-4.6, which would still be amazing for someone his size and position. I think David's days are numbered. Even if you forget my personal vendetta with the guy, no one can ignore that David offers zero as a runner, receiver, and special teamer, and Will can do all those things, possibly very well.

 

definately good stuff. i'm very anxious to see it on the field.

 

I think there's even a couple other interviews where he says he's excited about Ben. I couldn't really care what they are reported to have said or not said. I just want to see results on the field. The press just loves to try to make drama where there isn't any.[/quote:ypcmrlyl]

Thanks for the perspective. I just get concerned that we take a step backward this year because of the intangibles. We have the potential to be a top Offense this year but I am not sure what the best approach to get there is with this unit and especially with Ben who is thin skinned. Haley has a very tough job to get the group to buy into a more disciplined approach to improve our redzone efficiency without killing our ability to improvise and make the big play.

 

Thanks for the perspective. I just get concerned that we take a step backward this year because of the intangibles. We have the potential to be a top Offense this year but I am not sure what the best approach to get there is with this unit and especially with Ben who is thin skinned.

.[/quote:5yqkf0u7]


i don't think his job is that tough with this team. the steelers are a hard working team that stays pretty grounded at all times. there are not the me players around here like other places. it's a close knit franchise. with talent to spare. haley walked into a very good situation here. his toughest job is taking superbowl winning capability and adding to it. the mentality is there. the disipline is there. the talent is there. his test will be not to mess it up.

 

I think mechanics are very important. Ben has so much talent improvising and I don't know if he has been properly developed. I actually think they have had a "hands off" approach with some of the mechanics that other teams would have worked out day 1.

I believe Coach Haley will provide an intellectual level to our improvisation offense and help us beat teams 3-ways. 2-minute/no huddle like a machine - very heady plays. Improvisation offense with a solid line (hopefully) and if so, then running the ball.

We have to give them the benefit of the doubt. There could be growing pains early on but if we can become more precise with the ball with quick decisions, then the defense has to handle that. Then, you scramble, remove the timed plays and play back yard ball and you can catch them in transition and burn them.

I'm excited about seeing the product hit the field. Wish Mike W would be willing to put the team first and honor the contract.

 

if the line improves (which i don't think there's any question it will) alot of the backyard ball goes out the window. ben will stay there and throw the ball. the run will give us another element to the offense. the ability to set up a short passing game that has not been here for a long time. it all starts with those strong, quick, mobile,smart guys we now have upfront. there will not be jailbreaks coming at ben from every different lineman on any given play. there will not be anymore 40-50 sack years and ben won't have to leave that pocket unless he has to. that should be rarely. it won't stop him from extending the play from time to time. that has been this offenses trouble. i don't think people realize yet how that brought a very talented team down.

 

If the line plays so good that it keeps pressure from Ben, you can be sure there will be designed plays intended to get him out of the pocket which is his strength. A combination of quick, accurate throws with out of the pocket plays down the field has to put a lot more pressure on the defense of whoever we're playing.