Captcoolhand
09-05-2008, 09:24 AM
PITTSBURGH — More and more, it looks like the only rookie draft choice who’ll play for the Steelers on Sunday is running back Rashard Mendenhall, the No. 1 pick. There’s a good chance that wide receiver Limas Sweed won’t even be in uniform.
Sweed, taken in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft, has struggled making the transition from college to the pro game.
In all likelihood, it will be Dallas Baker who dresses as the No. 4 wide receiver for the regular-season opener.
Baker, nicknamed “The Touchdown Maker” when he played at the University of Florida, was a seventh-round pick last year and spent the season on the Steelers’ practice squad.
“He’s been productive,” coach Mike Tomlin said of Baker. “Look at his production last preseason. It was next to nothing. (This year) he caught balls, critical balls, caught a variety of balls … and made significant plays.”
Sweed, who played at Texas, stands 6-foot-4 and was drafted to give quarterback Ben Roethlisberger the tall wideout he wanted. But Sweed needs a lot of improvement.
Baker needs more improvement, too. But at least he’s improved enough to win a roster spot this year.
“It’s a dream come true,” Baker said of making the team. “But I can’t stop now. I want to do whatever I can to help this team win.”
McHUGH WON’T PLAY
Sean McHugh, the H-back signed by the Steelers on Wednesday, won’t play Sunday.
The ex-Penn State fullback has a sore ankle. But he also doesn’t have enough time to learn his new playbook.
“He could probably fight through (the injury) it if he was capable of playing this weekend,” Tomlin said. “But he is not going to be able to play from an assignment standpoint, so we will exercise a little caution.
“We’ll let him be all eyes and ears and let him take in some of our football and some of our verbiage and we will get started with him fresh next week.”
SPECIAL CEREMONY
Before Sunday’s game, there may be a few Steelers fans shedding a tear in their Terrible Towels.
That’s because three members of the Steelers' family who died this year will be honored during a pre-game ceremony.
The Steelers will honor former defensive linemen Ernie Holmes and Dwight White, and former broadcaster Myron Cope.
The Steelers are asking fans to arrive early so they can see the ceremony. Kickoff at Heinz Field is 1 p.m.
Holmes and White made up one-half of the famed “Steel Curtain” defensive line from the 1970s.
Cope was the Steelers’ radio analyst for 35 years (1970-2004). He’s also the man who invented of the Terrible Towel.I knew going in that it was going to take time for Sweed to adjust, but I just wish he would have surprised and came along a bit faster...:2cents:
That's ok though because Baker has proven to be able to hold his own so lets just hope for the best. :cope:
Sweed, taken in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft, has struggled making the transition from college to the pro game.
In all likelihood, it will be Dallas Baker who dresses as the No. 4 wide receiver for the regular-season opener.
Baker, nicknamed “The Touchdown Maker” when he played at the University of Florida, was a seventh-round pick last year and spent the season on the Steelers’ practice squad.
“He’s been productive,” coach Mike Tomlin said of Baker. “Look at his production last preseason. It was next to nothing. (This year) he caught balls, critical balls, caught a variety of balls … and made significant plays.”
Sweed, who played at Texas, stands 6-foot-4 and was drafted to give quarterback Ben Roethlisberger the tall wideout he wanted. But Sweed needs a lot of improvement.
Baker needs more improvement, too. But at least he’s improved enough to win a roster spot this year.
“It’s a dream come true,” Baker said of making the team. “But I can’t stop now. I want to do whatever I can to help this team win.”
McHUGH WON’T PLAY
Sean McHugh, the H-back signed by the Steelers on Wednesday, won’t play Sunday.
The ex-Penn State fullback has a sore ankle. But he also doesn’t have enough time to learn his new playbook.
“He could probably fight through (the injury) it if he was capable of playing this weekend,” Tomlin said. “But he is not going to be able to play from an assignment standpoint, so we will exercise a little caution.
“We’ll let him be all eyes and ears and let him take in some of our football and some of our verbiage and we will get started with him fresh next week.”
SPECIAL CEREMONY
Before Sunday’s game, there may be a few Steelers fans shedding a tear in their Terrible Towels.
That’s because three members of the Steelers' family who died this year will be honored during a pre-game ceremony.
The Steelers will honor former defensive linemen Ernie Holmes and Dwight White, and former broadcaster Myron Cope.
The Steelers are asking fans to arrive early so they can see the ceremony. Kickoff at Heinz Field is 1 p.m.
Holmes and White made up one-half of the famed “Steel Curtain” defensive line from the 1970s.
Cope was the Steelers’ radio analyst for 35 years (1970-2004). He’s also the man who invented of the Terrible Towel.I knew going in that it was going to take time for Sweed to adjust, but I just wish he would have surprised and came along a bit faster...:2cents:
That's ok though because Baker has proven to be able to hold his own so lets just hope for the best. :cope: