BlitzburghRockCity
08-14-2006, 09:05 AM
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06226/713405-66.stm
Free safety Anthony Smith -- Someone forgot to tell the rookie he's not involved in competition to win the starting job at free safety. Although duly noted to be one of the good young players in training camp by none other than Bill Cowher, Smith made his own statement Saturday by intercepting two passes. Keep it up and Ryan Clark and Tyrone Carter might find a third party for the job.
Punter Mike Barr -- He had a good day punting. His three punts averaged 49 yards and two of them were placed nicely near the sideline. Veteran Chris Gardocki sent his lone punt 59 yards, but it was returned 28 yards. There's a sentiment this might be Barr's time in his third training camp, especially with Gardocki, 36, set to make more than $1 million. "We'll continue to look at that," Cowher said of Barr's punting, "but Chris is still a very solid, reliable punter."
Inside linebacker Richard Seigler -- Seigler did not emerge from nowhere to record the Steelers' only sack Saturday and tie for the team lead with four solo tackles. He does have a Super Bowl ring, earned after the Steelers signed him to the practice squad Nov. 9. He was San Francisco's fourth-round draft pick in 2004 from Oregon State, where he was a two-time team captain. At 6 feet 2, 238 pounds, Seigler is a threat to take a roster spot from Rian Wallace, a fifth-round pick in 2005.
Defensive end Brett Keisel -- Keisel is not competing for Kimo von Oelhoffen's old job on the right side. It's his, and he did not wait long to show why. On Arizona's first play from scrimmage, quarterback Kurt Warner handed off to the Cardinals' new bauble, halfback Edgerrin James. Keisel burst through the right side and was there to spill James for a 2-yard loss. On Arizona's second play, Warner scrambled to his left and seemed to have open space before Keisel broke free and tackled him after a 5-yard gain.
Wide receiver Quincy Morgan -- Morgan made a few big catches last season and good kickoff returns, but he has to make that reception near the sideline on second-and-5, a pass from Ben Roethlisberger that went through his hands.
Wide receivers Willie Reid and Nate Washington -- Reid, a rookie, earned the first chance to return punts over fellow rookie Santonio Holmes. It's unlikely that is an indication that Reid will win the job because Holmes likely will get his chance Saturday against the Vikings. Washington did not catch a pass, yet he did run the end-around like a budding Antwaan Randle El, picking up 10 yards on the first series.
Defensive end Rodney Bailey -- Bailey, and not second-year player Shaun Nua, lined up at right defensive end with the second team. That may mean little, but Nua was considered the hot prospect and early leader to win Keisel's old job as the backup right end entering training camp.
Free safety Anthony Smith -- Someone forgot to tell the rookie he's not involved in competition to win the starting job at free safety. Although duly noted to be one of the good young players in training camp by none other than Bill Cowher, Smith made his own statement Saturday by intercepting two passes. Keep it up and Ryan Clark and Tyrone Carter might find a third party for the job.
Punter Mike Barr -- He had a good day punting. His three punts averaged 49 yards and two of them were placed nicely near the sideline. Veteran Chris Gardocki sent his lone punt 59 yards, but it was returned 28 yards. There's a sentiment this might be Barr's time in his third training camp, especially with Gardocki, 36, set to make more than $1 million. "We'll continue to look at that," Cowher said of Barr's punting, "but Chris is still a very solid, reliable punter."
Inside linebacker Richard Seigler -- Seigler did not emerge from nowhere to record the Steelers' only sack Saturday and tie for the team lead with four solo tackles. He does have a Super Bowl ring, earned after the Steelers signed him to the practice squad Nov. 9. He was San Francisco's fourth-round draft pick in 2004 from Oregon State, where he was a two-time team captain. At 6 feet 2, 238 pounds, Seigler is a threat to take a roster spot from Rian Wallace, a fifth-round pick in 2005.
Defensive end Brett Keisel -- Keisel is not competing for Kimo von Oelhoffen's old job on the right side. It's his, and he did not wait long to show why. On Arizona's first play from scrimmage, quarterback Kurt Warner handed off to the Cardinals' new bauble, halfback Edgerrin James. Keisel burst through the right side and was there to spill James for a 2-yard loss. On Arizona's second play, Warner scrambled to his left and seemed to have open space before Keisel broke free and tackled him after a 5-yard gain.
Wide receiver Quincy Morgan -- Morgan made a few big catches last season and good kickoff returns, but he has to make that reception near the sideline on second-and-5, a pass from Ben Roethlisberger that went through his hands.
Wide receivers Willie Reid and Nate Washington -- Reid, a rookie, earned the first chance to return punts over fellow rookie Santonio Holmes. It's unlikely that is an indication that Reid will win the job because Holmes likely will get his chance Saturday against the Vikings. Washington did not catch a pass, yet he did run the end-around like a budding Antwaan Randle El, picking up 10 yards on the first series.
Defensive end Rodney Bailey -- Bailey, and not second-year player Shaun Nua, lined up at right defensive end with the second team. That may mean little, but Nua was considered the hot prospect and early leader to win Keisel's old job as the backup right end entering training camp.