DIESELMAN
06-06-2007, 10:04 AM
It was Sean Mahan’s turn to climb into the center of action
Tuesday as the Pittsburgh Steelers continued their OTAs here at the South Side practice facility.
http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/40/408934.jpg
Mahan, the Steelers’ biggest offseason free agent acquisition,
not only lined up with the first team at the center position, he did
so with the second team as well as the team continues its search to
figure out who will replace retired Pro Bowler Jeff Hartings.
“Right now is the time the coaching staff is just looking at all
kind of combinations out there trying to figure out who can play and
who is versatile,” said Mahan, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “No
positions are won or lost right now. That won’t happen until we put
the pads on.”
But Mahan wasn’t signed to a 5-year, $17-million contract to be a
backup. And Tuesday was a big step for him as the team closes in on
wrapping up its optional practice sessions at the end of next week.
“I’m probably more naturally a center,” said Mahan, who started at
both guard and center for Tampa Bay. “But I’ve taken more game reps
at guard in my career. But I feel like I can play it all, wherever the
team needs me.”
What about tackle?
“No tackle, but you never know,” Mahan said with a laugh.
In fact, right tackle Max Starks taking a day off may have
precipitated Mahan’s move to the first-team center spot a little
earlier than the Steelers would have liked.
With Starks sitting out Tuesday, Willie Colon, who had been running with the first team at center Monday, moved over to right tackle.
But instead of moving Chukky Okobi and Marvin Philip into the
first-team line, the team went with Mahan, with Okobi and Philip
lining up at guard next to Mahan on the second team unit.
“This is especially important for a guy like me who is coming in
and trying to learn a new system,” said Mahan. “I’m getting a lot of
attention from the coaches and I’m getting a feel for the guys I’m
going to line up next to.”
Could Trai Essex be eating himself out of the league?
Essex looks heavy right now, heavier, in fact, than he has ever
looked before.
Considering he’s in his early 20s, the team has to be concerned
about Essex in the long term.
One of his strong points coming out of college was his quick feet.
But one has to wonder how quick those feet will be - and if he’ll
still be able to handle left tackle - if he can’t control his weight.
Once again, the Ben Roethlisberger to Heath Miller hookup looks to be working well as the two connected on a number of nice plays
Tuesday.
If Miller doesn’t have to stay in and block as much as he did last
season, he could be primed for a big year.
New offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has gone on record as
saying that the tight ends will combine for 90 catches this season. The way
things look now, Miller could be good for 60 of those catches.
Special teams practice still takes up a large portion of the
drills now. One has to wonder if that will continue into training
camp?
The Steelers will have two-a-days nearly every day in camp this
year – a change from the past – so new head coach Mike Tomlin may
want
to really hammer the offense and defense once the pads go on.
Chidi Iwuoma is working with a cast on his right hand. So much
for non-contact drills.
On one kickoff coverage play, defensive end Ryan McBean came
charging down as a wedge buster and not only accomplished that feat,
but also had the ballcarrier squarely lined up before pulling up.
McBean does not look or run like a 290-pound man.
LaMarr Woodley appears noticeably thinner already, looking a lot
more like a linebacker now than a defensive end.
With the added pounds gone, Woodley should be much lighter on his
feet.
By Dale Lolley
SteelCityInsider
Posted 6 June 2007
Woodley looking more like a LB? I like it, also like what Arians is predicting for our TE's.
Tuesday as the Pittsburgh Steelers continued their OTAs here at the South Side practice facility.
http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/40/408934.jpg
Mahan, the Steelers’ biggest offseason free agent acquisition,
not only lined up with the first team at the center position, he did
so with the second team as well as the team continues its search to
figure out who will replace retired Pro Bowler Jeff Hartings.
“Right now is the time the coaching staff is just looking at all
kind of combinations out there trying to figure out who can play and
who is versatile,” said Mahan, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “No
positions are won or lost right now. That won’t happen until we put
the pads on.”
But Mahan wasn’t signed to a 5-year, $17-million contract to be a
backup. And Tuesday was a big step for him as the team closes in on
wrapping up its optional practice sessions at the end of next week.
“I’m probably more naturally a center,” said Mahan, who started at
both guard and center for Tampa Bay. “But I’ve taken more game reps
at guard in my career. But I feel like I can play it all, wherever the
team needs me.”
What about tackle?
“No tackle, but you never know,” Mahan said with a laugh.
In fact, right tackle Max Starks taking a day off may have
precipitated Mahan’s move to the first-team center spot a little
earlier than the Steelers would have liked.
With Starks sitting out Tuesday, Willie Colon, who had been running with the first team at center Monday, moved over to right tackle.
But instead of moving Chukky Okobi and Marvin Philip into the
first-team line, the team went with Mahan, with Okobi and Philip
lining up at guard next to Mahan on the second team unit.
“This is especially important for a guy like me who is coming in
and trying to learn a new system,” said Mahan. “I’m getting a lot of
attention from the coaches and I’m getting a feel for the guys I’m
going to line up next to.”
Could Trai Essex be eating himself out of the league?
Essex looks heavy right now, heavier, in fact, than he has ever
looked before.
Considering he’s in his early 20s, the team has to be concerned
about Essex in the long term.
One of his strong points coming out of college was his quick feet.
But one has to wonder how quick those feet will be - and if he’ll
still be able to handle left tackle - if he can’t control his weight.
Once again, the Ben Roethlisberger to Heath Miller hookup looks to be working well as the two connected on a number of nice plays
Tuesday.
If Miller doesn’t have to stay in and block as much as he did last
season, he could be primed for a big year.
New offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has gone on record as
saying that the tight ends will combine for 90 catches this season. The way
things look now, Miller could be good for 60 of those catches.
Special teams practice still takes up a large portion of the
drills now. One has to wonder if that will continue into training
camp?
The Steelers will have two-a-days nearly every day in camp this
year – a change from the past – so new head coach Mike Tomlin may
want
to really hammer the offense and defense once the pads go on.
Chidi Iwuoma is working with a cast on his right hand. So much
for non-contact drills.
On one kickoff coverage play, defensive end Ryan McBean came
charging down as a wedge buster and not only accomplished that feat,
but also had the ballcarrier squarely lined up before pulling up.
McBean does not look or run like a 290-pound man.
LaMarr Woodley appears noticeably thinner already, looking a lot
more like a linebacker now than a defensive end.
With the added pounds gone, Woodley should be much lighter on his
feet.
By Dale Lolley
SteelCityInsider
Posted 6 June 2007
Woodley looking more like a LB? I like it, also like what Arians is predicting for our TE's.