The Pittsburgh Steelers held their first night practice at the newly dedicated Chuck Noll Field here at Saint Vincent College Thursday, but it was a less-than-spirited effort.
The
Pittsburgh Steelers held their first night practice at the newly dedicated Chuck Noll Field here at Saint Vincent College Thursday, but it was a less-than-spirited effort.
Even the goal-line drill, which is usually a raucous event, couldn’t pep up this practice.
The offense won this one, 4-3, scoring touchdowns on runs by Najeh Davenport and Brian Russell, and Brian St. Pierre passes to John Dekker and Matt Spaeth.
On Davenport’s TD run, he went through a hole created by Alan Faneca and through James Farrior at the goal line, though Farrior didn’t exactly deliver a big blow.
On the second attempt, Casey Hampton blew up the middle and opened things up for
LaMarr Woodley to get into the backfield to stop Carey Davis.
Troy Polamalu delivered the only big hit of the drill on the next play, stopping Verron Haynes in the backfield.
Then, St. Pierre hit Dekker in the corner of the end zone before overthrowing Spaeth on the next play on play action.
Russell shot into the end zone untouched behind Willie Colon at right tackle on the next play and St. Pierre hooked up with Spaeth in the back of the end zone for the final score.
Willie Parker, James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons and Darnell Stapleton were out again today. In fact, head coach Mike Tomlin said Stapleton had an MRI that revealed a torn meniscus. He’ll undergo surgery and be out three weeks. That’s a tough break.
Marcello Church was a new addition to the injury list with a hamstring injury, while Chris Hoke was limited and did not partake in any contact drills today.
Watching the young defensive linemen today, I was impressed by Derrick Jones, who showed off some nice power moves. On one play, he got up under Brandon Torrey and one-arm tossed the big man to the ground to get to the quarterback.
He looks farther along at this point than fourth-round draft pick Ryan McBean, who doesn’t look as if he has that kind of power. At one point, Jason Capizzi stoned McBean, causing defensive line coach John Mitchell to exclaim, “You’ve got to grow up.”
Tomlin was there watching and told him to do it again. Capizzi again stoned him.
McBean did, however, look good using speed moves to get to the outside against
Trai Essex. But he needs to get stronger.
Veteran Nick Eason looks like a rookie out there at times. It’s hard to believe this is a guy who has been in the league for five years. He struggles even against second and third-team talent. Chris Kemoeatu ate his lunch and asked for more on consecutive plays – though he did set up a nice stunt with Scott Paxson working against Torrey and Sean
Mahan that allowed Paxson to get to the QB. Another veteran who didn’t impress is Shaun Nua. He just doesn’t have any strength at the point of attack. I just don’t think he can cut it as a 3-4 end.
There's an opportunity for at least one of the young linemen to make this team. You would think McBean would get the nod at this point – having been a fourth-round pick. But Jones is pushing.
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Originally Posted by TOP GUN
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