Before we get started, I’ll preface this post by saying I don’t have the means to really attend training camp, so any analysis I can offer is based on what I read in the Post-Gazette, other blogs, or the Steelers official website. That said, here’s my brief take on the goings-on with the Steelers lately:
On Flozell Adams: I don’t usually like the Steelers to go after big names, especially if they’re ex-Cowboys, but realistically, is Adams the best player on the offensive line right now? Very possible. Starks has some experience and Kemoeatu is a mountain, but neither of them really stand out as exceptional players. Flozell Adams is, at the very least, a name that people know. And when you’re an offensive lineman, that’s the best recognition you can get. Excluding Pouncey, I think The Hotel is the biggest upgrade for the Steelers’ offense this season. Take that in whatever sense you like.
On Jeff Reed’s life not being fair: If you’re reading a Steeler blog for info at this point in the season, you probably already know what Reed has been saying. If you aren’t familiar, he’s unhappy with his current contract, saying things like, “life isn’t fair,” and being sure to point out that he kicks at THE DEADLY HEINZ FIELD (Is it just me or does anyone else not notice every kicker except Jeff Reed missing every FG at Heinz Field? How terrible is it, really?) You know what, Jeff, you’re right. Life isn’t fair. It’s a tough world. People struggle. Sometimes a single mother has to work for minimum wage at the Potato Patch, selling bacon-chili-cheese fries to rich parents of a hyperactive obese child they secretly hate. Some people have student loans to pay off while they rent an apartment and bounce from part-time job to part-time job, writing a blog on the side for peanuts.
And we they all have to sit and watch an alcoholic with Dragonball Z hair get paid $2.8 million to kick a ball. Life sure isn’t fair, Jeff. You must have it so rough.
On Maurkice Pouncey taking first-team reps: Yes! Get this guy in the game as soon as possible. He started his whole time at Florida, which might as well qualify as professional. I know it goes against the Steeler tradition to start rookies, but it also goes against tradition to sign a guy like Flozell Adams. When you consider that the O-line’s recent tradition has been “take blame for Ben getting sacked and fail to open a single hole for Willie Parker,” maybe the tradition could use some breaking there.
On Ben’s warm reception from the fanbase: Before we read too much into this, let’s think about the fans who attend the first day of training camp. These men and women are desperate for football. So much so that they will gladly clear their schedule and make the trip up to St. Vincent to watch linemen practice their snap counts. These people are almost crazy about this sport. If I had the means, I’d be right there with them watching Pouncey spring up out of his stance for hours. These people are going to cheer for the Steelers no matter who or what is involved. Ben will be booed this season, somewhere or another. But before that happens, I think it’s a good step that his first encounter with the fanbase shows him that we trust him to turn things around.
Speaking of good steps and warm fuzzy feelings: Hines Ward made a much-publicized point to walk with Ben out into the fans for the first time. The next time Ben throws a pass a little bit behind Hines Ward and some jounralist mentions how the two have always had a rocky relationship, his editor should punch him square in the face. Hines and Ben are two grown men. They will have disagreements. But Ward recognized that this was bothering his colleague and friend, and he went through it with him, just in case. These guys aren’t four-year-olds, bickering about which one got the better flavor of yogurt at snack time. From now on, anyone trying to make a story of their bad relationship is a sensationalist with no useful insight. Ignore them.
Other notes:
- Everyone forgotten about Ziggy Hood by now? Good. He’ll remind you who he is when he plants a Tim Tebow tree at Invesco Field’s 40 yard line.
- There have been reports of Gibson/Worilds progress in individual drills. I’m not worried about that yet. These guys are special-teamers this year.
- Deshea Townsend signed with the Colts, if anyone was interested.
- Casey Hampton has an injured hamstring? Imagine that. Let me guess, he isn’t going to break any records in the sprints either.
Isn’t it nice to have football to talk about? As I said all last season…
Here We Go.
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