Just What Is "Steeler Football?"

While looking over Training Camp information and getting ready another season of Steeler football, I thought of this topic. What does the title of this article mean to you? We've all said those words in some fashion, and there might be different answers for different people. What, though, does "Steeler football" truly mean?

For the people who make up the fandom realize that it's more than simply rooting for a team. We're a part of a greater whole. We are Steeler Nation. It's a nation with nebulous boundaries that grows day after day. In truth, Steeler Nation is worldwide. This whole country is our neighborhood.

For those, though, living in western Pennsylvania, raised in the Pittsburgh area or from the area of steel mills and boilermakers, there's a pervasive blue-collar, hardworking mentality. It permeates the entire area and sets the tone for its favorite sons. From Morgantown, West Virginia to north of Erie, Pa., fans work hard and they expect their team to also.

For that reason, maybe the minds of some fans automatically go to the running game. Names like Byron "Whizzer" White, John Henry Johnson, Frenchy Fuqua, Rocky Bleier, Franco Harris, Frank Pollard, Barry Foster, Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker all come to mind. The Steelers truly have a rich history of running the ball.

In fact, since the AFL-NFL merger, no team has run the ball more or more effectively than the Pittsburgh Steelers. The ground-and-pound, three yards and a cloud of dust, massive offensive line-led approach has produced 89,525 yards--no other team is even close.

Compelling arguments can easily be made for running the ball, but it's by no means the end of the story. Because other fans may automatically go in their mind's eyes to the defense. And the Steelers have a very proud history here as well. That is, if "proud" means pummeling its opponents into submission. Even in years when the Steelers as whole were less than spectacular, the defense made sure the opponents knew they'd been in a fight.

The defenses, in fact, have been so good over the years that they've earned two very different, distinct and daunting nicknames: the Steel Curtain and Blitzburgh.

The Steel Curtain, interestingly, was initially named for only the front four defensive linemen of the 1970s. Those linemen were Dwight "Mad Dog" White, Ernie "Fats" Holmes, Mean Joe Greene and L.C. "Hollywood Bags" Greenwood.

Eventually the nickname spread to encompass the defense as a unit and stuck for years thereafter. Not a surprise, though, with players like the Jacks, Mel Blount, Donnie Shell, Mike Wagner and Andy Russell early and Robin Cole late terrorizing offenses. Well-deserved was that reputation for greatness too: 1974-defense scores first and first-ever safety in the Super Bowl; 1976-the fiercest and most dominant defense not to win a Super Bowl...maybe ever; and 1978-then record for fewest points allowed in a 16 game season. They also hold the distinction of being the only defense to have a trio, Greene, Jack Lambert and Blount, to be the NFL Defensive Player of the Year three years in a row.

All-in-all, for over a decade the Steel Curtain caused so many sleepless nights for offensive coordinators that they should've been sponsored by No-Doz. Don't remember? Maybe this will stir the memories:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJXY_fgcUkk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

The 1980s saw the legends complete their résumés for Canton and, in doing so, brought some rust to the Steel Curtain. It was an up and down decade that offered only two top five NFL defensive rankings: 3rd overall in 1983 and 5th overall in 1984. In fact, they wouldn't see the top five in defense again until 1993. Enter Dick LeBeau.

The second of the Steelers fear-inspiring nicknames came with a decidedly different tone. During his first stint with the team, from 1992-1996, first as defensive backs coach and then as coordinator, LeBeau was the architect of the Blitzburgh defenses. He originated the zone blitz--where a lineman drops into coverage, generally the area occupied by a blitzing (linebacker) teammate--and brought the fire back to the blast furnace.

After a hiatus, he returned to Steeltown in the 2004. Since then the NFL just forgoes formality and sets aside a perennial top five spot for his defenses. His units have been controlled chaos and have bewildered and battered opponents. Blitzburgh is back! -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlJd9BJUkVo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

His zone blitz schemes have made the careers of more than a few players. Principally among those are linebackers. Which brings us to the next argument.

The argument could be made that the Steelers truest legacy is its linebackers. If It Ain't Steel posted an article regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers being "Linebacker, Inc." You can't possibly think Steeler football without thinking of Capt. Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, the aforementioned Russell and Cole, Greg Lloyd, Kevin Green, Jason Gildon, Levon Kirkland, Earl Holmes, Joey Porter, and most recently James Farrior, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley. Many teams around the league would salivate at the thought of having a linebacking history such as that...and I purposely left out some names. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2012/03/pittsburgh-steelers-linebacker-inc.html

Not only have the Steelers defenses instilled fear over the years as a whole, but they've also always had that one LB who just wasn't...who had just a little...who was, well... Let's just say they always have that one about whom my grandmama would say, "Somethin' wrong w'that boy. He touched." Does anybody disagree that Lambert, Lloyd and Porter didn't and Harrison doesn't just scare everybody? I didn't think so.

What I don't tend to hear as much as a definition for Steeler football is the passing game. That's odd considering the Steelers have had two great quarterbacks who've won multiple Super Bowls: Terry Bradshaw (4-0) and Ben Roethlisberger (2-1). Bradshaw's records as a Steeler may eventually all be eclipsed by Big Ben, but his legacy is intact. Beyond that, Big Ben is etching his own niche in Steelers and NFL history. Here's a piece If It Ain't Steel wrote where an article is quoted that compared Big Ben's first seven years to another QB who was 4-0 in Super Bowls: http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2011/08/written-by-jayden-matthews-and-melissa.html?spref=tw

Further than that, wide receiver is a position that may not be as deep or rich as others, but it is one that contains two Hall of Famers, John Stallworth and Lynn Swann, and one who'll don a yellow jacket in the future Hines Ward. There have been ones who've shown flashes over the years as well: Louis Lipps, Kordell Stewert (who fits in two main categories) and Yancey Thigpen. All made their mark on the team and the NFL in some fashion. Most importantly, they've been responsible helping the Steelers win.

Speaking of Super Bowls as we were before, let me remind everyone that three of the six game MVPs were wide receivers: Lynn Swann, Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. Which, I believe, brings us finally to the center of this gridiron maze: Super Bowls and winning in general.

Each and every aspect of what was covered in this article was intricate to the ultimate goal. Despite what Harris, Bettis and Parker have done in getting to and in the Super Bowls, the running game alone couldn't bring such great success seen over the years. 

As dominant as the defense has been, whether blue-collar tough or blitzkrieg complex, it itself would never have been able to sustain that dominance. It needed help from the offense. 

Although the passing game has produced five Super Bowl MVPs and numerous Pro Bowlers and All-Pros, they would never have had the chance to give us the beautiful game winning plays by Swann, Stallworth, Ward and Holmes respectively without the defense and/or runners setting up the opportunities. 

Pointedly, they are always greater than the sum of their parts. It takes those parts to create the whole that just keeps winning and winning. 

So, that's it right there. When you really think about it, wherever your mind may initially go when you hear those words, it's simple: Steeler football is winning football!

Wishes and Hopes of a Ravens Fan

Ok, a friend of mine wrote the blog below. Since I love his spunk and he is a friend of mine and I will not trash him per se, but I will his article.


http://mrballsohard.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-pittsburgh-steelers-qb-ben_2.html#!/2012/08/the-pittsburgh-steelers-qb-ben_2.html


The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got hurt in week 9 when he played my Baltimore Ravens. He told the media that he tore his rotator cuff. And people are telling me it’s not a big deal because it heals by itself. If the injury happened in Nov of 2011, and it’s still not 100% that’s a sign to me that it serious.
I am so thrilled to hear this news. I know that Big Ben might be young but he has taken a lot of hits during his career. So if he plays this year and plays like shit, I think the Steelers fans will want Big Ben head. I say that because I told those stupid fans that the Steelers will go 6-10 this year.



This is what I like to call wishful thinking. I know that most Ravens fans love the fact that Big Ben had a slight tear to his rotator cuff. That is every Ravens fan's dream: Ben being hurt and possibly not being able to play. But, that is simply not the case. Here is an article from today where Big Ben spoke to the media about this injury. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48466532


Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday that he has a partially torn rotator cuff -- an injury from a Nov. 6 game against Baltimore.

"It just got extended the wrong way, and it was never an issue," he said. "I've dealt with a lot of pain, and it wasn't going to take me out."

Roethlisberger told reporters that it's a minor injury which hasn't limited him in training camp practices, and he's following a doctor's advice not to throw too much during walk-throughs and other situations where he can avoid it.

"You didn't see any drop-off in my play last year throwing the ball and you haven't seen it yet, and none of you guys would have known it if we wouldn't have talked about it today," he said. "I really thought it was kind of a non-issue since it happened so long ago, and it really is. I'm letting you know now: It's a serious non-issue because I'm just fine." When Coach Mike Tomlin was asked if the injury causes the team any concern, he answered, "None."


So, there you have it Mr. Balls So Hard. There is nothing to this to be excited about. Making mountains out of molehills is what I say.


Now that Big Ben has injured his rotator cuff, he needs that to throw it deep. I see their D will struggle as well as their Offense because there players are too OLD to play in the NFL. They do have young players but they have no experience playing in the NFL. With a not a good Defense and a poor Offense, the Steelers will have the worst season that they had with the Rooney Family.

If you are a diehard raven fan like me, you are thrilled that this could happen to your least favorite team in the NFL. They were the ones that laughed at our faces when Suggs got hurt in May. At least we can tell them that our key player got hurt ways before training camp, and it will heal up and be ready by week 1.


The fact that he thinks Terrell Suggs is going to be back by Week 1 is also laughable. Suggs himself has even stated that it will be sometime in November. I do not know of any diehard Steelers fan that has showed anything but respect for Suggs and his injury. We respect Suggs and we want him on the field because we want no excuses.

The claim that our team is old is also laughable. Our receiving tandem may be missing Wallace, but, trust me, he will be in a Steelers uniform by November 18th at the latest and, outside of Cotchery, they are all under the age of 26.

So, how are they old again? Our defense, that he says will struggle, was the top ranked unit in the NFL last season. So, how are they going to struggle again you say? Steelers fans have been hearing for the past two years. Our D is old, they are slow, they are done... Stop acting like Warren Sapp at the buffet and gobbling this stuff up. We proved the doubters wrong last season and we will again this season.

So, I will say this: I appreciate the spunk, kid, but you are so off base it's not funny and I will just end this with a little song. Keep Wishing and Hoping.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ-MVAzdUK4

James Harrison, Ben Roethlisberger Nursing Injuries At Training Camp

We at If It Ain't Steel have recently written more about James Harrison, specifically his back issues the potential of him being in black and gold next year. Well, news came out of Training Camp this morning that may deal with one of those issues.

David Todd, of ESPN and the website The Hammer Speaks, shot this across the bough this morning via his Twitter account: "@hammerspeaks: Breaking: I talked w #Steelers LB coach Keith Butler asked him when Harrison would be back: 'I'm hoping a couple weeks, but I don't know.'"

Potential bad situation or team coaches and trainers being overly cautious of their star outside linebacker? Hard to say at present and I refuse to speculate more than common sense suggests. Todd did make a salient point in his next tweets.  

"@hammerspeaks: That is certainly longer than I expected on Harrison. [Jason] Worilds he hopes to have back before last preseason game. Again longer." Adding Worilds to that isn't good considering Worilds was assessed at "two to four weeks" last week. Like Todd said, "longer."

He went further: "@hammerspeaks: Butler wasn't trying to play doc/trainer & caveated his comment, but clearly he didn't say day-to-day or next week."

I'm not a doctor, but I play one on my blog. In a previous article I personally wrote that all the twisting, torquing and pounding involved in an NFL season will eventually take it's toll. If he isn't able to go, then his backup must be ready. The standard is the standard after all. That backup, though, is Worilds.

With Chris Carter and Adrian Robinson making heads turn so far at camp, there's no reason for panic. There are other viable solutions. Nonetheless, Harrison is bona fide. He's Deebo. He's The Silverback. He's the one who lives in the Boogeyman's closet and who lives under monsters' beds. A healthy Harrison means a lethal defense.

Let's wait out the two weeks before kicking him off of the roster, though. As I suggested in that initial question, it could also be a situation where the coaches and trainers are erring on the side of caution for Harrison and the upcoming season. We'll see.

~

Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette posted an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been downplaying a "little rotator cuff tear" in his right arm. - http://t.co/aANrLZpS

We all know Big Ben's toughness, so we know he'd play it down anyway. But, he did admit that this injury could be felt as far back as last November. 

“I’m good. It’s ok, just sore. I have a little torn rotator cuff. That doesn’t heal. We just have to hope it doesn’t tear the rest of the way. It actually feels great. I don’t have any pains anymore. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get any worse.”

Big Ben did just get his degree this past April, but it wasn't in kinesiology or anatomy & physiology. Nonetheless, it's something to watch. That said, the new offense Todd Haley is instituting, which emphasizes getting the ball out of the quarterback's hands quickly, is ideal for Big Ben at this point. He's been beat up a lot over the years and needs such an offense to elongate his health and career. 

One thing noticed at Camp has been that Big Ben no longer throws during walk-throughs. Though, Mark Kaboly noticed Big Ben's activity later on and offered this: "For a guy who has a slightly torn rotator cuff, [Roethlisberger] sure is taking a lot of reps AFTER practice."

Kaboly asked coach Mike Tomlin, though, if Big Ben has been limited at all in practice. Kaboly said that Tomlin replied with an emphatic "None."
  
Hardly much ado about nothing, but Big Ben is known for his John Wayne routine after all. As long as it's from Rio Bravo and not The Shootist.

~

TIDBITS: Big Ben says he talks often with Mike Wallace. Thinks he will rejoin team "soon," per Ed Bouchette.

The Todd Haley and Big Ben  relationship is growing. No. 7 says he likes new offense. Great news!

~

Courtesy of David Todd: Casey getting stretched out. Trainer reportedly tells Big Snack is "moving better than [he] thought [he] would. - http://t.co/pvvpnLLj

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Offensive line coach Sean Kugler to rookie offensive guard David DeCastro: "These guys in this league are (expletive). They are 350. They are Ta'amu with explosiveness," per Mark Kaboly. 

~

"I feel right on schedule. Mentally it hasn't been difficult at all. It's really just getting your leg back to normal." - Rashard Mendenhall on his knee rehabilitation.

~

Steelers rookie David DeCastro: "I think linemen in general, you've got to be nasty when you play. It's important." I like him already. 

~

Safety Da'mon Cromartie-Smith passed his physical and was able to come off of the PUP list and returned to practice Wednesday. 

Why Didn't You Strip Goodell of His Power When You Had The Chance?

A lot of you who regularly follow this blog and know us on Facebook and Twitter know that we are always calling out Roger Goodell and his inconsistencies. This blog has covered a lot of them on occasion. Well, loyal readers, get ready to fall off your chairs, because If It Ain't Steel is actually going to defend the Furor...well, somewhat. I haven’t completely lost my mind yet.

I am sure by now all of you have seen or heard Drew Brees' comments regarding commissioner Goodell. He has been very vocal about his feelings for the commissioner and the penalties that he levied against the Saints coaches and players. This time it really didn’t have to do with the punishments, but more about Goodell himself. Brees recently did an interview with Peter King of Sports Illustrated and made it very clear he is not happy with the Furor.

Brees, speaking to Peter King of Sports Illustrated, certainly makes it sound like the latter -- King asked Brees about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and how NFL players feel about him, and Brees said that "nobody trusts him."
"Nobody trusts him. Nobody trusts him. I'm not talking about a DUI, or using a gun in a strip club, which are pretty clear violations," Brees said. "I think there're too many times where the league has come to its decision in a case before calling a guy in, and the interview is just a façade. I think now if a guy has to come in to talk to Roger, he'll be very hesitant because he'll think the conclusion has already been reached."


Peter King made it clear that Brees is very angry with the commissioner, you can find the Brees interview on the second page of the article. -http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/07/29/mmqb/index.html

But you know what? GET OVER IT!!! I am so sick of hearing about how upset Drew Brees is with the commissioner. You know what, Drew? You should have thought about that before you pushed the CBA getting passed. Yes, Drew Brees was amongst the players who helped negotiate the current CBA. So, Drew, you and the representatives for the NFLPA are the last people who need to be griping about anything that Goodell does, because you allowed him to keep that power.

They had a chance to strip Goodell of some of his power and they chose to go for more money. So, I look at it as you get what you asked for. Even the NFLPA has been very vocal about Goodell and his punishments against the Saints, even trying to use the HGH testing against them to get Goodell’s power taken away. They have been very vocal on how Goodell has overstepped his power. Well, guess what, you allowed him to keep that power. That is no one’s fault but your own.

So, therefore, Goodell is actually doing his job, the job which you the players gave him. Only one team voted against the CBA and that was the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hmm, now they aren't looking so foolish, are they? There is no proof of that being the reason, but I bet it played a big factor into why they voted against it. Considering at the time the Steelers were the most fined players in the NFL. Where was all this negativity and speaking out when that was going on? Oh, that’s right, it didn’t affect you at the time.

I will be the first to admit that Goodell has been inconsistent on who gets punished and who doesn’t. This blog has written on several occasions about that very fact. It was very evident when Ben Roethlisberger was suspended over allegations, yet was never charged. A few months later a player was arrested in an airport for carrying a firearm, and then the list goes on from there, with no punishment. Those are examples of the inconsistencies to which I am referring. I am a firm believer in, if you want to send a message, you need to punish them all. Maybe he will one of these days, but I doubt it.

But, Goodell got his one right. He sent the message that it is not alright to target or put bounties out on opposing teams or players. The punishments sent a message to other teams that have or may have been thinking about doing it. Brees can get on his soapbox and preach all he wants, but at the end of the day it doesn't matter. Goodell still got it right and you had a hand in allowing him to have the authority to do just that.

So, my suggestion is, take you lumps like Sean Payton and Greg Williams have. Stop whining to the media about it and move on. I know this hurt your team, but you know what, they should have realized they were not above being punished. The fact of the matter still remains that you allowed Goodell to bring down the hammer swiftly when you agreed to the current CBA. So, you have no one to blame but yourself and the NFLPA for agreeing to it.

I always had a lot of respect for Brees, at least until all this happened. He was always was someone to be respected because of the way he carried himself. With all this happening of late, though, it has caused me to have a different view of him. I still respect him as a player on the field, but that is where it ends.

Steelers Training Camp - Back To Basics

"Every year [the defense is old] it's said about the Pittsburgh Steelers and every year we're playing in Super Bowls or making a run in the playoffs." 

That statement was made by the Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley on one of the first days of Training Camp. It was in response to being asked about yet more "the defense is old" comments in the national media. 

"You gotta be able to kind of let people across the field from you know that you got teeth too, and that you're willing to bite." 

Guard Willie Colon uttered those words not long after Woodley's remarks. It had to do with the various media comments of the Steelers offensive line having to go through different combinations yet again. 

In other words, the national media is starting to piss the big guys off. 

There is a mentality that has pervaded Training Camp so far: get back to basic, physical Steeler football! In three days of padded practices there have been four fights. Both offense and defense are looking to smack the other in the mouth and neither is willing to give any ground. 

Rookies have dominated veterans and vets have schooled the rooks. Woodley and Steve McLendon have driven blockers into the backfield. Colon and rookie David DeCastro have mauled pass rushers. It has been physical and even nasty from the moment the pads were donned. And the players like it just fine. 

"A physical offense is typically a good offense. So, it's a good start," said Steelers tight end Heath Miller. Not only is it a good start, but it's a good chance for certain players to provide an answer to national media yet again. 

As said by Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "My camp phenom through three padded practices is Steve McLendon. The guy is virtually unblockable right now." The backup Steelers nose tackle had his weight and ability questioned by Pro Football Talk recently, so McLendon is on a mission to impress. 

He's succeeding. 

As Steelers veteran nose tackle Casey Hampton pointed out, "Everybody thinks McLendon is a small dude. He is a big, strong guy. He can be dominant." It didn't end there.

"Steve McClendon is a lot bigger than the 280 lbs they have him listed at on the roster," said former Steelers lineman and current WDVE reporter Craig Wolfley. "He told me that he weighed 325. A very impressive 325 I might add. And he ran well on the run test..." - http://t.co/oQrBcRK7

Others are also attempting to make their presence felt as roster spots are up for grabs. Like undrafted outside linebacker Adrian Robinson whom Wolfley also mentioned and about whom we've written about in previous blogs. Overall, though, it's the mentality of the offense and defense as whole units to be aggressive and dominant. Both want to establish a presence and impose its will on opponents. 

To that end, Steelers new offensive coordinator Todd Haley says that he will be starting each practice with run-play drills. "Really, the passes are just to keep the defense honest. I think it's just the way I think myself and our staff believes you have to play football." - http://t.co/NqcoXXG2

He went further saying, "We want to be a team that can, most importantly, run it when it has to run it and throw it when it has to throw it. That's the name of the game offensively, being able to get the yards you need to get on the ground when the defense knows you're running." - http://t.co/vnDbV97S

Haley is still, though, enamored with the Steelers wide receiver corps...minus one: "Across the board we've got a lot of good young guys that have a very versatile skill set."

The defense is echoing that mindset, per CBS Sports' Rapid Reports correspondents (@CBSSportsNFLPIT on Twitter). They said that "player after player, defensive coach after defensive coach, has told anyone who would listen how much the defense needs to improve this year."

It truly says something about an organization that wants to make amends for a defense that was so bad that it ranked No. 1 in the NFL in points and total yards allowed. The Steelers mindset, though, dictates that their pride should be hurt over two embarrassing losses to the Ravens and a historic loss to the Broncos in the playoffs. The Steelers' rich history of defense cries out for retribution. 

Like the blast furnace of a Pittsburgh steel mill, a fire has been lit in the pits of the stomachs of Steelers players up and down the roster. Be it the national media, bitter losses or pride, the Steelers are taking a very physical approach to Training Camp. Simply put, they're getting back to basics.

~

TIDBITS: Keenan Lewis has looked good early on in the cornerback competition with Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown. Lewis tweaked his shoulder, but seemed to be fine. 

Emmanuel Sanders was a full participant in practice Tuesday. Reportedly looked good and showed the great hands and route running ability we expect from him.

Marcus Gilbert got fingers/hand stuck in Cameron Heyward's mask during linemen drills. Didn't seem too bad. 

Steelers signed wide receiver Paul Cox from Mississippi Valley St., per Bob Labriola. He'll wear No. 81. Waived was tackle Bridger Buche.

Training Camp Practices Heat Up - Football Is Back

I love the smell of steel in the morning. Smells like...victory. 

The intensity is picking up in Latrobe. There had already been a minor scuffle with Willie Colon on Saturday, a good sign as far as I'm concerned. A little fire never hurt. Colon started a tussle as he blocked Timmons up the field. When asked what Colon was upset about, head coach Mike Tomlin responded, "Life."

All-in-all, Tomlin didn't seem to mind either. "I like the energy and enthusaism. We'll continue to clean up some of the professionalism...that's all part of it."

Well, that fire was stoked Sunday and the energy and enthusiasm picked up as Kelvin Beachum and Cameron Heyward got into a scuffle. Supposedly, it was fairly tame, but it's exciting and encouraging nonetheless. Football is back!

Before I go any further, I have to give a thankful shout out to Steelers beat reporters and other Steelers media members Ed Bouchette, Ken Laird, Mark Kaboly, Bob Labriola, David Todd (@hammerspeaks) Chris Adamski (@BuzzsawPGH) and Chuck Finder (@CBSSportsNFLPIT) for being on top of the goings on in Camp. They keep us bloggers happy!

Getting back to the hits, collisions and fights... Timmons apparently blasted Johnson at fullback and then blew up the play. Corbin Bryant also destroyed DeCastro on a play-welcome to the NFL, David. David Todd remarked that "Woodley [is] an absolute beast. Just dominated DJ 3 times in a row. So strong & quick." Though I love reading that, it is David Johnson after all. Even so, it may be a good sign for Woodley. 

Even former Steeler nose tackle Chris Hoke recognized the heightened levels of intensity as he indicated somewhat ebulliently on his Twitter page: “@hokiebro76: First time I watched backs on backers one on one drill... Great collisions!! Redman looked good and so did Sly Stevenson (Stevenson Sylvester)!” 

He wasn't the only one to recognize Redman. Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review said that Redzone is taking leadership role seriously. He said that Redman makes Chris Rainey do a drill over again if he sees that Rainey's just going through the motions. 

One player who really impressed was Chris Carter. His name was mentioned a lot and he even got "huge props from Tomlin & defense for huge hit," according to David Todd. 

He later said of him that he was the "most impressive player from what I saw today. Impossible to see everything." As I pointed out in a previous blog, he has to step up this year and prove his worth. With Jason Worilds out for two to four weeks recovering from his wrist surgery, he'll have his chance early. After Sunday's showing, as well as bulking up to approximately 246 pounds in the offseason, he seems to be taking that chance seriously. 

Bob Labriola also chimed in with his own assessment saying, "TEs vs LBs: looking good were LBs Chris Carter and rookie Adrian Robinson; Woodley dominated; TE Jamie McCoy held his own for the offense."

I know it's only the third day of Training Camp, but it's been six months without football. I have the right to be excited. 

~

TIDBITS: Emmanuel Sanders didn't practice Sunday. Mike Tomlin said it was precautionary. The workout was on a turf field due to heavy rains recently. He's fine.

With Heath Miller out with an ankle injury, Wes Saunders was "by far best TE in the live TE-LB drill," per both Kaboly and Alan Robinson (@arobinson_Trib). 

Kaboly pointed out that Jonathan Dwyer "looks good" when asked about his conditioning. 

Cornerback Keenan Lewis was out with a right shoulder injury, "an AC-joint sprain during Sunday's practice. No specific prognosis yet, but he could miss some days," per Bob Labriola. 

The Steelers' Chris Rainey: Speed Kills

With all the thunderstorms the Pittsburgh and Latrobe areas have been getting lately, another loud "boom" wouldn't seem to be welcomed. This wasn't loud thunder, though. It was the sonic boom created by Chris Rainey's sound barrier-breaking speed. 

Rainey, the running back/return man/slot receiver out of Florida, is flat-out fast! As was put by ESPN's David Todd on his personal Twitter account: "@hammerspeaks: Rainey takes a handoff and buzzes around right end. Lots of "Whoas"." Fast. 

Rainey is so fast that he was disappointed at being clocked at 4.37 in the 40-yard dash at the 2012 NFL Combine.- http://t.co/Z05Z6NuX

You see, his personal best in the 40 is rumored to be 4.24. At the University of Florida's training facility, they have their own Combine-like drills and competitions. His best official time there was the time stated above. Not only that, but he believes he can do even better than that. Rainey’s goal before the Combine? A sub-4.2 in the 40. 

As has been well publicized by now, Rainey had a connection to the Steelers before he was ever drafted. Rainey and Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey know each other very well, as Rainey lived with Maurkice and his twin brother Mike, who plays center for the Miami Dolphins, during high school. They all moved to Gainesville and played together at Florida. Now, Rainey is on his "dream team."

“I always watch [the NFL Draft] with [Maurkice],” Rainey said in the post-Draft teleconference with Pittsburgh reporters. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. This is my dream team.…They are Super Bowl contenders, they win games, and they are good in every phase of the game, special teams, defense, offense, everything.”

Rainey said he can play running back, slot and special teams. “Wherever they want me, because I’m a playmaker all around.” His speed and quickness led him to 2,464 rushing yards with a 6.22 average and 13 touchdowns, and caught 69 passes for 795 yards and six touchdowns in college.

The only drawback the "Ferrari" has is his smallish size. He's listed at 5'8" and ain't a bit more than 180 pounds soakin' wet and carryin' a brick. His being undersized shows when he tries to pass protect too.

Mike Tomlin pulls him out of the pass protection drills. "I'm not gonna pull my boat with a Ferrari, you know what I mean?" Tomlin recognizes that Rainey would need to cut block in those situations, but it isn't allowed in practice and Tomlin naturally wouldn't want him doing that to teammate anyway.

There will be a lot that Chris Rainey will be able to do on the field. His skills are undeniable and bring to mind the abilities of such players as Lionel "Little Train" James and Darren Sproles. He's lightning quick and has scary speed. And you know that old saying about speed (may Winston Churchill forgive me): Speed kills. Absolute speed kills absolutely.