Sunday, July 29, 2007
Tomlin Delivers Needed Wake-Up Call
I'm predicting the Steelers are going to be the surprise of the NFL this year. They shouldn't be a surprise in my estimation, because of the talent on the team alone, but they are getting no respect from anyone so far as to where they will finish. I just read all the articles posted on the Gazette and what I'm reading between the lines is - the veterans aren't exactly happy with Camp Tomlin. Good! Why should they be? Hines Ward has an entire article written about him complaining about the big hits that the secondary is delivering. Good! He's especially complaining about Anthony Smith crushing Willie Reid in practice the other day. Good! I hope they get mad. I want them mad. Mad is what they weren't last year. Last year while other teams were delivering crushing blows in camp - The Stillers were still walking around like peacocks, too proud of their achievements from 2005 to worry about 2006. There is no doubt in my mind that camp last year was less than stellar and there was a lot of self congratulatory type stuff going on. I'm 100% positive Dan Rooney knew it and that's why he wanted an outsider for the job. The fact that Art II wanted the insider makes me question his football acumen. Seriously. Cowher rarely practiced on Sundays after two-a-days started. Tomlin is practicing today. Good! Everything I read has Anthony Smith ready to start over Ryan Clark. Good! He's a very talented young player who has way more potential than Clark. Get him in there. He wants to hit something. Sean Mahan was brought in to start at center. It also looks like he may be pulling away from Chucki. Good! Now all we need is for Kemoeatu and Colon to start mauling people and we'll see a new set of hungry starters this year to open to the season. Clearly the team was stale the entire first half of last season and then turned it on too late. They are now paying the price but I consider it a futures market. I think they are finally going to fire out of the gate which was a rarity under the last regime. With every win the excitement and confidence will build. I haven't read one thing yet about Coach Tomlin that I don't like. I can't wait to get behind him and start the new era of Steeler football.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Camp notes-
Willie Colon will be a starter. I guarantee it.
I don't know at what position, but he's in. He knocks the crap out of every person he lines up against.
Here's what Tomlin says about him: "We are going to go into this thing with Willie focusing on right tackle, along with Max (Starks), but there will be some movement," said Tomlin. "Willie is a guy we think is capable of competing and being in our top five, so we need to have position flexibility to see if he is capable of doing that, whether it is at right tackle, center or guard. We have to exercise a little patience and be open-minded and let that work itself out. It will, but initially we are going to start him out at right tackle."
As for Kevin Barlow... as I said back in May, signing him was like going to the junkyard for a used transmission. It won't take you very far. Barlow will not survive the first cut. He's been eaten alive in pass-pro drills and runs the ball tenatively. He's out. Too many good young RBs + John Kuhn. End of the line for Barlow.
The surprise of camp? At 6-9, 315, Jason Capizzi from Indiana U. of PA. I hear he consecutively stonewalled Bret Kiesel and James Harrison and has good feet. He transferred to Indiana from Pitt as a freshman.
Delivered as advertised: Daniel Sepulveda. As one guy put it, "When it's 4th and long and we're backed up to our own end zone, you'll be glad to know our opponent won't be getting the ball at our 35 yard line anymore."
I am looking forward to watching Colon and Smith this year. I too believe they will not only push others but will make some great plays.Also looking for Woodley to make an impact soon.
They are trying "Fat" Casey Hampton at fullback in goal line situations in what was the old "Refrigerator" Perry role for Ditka.
And they also got Kiesel "The Diesel" lining up as a TE or tackle eligible in goal line situations and have thrown successfully to him for TDs out of that alignment.
Maybe this is just Tomlin exploring the possibilities of what these players bring to the table. Or maybe Bill Cowher really was limited in his thinking. I suggest it is a little of both.
Post a Comment