The Pittsburgh Steelers signed ex-Kansas City Chief Eddie Drummond this off-season for the primary reason of becoming our punt returner. While Drummond has now played in two pre-season games, neither he, Mewelde Moore, or Jeremy Bloom have shown enough to instill confidence in Head Coach Mike Tomlin in becoming our primary return weapon on punts. For that reason, Tomlin will now give wide receiver Santonio Holmes a shot at running the rock during punt returns beginning with next Saturday’s game against Minnesota. This will be Holmes’ second go-round of returning punts, something he did his rookie season. That year he averaged 10.2 yards per return with a touchdown. But because he has become the #2 receiver and perhaps number one this season, he was taken off that unit. Said Tomlin:
“I grew up in a generation in Virginia when Darrell Green was a situational return man of the Washington Redskins. When he went back there, it kind of electrified the crowd. Hopefully, we have a vision of maybe having that with Santonio. I think he craves that kind of pressure. I think that's what kind of makes him who he is.”
Holmes will only be back there for one or two punts, but it’s a risky move that could reap awards or result in tragedy if Holmes gets hurt. While the Steelers ponder that situation, Troy Polamalu may FINALLY be returning to practice. Tuesday is the word for that to happen, and Tomlin was asked about his return.
“Troy had a nice day running today. We'll run him again tomorrow. Hopefully ... we'll get him out there to practice on Tuesday.”
His teammates shared their opinions on his value to the defense.
Ryan Clark: “The thing was, they wanted him to kind of rest it and he wanted to be back so bad he pushed it a little too hard in rehab. So he'll be all right. He's pretty much the catalyst of what we do. The reason we are able to do the things we do so well is his ability to disguise and be athletic enough to get where he has to be. I think also from a psyche standpoint and preparation standpoint for offenses, he's a guy you have to prepare for. There are probably only a few guys in the league on defense you have to scheme for, and I think Troy's one of those guys, and that helps us out a lot. Everybody knows a hamstring is a nagging thing. Maybe a guy like me with a hamstring, I could do it. But with the way Troy plays, so explosive, so many quick movements within the box and constantly fighting off blockers and stuff like that, he needs to be at full health. Sometimes, he'll scare you because you'll feel like where he is he can't get to where he's supposed to be. But he always does. We have a weird relationship. If you'd have told me we'd be such good friends by this point, I wouldn't have believed it because he barely spoke to me the first few weeks I was here. But he's cool. He doesn't have to tell me what he's doing. He knows that whatever he does, I'll figure out what it is and I'll do the opposite to make sure the defense fits. It just happens from us playing together. Sometimes, Troy will point, and you have to know what the point means. Sometime, he'll give you a signal behind his back, and you have to know what that means. Sometimes, he won't do anything, and you have to figure that out, too.”
Bryant McFadden: “He means a lot, especially from a secondary standpoint. When you play opposing offenses, they really have to account for him and take note where he is at all times. He does so many positive things out there for the secondary and the defense, just the chemistry he brings to the table. He makes so many plays from a coverage standpoint, blitzing and turnovers.”
Dick LeBeau: “We just got Casey back last week and we're hoping we can get Troy back pretty soon. Sooner's always better than later. It's just the timing and the integrating. Every year, you have a different mix. We have different guys in that huddle than we had last year, and each guy has to get a feel for how each guy fits, and that's always something that's better to have practice at. More is better.”
The meeting that was to take place this week between NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Rooney brothers has now been postponed until August 26. The new date comes at the request of Dan Rooney for the reason that Rooney wants more time to prepare and attempt a meeting with the last commissioner Paul Tagliabue. Could it be Rooney is trying hard to find investors before the meeting so Stanley Druckenmiller doesn’t buy up the remaining shares?
In training camp, there are still some starting roles that have to be determined. Center is probably the most glaring. Justin Hartwig has been practicing with the first team and when signed was expected to succeed Sean Mahan. Tomlin on that battle:
“No, we're still looking at those guys. Both guys, I thought, played well. We'll continue to work both. I think it's important we get a true evaluation of the position by allowing Justin to continue to work with the first group and get some cohesion things squared away, some communication, some silent-count issues. I think it's important that we get a true evaluation of the position by allowing Justin to continue to work with the first group and get some cohesion, some communication, some silent count issues. I like where both those guys are, and I think we've got two viable options there.”
The other primary competition is at right cornerback. Deshea Townsend has been there for a long time but Bryant McFadden is giving him a fight. Said Tomlin:
“Deshea is a quality guy -- he's the guy. He's just been experiencing some discomfort with his groin. He'll be OK.”
As for what took place at St. Vincent’s yesterday, while Anthony Smith took heat for blasting Hines Ward among others, Ryan Clark took his turn yesterday knocking the snot out of Jeremy Bloom, a hit that put Bloom on the ground and without a helmet. Byron Leftwich continued his efforts to become more comfortable with the offense as he was sharp in the 11-on-11 drills in the red zone tossing two scores both to Dallas Baker. Baker who has been playing better and living up to his nickname “Touchdown Maker” dropped a third pass from Dennis Dixon. Mewelde Moore on the other hand could become a viable weapon out of the backfield in the passing game and yesterday snagged a pass from Ben Roethlisberger using just one hand that he had to jump high for. Nate Washington was impressive as well catching a bomb from Big Ben beating impressive corner Roy Lewis.
