Camp begins (updates, tweets and other tidbits)

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Steelers Insider: As camp begins

By Chris Bradford cbradford@timesonline.com

ASON WORILDS VS. JARVIS JONES: At a robust 320 pounds, Casey Hampton is certainly the biggest absence from last season’s top-ranked defense (statistically speaking). James Harrison, however, is the most notable. The former defensive player of the year and five-time Pro Bowl selection couldn’t come to terms on a new contract and subsequently signed with division rival Cincinnati. Replacing Harrison, or at least attempting to, is Worilds. In 10 starts over his first three seasons, Worilds recorded 10 sacks. If he isn’t up to the task, though, it very well may fall to first-round pick Jarvis Jones, who led the nation in tackles for loss (24.5) and sacks (14.5) last year at Georgia. Jones was considered to be the best 3-4 OLB available in the draft and is expected to pay immediate dividends. That’s a rarity in coordinator Dick LeBeau’s complex schemes. The battle between Worilds and Jones might be the most intriguing of a camp that could see other rookies land starting spots.

READ MORE: http://www.timesonline.com/sports/steelers/steelers-insider-as-camp-begins/article_797815a2-2b77-51d4-9fed-496705790b17.html

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Ed Bouchette: Training Camp A Little Lighter These Days

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) — Post-Gazette reporter and Steelers insider for 93-7 The Fan Ed Bouchette joined The Fan Morning Show on Friday, with the start of Steelers training camp just hours away.

He broke down some of the key position battles for the Steelers and explored what individual players might bring to the table during camp.

He said that training camp has become a little more relaxed for players over the past few years because of the new CBA.

“Camp is still tough for these guys,” Bouchette said. “But it’s not as tough as it was even five years ago.”

READ MORE: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/07/26/ed-bouchette-training-camp-a-little-lighter-these-days/

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Mark Kaboly ‏@MarkKaboly_Trib

Mike Adams said he will be ready for regular season. very possible he will put on PUP. Will know for sure in couple hours.

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Ed Bouchette ‏@EdBouchette

Willie Parker is here at Steelers camp as coaching intern

Parker too? Rod Woodson and Chris Hoke are already in camp as interns...who's next, Joey Porter and Aaron Smith?

Dodens Grav wrote:

Parker too? Rod Woodson and Chris Hoke are already in camp as interns...who's next, Joey Porter and Aaron Smith?

At least this year we're talking about who IS at camp rather than who ISN'T.  

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Ed Bouchette ‏@EdBouchette

Mike Tomlin said Ben Roethlisberger experiencing "a little discomfort" in his knee, but says it's not a setback. Knee surgery in June.

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Ray Fittipaldo ‏@rayfitt1

Tomlin said four guys will start on PUP list: Heath Miller, David Johnson and Sean Spence and Alameda Ta'amu (hamstring)

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Ray Fittipaldo ‏@rayfitt1

Spence said he has been cutting more on his injured knee and said he has regained some of his speed.

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Ray Fittipaldo ‏@rayfitt1

LB Sean Spence said he will start season on PUP list and hopes to join team sometime mid season

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Ray Fittipaldo ‏@rayfitt1

Matt spaeth who has been working out with Heath Miller said he wouldn't be surprised if Miller made it back to the lineup for week 1.

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Awkward silence marks Steelers arrival for training camp

By Alan Robinson

Call it a Larry Foote promise rather than a Joe Namath-like guarantee.

Six months after following a pair of 12-4 seasons by sitting out the playoffs, the Steelers reported to training camp Friday amid an unusual backdrop. And it wasn't the steamy deep-in-the-valley practice fields of St. Vincent that can separate wannabe NFL players from the real ones — as they will starting Saturday.

Rather, there wasn't the usual opening-day crush of national media or questions about Super Bowl runs or All-Pro awards or huge expectations. For now, the Steelers are being perceived in a different light — an 8-8 team that probably might not be much better in a rugged AFC North that features Super Bowl winner Baltimore

“It's quiet around here,” safety Ryan Clark said, commenting about the lack of buzz that commonly accompanies a Steelers camp opening. “Nobody's expecting us to do too much.”

Foote is. And the man who calls the defensive signals felt it was too passive and peaceful.

Since Foote arrived in 2002, the Steelers haven't skipped the playoffs in consecutive seasons. Despite all the questions about the big-name departed free agents — James Harrison and Mike Wallace — and the Steelers' ability to replace them without signing recognizable veterans, Foote promised it won't happen in 2013.

The Steelers, he said, are a playoff team — and they're ready to prove it.

Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/4401982-74/steelers-foote-camp#ixzz2aE4mDh9Z

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James C Wexell ‏@jimwexell

The Steelers will open practices this afternoon with Isaac Redman as the No. 1 RB, according to Kirby Wilson. More from Wilson later at SCI.

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Ed Bouchette ‏@EdBouchette

Ben Roethlisberger just told me his right knee is fine, although he did not want to dispute Mike Tomlin's assessment Friday.

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Parker back at camp

By Teresa Varley

Former Steelers running back Willie Parker is one of several players who are at training camp this year, working as a coaching intern.

Parker is participating in the NFL’s minority fellowship program, gaining experience as he works on his own coaching career.

“I am easing my way into coaching,” said Parker. “It’s great to be back here. Being back in Latrobe gives me the camp jitters. At the same time it’s fun being back with the coaches, players and everyone.”

Parker, who joked he wouldn’t be taking any handoffs from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, said he is working with players trying to give them advice that helped him as a player.

http://blog.steelers.com/2013/07/27/parker-back-at-camp/

like seeing good level headed players from past Steelers teams coming in as interns to help out this Steelers team that's getting younger each year.

They said Aaron Smith IS in camp too on Steelers.com Live. Not surprising really.

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Mark Kaboly ‏@MarkKaboly_Trib

You might laugh at me, but John Parker Wilson looks pretty good at QB for the #Steelers

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Mark Kaboly ‏@MarkKaboly_Trib

Isaac Redman looking very impressive.

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Mark Kaboly ‏@MarkKaboly_Trib

Drew Butler kind of kicking Brian Moorman butt right now during special teams period.

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James C Wexell ‏@jimwexell

Redman's never been a burner but he's never looked faster to me. I was impressed that Worilds could run him down on opposite side.

Hearing a lot of good stuff about Redman so far. All the talk about Bell coming in and starting might have been a bit premature.

Wallace108 wrote:

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James C Wexell ‏@jimwexell

Redman's never been a burner but he's never looked faster to me. I was impressed that Worilds could run him down on opposite side.

Hearing a lot of good stuff about Redman so far. All the talk about Bell coming in and starting might have been a bit premature.

I just wrote about that today.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2013/07/leveon-bell-has-stiff-competition-to-live-up-to-as-pass-protector/

Wallace108 wrote:

Hearing a lot of good stuff about Redman so far. All the talk about Bell coming in and starting might have been a bit premature.

It seems that Bell took majority of the snaps with the first team today at camp. I bet both of these guys could have a really good year for this team.

Dodens Grav wrote:

I just wrote about that today.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2013/07/leveon-bell-has-stiff-competition-to-live-up-to-as-pass-protector/

Good read, Matthew. Backs blocking isn't something that regularly catches my eye (unless one completely whiffs on a block and it leads to a sack). I wasn't aware that our backs blocked that well last season. That's why articles like the one you wrote are neat to read ... a look at something that might get overlooked by the average fan (like me).

steelerdude15 wrote:

It seems that Bell took majority of the snaps with the first team today at camp. I bet both of these guys could have a really good year for this team.

They'll both see a lot of action. What remains to be seen is who starts and gets the majority of the work. As of today, I think it's Redman's job to lose. I could be wrong of course.

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Tomlin: “Not Good Work Today, Great Work.”

By Abbey Way

LATROBE, Pa. (93-7 THE FAN) — Live drills continued at Steelers training camp today and there was no shortage of intensity. In fact, there was even a minor scuffle between lineman that was quickly broken up. Regarding the physical nature of camp so far, Mike Tomlin said after practice, that he is happy with the way the players are responding and they will continue to create a competitive environment.

“Not good work today – great work,” Tomlin said.

The highlight of practice was the competitive battle between the offense and defense on short yardage and goal line drills.

“Offense won the short yardage and defense came back and won the goal line,” Tomlin said. ”Such is life this time of year, if you are growing and growing in the right ways.”

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/08/03/mike-tomlin-not-good-work-today-great-work/