August 5th from Dale Grdnic
Latrobe PennsylvaniaWEDNESDAY PM:
Ben Roethlisberger got Wednesday afternoon off after throwing a lot of passes the first four days during the opening week of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College.
Roethlisberger threw an interception in each of the opening three afternoon practices and nearly was picked off Tuesday, but rookie cornerback Joe Burnett dropped it. Other than that, Roethlisberger was pretty sharp.
Then, during Wednesday morning's red-zone drill, he fired three touchdown passes and appeared that the arm strength he was looking for had returned. But Roethlisberger might have pushed it a bit, although Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wouldn't admit that. And Roethlisberger was unavailable for comment.
"This was a planned afternoon off for Ben,'' Tomlin said. "When you take No. 7 out of the offensive huddle, the leader, it was interesting to see Charlie Batch, Dennis Dixon and (Mike Reilly) perform with a little adversity. It's good to see how they operate with a key person out today. So, we wanted to give Ben a rest, but as I've said it's not about the guys that you pull out of drills.
"It's more about the guys that you put in the drills to replace them. When you take No. 7 out of the huddle, I was very interested to see the other guys in there. (And) the jury is still out on those guys. I reserve judgment until I can look at the tape. There weren't a lot of highlight-reel plays, but sometimes it's going to take 15 plays for us to get in the end zone. And that's all right, too.''
Roethlisberger is expected to return Thursday when the Steelers have just one afternoon practice session.
Some Getting Better, Some Status Quo
Heath Miller (sports hernia surgery) and Justin Hartwig (right big toe) continued to increase their work in practice, but they have not yet rejoined the club for team drills.
Center-offensive guard Darnell Stapleton's right knee has not improved, so a decision has to be made concerning him. Tomlin, however, is not ready to discuss Stapleton's health just yet, although the player watched practice on the field for the first time in a couple days. Hines Ward, James Farrior, Deshea Townsend and Troy Polamalu were given the afternoon off, but all are healthy.
Defensive end Sonny Harris was still working out on the sideline. Also out Wednesday were wideout Martin Nance (leg), who had a solid morning session, and tailback Mewelde Moore (slight hamstring pull), after not being able to finish the day before. Willie Parker (shoulder) returned to practice.
Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes
The entire WVU coaching staff was in attendance for both Wednesday practices... The Ambridge High School coaching staff and some players were there in the afternoon, as Kelvin Fisher - a Steelers' college scout - is an Bridger alum... DBs Anthony Madison (Bam) and William Gay (Big Play) have their nicknames are emblazoned on the backs on their practice towels... The Presidents' Athletic Conference held its annual media day at Saint Vincent College, so all the coaches from those schools watched the club's afternoon practice. The PAC includes Thomas More, Washington & Jefferson, Grove City, Westminster, Waynesburg, Bethany, Thiel, Geneva and Saint Vincent... OLB Arnold Harrison and OT Ramon Foster had to be separated during a team drill... LB Tom Korte had a late interception of Dennis Dixon.
Punter Daniel Sepulveda passed to DT Scott Paxson for a touchdown on a fake punt. Then Paxson went into a strange dance before spiking the ball, a no-no while playing for legendary coach Joe Paterno at Penn State.
"I was looking for the ref to give it to him, but there aren't any,'' Paxson said. "So, I spiked it for the fans. (But) I'm T-Rex, so I had to do my T-Rex dance first. I was just acting like the dinosaur that I am, with my short arms.''