August 8th from Dale Grdnic
Latrobe PennsylvaniaSATURDAY PM:
Mike Tomlin has preached about position flexibility since he was hired as the Steelers' head coach more than two years ago, and second-year defensive back Roy Lewis appears to epitomize that player.
Lewis is listed as a second-year cornerback on the Steelers' roster, but he noted that repetitions on both outside spots, as well as free and strong safety, should make him more valuable when the final 53-man group is developed.
"Coach Tomlin puts a lot of emphasis and pressure on second-year players like myself to take that next step in their development and really show what we can do,'' Lewis said. "There's no question that it's tough to learn everything about all four positions in the secondary, but I'm coming along pretty well.
The thing is, it takes time, but I'm getting a better understanding about what this defense is about just by getting reps there every day. The OTAs (editor’s note: Organized Team Activities ) were one thing, but this is really where things happen. You can learn a lot in camp, and I've learned something different every day so far. And I like being versatile.''
It certainly helps Lewis, competing with third-year pro William Gay and veteran Deshea Townsend for that cornerback spot opposite Ike Taylor, that with knowledge of every spot in the secondary he is extremely valuable when the Steelers go to five and six DBs.
Keenan Lewis and Joe Burnett are two rookie corners the Steelers are high on, but Roy Lewis believes that he's a little ahead right now.
"Just being a little older and a little more experienced, that makes a big difference,'' Roy Lewis said. "They're learning on the fly, just like I was last year, but they're very talented. Whomever makes this club, the Steelers are going to get some good DBs. That's why it's such a good competition.''
Tyrone Carter and Ryan Mundy back up Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu right now, but Mundy has been inconsistent. So, that's where Roy Lewis comes in.
"Hey, I'll play wherever they want me to play,'' Lewis said. "I'm just trying to make the team. So, I'm learning everything I can, and we'll see what happens.''
Walking Wounded
The Steelers were a little bumped up and bruised through one training camp week, but not much the worse for wear.
Only interior offensive lineman Darnell Stapleton is out for an extended period after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, but early odds are that he could return by the regular-season opener. Many have gone through the first week unscathed, while others are bouncing back from early injuries.
"There are some new developments, in regard to some injuries,'' Mike Tomlin said. "We held Willie Parker out today after he woke up this morning with some back spasms, but it shouldn't be a big, major deal. ... But it was great to get Sonny Harris back out there participating. Here's a young guy, and it's tough to get on a moving train.
"But he's attempting to do that, and there's no time like the present. So, it's good to see him back out there working hard and improving his skill. A lot of the other injury situations are status quo with a lot of these guys having normal aches and pains. They come along with training camp, so we'll get those guys back out there at the appropriate time.''
Tomlin also noted that DT Scott Paxson has a (right) calf strain. WR Brandon Williams has an abdominal strain, and in practice two players were shut down early. Mike Wallace's groin got a little tight on him, and Keenan Lewis' back got a little tight on him, Tomlin added.But tight end Heath Miller is a full participant now, and center Justin Hartwig should return next week, possibly after the preseason opener Thursday night at Heinz Field. Santonio Holmes had a morning off, but he returned for the afternoon session.
Morning Practice Redux
As we reported earlier, Tomlin had some choice words for the group about 30 minutes into the morning practice, and he explained what happened.
"The big thing is that coming off a night practice and with the young-guy emphasis, I didn't want to waste the morning,'' Tomlin said. "It was a great opportunity to address come reoccurring problems and lay them to bed again and hopefully find some new problems. So, I wanted to make sure everybody was on the same page with what we were trying to get done this morning.
"(So), one of the things that we wanted to get done this morning was focus our energy on young-guy development. With a shortened practice this morning, helmets only, we were trying to get rid of some reoccurring problems with our young players so we can move on to new problems with those guys.
"But I think that's part of the maturation process not only of young players, but of a team at this time of the year,'' Tomlin added. "So, we gave those guys some quality reps (in the morning) and came out in the afternoon and got everybody else back into it.''