SATURDAY MORNING PRACTICE AUGUST 2nd
by Dale Grdnic
If fifth-round draft pick Dennis Dixon is going to secure a spot on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster this year, the former Oregon quarterback likely will need to make it on his reputation if things continue the way they've gone during the first training camp week at Saint Vincent College.
Dixon (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) and undrafted rookie free agent Mike Potts (6-4, 220) from William and Mary, have struggled thus far. Their short passing game is sharp, but from medium to long-range has been shaky at best. The two have strong arms, but are erratic.
"They've had a tough time, but that happens to rookies,'' Steelers quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson said. "They'll be all right. Give them some time.''
Potts doesn't appear to have a chance to make the roster, providing an extra arm in the early going, but Dixon is an amazingly talented player. At least he was before suffering a season-ending knee injury late last season. Dixon guided the Ducks to an 8-1 record and No. 2 ranking, putting up Heisman-worthy numbers running and throwing the ball, before being injured.
"I know it hasn't been a year, yet, but I feel pretty good,'' Dixon said. "I'm working off the rust, so it'll get there. They told me to just do what I can do, and I'm trying to do it all. The knee feels pretty good, so I expect to come around soon. I'm just learning the playbook and getting used to this offense.''
Dixon and Potts got all the reps at quarterback during the Saturday morning practice at Saint Vincent College, as starters and veterans were given some time off after Friday's late night workout. But only about a half hour in the 90-minute session consisted of team (11-on-11) drills.
The initial practice hour was comprised of a special teams walk-through and some conditioning running, but primarily consisted of stretching during a warm-up session. Then, while the offense prepared for team drills, the defense split into individual position workouts that mostly included teaching and agility work. The linebackers, for instance, ran through pads to work on footwork.
Nose tackle Casey Hampton worked out on an upper field with conditioning assistant Marcel Pastoor, while the other injured players were at practice. It appeared that rookie linebacker Mike Humpal (groin), safety Anthony Smith (groin) and center Sean Mahan (back) were not available. Wideout Santonio Holmes was excused Friday night and Saturday due to a death in the family.
ESPN’s John Clayton, a former Pittsburgh sportswriter, attended practice and conducted a one-on-one interview with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Despite slightly straining his right groin Friday night, Roethlisberger joined his teammates Saturday morning on the field. His status for the afternoon practice was not known.
The Steelers made two roster moves Saturday. They signed rookie center Doug Legursky (6-1, 323) to a one-year contract and released rookie place-kicker Julian Rauch, a free agent signing from Appalachian State in April.
Legursky originally signed with the Steelers in April as an undrafted rookie free agent from Marshall. He was released by the team June 29. Legursky was a three-time All-Conference USA selection who started the final 32 games of his college career for the Thundering Herd.
Several hundred members of the Ultimate Steelers Fan Club attended practice. They are families on the club's season-ticket waiting list who get invitations for a trip to camp, one regular-season game, a chance at playoff tickets and Super Bowl lottery involvement.
It was overcast and around 70 degrees with a slight breeze for the workout, the coolest it's been during the first week. The sun emerged briefly, which quickly changed things, and left the impression that it would be a steamy afternoon.