SATURDAY EVENING PRACTICE
by Dale Grdnic
Coach Mike Tomlin has talked about position flexibility since his arrival, and it was clear during the first training camp practice week at Saint Vincent College that the players have heeded his advice to learn as many spots as possible.
When Chris Kemoeatu (triceps) wasn't able to go from the outset, fourth-year player Trai Essex moved from his backup offensive tackle spot to starting left guard. When left tackle Marvel Smith was bumped up a couple days later, Essex was able to take over his starting position as well.
The same was true with the Steelers' linebacking corps. James Farrior was out for a day, which meant that Larry Foote slid over to his inside spot. And last year's No. 1 pick, Lawrence Timmons, stepped in as Foote's replacement. But when LaMarr Woodley, the No. 2 pick last year, couldn't go Saturday afternoon, James Harrison switched positions, and Timmons moved to his outside spot.
"I know that you've heard the catch phrase position flexibility,'' Tomlin said. "And now, you see why we do the things that we do... Lawrence is a young player that we have identified as someone we need to step up, but that's the case for all those second-year guys like he and LaMarr.''
While Timmons is as soft-spoken as there is off the field, his on-field play has spoken loudly. He clearly is ready to take his game to another level this year.
"Well, I'm just playing football the best that I know how,'' Timmons said. "If they need me to play inside, I can do that, but I also can play outside if need be. I wanted to learn every spot that I could to help me get on the field.''
With one week in the books, Tomlin noted that the team's excellent overall conditioning allowed the Steelers to have a good opening practice week.
"We've got a ways to go with some technical things, as does everybody, but we've had a good start,'' Tomlin said. "I've been pleased with our play-action-pass package offensively. It's better than it was a year ago at this point.
"And defensively, we've got some young guys who've shown that they're going to be contributors potentially. Of course, they've got to continue to confirm that, but from what we've seen from this point, the potential is there.''
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (right groin strain) participated in the 7-on-7 drills Saturday afternoon, but couldn't do any more than that after being injured Friday night. Tomlin characterized him as day-to-day.
Woodley (groin), rookie sixth-round draft pick Mike Humpal (hamstring), an inside linebacker, and undrafted rookie free agent tight end Dezmond Sherrod (stiff neck) from Mississippi State were added to the injury list. All are day-to-day.