STEELERS SUNDAY AFTERNOON PRACTICE
by Dale GrdnicAfter seven training camp days and 13 practice sessions, it was finally goal-line time for the Pittsburgh Steelers at Saint Vincent College.
As Sunday's Family Day practice wound down, the first-team offense and defense dug in at the near goal line on Field 1. On two occasions, No. 1 pick Rashard Mendenhall - following a Carey Davis block from his fullback spot - was stuffed short of the end zone by inside linebacker James Farrior and Co.
Second-year running back Gary Russell also was stopped on third down, so the defense needed to win just one more to secure victory in the Best-of-7 event. Russell scored on the fourth attempt, and Justin Vincent snuck in on the field. Although replays might have reversed that call.
But that was it for the offense. Vincent was stopped again on No. 6, and the defense won again. The first-team offense wanted to go again, but Farrior and the defense made Mendenhall and Co. regret that decision. It's hard to believe that the Steelers' first-team offense couldn't score at least one time.
"Not on us,'' Farrior said. "They're a good offense, but we can't give them anything. It gives us bragging rights, but it also gives our defense confidence. They might be able to get in on other teams, but not on us. The front line did a great job, really, and that allowed me to come up to make the play.''
Despite an apparent perfect build for this drill at 5-foot-10 and 225 pounds, as well as previous success with 17 rushing touchdowns at Illinois last season, Mendenhall was tentative in hitting the hole. By then, it was too late.
On that first carry, I was more concerned with just running the play than I was with getting in the end zone,'' Mendenhall said. "I was trying to read the blocks and then looking to get in there. There was just so much going on, what you have to do is just get the ball and hit it hard.
"So, I'd like to get another chance at the goal line. I think I can do a lot better. But whatever they need me to do, I'll do it. I like to run on the goal line. That would be a great job to have, but I want to play as much as possible. So, I'll do whatever it takes to get on the field.''
Certainly, Mendenhall will need to do a better job in short-yardage situations. Starting running back Willie Parker will also be used in the goal-line drill in the future, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, and Russell has to get a shot.
"Once you see a hole, you've got to hit it,'' Russell said. "You have to run downhill. That's the only way to be successful on the goal line, and I think I can do that pretty well.''
Tomlin agreed that attitude was the difference between Russell and Mendenhall in the initial goal-line situation Sunday.
"(Mendenhall) has to run a lot harder (on the goal line) than he did today,'' Tomlin said. "When the defense goes out there and stuffs three plays in a row to start off and wins five out of seven you've got to give the win to them.
"The offense did a nice job coming back with a couple scores, but the defense did a better job today. It was fun out there, and whenever we can make it fun for these guys -- and get our work in, too - I'm all for that.''
On the one close play, Tomlin deferred to the line judge pressed into action.
"That would be our chaplain,'' Tomlin said. "I figured that if you put the chaplain on the line there would be less beefs and complaints, and I think it worked out for us. (And) I'm not going to second-guess the chaplain. If he said (Vincent) scored, then he scored.''
Several Steelers have been limited due to injury problems, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has a slight right groin strain. Also, tight end Cody Boyd (shoulder), inside linebacker Mike Humpal (hamstring), tight end Dezmond Sherrod (stiff neck), safety Anthony Smith (groin) and outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley (groin) are listed as day-to-day.
The best news on the injury front was that offensive guard Chris Kemoeatu (triceps) is close to returning to the starting lineup. The club is having a piece of protective equipment made to protect the injured arm, and then Kemoeatu can get back to his starting spot on the left side.
Safety Troy Polamalu (left hamstring) is still questionable, possibly up to a week away, Tomlin said. And nose tackle Casey Hampton, who continues to work with trainers and conditioning coaches away from the team, is not close. He and Tomlin had a private meeting Sunday before practice.
"That (meeting) was between he and I, so don't ask him about it,'' Tomlin said. "That process (with Hampton's status) is still running its course. We'll continue to move forward, but he's not where we want him yet.''