TUESDAY MORNING PRACTICE JULY 29th
by Dale GrndicDespite extensive work on them since Mike Tomlin took over as the head coach, the Pittsburgh Steelers' special teams units have been anything but special.
In fact, they rank among the NFL's worst in coverage, as well as punts and kickoff returns. Some might believe that the Steelers would increase their work load in those areas during training camp this year at Saint Vincent College, but that's not the case.
"We're not going to work at it as much, but we're definitely going to work at it very hard,'' Tomlin said before coming to training camp.
That doesn't mean the Steelers are de-emphasising special teams, because that would just be wrong, since it's still one-third of the game. And Steelers special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky wouldn't have as much to do. The embattled second-year coach put his units through an hour-long practice Tuesday morning, as linemen and some other players left after warm-ups.
"The total time we spend might change a bit, but there's certainly no way we would de-emphasize the special teams,'' Ligashesky said. "We're still going to concentrate on the fundamental skills and technique development needed to play special teams... And this is the place for the young guys to work on it.''
Linebackers LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons, the top two draft picks last year, are integral parts of the special teams this year. However, they also will be key members of the Steelers' defense this season. Veteran James Harrison likely will have his special teams role reduced a bit again this year, but that doesn't mean he's not involved.
"James is working very hard when we use him here, but he's also very important in the classroom and on the sideline,'' Ligashesky noted. "He's helping the younger guys like LaMarr and Lawrence, tutoring them, and that's made it a lot easier for the coaches. James takes special teams seriously.''
The Steelers pretty much used the same group as expected for kickoff and punt returns. No. 1 pick Rashard Mendenhall, and wideouts Willie Reid and Jeremy Bloom handled the kick-return duties, while Reid, Bloom, running back Mewelde Moore and wideout Santonio Holmes ran back punts.
While Ligashesky put the special teams groups through their paces, the Steelers quarterbacks, along with position coach Ken Anderson, went through passing drills where Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch, Dennis Dixon and Mike Potts fired passes from 20-25 yards out at a netting - similar to the old pitch-backs - but with three descending openings to bag the throws and a point system.
Roethlisberger started off red hot, missing only a couple throws, but Batch came on strong to tie the Steelers starter at the end. A playoff was held, and Roethlisberger misfired on all three with the final toss sailing high over the netting. Batch nailed one throw to win the competition.
While all this was going on, nose tackle Casey Hampton went through some light running and agility drills with conditioning assistant Marcel Pastoor. They were joined by Troy Polamalu a short time later. The Steelers safety looked pretty good in straight on running, but he didn't do any stops and starts or cutting.TUESDAY AFTERNOON PRACTICE >>>
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