Casey Hampton

[Steeltime]

Hampton showed up for summer camp so out of shape that he was not allowed to practice with the team for several weeks. Not surprisingly, he has struggled with injuries this season.

I say not surprisingly because his general lack of fitness makes him more prone to injury. He is not merely big, as in years past, he is obese.

The Steelers have to be concerned about spending $3.1 million on salary for Hampton next year, if Hampton is not serious about getting in shape. If he shows up weighing 375 lbs. next camp, then he is just not going to help the team. He will be too fat and out of shape to be on the field for more than 50% of the snaps, and will not be able to make it through the season without injury.

Big guys who turn obese are not able to play the way they could when they were more fit. Guys like Ted Washington and Sam Adams are examples - these players became so heavy that they no longer were the players who demanded double teams, or who could play 50 snaps per game. Instead, they supposedly "clogged the middle" on 30 snaps per game.

More likely, they were clogging their arteries. Casey Hampton needs to show up next year in shape. If not, then he is not a guy who can be relied on.

[Coryea]

I hope Parker shows up in shape next year, he's missed more games with injuries over the past few seasons than Hampton.

[Steeltime]

I hope Parker shows up in shape next year, he's missed more games with injuries over the past few seasons than Hampton.

Parker's broken leg and knee injury are the risks associated with playing in the NFL. Casey's knee injury in 2004 was the same. But his present obesity will limit his effectiveness and make him injury prone.

He does not have to compete for Mr. Universe, for crying out loud, but being morbidly obese is not the recipe for productive play.

[Far51]

hes gotta come down to about 340, 360-370 range very unsafe for a 6"1 DL his knees will eventually break down, not only football wise but long term health.

I am preatty sure he reported in the mid 370 range and was allowed back when he got perhaps 360 range, he needs to prolong his career get back to the 330 range which was his entering nfl wirght, has always been listed as 320 but that's a load of crap.

[Steeltime]

I am preatty sure he reported in the mid 370 range and was allowed back when he got perhaps 360 range, he needs to prolong his career get back to the 330 range which was his entering nfl wirght, has always been listed as 320 but that's a load of crap.

Hamton can play at 340 lbs., since he played pretty well in 2005 at around that weight.
But I agree completely that he is not the same player at 370 lbs.

For a big guy like Hampton, there is a point of diminishing returns on further weight gain. He cannot play the position at 370 lbs., any more than he could play it at 250 lbs.

[Steelerz99]

Why f-k w/success?? Right now we are allowing less than 70 yds rushing a game. Until he is totally healthy why play him. If that means he needs to lose a few chins then so be it.

[Vader]

Why f-k w/success?? Right now we are allowing less than 70 yds rushing a game. Until he is totally healthy why play him. If that means he needs to lose a few chins then so be it.

He needs to get back ASAP. We are razor thin at the NG position and I don't want Hoke totally used up because Hampton can't play. You need to be able to rotate your DL and right now Hoke is taking a ton of snaps. I'd like to keep him fresh for the playoffs.

[TMC]

http://coreygilmore.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/beating_a_dead_horse.jpg

We should buy stock in a stick company.

[Steeltime]

http://coreygilmore.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/beating_a_dead_horse.jpg

We should buy stock in a stick company.

When Casey gets his weight below that of the deceased equine, the subject will be abandoned.

[Jitter]

If we werent so thin on the line already I would say we should try to move him. He needs to be big, but at least somewhat fit. His conditioning just shows lack of commitment to the team to me and I dont like or want that kinda player on the team.

[TMC]

Notebook: Hampton losing weight

By Jim Wexell
SteelCityInsider.com
Posted Aug 5, 2008

With a night practice, there was plenty of time to get the real Steelers news at St. Vincent College. We start with an update on Casey Hampton.

LATROBE – In spite of claims by Casey Hampton that he doesn’t watch the scale, the Steelers’ nose tackle has been weighed every day – along with the rest of the team – and he’s lost close to 15 pounds since reporting to camp at 360 pounds.
The Steelers will keep him sidelined another seven days and hope he loses another five pounds to get within range of his assigned weight of 335.

Hampton worked with conditioning assistant Marcel Pastoor once again Tuesday morning on a practice field at St. Vincent College. Hampton ran laps and then sprints and then worked on his short-area quickness. The weight’s coming off and Hampton appears to be regaining the quickness that made him a four-time Pro Bowler.

Hampton will turn 31 before the opener. He’s ignored team requests over the years to hire a personal trainer because “being out of shape is the worst possible thing for a defensive lineman,” said one source. Hampton’s contract expires after the 2009 season, and he’s been reminded that $40,000 for a personal trainer could earn him $40 million on the back end of his career. But, so far, Hampton has ignored the plea.

And, just FYI, an average horse can weigh between 1000-1200 pounds. So, I guess I do not have to worry about you and this subject again. Glad we cleared that up.

[Far51]

335 would be perfect, Haven't seen any 6"1 335 NT play as long as Hampton other than Vilfork & Williams there are not any elite NT's/NG that specialize vs the, 4-3 DT's that are great run stiffer's ?I think most fall in the 6"4+ 350 range [Haynesworth, Henderson, Ngata (he both DE & DT)] hard to determine b/c of the 4-6 if he is a DE or a DT think he play's both

wth our deep need to rebuild our OL via the 09 draft, think if he trims down they could extend him 3 years or let him walk and in the 2110 draft or 09 project pick draft his replacement.

Hoke Is serviceable good but not a ideal NT doesn't always get the push that big Casey does, Hoke I think is similar to Kelly Gregg similar size but good but not spectacular NT's.

[markymarc]

Hampton will be just fine. Like Vader stated I want Hampton back so we can keep Hoke fresh for the playoffs. Besides would anyone really want to see us lining Kirschke up at NT.

[Booted]

.......We are razor thin at the NG position .........
We're thin at the NG position..lol.. thats funny. Have you seen Hampton?

[TC237]

..Have you seen Hampton?
haha, seen him today, in the Sidney Crosby DVD, after Hossa scores to beat the Rangers in OT.
Deshea and Hamp are in the crowd, banging on the glass.

[deljzc]

Surprised the glass at the igloo held up.

Hampton will be on the team for 2009. For some reason, the Steelers have restructured Hampton's contract the last two off-seasons. That balloons his cap hit up to $6.5 million next year even though he's only scheduled to make around $3.1 or $3.2 million of take home pay.

I don't see us cutting him when the dead money hit will be so much. And his roster spot will still have to be filled somehow. Are we adding NT to the growing list of positions to draft next year? Finding NT's ins't the easiest thing to do in free agency (and often they have to adjust their bodies to our style 3-4 NT).

Hampton is the next Jeff Hartings. We'll be carrying him on the books at extremely high cap hits maybe for the next couple of years, continually extending/restucturing his contract until he does retire or hurt himself, then we'll take a big cap hit. It's inevitable.

[60 MINUTES]

Hampton showed up for summer camp so out of shape that he was not allowed to practice with the team for several weeks. Not surprisingly, he has struggled with injuries this season.

I say not surprisingly because his general lack of fitness makes him more prone to injury. He is not merely big, as in years past, he is obese.

The Steelers have to be concerned about spending $3.1 million on salary for Hampton next year, if Hampton is not serious about getting in shape. If he shows up weighing 375 lbs. next camp, then he is just not going to help the team. He will be too fat and out of shape to be on the field for more than 50% of the snaps, and will not be able to make it through the season without injury.

Big guys who turn obese are not able to play the way they could when they were more fit. Guys like Ted Washington and Sam Adams are examples - these players became so heavy that they no longer were the players who demanded double teams, or who could play 50 snaps per game. Instead, they supposedly "clogged the middle" on 30 snaps per game.

More likely, they were clogging their arteries. Casey Hampton needs to show up next year in shape. If not, then he is not a guy who can be relied on.


I understand where you are coming from and before the season started this year I agreed a bit with you. I still agree at his age that he needs to pay attention to his weight a little better to get what we need for the next few years. However after this season started and if you pay attention to every snap and go back and watch each play focus on just hampton alone on those plays and you will see what I saw. The guy is fucking great. Better then what I thought at this point in his career. He blows up the middle a shit pile of times each game and when he is not he always takes up two blockers. Always !!!! go back and look at the games he is in and watch. Hoke is great as well and we need him but he is much better coming in with energy then playing the hole game. I saw him slow down some this past week later in the 3rd quarter. Overall we need both and I agree Hampton needs to come in at better shape and weight. but make no mistake about it with Hampton and Smith in the game there is no where to run at all. Really no where.

Again I will say I had the same thoughts as you this year and this is why I went back on the games and actually watched pretty much every play that hampton was in the game for. I wanted to see if he was worth the 6 or 8 mil a year. Let me tell you I'm not sure he is worth 8 mil a year but make no mistake about it, Hampton to fat or not is killing the other team pretty much every play. They have to keep two guys on him and from time to time he blows both of those guys up. They never run right at him and they never do not double team him. Anyway like I said you have to be a homer like me and watch every play on slow motion and keep your eye on Hampton for those plays and you will see what I saw.

[steelernbama]

Terrance Cody...NT Alabama..6'6 360 as a transfer junior. Reported from a JUCO at 420 but Saban said no go until he reached 360. He is a monster.

[BLITZ 43]

We are worried about 3.1 mil when we have Starks making 6.9 to sit the bench???? I would much rather have Hampton making 3.1 and have to worry about his weight then have Starks making what he is and sitting on the bench. Sorry still bitter about the Starks deal.

[TWEEK1106]

this is exactly what i was talking about in the preseason when some of you got offended that i called the great Casey Hampton a pig. the man is not only shortening his effective career with us he's also shortening his lifespan.


anyone see casey hampton being around till he's 55?

nope..................not when you're 30yrs old and weigh 375.


0 <--------------------------- the size of Hampton's pulmanary artery at the moment.

[TazmanianDevil43]

Again I will say I had the same thoughts as you this year and this is why I went back on the games and actually watched pretty much every play that hampton was in the game for. I wanted to see if he was worth the 6 or 8 mil a year. Let me tell you I'm not sure he is worth 8 mil a year but make no mistake about it, Hampton to fat or not is killing the other team pretty much every play. They have to keep two guys on him and from time to time he blows both of those guys up. They never run right at him and they never do not double team him. Anyway like I said you have to be a homer like me and watch every play on slow motion and keep your eye on Hampton for those plays and you will see what I saw.



He does need to get in shape, but I don't think it's career threatning. He can still go lower, and with him playing, keeps his body in better shape.

but like 60 Minutes pointed out, despite him being fat, he is still a dominant force. I've seen Hampton chase down a RB down the line of scrimmage.......seriously no joke lol

injury is the biggest factor, we need him stay healthy for this defense to perform at a high level, because of that he needs to lose more weight..but he can still play ball though.

I say play Hoke and Hampton 50/50.

[TMC]

I think there are a couple guys you have to watch at NT entering the 2009 draft and they are:
1-BJ Raji, Boston College-maybe more of a penetrating NT than a clog filler, but he can get to the QB and does well against the run.
2-Terrance Taylor, Michigan-this guy is pure potential. He has all the tools, but is inconsistent. His inconsistency may drop him to the end of the 2nd round, but he is a former wrestler that understands positioning and leverage.
3-Al Woods, LSU-a junior, but a monster of a guy. He may rocket up boards because of his limitless potential and ability to play multiple schemes.
4-Boo Robinson, Wake Forest-nicknamed Baby Boo, this guy can stop the run and get after the QB. His sack numbers are impressive and he simply dominated the line against Clemson. Wake Forest shut Clemson's vaunted running backs down. It was extremely impressive.

More will emerge, but those are 4 that were pretty impressive to this point in the season. I think Taylor may have the most potential to be a true stud at NT. Raji may be the most NFL ready. Woods is the guy that you want for any scheme.....like Richard Seymour. Boo Robinson just makes splash play after splash play...his motor never quits.

All 4 of these guys could be stars in the NFL.

[markymarc]

Even with Hoke and Hampton, it may be time to think about drafting a NT to start grooming for this defense. While our DL has been great so far in 2008 it can never hurt to start getting some younger players to groom for the future.

[SteelerFan448]

Even with Hoke and Hampton, it may be time to think about drafting a NT to start grooming for this defense. While our DL has been great so far in 2008 it can never hurt to start getting some younger players to groom for the future.

Absolutely, DL and OL are two areas where we must add some younger talent this offseason. You can never have enough depth, especially at these areas.

[markymarc]

Absolutely, DL and OL are two areas where we must add some younger talent this offseason. You can never have enough depth, especially at these areas.

I completely agree. Heck I wouldn't mind if we go OL and DL for the entire draft.

[Steeltime]

I completely agree. Heck I wouldn't mind if we go OL and DL for the entire draft.

CB needs attention as well. If Steelers do not re-sign Washington, then WR depth is also something that merits a draft pick.

[markymarc]

CB needs attention as well. If Steelers do not re-sign Washington, then WR depth is also something that merits a draft pick.

That is a good point. Depending on who we lose in FA then a WR or CB might be needed. The draft should still be mainly focused on OL and DL. I still would hate to lose Washington or McFadden.

[LetMePlay]

I agree on Raji and I think that getting Brace later would not be a bad idea either.

I think there are a couple guys you have to watch at NT entering the 2009 draft and they are:
1-BJ Raji, Boston College-maybe more of a penetrating NT than a clog filler, but he can get to the QB and does well against the run.
2-Terrance Taylor, Michigan-this guy is pure potential. He has all the tools, but is inconsistent. His inconsistency may drop him to the end of the 2nd round, but he is a former wrestler that understands positioning and leverage.
3-Al Woods, LSU-a junior, but a monster of a guy. He may rocket up boards because of his limitless potential and ability to play multiple schemes.
4-Boo Robinson, Wake Forest-nicknamed Baby Boo, this guy can stop the run and get after the QB. His sack numbers are impressive and he simply dominated the line against Clemson. Wake Forest shut Clemson's vaunted running backs down. It was extremely impressive.

More will emerge, but those are 4 that were pretty impressive to this point in the season. I think Taylor may have the most potential to be a true stud at NT. Raji may be the most NFL ready. Woods is the guy that you want for any scheme.....like Richard Seymour. Boo Robinson just makes splash play after splash play...his motor never quits.

All 4 of these guys could be stars in the NFL.