mesaSteeler
05-26-2008, 12:04 AM
Steelers report: Inside slant
http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/PIT/10838284
May 23, 2008
The Sports Xchange
Inside slant · Strategy and personnel · Notes, quotes
Minus one spleen and one gall bladder, Ryan Clark is back as the Steelers' starting free safety, a most unlikely turn of events since last November.
He regained the 30 pounds he lost last fall after his sickle cell trait caused his blood to attack his spleen under exertion in the high altitude in Denver when the Steelers played the Broncos Oct. 21.
"It's a victory in the sense that I'm here," Clark said after another spring practice in Pittsburgh. "That's the victory. The rest, as they say in Louisiana, is laying you up ... it's extra."
If he stays right where he is, as the team's starting free safety, a job he first won after he came to them from Washington as an unrestricted free agent in 2006, he will have overcome the odds a second time.
At the start of last season, young Anthony Smith, a 2006 third-round draft pick, looked ready to take over.
"Some people had me counted out in that battle," Clark said.
But Clark persevered and kept his job until that fateful weekend in Denver.
Smith took over after that, did not do well and was benched. It's Clark's job again.
"The victory in it has been certain guys on the team telling me how much different the team is when I'm out there and how happy they are to see me back there," Clark said. "That's the victory, more than anything, that the guys in the locker room recognize your importance to the team."
He has to take medication and he's been inoculated to ward off potential diseases he's more susceptible to since he lost his spleen, but says it should not prevent him from being the same kind of player he was in 2006.
Coach Mike Tomlin believes the tale of the tape for him will occur throughout training camp.
"If you know Ryan, you do not count him out of anything," Tomlin said. "He has a great spirit, he is a great competitor, he has passion and he loves to play the game of football. He is in the process of marching back. We probably will not know until we go out and play football. We like where he is now and I am sure that he is happy to be back out there with his teammates; his teammates are glad to have him. He is a great leader for this team and we are just taking it day by day."
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
Strategy and personnel · Notes, quotes · Inside slant
Share this page.
MEDICAL WATCH
The Steelers were missing their two starting guards when they resumed OTAs the past week. Veteran Kendall Simmons had arthroscopic surgery last week to remove loose particles that were causing him discomfort. Chris Kemoeatu, moving up to replace Alan Faneca at left guard, injured his hamstring working out.
Rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall, who injured his hamstring on his first day of practices at minicamp three weeks ago, did not practice when they resumed OTAs.
WR Hines Ward (knee) did resume practicing, though DEs Aaron Smith (biceps) and Ryan McBean (foot) did not ... OT Jason Capizzi (foot) started practicing this past week.
FRANCHISE PLAYER
None
TRANSITION PLAYER
OT Max Starks (tendered at $6.895M; signed tender April 21).
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--LB Marquis Cooper is a special teams player and possible developmental linebacker. Not a priority.
--RB Verron Haynes was re-signed late in the season after Willie Parker was hurt but likely won't receive another offer from Pittsburgh.
--FB Dan Kreider's role was diminished last year and then his ACL was torn. He's working out and the Steelers might sign him if he gets no looks elsewhere.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--LB Arnold Harrison will receive a contract because he's a good, young backup at a position that is thin and he also plays special teams.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--LB Keyaron Fox: UFA Chiefs; $645,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB; 2008 cap: $485,000.
--C Justin Hartwig: FA Panthers; $3.725M/2 yrs, $975,000 SB.
--RB Mewelde Moore: UFA Vikings; $4.95M/3 yrs, $1.35M SB.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--DE Nick Eason: UFA' 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--OT Trai Essex: RFA, $927,000/1 yr.
--LB Andre Frazier: Not tendered as RFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--G Chris Kemoeatu: RFA; $1.47M/1 yr.
--DE Travis Kirschke: Potential UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--OT Max Starks: TFA; $6.895M/1 yr.
--LS Greg Warren: RFA; $2.3M/3 yrs, $395,000 SB.
--WR Nate Washington: RFA; $1.47M/1 yr.
PLAYERS LOST
--G Alan Faneca: UFA Jets; $40M/5 yrs, $21M guaranteed.
--LB Clark Haggans: UFA Cardinals; $1.5M/1 yr, SB unknown.
--LB Cliff Kriewaldt (released/failed physical).
--CB/KR Allen Rossum (released).
--QB Brian St. Pierre: UFA Cardinals; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--TE Jerame Tuman (released).
--WR Cedrick Wilson (released).
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
Steelers report: Notes, quotes
May 23, 2008
The Sports Xchange
Notes, quotes · Strategy and personnel · Inside slant
--The Steelers have jumped on the Pittsburgh Penguins bandwagon as the NHL team prepares for the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings. QB Ben Roethlisberger has become one of their biggest fans, appearing often in owner Mario Lemieux's box at Melon Arena.
"I love watching them play," Roethlisberger said. "They have a great chance. It will be a good series. I don't want it to go to seven because I hope they can sweep it, but a game seven and us winning it would be pretty sweet."
--Rookie LB Bruce Davis, a third-round pick, won't be able to join the Steelers again this spring until UCLA's quarter ends June 6. The Steelers have three practices after that. The only other rookie affected by his school's quarter system is free agent CB Roy Lewis.
"It's unfortunate for them, but it's just that short-term misery. I'm sure they'll be prepared to catch up," Tomlin said.
--Steelers player rep Charlie Batch is hopeful the union and management can reach a CBA extension long before it comes to labor strife.
"I think it's too early to tell, to speculate down the road what could happen," Batch said. "I think the owners were prepared to strike if that's the case. That's why they're opting out right now, basically putting us on two years notice."
QUOTE TO NOTE
"It gives other guys a chance to see some crazy stuff, especially from our first-team defense." -- G Kendall Simmons, on missing spring practices after shoulder surgery.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/PIT/10838284
May 23, 2008
The Sports Xchange
Inside slant · Strategy and personnel · Notes, quotes
Minus one spleen and one gall bladder, Ryan Clark is back as the Steelers' starting free safety, a most unlikely turn of events since last November.
He regained the 30 pounds he lost last fall after his sickle cell trait caused his blood to attack his spleen under exertion in the high altitude in Denver when the Steelers played the Broncos Oct. 21.
"It's a victory in the sense that I'm here," Clark said after another spring practice in Pittsburgh. "That's the victory. The rest, as they say in Louisiana, is laying you up ... it's extra."
If he stays right where he is, as the team's starting free safety, a job he first won after he came to them from Washington as an unrestricted free agent in 2006, he will have overcome the odds a second time.
At the start of last season, young Anthony Smith, a 2006 third-round draft pick, looked ready to take over.
"Some people had me counted out in that battle," Clark said.
But Clark persevered and kept his job until that fateful weekend in Denver.
Smith took over after that, did not do well and was benched. It's Clark's job again.
"The victory in it has been certain guys on the team telling me how much different the team is when I'm out there and how happy they are to see me back there," Clark said. "That's the victory, more than anything, that the guys in the locker room recognize your importance to the team."
He has to take medication and he's been inoculated to ward off potential diseases he's more susceptible to since he lost his spleen, but says it should not prevent him from being the same kind of player he was in 2006.
Coach Mike Tomlin believes the tale of the tape for him will occur throughout training camp.
"If you know Ryan, you do not count him out of anything," Tomlin said. "He has a great spirit, he is a great competitor, he has passion and he loves to play the game of football. He is in the process of marching back. We probably will not know until we go out and play football. We like where he is now and I am sure that he is happy to be back out there with his teammates; his teammates are glad to have him. He is a great leader for this team and we are just taking it day by day."
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
Strategy and personnel · Notes, quotes · Inside slant
Share this page.
MEDICAL WATCH
The Steelers were missing their two starting guards when they resumed OTAs the past week. Veteran Kendall Simmons had arthroscopic surgery last week to remove loose particles that were causing him discomfort. Chris Kemoeatu, moving up to replace Alan Faneca at left guard, injured his hamstring working out.
Rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall, who injured his hamstring on his first day of practices at minicamp three weeks ago, did not practice when they resumed OTAs.
WR Hines Ward (knee) did resume practicing, though DEs Aaron Smith (biceps) and Ryan McBean (foot) did not ... OT Jason Capizzi (foot) started practicing this past week.
FRANCHISE PLAYER
None
TRANSITION PLAYER
OT Max Starks (tendered at $6.895M; signed tender April 21).
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--LB Marquis Cooper is a special teams player and possible developmental linebacker. Not a priority.
--RB Verron Haynes was re-signed late in the season after Willie Parker was hurt but likely won't receive another offer from Pittsburgh.
--FB Dan Kreider's role was diminished last year and then his ACL was torn. He's working out and the Steelers might sign him if he gets no looks elsewhere.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--LB Arnold Harrison will receive a contract because he's a good, young backup at a position that is thin and he also plays special teams.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--LB Keyaron Fox: UFA Chiefs; $645,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB; 2008 cap: $485,000.
--C Justin Hartwig: FA Panthers; $3.725M/2 yrs, $975,000 SB.
--RB Mewelde Moore: UFA Vikings; $4.95M/3 yrs, $1.35M SB.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--DE Nick Eason: UFA' 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--OT Trai Essex: RFA, $927,000/1 yr.
--LB Andre Frazier: Not tendered as RFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--G Chris Kemoeatu: RFA; $1.47M/1 yr.
--DE Travis Kirschke: Potential UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--OT Max Starks: TFA; $6.895M/1 yr.
--LS Greg Warren: RFA; $2.3M/3 yrs, $395,000 SB.
--WR Nate Washington: RFA; $1.47M/1 yr.
PLAYERS LOST
--G Alan Faneca: UFA Jets; $40M/5 yrs, $21M guaranteed.
--LB Clark Haggans: UFA Cardinals; $1.5M/1 yr, SB unknown.
--LB Cliff Kriewaldt (released/failed physical).
--CB/KR Allen Rossum (released).
--QB Brian St. Pierre: UFA Cardinals; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--TE Jerame Tuman (released).
--WR Cedrick Wilson (released).
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
Steelers report: Notes, quotes
May 23, 2008
The Sports Xchange
Notes, quotes · Strategy and personnel · Inside slant
--The Steelers have jumped on the Pittsburgh Penguins bandwagon as the NHL team prepares for the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings. QB Ben Roethlisberger has become one of their biggest fans, appearing often in owner Mario Lemieux's box at Melon Arena.
"I love watching them play," Roethlisberger said. "They have a great chance. It will be a good series. I don't want it to go to seven because I hope they can sweep it, but a game seven and us winning it would be pretty sweet."
--Rookie LB Bruce Davis, a third-round pick, won't be able to join the Steelers again this spring until UCLA's quarter ends June 6. The Steelers have three practices after that. The only other rookie affected by his school's quarter system is free agent CB Roy Lewis.
"It's unfortunate for them, but it's just that short-term misery. I'm sure they'll be prepared to catch up," Tomlin said.
--Steelers player rep Charlie Batch is hopeful the union and management can reach a CBA extension long before it comes to labor strife.
"I think it's too early to tell, to speculate down the road what could happen," Batch said. "I think the owners were prepared to strike if that's the case. That's why they're opting out right now, basically putting us on two years notice."
QUOTE TO NOTE
"It gives other guys a chance to see some crazy stuff, especially from our first-team defense." -- G Kendall Simmons, on missing spring practices after shoulder surgery.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.