Steelers Morning Huddle 5/14/13

May 3, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin oversees drills during Steelers rookie mincamp and orientation at the UPMC Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning Steeler nation.  The news for the Steelers is slow since their rookie mini-camp wrapped up about a week ago.  Here is a sampling of articles I found this morning:

The Steel Nation bloggers are speculating on potential starter for the 2013 season:

Steelblitz predicted the starting lineup with the caveat that the OTAs, which start on May 21st, could change the prediction.  Interestingly, he predicts that Le’Veon Bell will earn the starting running back job and Plaxico Burress won’t be anywhere in sight for the Wide Receivers.

Steelers Depot looks at some of the players battling for roster spots.  They summarize Josh Victorian’s impact on the team as a late year replacement at Cornerback.  They cite some comments by Carnell Lake to speculate that Victorian has a good chance of being a starter opposite Ike Taylor with year with William Gay filling in at nickel.  I have to admit that I was unimpressed with Victorian’s contribution last year, but I thought that it was likely more due to inexperience than lack of talent.  I will be interested to see how he does with a chance to go through the camps with the Steelers instead of trying to step into a system that is already at full speed.

Steelers Depot also looked at Cortez Allen and what he can bring as a starter in 2013.   They note that Allen is in the 3rd year and provided a table of others playing Allen’s position and how they performed during their third year.  I know that expectations for Allen are high and I guess we’ll see how everything shakes out by preseason.

Brian Hoyer, who briefly signed in the backup QB for the Steelers in 2012, was released by the Arizona Cardinals according to Josh Alpin of NBC’s Pro Football Talk.  Steelers Depot discussed Brian Hoyer’s release from the Arizona Cardinals.  Timing-wise, I think it’s a shame because I think he was a good candidate as a back-up as compared to John Parker Wilson.  Now, the roster is full and the Steelers are unlikely to bring Hoyer on even for the OTAs to see how he works out with the team.

The Pittsburgh beat writers are continuing with NFL articles that aren’t specifically focused on the Steelers.

Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review looks at the ramifications of speaking out in the NFL, in light of the Viking’s release of Chris Kluwe.

Mark Roth of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette continues his series of reports around Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).  He discussed the issue of long-term brain damage and it’s role in the lawsuit against the NFL.  He quotes:

"Bob Fitzsimmons, a Wheeling, W.Va., lawyer who helped found the Pittsburgh-based Brain Injury Research Institute to study the disorder, said that “whether you call it CTE or permanent damage to the brain, it’s a key factor in the proceedings.”"

Roth follows up with a piece focused on the late, great Mike Webster citing his family and friends stories about the radical changes in Webster’s behavior before his death.  Webster’s family had no idea what had changed him and the impact has been long-lasting:

"His son Garrett, now 29, has made a career out of what happened to his dad, becoming the administrator of the Pittsburgh-based Brain Injury Research Institute, which is dedicated to getting athletes, soldiers and others who have suffered head trauma to donate their brains for analysis after death."

The issue of CTE is a tough one and it’s hard to read about players like Mike Webster struggling instead of celebrating his accomplishments to the Steelers.  It’s a brutal sport, but I do think safety has made some progress.  It will be a give and take as people and players decide how the game will continue to be played.

That’s it for what I found this morning.  So, what do you think Steeler nation?  Are you hopeful as the Steelers get ready to go into OTAs next week?  Do you think the Steelers have put together a good starting roster for the camps?  Let us know what you think!