Steelers Morning Huddle 5/19/13

November 18, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) carries the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Larry Foote (50) defends during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Baltimore Ravens won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Happy Sunday Steeler Nation.  I hope you have something fantastic planned after you catch up on all the Steelers news.

Organized Training Activities start this week – Hooray!  Ed Bouchette, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, takes a look at what he thinks will be the Steelers’ goals for these training activities.  He makes some great points about new coaches, life without Mike Wallace, mixing new and old defensive players, and how the approach for using Troy Polamalu may need some serious contemplation.  He finishes the article by discussing the Steelers issues with Heinz Field and expansion problems.  I recommend taking a look.

GoBlueWolverine, an online magazine, did a Q&A with Larry Foote when he was in the Detroit area to do some charity work.  Most of the article is focused on Michigan college football, but they did ask how Foote felt about the Steelers’ 2012 season.  Here’s the Q&A:

"Josh Newkirk: Lastly, what are your expectations for the Steelers? You guys didn’t make the playoffs last year. So what are you guys doing this off-season to get back to where you guys are normally—and that’s in playoffs?Larry Foote: “We’re pissed off we didn’t make the playoffs. On top of that, our rival won the Super Bowl. I know guys are taking it personally. It’s just a whole different mindset to the off-season. I know guys are ready to get back where we need to be.”"

Good.  I want them to be pissed off and motivated.  I want the 2013 season to be personal.  I want the players to come together as a team and work toward a goal that is bigger than their paychecks and fancy cars and homes.  Good Larry, stay pissed off until you are holding the Lombardi trophy (No 7) in your hands!

I expect the news will pick up a bit once the OTAs get started on Tuesday.  In the meantime, here’s a look at some of the discussions about the Steelers around the internet:

Steelers Depot makes a good point about RB Baron Batch’s status.  He’s going into his third year in the league, notably losing his first year when he was sidelined by torn ACL during a post season game in 2011.   Dave Bryan, who wrote this article, thinks that the blocking schemes of Jack Bickell, Jr. may complement Batch’s strengths.  I agree with Bryan that time is short for Batch.  He’s got to find a way to impress and stand out.  I don’t know if you can put everything on Batch for his performance last year.  The running game really never got off the ground.  There were some positive things that I thought the Steelers never really found a way to keep going.  Batch’s performance wasn’t one of the highlights mostly because he wasn’t on the field much.  However, with the signing of RB Stephens-Howling – will Batch make it past the August training camps?

Steel Blitz has started doing a week by week analysis of upcoming games.  They are up to Week 2, which is the first game of the two against the Cincinnati Bengals.  Steel Blitz makes the point that Harrison’s signing only adds to the rivalry between the two teams. I agree.  This game will attract a lot of attention simply because James Harrison will potentially be lining up against Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers.  There’s going to be a lot of talk about revenge, etc.  I’m sure Harrison will be playing with a chip on his shoulder and I will hold my breath if he gets anywhere near Roethlisberger.

Sound off Steeler Nation!  Let us know what you think and if we missed anything.