Steelers Morning Huddle 6/16/13

Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) scrambles against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Hello to all everyone in Steeler Nation as we think of and honor our fathers and father-figures today.

Steelers and their fathers

Steelers.com posted a collection of some of the best advice current Steelers players have gotten from their fathers.  There are several “awwww” moments and some great pictures.  It’s a nice tribute on Father’s Day.  The players always say “Hi Mom” into the camera and deservedly so, but it’s nice for the dad’s to get some attention.

Alan Robinson’s 10 Steelers Storylines to Watch

Alan Robinson put together some things to watch for as the season gets closer.  Robinson wonders if Tomlin will continue to be the disciplinarian or start to back off.  He wonders what year 2 will bring with Todd Haley.  Robinson also brings up a good point about Heath Miller.  Not everyone heals like Adrian Peterson.  What kind of year will Miller end up having.  It’s a good read and touches on many things that have probably flitted through the minds of Steelers fans getting ready for the 2013 season.  No surprises, but worth a look.

Will LaRod Stephens-Howling Be a Kick Returner? 

Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette posted an article on the former Pitt Panther who after some time in Arizona signed with the Steelers just before the 2013 draft.  Stephens-Howling is a Johnstown native and happy to be back in western PA.  According to Fittipaldo, the Steelers think that Stephens-Howling brings veteran experience that will help fill holes left by the departure of Rashard Mendenhall and the release of Chris Rainey.  Stephens-Howling was one of the top kick-returners in the NFL in 2009 and 2010 before he was transitioned off special teams.  Special teams, along with the new coordinator Danny Smith, formerly of the Washington Redskins, needs an overhaul.  Ball control and protection is the number one thing that comes to my mind that needs improved on special teams.  I’d love to see some kick returns taken in for a score, but right now I would settle for zero turnovers from special teams in 2013.

Hines Ward and the Ironman Competition

Hines Ward hasn’t let the grass grow under his feet since he retired from the Steelers.  He’s been training for an Ironman competition.  Karen Price of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review posted an article on Hines’ progress since he started training over a year ago.  She notes that Hines has never trained in any of the three phases of the competition before so it’s like being a rookie all over again.  I’ve met some people who participated in the Ironman competition in Kona on the island of Hawaii, which usually gets called ‘The Big Island.”  I lived in Hawaii twice and worked with someone who did this competition.  He was in constant training mode.  There was no time off.  There was no splurging on bad foods.  My hat is off to Hines Ward for attempting this physical feat.  It’s not about winning.  It’s about just finishing.  There are competitions around the world and you can check them out here.

 What did I Get Wrong?  What did I miss?

Well, that’s a wrap for today.  I hope “yins” all get out and enjoy some summer weather and pampers all the dads out there.