Steelers Morning Huddle 7/30/13

Jul 29, 2013; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end David Paulson (81) catches a pass during practice at St. Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Pugliese-USA TODAY Sports

Well, technically I’m posting this in the afternoon, but I started writing in during the morning, so that should count for something!

Yesterday was football in pads and Latrobe was featured live on the NFL Network, when they weren’t cutting back to talk about the football controversy at the Jets training camp.  I can’t even imagine being a Jets fan and I tired very quickly of hearing about it.  However, there were plenty of tweets to keep me occupied and entertained.  Here is a selection of what I thought might interest our Nice Pick Cowher readers.

McLendon Working Hard

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that McLendon has been working hard in the off season to stay in shape for football.  He talks about how ballet sessions help his dexterity.  Bouchette also quotes the dance instructor that she works McLendon harder than any of the others she trains.  I remember seeing this in an interview during the off season and everyone probably remembers that Lynn Swann used ballet lessons to help him; however, he’s a little smaller than McLendon.  This article also has an embedded video from Bouchette describing zone blocking.  McLendon believes that he can double Casey Hampton’s best year.  I think goals are good and I hope he achieves it.

Cortez Allen Sits Out With A Sore Knee

The Steelers are already dealing with some injuries but none seem to be the season-ending injuries that we are seeing around the league (fingers crossed).  Ralph N. Paulk of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review gives some details and quotes from Allen as well as Ike Taylor who spoke confidently about Allen’s ability.

Paulson Working Hard

Will Graves, of the Associate Press, is covering training camp in Latrobe and he took some time to speak with Tight End hopeful David Paulson.  Paulson is in his second year and hoping to make a bigger impact this year.  He’s hoping to become an “every down player.”  I like to see the players focused and trying to improve.  Graves describes Tomlin giving Paulson an earful after he lost a blocking battle to Jarvis Jones and said that Paulson doesn’t seem to let it affect him in a negative way.  The tight end position is up in the air until we know just when Miller returns and just how well he will play after his major knee surgery.

The Good Old Days?

According to Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, the Steelers are hoping that the previous chemistry between Roethlisberger and Burress comes back.  He quotes Burress that there is a natural rapport between the two that allows them to adjust and make changes without a lot of preplanning or discussion.  The Steelers are hoping that a full training camp, the first for Burress since his parole from prison for the gun violation in New York, showcases the rapport in an effective passing/reception combination.  I know that some might not want Burress on the team because of his previous troubles, but I’m ok with a second chance here.  Burress served his time.  Should he continue to pay for the rest of his life?  I think he should be allowed to do what he is talented at as long as he stays out of trouble.

Notebooks:

Both the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Tribune Review beat reporters put together observations from camp that don’t fit into their other articles.  Bell got a lot of reps with the first team, according Ed Bouchette, and Mike Tomlin told the media after practice not to read anything into it, “but I’m sure you guys will run with it, so go ahead.”  Bouchette also reports that Baron Batch got into the first fight of training camp, much to Kirby Wilson’s displeasure who yelled at him: “We don’t fight out here”

Tweet of the Day:

This one goes to Isaac Redman showing Willie Parker some love:

That’s it for today!