A perspective on Steelers training camp
August 5, 2009
By Donald Starver
I attended Steelers training camp yesterday. However, I was not able to take copious notes like I usually do. The reason was that I had my precocious 5 year old nephew with me. Try watching football practice when you are responsible for babysitting a 5 year old boy who has more energy than the Energizer Bunny. He was much more interested in climbing on my back or going to McDonald’s than he was in watching the Steelers.
Can we go to McDonald's now?
So rather than give my regular update of what went on at training camp yesterday, I thought that I would do something slightly different today. I want to provide a perspective of what fans should and should not take from my (and other websites’) training camp reports.
Mike Tomlin has been very vocal about his opinion of “football in shorts”. He thinks it is a good teaching tool, but is not particularly valuable for evaluating players. I tend to agree with him. However, there is a little bit of that perspective that also applies to training camp. You see, training camp is not a true simulation of actual game conditions.
I have tried to share what I am seeing at training camp with those of you who are not able to make it to Latrobe. I think that this is valuable inasmuch as most Steelers fans are not present at training camp. After a long off-season, most fans are aching for some Steelers news. I know that I certainly am. Therefore, I try to bring you Steelers updates from training camp.
However, I have noticed from some of the comments that I have received, as well as some of the things that I have read on various Steelers message boards, that some fans do not quite understand what you can and cannot conclude merely by watching players in training camp.
I need to clarify that here at training camp, the players are not going at full speed. There is no tackling going on, and minimal hitting. After all, we wouldn’t want the players getting hurt before the season even starts. Thus, when I report that a receiver made a good catch in traffic, fans need to understand that in an actual game situation the defenders would have leveled the player. It is nice that the receiver held onto the ball in practice, but would he have held onto it if he had actually been hit by a safety while coming down with the ball? Who knows?
Fans are constantly writing to me asking for my perspective on the offensive line. Like all Steelers fans, I too am concerned about the offensive line. However, the defense is not allowed to sack Big Ben right now. Since they are not allowed to tackle Ben, it is hard to evaluate how the offensive line is doing. There have been a few times when a defender has gotten to Ben completely unblocked. That clearly indicated to me that there was a problem on the offensive line. However, beyond those instances, it is hard to draw actual conclusions. If Dick LeBeau were to turn the dogs loose and say “Get the quarterback”, then I could provide a much more accurate assessment of how the offensive line is doing. But since the defense is not allowed to touch the quarterback, the defenders aren’t really going all out.
A few fans have written to me expressing their disappointment in Frank “the tank” Summers because he got leveled by Willie Gay. It’s not fair to pass that judgment at this time. There is no hitting going on at training camp, so Summers was not expecting Willie Gay to level him. Frankly, that was the football equivalent of a sucker punch. In my opinion, that incident made Willie Gay look bad, not Frank Summers.
There are some things that we CAN say definitively at this time. For example:
- Big Ben has been throwing too many interceptions. While I am sure he will work it out, Ben’s accuracy has been an issue. But if you recall, he had the same problem last year during camp and the preseason.
- Mike Wallace is fast. It’s true that the defensive backs can’t hit him right now, but there is no rule preventing them from keeping up with him when he runs down the field.
- Dan Sepulveda is able to get nice distance on his punts, and appears to be 100% recovered.
- Piotr Czech and Jeff Reed can both kick for distance and accuracy. This is making for an unexpected training camp battle.
Beyond those things, it is impossible to draw any definitive conclusions yet. The real test is going to come on August 13th when the Steelers play their first pre-season game against the Arizona Cardinals. That will be the first time the players are actually allowed to hit somebody. Only then will we get our first true glimpse at how the offensive line is doing.
I will keep reporting from training camp. However, I hope fans will now keep my reports in the proper perspective. Steeler Nation can’t get enough of the Black and Gold, so I will continue reporting what I see. However, perhaps I should start off these training camp reports with the same disclaimer that you see on those psychic hotline ads; “for entertainment purposes only”.
(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. Thanks.)
Donald, I think you’ve done an excellent job thus far…keep up the good work. Sorry for those who misunderstand the differences between camp and the preseason. I’m very excited about the upcoming game vs Arizona and I look forward to your comments after the game.
1Kevin,
2The Arizona Cardinals game cannot get here fast enough. Once they hit the field in that game and actually get to hit someone, then we’ll really know what type of team we have this year.
Thanks for all of this. For someone who can’t make it to training camp and finds coverage of it in the mainstream media a little lacking, your insights and observations are a godsend.
3barring injury, there is nothing Piotr Czech can do to take jeff reeds job. reed is too clutch in all situations.
4Hello,
I may be making a big deal about this but I have a question, Why was Snoop Dogg at Baltimore Ravens training camp today? I thought he was a True Black & Gold Steelers fan..In fact I have him on tape from one NFL Network spots he did claiming to be the Number One Steeler Fan and He Bleed Black & gold he said. Well, I don’t know, I kinda feel like I did when I saw “Fatboy” White and others Stomp on the towel..To Me, the towel is up there with the Flag, and we all know what happens when you go up against the flag. Anyway Lendal White will learn on game 1, You don’t mess with the Towel…ask TJ Who Dey, We Dey. Back to Mr Snoop Dog, I rememeber him with Dr Dre. + Easy E. and the rest of NWA. Hard-core Street-thug rappers. I wonder what they would say if they knew you were a snitch or a fake-@ss hoe.
Personally I would to shake the hand of the fan who sent the Titan’s LB newest terrible towel..I’d tell him to send a gift to Mr Dogg, the same t-shirt that Suggs were to he’s training camp.
Last thing, to me this act by Mr Snoop Dogg is just like Bill Cowher ring that horn…
5A traitor..And Snoop Doggey should of known better he’s from the street. You Don’t Go Against the Family!!! To steal line from my favorite movie.
Thanxs for your time..Sorry for making a deal out of nothing.
Your article was well said and well written, Mr. Starver. As a coach it always disturbs me when fans take what they see and read as gospel.
6Only until 1/3 of the season will we know about what this team will bring to the table.
Hey Coach, thanks for sharing your views.
I agree with you completely. It’s got to be frustrating for you as a coach watching fans misinterpret things. As you said, we will learn something during the game, not before.
7Notjustasteelersfan,
It didn’t bother me as much as it did you, but I also wondered why Snoop was at Ravens training camp. Even if he was in town doing a concert, he didn’t have to go to training camp. That is enemy territory.
I still think Snoop is a Steelers guy, but hanging out with the Ravens is just…..unacceptable.
8ds1,
I agree completely about jeff Reed being clutch. He is an amazing kicker. However, he is in the last year of his contract, and the Steelers have not offered him an extension. Moreover, he has said that they haven’t even talked to his agent.
In a one-on-one kicking competition, Reed would probably beat Czech. But perhaps when they factor in economics, the Steelers feel that Czech might be cheaper, and therefore might be a better value. Just something to think about.
9Matt,
10You are very welcome, and thanks for the compliment. Feedback like yours makes my day.
this is all speculation at this point in the season , I always wait till the 6th regular game of the season the ones that count before I say what kind of team they have, BUT I think based on players coming back and a few they have in the wings stepping up I like there chances of a re peat. Injuries always play a big role in NFL season for any team, last yr the steelers held up very well and in that I think that is why they went and won a title. we may not be so lucky this yr. even if the steelers start off slow and go lets say 5-3 mid way or even 4-3 that still means nothing only that they had a bad start. in the NFL its not so much how you start its all about get in post season and go from there, look at the baltimore ravins almost made it all on the road, and the cards. slow down steelers fans we have a very long way before we know anything about the fate of the 2009 season
11