Blog 'n' Gold : ed bouchette

Free agency: Chris K., McHugh to stay; links N@ & Myron

Dan Gigler — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:25:00 GMT

Ed Bouchette reports:

The Steelers just came to a contract agreement with guard Chris Kemoeatu that will pay him $20 million over the next five years. There were reports that Kemoeatu was about to sign with the New York Jets for the same amount, but he decided to stay with the Steelers instead. Full update

The Steelers signed their second free agent within hours this afternoon when they came to terms with their fullback, Sean McHugh. McHugh, who also plays tight end, received a three-year contract worth $2.57 million. It includes a signing bonus of $390,000.

Guard Kendall Simmons, released by the Steelers Thursday, is traveling to Buffalo today to meet with the Bills. Simmons will cost the Steelers $4.71 million against their salary cap this season, the amortization left on the $7.85 million signing bonus he received on the contract extension he signed 18 months ago.

The Kemoeatu signing/Simmons cutting has sparked some lively discussion in the comments section of this post -- weigh in with your opinion of these moves ...

More free agency:

Michigan Live: Nate Washington to Detroit? (penthouse to the outhouse?)
NFL.com: Jets sign Bart Scott; Corey Ivy visits there too -- these guys have had enough of Steelers WRs knocking them out
ESPN.com: Fred Taylor to the Pats
SI.com: Ravens sign Foxworth
SI.com: Browns deal the 'soldier'
NFL.com: Vrabel to Chiefs?
NFL.com: Drunken sailors go on spending spree in DC. Navy men? No, the Redskins.

We'll continue to update throughout the day as more news happens

Mock Draft Madness

With the 32nd pick in the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select ...

D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt (Don Banks, SI.com)
Eben Britton, OT, Arizona (Chad Reuter, CBS SportsLine; NBC Sports; Todd McShay, espn.com -- paid content, no link)
Alex Mack, C, Cal (FOXSports)
Max Unger, C, Oregon (Steve Wyche, NFL.com)
William Beatty, OT, Connecticut (Charles Davis, NFL.com)
Nice roundup of mock draft sites put together by Pittsburgh Steelers Fanatic

Links N@

A must watch: Ridiculously awesome Steelers Super Bowl slideshow.

Not busy tonight? Party with Ben in Vegas

The Mount Rushmore of Steel.

BNG is thrilled to have made the Elite Eight (thanks Sean!) though the selection committe should've added the PBC

L.A. suburb to build NFL stadium. The Bills, Vikes & Raiders named as possible future tenants, which sickens BNG. These are great fan bases (even those Oakland nutjobs) and none of them deserve this. Take Jacksonville.

Not everyone thought watching the combine was like being a filthy junkie

Finally, we'd be remiss not to mark the one-year anniversary of Myron Cope's passing. Pittsburgh is greater for having had him, lessened by his loss, and strengthened by his legacy. Can only imagine that he and St. Peter tossed back a coupla celebratory Toddys after the Super Bowl. PSAMP has a nice commentary, along with a cool new format on their blog. And if you're missing that trademark golden voice, tune in to WEAE today.

Punters and Kickers and QB's -- oh my!

Dan Gigler — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:25:00 GMT

Ed Bouchette checks in today from Steelers training camp:

Can I kick it?

Coach Mike Tomlin said the other day that he will evaluate his two punters solely on their ability to punt and not how they kick off.

Both Paul Ernster and newly-signed Mike Berger have kicked off in the NFL, and it’s not been a strength of Steelers kicker Jeff Reed.

But if the difference between a top punter in this league and one ranked near the bottom is about 2 yards a punt, why wouldn’t their ability to kick off not play a part in it as well?

The Steelers averaged about 4 punts a game last year. They kick off every time they score. Why wouldn’t a deep kickoff be worth as much as a deep punt? It’s a bottom line business, and however you get the yards, you get them.

I’m not saying that the best kickoff man should win the job, but if it’s close and one kicks off a lot better than the other, why wouldn’t that count?

Coming out smellng like roses ...

How is it that when the Steelers need a quarterback, they find him?

It started with Tommy Maddox, who gave them a few good years. Then it was Charlie Batch. At the time, the Steelers thought Batch wanted to be a No. 1 somewhere and was holding out for that, but Batch had no offers to do that and remained a free agent until he and the Steelers finally got on the telephone.

Now Batch is hurt and they have not one but two former starting quarterbacks, each high draft picks and each healthy, vying to become the backup to Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers could not go wrong with either Byron Leftwich or Daunte Culpepper.

It must have been something to see two former high first-round draft picks and NFL starters throwing at the Latrobe High School Field Sunday morning.

My question is this: What in the world are the Vikings, Bears and Ravens doing? Each needs a starting quarterback and none has anything close to a Leftwich or Culpepper in camp. Leftwich proved he wasn’t holding out to compete for No. 1 and did not demand a big contract.

The Steelers got lucky again at the most important position on the field.

Steelers vs. Eagles pregame

Dan Gigler — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 22:54:00 GMT

Ed Bouchette checks in from the Heinz Field press box:

The song remains the same

Every time a star player or two is seriously injured in a preseason game, especially the first week, many in the media renew their call for a shortened preseason. The arguments for the NFL to go to fewer than four preseason games usually go like this: It’s such a waste for StarQuarterback to be hurt in a meaningless game.

They almost always say the solution is to have two preseason games and stretch the regular season from 16 to 18 games. As if, Star Quarterback getting injured in the first regular season game might mean more to him, his coaches, owners and fans than if he were injured in, say, the third preseason game.

As Chuck Noll used to say: How do you prefer to die?

The reasoning for adding two more regular season games does not make sense to the premise of it all: To keep the players safer. In the preseason, starters play little except in the third game. In regular season games, they play the whole thing.

Tonight, however, I heard a good reason from a smart football man why they should shorten the preseason. Rosters this year were held to 80, 81 if you had a European native -- as the Steelers have – to put on the practice squad. That’s down at least five – team’s received roster exemptions before this season for Europe League players.

That’s one reason Mike Tomlin took his team to training camp three days later than he could have. The personnel man I talked to said coaches are worried because they have fewer players for the preseason games, and they don’t want to play their starters any longer than they have to.

Now, that’s at least logical. But what would the owners/players do if they cut the preseason and did not add those games to the regular season? The revenue has to come from somewhere and I don’t think the players would be willing to take a cut in pay to see one or two preseason games disappear, at least not enough of them.

The answer might be to let training camp squads expand back to 85 or even 90 players. Owners may balk at that because more players equal more money, even if it is training camp.

My bottom line prediction: Unless Tom Brady, Peyton and Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger suffer season-ending injuries in the same preseason, the status quo will remain.

Courtesy of Carl Spackler

The Heinz Field grass looks better than ever. If only it could stay that way into December. They installed a new DDGrassmaster surface this year. This is the third time they’ve installed that system, so it’s not like it will avoid the problems of the past.

At least for now, it looks good.

Final auditions start tonight

The first roster cut does not take place until Aug. 26, which is 2 ½ weeks away. The final cut comes four days after that. Yet teams only have to cut five players on their first date, then get rid of 23 four days later.

In the old days, they’d gradually cut down, and had a few cutdown dates while they were still in training camp. Of course, they also were permitted to have rosters that reached 100 or more as well.

It should not be too difficult to determine who Mike Tomlin has in mind among the younger players, and it starts with tonight’s game. Those who do not make it into the first preseason game and are healthy are not headed for the 53-man roster unless it’s a veteran the coach does not want to play.

Third stringer walking tightrope

Rookie quarterback Dennis Dixon was a Heisman Trophy candidate at Oregon until his ACL was torn, ending his season and his chances at the trophy.

The Steelers drafted him in the fifth round, figuring they had the luxury of having two veteran quarterbacks and could have patience with Dixon as he developed.

It will take even more patience, perhaps, than they thought. Dixon has not looked good in camp, most prominently when he throws the football. He’s inaccurate, throwing behind and low to receivers and often to a defensive player. Tomlin mentioned as much last week.

Brian St. Pierre left as an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Arizona Cardinals, even though the Steelers told him he’d have a chance at replacing Charlie Batch as the No. 2 quarterback, if not this year then next. They drafted Dixon to possibly be that man.

There’s no guarantee, however, that Dixon will make the 53-man roster. He could go on the practice squad and still be third on the depth chart, which is what St. Pierre did several times.

The Steelers would risk another team claiming him off waivers, but the way he’s looked in practice, it might not be a big risk.

Fear Paul Ernster

Dan Gigler — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:50:00 GMT

Ed Bouchette from Latrobe today:

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait until Friday night to see the Steelers’ new weapon unveiled – their punter. This is the biggest thing since they used two draft picks to select punter Daniel Sepulveda in 2007.

Everyone knows that punters and kickers, after the quarterback, affect the game like no other player on the field. That’s why so many of them are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, no?

Take last season, for example. Sepulveda ranked fifth in the AFC with a net average of 37.9. Ranked No. 13 was Todd Sauerbrun of Denver at 36.1. That’s clearly a major difference at 1.8 yards per punt. Why, with an average of four punts a game, that’s almost eight yards or nearly one holding call.

Hey, it adds up.

Friday night, one Paul Ernster will punt for the Steelers. He punted so poorly for Cleveland and Denver last year that he was only allowed to punt five times. And his net on those was terrible at 35.6. Why, that would come to slightly more than eight yards a game difference than Sepulveda.

Clearly, the Steelers cannot contend with someone such as Ernster punting. On the other hand, they did acquire Eddie Drummond after releasing Allen Rossum because he did little for them as a return man last year. Rossum averaged 6.4 yards per punt return and Drummond averaged 6.9, clearly a huge upgrade in the Steelers return game for this season.

Or, does anyone think all this stuff may just be slightly overrated?

Ernster, by the way, should get a chance to kick off Monday night. He does that too and if he does it better than Jeff Reed, does that add to his value?

Not the Steelers new punter. Or kicker

FARRIOR NO RECEIVER FRIDAY

Linebacker James Farrior will wear the helmet with the one-way radio receiver in it when the regular season begins. But not on Friday. Instead, linebacker Keyaron Fox will wear it.

Fox signed as an unrestricted free agent from Kansas City this year, primarly to bolster their special teams. But he’ll be on the field more as a backup inside linebacker Friday against the Eagles than will Farrior, who will play one or two series with the first-team defense.

The helmet was provided for the defense in a vote by the NFL owners in March, many believe in response to the New England Patriots’ illegal taping of defensive signals. With the helmet, coaches on the sideline don’t have to use their hands to signal their players on defense, they can merely call the player on their headset, much the way the offense has done through the quarterback for years.

Fans on notice

Dan Gigler — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:26:00 GMT

This from Ed Bouchette:

You Steelers fans better shape up. The NFL just released a new code of conduct for all of you who attend games (you can still try some of these at home, if you’d like).

Here it is:

NFL TEAMS IMPLEMENT FAN CODE OF CONDUCT

The NFL and all 32 NFL clubs have created a fan code of conduct to help promote a positive fan environment at NFL stadiums, it was announced today.

The fan code of conduct is designed to set clear expectations and encourage a stadium environment that is enjoyable for all fans. Teams may add additional provisions to the standard code based on local circumstances or preferences. Each team will communicate its code of conduct during the preseason to season-ticket holders and fans through mailings, online, and in-stadium signage, and other messages.

“The in-stadium experience is critically important to the NFL, our clubs and our fans and it will be a major focus this season,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We are committed to improving the fan experience in every way we can -- from the time fans arrive in the parking lot to when they depart the stadium. We want everyone to be able to come to our stadiums and enjoy the entire day.”

The code of conduct is intended to address behavior that detracts from the gameday experience. Any fan in violation of these provisions will be subject to ejection without refund and loss of ticket privileges for future games.

In addition to the fan code of conduct, the NFL and its clubs will evaluate fan feedback and existing programs to ensure their effectiveness and shape the development of new programs.

These measures are designed to build on the many outstanding programs already in place at NFL stadiums to enhance the fan experience.

FAN CODE OF CONDUCT

“The National Football League and its teams are committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for all fans, both in the stadium and in the parking lot. We want all fans attending our games to enjoy the experience in a responsible fashion. When attending a game, you are required to refrain from the following behaviors:

· · Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal in nature
· · Intoxication or other signs of alcohol impairment that results in irresponsible behavior
· · Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures
· · Interference with the progress of the game (including throwing objects onto the field)
· · Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel
· · Verbal or physical harassment of opposing team fans

“Event patrons are responsible for their conduct as well as the conduct of their guests and/or persons occupying their seats. Stadium staff will promptly intervene to support an environment where event patrons, their guests, and other fans can enjoy the event free from the above behavior. Event patrons and guests who violate these provisions will be subject to ejection without refund and loss of ticket privileges for future games.”

Not sure if this guy is in violation, but he should be just for those gold skivvies.

Week Two Begins

Dan Gigler — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:47:00 GMT

Ed Bouchette from Latrobe ...

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did not participate in today's morning workout, the third day in a row he has been limited by a groin injury. Afterward, when asked about the injury, Roethlisberger said, "What injury?" Players, especially key ones such as Roethlisberger, are instructed by Coach Mike Tomlin not to discuss injuries with the media.

WR Hines Ward wore an ice pack on his right knee and also did not practice in the morning. Same with OLB LaMarr Woodley (groin), who has not worked the past three days. …… WR Santonion Holmes was back at practice after being excused for several days to attend a family funeral.

Hampton pounds on

Casey Hampton, a.k.a, the Big Snack, said he doesn't how much weight he has shed because he hasn't been on a scale since being placed on the physically unable to perform list for reporting overweight.

"I don't like scales," Hampton said.

Tomlin is still upset at Hampton, who showed up at St. Vincent College nearly 40 pounds overweight despite being warned by the coach about his size. Tomlin said he hasn't decided when he will allow Hampton to practice. That's no big deal to Hampton, who said he will be ready to play by the season opener.

Returner slips

Former Pro Bowl return man Eddie Drummond, signed last week to improve special teams, did not look the part in the morning. Getting ready to field a punt, Drummond slipped and fell to the ground as the ball ricocheted off his body.

A sleeper at corner

Looking for a camp darkhorse? Try rookie cornerback Roy Lewis, an udrafted free agent from Washington. The coaches thought he was a standout in the goalline drill Sunday afternoon and he broke up passes for Holmes and tight end Heath Miller in today's morning practice. Lewis is 5-foot-10, 190 pounds and is very physical.

Hall of Fame worthy?

Donna Eyring — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:46:00 GMT

Ed Bouchette checks in from Day 3 of training camp in Latrobe:

The presence of Kevin Greene in training camp this week prompted a question: Why isn't this guy in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, along with Dermontti Dawson?

Greene's 160 sacks are the most in NFL history since the league started counting them as an official statistic 25 years ago. He's second on the all-time list only to two pretty good ends, Bruce Smith and Reggie White.

Then there's Dermontti Dawson, the all-1990s center who made seven Pro Bowls. I was told many times that he was better than Mike Webster - by people who worked and coached for the Steelers.

Yet neither Dawson nor Greene have made the finalists for the Hall in their several years of eligibility. It's time one or both of these men get their due.

It will take more than walking

The Post-Gazette's Pete Diana produced a front-page photo of an overweight Casey Hampton (the photo cutline called him 325 pounds -- if he were anywhere near that weight he'd be practicing right now) walking with Hall of Famer Joe Greene.

I have little doubt that Greene told Hampton about his former teammate, the late Ernie Holmes, who wasn't called "Fats" for nothing. Holmes was an original member of the front four Steel Curtain of the 1970s, but he wasn't around for the end of it the way Greene, LC Greenwood and the late Dwight White were. That's because Holmes constantly battled weight problems and ate himself out of the league.

Now, in the 1970s, weight problems were different. We're talking more in the low 300s rather than what Casey appears to be pushing now, the higher 300s. Also back in the ‘70s, there were no offseason programs with the club to speak of other than a required one-week minicamp. The players reported to training camp much earlier in July and got into shape there, playing six and sometimes seven preseason games.

The Steelers would put Fats on a diet at Saint Vincent and he would follow it in the cafeteria. However, Holmes was famous for buying packages of hotdogs and hoarding them in his dorm room, where he feasted on them at night.

The Steelers traded Holmes after the 1977 season, primarily because of his weight, which reduced his quickness and thus his effectiveness.

Good thing they don't sell tickets

The crowd for the first practice Monday afternoon was small by recent Steelers training camp standards. In fact, it was so thin it looked like something from a Pirates game.

Quote of the season, thus far

Dan Gigler — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:44:00 GMT

In the unintentional hilarity department Ed Bouchette brings you Hines Ward, trying to say how valuable overweight NT Casey Hampton is to the team:

"At the end of the day, we know what Casey will bring to the table."

Here's a guess ...

Essex to guard?

Dan Gigler — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:57:00 GMT

Ed Bouchette, blogger extraordinaire, checks in again from Latrobe:

The Steelers replaced their injured starting left guard with a tackle on the first day of practice. Trai Essex, who has filled in at left and right tackle in games for injured players over the past three years with the Steelers, got a chance to run with the first team at guard in both practices today.

Chris Kemoeatu, who is replacing departed Alan Faneca at the position, opened camp on the PUP list because of a slight weakness in a triceps.

“Trai stepped up,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “He came in in excellent shape. He’s a veteran player, came in great shape, ran well, an opportunity presented itself to give him some reps with the first unit at left guard. I thought he took advantage of it . . . I threw a bone to a man who came in in great shape and ran well.” -- E.B.

Three players could not finish the afternoon practice because of injuries that occurred. Safety Anthony Smith and cornerback Bryant McFadden have groin injuries. Tomlin described their status as “day to day.’’ Rookie wide receiver Kevin Marion has a sprained knee that requires further evaluation. -- E.B.