zulater
08-07-2012, 09:34 AM
http://www.timesonline.com/columnists/sports/mike_bires/bires-steelers-don-t-need-burress-back/article_543b0e79-27f7-585b-8cf1-35fd7620925b.html
Woodley, the left outside linebacker who missed six games and significant chunks of two others last year with a hamstring injury, looks unstoppable. He recorded 9.0 sacks last year, and, had he not been hurt, would have challenged James Harrison’s single-season team record of 16.0 in 2008.
Colon, who’s missed the last few practices with a sore ankle, has made a smooth transition from right tackle to left guard. He looks like a natural at the position.
* Keenan Lewis is holding on to the starting job at the left cornerback spot. But he’s being pushed by second-year pro Cortez Allen, the former Citadel star who seems to improve each day. The Steeler coaches love their three young corners: Lewis, Allen and Curtis Brown, another second-year pro.
** The more I see of Chris Rainey, the more I like this little scatback (who’s only 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds). His speed surely has intrigued offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who’s giving Rainey a lot of reps to show what he can do.
This is great news all around.
On the down side.
** It would be unfair to call David DeCastro the major camp underachiever. But for a guy who came in with so much hype, the former All-American guard from Stanford has not dazzled. Admittedly, his transition to the pro game hasn’t been easy.
But not to worry. Eventually, he’ll be fine.
** Drew Butler could be the Steelers’ new punter.
It’s certainly alarming that Jeremy Kapinos is having back problems and coach Mike Tomlin admitting Sunday that he’s ”week to week.”
Butler is an undrafted free agent rookie out of Georgia who was a quality punter in college. He was a two-time All-American (2009 and 2010). In ’09, he won the Ray Guy Award, presented each year to the best punter in college football.
Let's see how Butler fares Thursday in Philly.
Woodley, the left outside linebacker who missed six games and significant chunks of two others last year with a hamstring injury, looks unstoppable. He recorded 9.0 sacks last year, and, had he not been hurt, would have challenged James Harrison’s single-season team record of 16.0 in 2008.
Colon, who’s missed the last few practices with a sore ankle, has made a smooth transition from right tackle to left guard. He looks like a natural at the position.
* Keenan Lewis is holding on to the starting job at the left cornerback spot. But he’s being pushed by second-year pro Cortez Allen, the former Citadel star who seems to improve each day. The Steeler coaches love their three young corners: Lewis, Allen and Curtis Brown, another second-year pro.
** The more I see of Chris Rainey, the more I like this little scatback (who’s only 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds). His speed surely has intrigued offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who’s giving Rainey a lot of reps to show what he can do.
This is great news all around.
On the down side.
** It would be unfair to call David DeCastro the major camp underachiever. But for a guy who came in with so much hype, the former All-American guard from Stanford has not dazzled. Admittedly, his transition to the pro game hasn’t been easy.
But not to worry. Eventually, he’ll be fine.
** Drew Butler could be the Steelers’ new punter.
It’s certainly alarming that Jeremy Kapinos is having back problems and coach Mike Tomlin admitting Sunday that he’s ”week to week.”
Butler is an undrafted free agent rookie out of Georgia who was a quality punter in college. He was a two-time All-American (2009 and 2010). In ’09, he won the Ray Guy Award, presented each year to the best punter in college football.
Let's see how Butler fares Thursday in Philly.