Limas Sweed joined the action on day one of the on field OTA practice session yesterday. He released a statement first thanking the Steelers for their support as he dealt with some personal issues. The personal issues have still not yet been disclosed and Sweed did not talk to reporters after practice. Gerry Dulac points out that Sweed could battle a 5th round pick this year for the #5 receiver spot on the 53 man roster. Sweed also is wearing #80 now instead of #14.
Wide receiver Hines Ward was the one notable no-show yesterday at the OTA practice, while nose tackle Casey Hampton looks in great shape according to defensivwe end Aaron Smith. Strong safety Troy Polamalu was also back running around which is a great sign foir Steeler Nation. Usually, Polamalu works out with fitness trainer Marv Marinovich in Southern California during this time of year and skips the OTA\’s. Steelers Depot has learned that the starting center yesterday was Doug Legursky who anchored the line in place of Justin Hartwig who is still recovering from shoulder surgery. Kraig Urbik snapped on the second team unit on the scrimmage portions of practice. Hartwig did snap some on 7-on-7 drills.
Defensive line assistant coach and former linebacker Jerry Olsavsky, running back Mewelde Moore, defensive end Ziggy Hood, center Justin Hartwig, linebacker Patrick Bailey and running back Rashard Mendenhall all have their draft day memories up now on Steelers.com.
Dale Lolley thinks like I do and has the Steelers drafting center Maurkice Pouncey in round 1. If you missed my selections, you can find them here.
The Steelers 2010 schedule dates will be released tonight at around 7 eastern. We might get it early from the NFL office though. Here is the link to the cool NFL.com interactive page.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Director of football operations Kevin Colbert talked about this weekend\’s NFL draft during their yearly press conference on Monday. You can read the transcript here or watch the presser below.
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