My third string is better than your third string
After 15 days Hines Ward's holdout is over. He reported to training camp yesterday, saying that Coach Bill Cowher told him that if he reported in good faith that he would get a deal with the Steelers. During the Steelers' pre-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles last night Hines was standing on the sidelines wearing Steelers' gear and cheering on his teammates. We saw him signal the thumbs up to new receiver, Cedrick Wilson. Hines gave an interview to ESPN during the game and said that the last 15 days have been "terrible" and that he is so "passionate about football" that he missed playing with the guys. He also said that all he wants to do is "retire as a Steeler." I think we Steeler fans agree with that ... if Hines wants to be a lifetime Steeler, I think the Steelers need to help make that happen. But then again that's just my two cents. Yesterday during the preseason game the Steelers returned a kickoff, a punt, and an interception all for a touchdown during the first half. The first return was cornerback Willie Williams who picked off a Donovan McNabb pass during the first play from scrimmage. The pick was returned 10 yards for a touchdown. It happened with 14:48 to go in the first quarter. On the next drive the Eagles went 3-and-out and Ricardo Colclough caught a punt that bounced on the turf at the Steelers' 34 yard line, cut across the field and outran the Eagles. He returned the punt 66 yards for a touchdown. 12:55 left in the first quarter. If you're keeping track, that's 14 points for the Steelers before Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense ever touched the field. The Eagles' kickoff in the second quarter was caught by Ike Taylor in the end zone. Taylor ran the ball 100 yards with Colclough alongside throwing blocks to the Eagles' pursuers. The Steelers' pair finally stopped in the Eagles' endzone. Touchdown. Final score 38-31, Steelers. What does that mean exactly? Well, not a whole lot. It means that there are currently 4 quarterbacks competing for a position. Big Ben Roethlisberger will start and Tommy Maddox will back him up unless Maddox becomes trade fodder. Charlie Batch and Brian St. Pierre are battling for the 3rd QB roster spot. Jerome Bettis will likely start as running back, at least until Duce Staley's knee looks to be healthy, and the Bus will likely be backed up by Verron Haynes and Willie Parker. Rookie running back Noah Herron also had game time and some decent carries. At tight end, first round draft pick Heath Miller (Virginia) showed that he can catch and block at TE, giving the Steelers some more versatility in their offense. Bill Cowher's little "talk" with Ricardo Colclough seems to have paid off. He played harder last night than I saw him play last season. There's my football two cents - opinions of an amateur NFL fan. The Steelers play the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field this Saturday at 7:30 pm.
Heath Miller sux!
Posted by
jdhall |
8/16/2005 09:46:00 PM