Steelers Training Camp News and Notes

Plaxico Burress the Answer at WR? Really??

We are on the verge of the first preseason game of the season, and with that comes the "game fever" where alot of questions need answers, and those answers are only found by watching the boys play.  There are several story lines coming out of Latrobe, PA and Steelers Training Camp.  Here are some:
No news on Wallace - Kevin Colbert has recently stated that there has been ZERO communication between the organization and the disgruntled employee.  Colbert said that no communication will happen until Mike comes to camp and signs his tender.  I wrote a post on this a while back saying which camp will flinch first, the Steeler or Wallace, and all responses I got from the Steelers faithful was that Wallace would cave first.  He hasn't, and for that, I at least give him a little credit.  Am I happy that he isn't in camp and not helping my favorite team get closer to winning their NFL record 7th Super Bowl?  No I'm not happy about it, but that is the business side of the NFL.  In the meantime, there are rumors swirling about another WR who might be looking for work who might fill in for Wallace if he decides to not play...

Plaxico Burress Return?? - Yes, you read that correctly...the rumors are swirling that the Steelers have at least toyed with the idea of bringing back "Plax" to the 'Burgh if the price is right.  That is the biggest concern though, is the price.  Burress is asking for more money that any NFL team is willing to pay for his services.  Could he help the Steelers?  I think he could.  If you look at Michael Vick coming off his jail sentence it took him a few years before he got his "legs under him" again.  This could also be the case with the former Steeler Burress.  Nonetheless, Burress comes with some baggage and I don't know if his productivity on the field would be worth the hassle off the field.  Then again, he could be a model citizen this time around.  I think the Steelers fans would embrace Plaxico if he returned, but this would be a HUGE decision for the front office of the organization.  The Steelers would have to be certain that Wallace is not only going to not report to training camp, but that he was going to sit out some of the regular season before they bring in a veteran to take his spot.  Lets just say this...if the Steelers are even thinking about this then things are going to get really interested during this preseason.

Thursday's Pre-Season Game - The Steelers preseason kicks off Thursday evening as they travel to Lincoln Financial Field to play the Philadelphia Eagles.  For those of you not in the Pittsburgh viewing area and don't get the Pittsburgh channels, the NFL Network will be airing the preseason game on Friday at 1:00pm, so be sure to set your DVRs so you can enjoy the game at your leisure.  There has been alot of discussion heading into this game, and mostly all of it has been about the Eagles' Head Coach Andy Reid's son being found dead the other day.  He said he planned on coaching the game, but no one would be surprised if he decided to sit this one out.  As of today (Tuesday) Willie Colon and Cam Heward are the only two players who are ruled out.  Coach Mike Tomlin stated that the list could grow after today's afternoon practice.  As to whether or not Ben Roethlisberger will play, and if so how much, was not determined.

2 Rookie Linemen Keyed to Start - With Willie Colon sitting out the first preseason game, the offensive line will look like this: LT - Mike Adams, LG - Ramon Foster, C - Maurkice Pouncey, RG - David DeCastro, RT - Marcus Gilbert.  With the LT and RG positions anchored by rookies it will be interesting and intriguing to see how they do against the oppositions "Number 1's".  Rumors from camp have said that they aren't grasping the positions as all the "experts" expected them to.  I even said that David DeCastro needs to grab the "bull by the horns" and take that guard position similar to the way that Pouncey took the center job his rookie year.  I think this will be good for the two rookies and a good indication of how they will handle the pressure of playing against the Eagles' starting defense.

Chris Rainey to Return Kicks/Punts - I wrote a post the other day about how I thought former Florida Gator RB Chris Rainey would be the biggest rookie impact player this season, and he can help me validate my opinion a great deal this Thursday as Mike Tomlin has stated that he is slated to start the game returning kickoffs and punts.  This kid is a playmaker through and through, and he will have the opportunity to prove that come Thursday.

Look for a preview of the first preseason game coming on Wednesday that will give you all the information you will need to know as the Steelers travel to Philly.  GO STEELERS!