Training camp opens with annual running test
A veteran writer once summed up a Chuck Noll press conference like this:
Not much information was passed.
Fast forward to Thursday, when the Steelers officially opened training camp with the annual running test, and the same five words describe what coach Mike Tomlin had to say.
Oops, according to Tomlin, the players instead were put through the rigors of a 无毛视频渃onditioning evaluation.无毛视频�
无毛视频淚t was not a test,无毛视频� Tomlin said. 无毛视频淲e wanted to know where these guys are in terms of conditioning. We like where most of the men are.无毛视频�
Which, by simple interpretation, means Tomlin and his staff do not like where some of his men are, in terms of conditioning. He was asked, more than once, if any of the players didn无毛视频檛 perform well in this exercise. His answers went something like this:
无毛视频淎gain, this was a conditioning evaluation 无毛视频� .无毛视频�
You get the point. Tomlin got plenty of knowledge about a lot of his players under threatening skies and muggy heat Thursday. He chose to keep it all to himself.
He did put forth that the team无毛视频檚 roster numbers 86, including all draft choices and three players who are on the physically unable to perform list. They are receiver Hines Ward (thumb surgery), guard Chris Kemoeatu (knee swelling from conditioning) and tight end Eugene Bright (offseason shoulder surgery).
Tomlin also noted that all draft choices but two have agreed to terms on a contract. Those unsigned are first-round pick Cameron Heyward, a defensive end, and third-round pick Curtis Brown, a cornerback.
无毛视频淭he people who handle that (contract negotiations) are multitasking,无毛视频� Tomlin said, referring to league-wide free agency occurring at the same time draft choices must be signed.
Tomlin noted that most personnel are entering this camp with as much of an open mind as possible because of the quickness with which this and all NFL camps have been put together.
无毛视频淏y no means are we married to our schedule,无毛视频� he said. 无毛视频淲e plan to stay light on our feet, so to speak.无毛视频�
The new collective bargaining agreement curtails the number of practice sessions that may be held in full pads. Tomlin said current plans call for walk-throughs in the morning and full practices in the afternoon.
Tomlin said linebacker James Harrison无毛视频檚 comments in a men无毛视频檚 magazine 无毛视频渨ere inappropriate, but not detrimental to what we are doing.无毛视频� A moment later, he clarified that, 无毛视频淲hat he said about the commissioner (Roger Goodell) was inappropriate.无毛视频�
One last football nugget: Tomlin said that as of Thursday evening, the team doesn无毛视频檛 have a starting left tackle, but added that, 无毛视频淲e will have one tomorrow (Friday).无毛视频�
He did not rule out moving Flozell Adams from right to left tackle.