rooney misses first steelers camp since...

Rooney misses first Steelers camp since '30s By The Associated Press Tuesday, August 4, 2009

There hasn't been a Steelers training camp like this since the year Max Schmeling knocked out Joe Louis, "Gone with the Wind" was published and Jesse Owens won four Olympic gold medals in Adolf Hitler-controlled Germany.

There's no Dan Rooney around.

The Steelers players reside in Rooney Hall during their three weeks at St. Vincent College. A Rooney remains in charge of the Steelers, the only six-time Super Bowl winner.

Only it's not Dan Rooney, who is now the U.S. ambassador to Ireland, a full-time position that allows him little time for football and none for training camp.

Time enough, however, to place a weekend phone call to find out how his football team is doing.

"Burt (Lauten, a team publicist) told me he called and asked how things are going," defensive end Brett Keisel said Monday. "It's different not having him here. We're missing him."

Dan Rooney, one of the most successful and influential team owners in American pro sports history, has been part of a football family almost since the day he was born in 1932. His father, Art, founded the Steelers a few months later and began taking the oldest of his five sons to camp when Dan was 5. Some of Dan Rooney's earliest memories are of catching gingerly thrown passes from one of his father's employees.

A Steelers training camp without Dan Rooney, who first began negotiating player contracts for his father while attending Duquesne University, seemed unimaginable — at least until this summer, Rooney had attended every camp for a remarkable 71 consecutive years starting in 1937.

Several players said it hit them that the Pro Football Hall of Fame owner wouldn't be around when they sat down for their annual start-of-camp team meeting on Friday and Dan Rooney didn't address them. Instead, Art Rooney II, Dan's son and the team president for six years, gave the talk.

"Mr. Rooney's such a big personality who's really encouraging to everybody," safety Troy Polamalu said. "For him to not give us a speech, that was different."

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It was the first time since the Steelers were founded during a time when pro football badly trailed college football in popularity that their players haven't begun a season being greeted by either Art Rooney, who died in 1988, or his son.

Dan Rooney calls himself the NFL's last throwback, the only remaining link to the days when NFL ownership was essentially a mom-and-pop business and even a few hundred tickets sold might mean a profitable weekend. Now that Dan Rooney is effectively retired and his title has been changed to chairman emeritus, even those days are gone — although he hopes to attend the Titans-Steelers opener Sept. 10.

"I'm missing him, but I'm sure he's missing us a little more," coach Mike Tomlin said.

Jeff Reed knew one or two bad games might end his Steelers kicking career after he was signed midway through the 2002 season. He was understandably worried even during practice, but he said Dan Rooney helped him get over his nervousness.

"Nobody else hears it because they're practicing," Reed said. "The stuff he said to me, I don't remember his exact line or anything, but his presence made me feel like, 'Man, this is the owner saying this stuff to me.' I'm sure everybody jokes around to an extent, but he's really personable. I used to get nervous having the heads of the organization around, but once you realize how much of a people person they are, you come back down to earth."

Numerous generations of Steelers players have felt the same way.

Dan Rooney was there as a ball boy in the 1940s, when his friendly training camp throwing sessions helped develop him into a second-team Catholic all-city quarterback (Johnny Unitas, coincidentally, was the first teamer).

He was there in the 1950s, when the Steelers lacked their own stadium and practice facility. He was there in the 1960s, when hiring coach Chuck Noll helped snapped the Steelers out of 40 years of lethargy. He was there in the 1970s, when the Steelers were a team like none other, and in the 1980s, when they were just another team.

The 1990s brought Bill Cowher and another era of winning that has carried into the 2000s, which has brought two more Lombardi trophies to go with the four won in the '70s.

The Steelers players expect a seamless transition now that Art Rooney II is running the show by himself. Art II has been in charge of the team's day-to-day operations since 2003, when his father began devoting additional time to league matters.

As linebacker James Farrior said, "They do things a certain way around here, and it's been that way since the Steelers have been the Steelers."



Running back Willie Parker and other players plan to call Dan Rooney on a regular basis to tell him how they're doing.

"Yeah, we miss him, but he's with us," Reed said. "He's just not here."

The Associated Press can be reached at or .

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TUESDAY AUGUST 4, 2009 :: Last modified: Monday, August 3, 2009 11:58 PM EDT

Steelers Notes: Camp is Dan Rooney-less By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff

LATROBE — For the first time since 1941, the Steelers are practicing at training camp without Dan Rooney around. Now that Rooney has begun his duties as the United States ambassador to Ireland, he’s far away in Dublin tending to his duties. His son and the team president, Art Rooney II, is now in full control of the franchise.

“I have talked to Mr. Rooney, of course,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “He’s with us in spirit. I'm missing him, but I'm sure he's missing us a little more.” Dan Rooney, who turned 77 on July 20, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000 for his success as owner of the Steelers and his influential contributions to NFL matters over the years. “It’s different not having him here,” defensive end Brett Keisel said. “We're missing him.” Rooney, listed in the Steelers’ media guide as the team’s Chairman Emeritus, is expected to be back in Pittsburgh on Sept. 10 for the season opener at Heinz Field against Tennessee. MORE REPS FOR SHIPLEY With Hartwig and Stapleton hobbling, A.Q. Shipley got a lot more reps Monday. Doug Legursky played center for the first-team offense. Shipley snapped for the second and third-team offenses. “The more reps you get, the more the coaches see you,” said Shipley, a Moon Area High School and Penn State grad. Shipley is also the second-team long snapper for punts, extra points and field goals. CALIPARI DUE IN THURSDAY There’s a chance that John Calipari, the new basketball coach at the University of Kentucky, will attend Thursday’s afternoon practice. Calipari, a Moon Area grad, arranged his visit through Steelers wide receivers coach Randy Fichtner. From 1990-93, Fichtner was the wide receivers/quarterbacks coach at the University of Memphis, where Calipari coached from 2000-09. Calipari also knows former Steelers center Dermontti Dawson, who's in camp on a 10-day internship with the team's scouting department. Dawson is a Kentucky grad who still lives in Lexington.

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INJURY UPDATE After running with the first-team offense at center for two days, Darnell Stapleton missed both of Monday’s practices. As the team worked out in the morning, Stapleton watched atop a hillside surrounding the athletic fields at St. Vincent College. “No, they didn’t put me in timeout,” Stapleton said, with a laugh. “I didn’t do anything wrong. My knee is a little sore, so they told me to stay off it.” On the day the Steelers reported to camp, coach Mike Tomlin said Stapleton may be limited due to his sore knee. But until Monday, Stapleton had not missed a minute of practice. Even though he was the starting right guard for most of last season, Stapleton was playing center because Justin Hartwig has been limited with a toe injury. Trai Essex has been the first-team right guard. WR Hines Ward also missed both practices Monday. He’s now sat out three straight practices (he didn’t practice Sunday afternoon). But he’s not hurt. Tomlin is just taking it easy on the 33-year-old, 12th-year pro. Also sitting out the morning practice were three other 30-plus veterans: LB James Farrior, CB Deshea Townsend and DE Travis Kirschke. They returned in the afternoon. Rookie DL Ra’Shon Harris missed his second straight practice with a groin pull. SS Troy Polamalu, who came to camp with a tender hamstring, took the afternoon off. Meanwhile, RB/KR Stefan Logan returned to practice after missing the first two days with a mid-foot sprain. The Steelers removed him from the physically unable to perform list.


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SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL

Training Camp: Willie Parker quick on his feet handling the media, tooTuesday, August 04, 2009 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Peter Diana / Post-Gazette

Willie Parker at afternoon practice yesterday at St. Vincent College in Latrobe.

Someone made the mistake yesterday of calling Willie Parker the "old guy" to his face. Parker, 28, let it go withoutcomment.

Someone else made the mistake of asking Parker what it might be like this season to share time in the Steelers' backfield with two other halfbacks. Parker let that pass by merely saying: "You have to ask the coach about that. That's not for me to decide. The only thing I can do is just come out every day and bring what I bring to the table."

What Parker brings to the table, for those who might forget, is the fourth-most rushing yards in the NFL over the past four years and one of the best Steelers backs ever. Yes, the Steelers drafted Rashard Mendenhall in the first round last year; yes, Parker had some injury issues; and, yes, Mewelde Moore has shown he can play on third downs and fill in capably.

But halfback remains Willie Parker's job, and for good reason. Not only does he have two Super Bowl rings as their starting halfback, he helped put rings on his teammates fingers with that breathtaking, record 75-yard touchdown run against Seattle.

And he is showing early in training camp, as he did in the spring, that, at 28, he has plenty left in the tank.

"I got my speed back," said Fast Willie, "and you know that's always a plus."

Parker's resume should be enough to prevent anyone from asking him about a three-way arrangement in the backfield. It wasn't until later that he thought about that question.

"You know how it is, y'all get paid to ask the questions, and it's part of our job to answer them," Parker said. "No disrespect, I just sit and have to take it, and when the game starts, I'll have to show y'all what I got."

Despite his production, he feels he has to prove himself again because the team drafted Mendenhall, because he missed five games last season with a knee injury, because, well, because he was never drafted.

"I feel if I was drafted, nobody would have asked me that question about the three-back system," Parker said. "Maybe I'm wrong, but that's how I feel. I feel since I'm undrafted, each and every year I have to prove myself. I'm out to prove myself again."

Parker responded to the broken fibula that ended his 2007 season and the drafting of Mendenhall last year by rushing for 243 yards in the first two games of '08. In the third game, the MCL in his left knee was sprained. He missed a total of five games and good portions of two others, yet he also topped 100 yards three more times, including 146 against San Diego in the first playoff game.

His 791 yards rushing gave him 4,803 in his four seasons as a starter, making him one of only a handful of runners to reach such a level. Parker topped 1,200 yards in each of the seasons before last, something no other Steeler has ever done. He is

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third on the Steelers' career rushing list with 4,989 yards, has the team record with 223 yards in a game and also holds No. 3 with 213. His three 1,000-yard seasons rank No. 3, 6 and 8 in club history.

What more must this player do to show that, to borrow an old phrase from an old Steelers quarterback, he's the man, write it down?

Yet even the Steelers have sent out signals by their silence that perhaps there is no future here for Parker. He's heading into the last year of his contract, and there are no discussions to extend it. Perhaps they, too, forget what Parker has done. Perhaps, they are waiting to see what their first-round draft pick will do in training camp.

As Parker pointed out yesterday, he is no fool, he knows what is going on.

"That's neither here nor there," he said of the lack of talks to extend his contract. "I'm here trying to get right this season. I have to bounce back from last season and see where it goes from there.

"We drafted a No. 1 draft pick last year, so we have to see how it plays out."

They better hope it plays out better than last year for Mendenhall. His rookie season ended early in the fourth game when a hit from Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis fractured his shoulder.

Some teammates then grumbled when Mendenhall rarely came around the club or the locker room -- except for required visits to the trainers and for rehab --until the playoffs.

The loss of Mendenhall, the loss of Parker and a new offensive line led to a No. 23 ranking in the NFL for the Steelers' ground game, their second lowest since they joined the AFC in 1970.

Parker thinks that will be fixed because, he says, the line is better, and because of a healthy Mendenhall and, yes, because Fast Willie Parker is back.

Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected]. Steelers updates, your comments and more visit Blog 'n' Gold

First published on August 4, 2009 at 12:00 am

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Steelers Notebook: Early camp interceptions not concern for Roethlisberger Tuesday, August 04, 2009 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Ben Roethlisberger, making his way to the Steelers trainig camp practice field, high fives fans along the way before afternoon sessions yesterday at St. Vincent College in Latrobe.

Ben Roethlisberger has thrown more interceptions in training camp practices because, he said, his arm does not feel strong.

No need to worry, though. At least not yet.

The quarterback said it usually takes him the first week of training camp before his right arm is where it should be.

"It's frustrating at times. I think I have a pick every day in practice because my arm is not where I want it to be yet," Roethlisberger said. "Trying to make the throws I can make later in the year that I try to do now, my arm is not ready for it."

Roethlisberger threw one deep pass to Santonio Holmes yesterday that fluttered incomplete.

"We misconnected on a couple of deep balls today but it didn't look like it had anything to do with arm strength," said coachMike Tomlin.

Tomlin said it is a "safe assumption" that it usually takes Roethlisberger a week to get his arm to midseason form. The quarterback said he moves at a slower pace now to preserve his arm late in the season.

"I don't throw a lot before I come into this for that reason. I don't want to get worn down late in the year," Roethlisberger said. "It just takes a couple of days to get into it. I hope by Wednesday I'll be getting better and by the weekend I'll be in pretty good form."

On a learning curve

Players scuffled in the afternoon practice, dropped balls and generally did not perform the way Tomlin expected them to.

"We come here to develop skill and to develop our team, techniques and assignments," Tomlin said. "But we also have to learn how to practice. We take examples like things that happened today as a teaching tool. This is part of football."

Scuffles involved Ike Taylor and Carey Davis, Scott Paxon and Ramon Foster, and Keyaron Fox and Tony Hills. Also, rookie receiver Mike Wallace was hit hard, inadvertently, by safety Tyrone Carter on a pass play.

With them vicariously

Tomlin talked to Dan Rooney, the new U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, and said the team's chairman emeritus "is with us in spirit."

"One of the first things he mentioned was this is the first start of training camp he is missing in 68 years," Tomlin said, "so it kind of put it in perspective for me. I'm missing him but I'm sure he's missing us a little bit more."

Quick hits

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Center Darnell Stapleton sat out the day with fluid on a knee. With starting center Justin Hartwig still out with a toe injury, the snapping duties fell to Doug Legursky and rookie A.Q. Shipley. ... Hines Ward missed his third consecutivepractice. Tomlin said he gave him the day off. Others given the day off or one practice off were James Farrior, Deshea Townsend and Travis Kirschke. ... Running back Stefan Logan came off the PUP list and practiced.


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Steelers receiver finding his Sweed spot early in campTuesday, August 04, 2009 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Limas Sweed makes catch during minicamp at the Steelers UPMC South Side facility in May.

See Limas run. See Limas catch. More important, see Limas know where to go and what to do when he gets there.

Three days into training camp and not much has stood out more at Saint Vincent College than Limas Sweed, not even James Harrison's Smart car. He runs routes with authority, catches passes seemingly with ease and even has learned to find a seam or two in a zone defense. In other words, all the things he did not do last season as the team's No. 2 draft choice.

"I said to him the other day, 'Who's that big, pretty guy out there running,' " offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. "He said, 'Man, this is so much different than last year.' "

OK, so it's a little early to pronounce Sweed as the biggest and newest weapon in the Steelers' offensive arsenal, a fact coach Mike Tomlin was quick to note the other day. And maybe a few preseason games are needed to see if Sweed is ready, if not capable, of replacing Nate Washington as the team's No. 3 receiver, a job that is his to lose.

But one thing is certain: Sweed probably has already made more plays in three days of camp than he did all of last season when the 6-foot-4, 220-pound receiver was a confused, gangly rookie who made even the most routine catch look difficult.

"This training camp to last training camp is night and day for him," Arians said. "He knows what he's doing, he's playing fast and he hasn't many errors and dropped balls. He's playing so much faster."

Sweed can tell the difference, too.

"I was totally confused last year," Sweed said. "I wasn't in and out of my breaks properly. I was just thinking too much. It's like anything -- if you second-guess yourself and you're not quite sure [what you are doing], you're not going to be as sharp, you're not going to be quite as proficient.

"Now I'm ready. I understand. I know what's going on. I know where I have to be, whereas last year, in zone, I didn't know where I had to be."

Sweed caught only six passes for 64 yards in 11 regular-season games last season -- three came against the New York Giants -- but he received a little more playing time in the postseason when Hines Ward was injured. But he was remembered for his drop of what would have been an easy 60-yard touchdown in the AFC championship game against the Baltimore Ravens, a mistake that was exacerbated when he appeared to indicate he was injured on the play.

But, one thing the coaches have always liked about Sweed: He's a hard worker who doesn't quit trying to improve. A couple of plays after his drop, he delivered a crushing block on Ravens cornerback Corey Ivy that endeared himself to his teammates.

"He's conscientious ... maybe too conscientious," Arians said. "He's got good grit and he's got good accountability about him."

Then Arians paused and said: "I just wish he was a little cockier at times. That's what wideouts need -- that little edge to them. It might come out now that he's getting more comfortable."

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Sweed will be challenged for the third receiving spot, primarily by rookie speedster Mike Wallace, a third-round pick from Mississippi, and seven-year veteran Shaun McDonald, a late free-agent pickup from the Detroit Lions. McDonald (5-10, 183) had 79 catches for 943 yards two years ago with the Lions.

But Arians is not discounting Martin Nance, who played with Ben Roethlisberger at Miami (Ohio) University and spent last season on the practice squad. Dallas Baker, who began last season on the 53-man roster, and rookie free-agent Brandon Williams will be in the battle for the fourth and fifth receiving spots.

"It's the same game I've been playing since seventh grade and I made it out to be more than it was," Sweed said. "I've always been a perfectionist. From the time I played basketball when I was little, mother would tell me the same thing -- 'Son, you are your own worst critic, your own toughest critic.'

"I think that's good. I never stopped being that. That's the drive, that's the burn that pushes me inside. That's going to get me to be the type of player I want to be."

Gerry Dulac can be reached at [email protected].


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NFL Notebook: Eagles coach berates mediaSays 'pact' violated over player's injury Tuesday, August 04, 2009 From wire dispatches

Upset by news reports that starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley could miss the season with a knee injury, Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said yesterday he's not talking about it.

The Eagles confirmed Sunday night that Bradley injured a knee in practice. Yesterday, reports surfaced that the third-year pro had a torn ACL and was likely lost for the season.

After practice, Reid criticized the media instead of discussing the injury. He said some reporters violated his "pact" with them, which Reid said dictates that reporters ask only him about team injuries, not players or other team personnel.

"Some of your colleagues here decided that they would go to the players and/or other personnel here and ask about injuries," Reid said. "I made a pact with you guys when I first got here that I would disclose to you the injuries -- just stay away from the players, stay away from other personnel in the organization, and I would take care of you with that."

Reid did acknowledge Bradley's absence from practice.

"He did not practice today, and that's where I'll leave it," said Reid, who would not say when he will again discuss injuries. "When I decide that people can abide by the rules, I'll do that."

Vikings

Minnesota quarterback Tarvaris Jackson missed both practices again yesterday while doing rehab work on his injured left knee. Jackson joined teammates outside for the first time since spraining his MCL Saturday. He was only able to ride a bicycle, do some light jogging and watch practice.

Jets

New York waived tight end Richard Owens and claimed tight end Kevin Brock off waivers from the Carolina Panthers. Owens, who was signed last month, missed several training camp practices with a leg injury. Brock was an undrafted rookie from Rutgers.

Bills

Buffalo running back Marshawn Lynch's three-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy will stand. The league announced that Lynch's appeal was denied in a statement released yesterday afternoon.

Bengals

Carson Palmer is practicing again with Cincinnati after a case of bronchitis. The quarterback missed two practices over the weekend and worked out with the team yesterday. He said he's feeling better and has been told he's not contagious. ... Starting tight end Reggie Kelly ruptured his Achilles tendon in practice yesterday. He will have surgery tomorrow.

Broncos

Denver reached an agreement with first-round pick Robert Ayers from Tennessee, leaving Knowshon Moreno, the team's top pick, as the only unsigned player from their 10-member draft class.

Cardinals

Arizona wide receiver Early Doucet went down with a sprained left shoulder making a spectacular catch during practice at training camp. The injury occurred during the Cardinals' morning session yesterday when Doucet made a diving catch over the middle, then landed hard on the turf.

Elsewhere

Michael Vick's hometown celebration was postponed yesterday. The "Michael Vick Community Celebration" scheduled for Saturday will be held later because the former NFL quarterback has an event that day in Atlanta with the Humane Society of

Page 1 of 2NFL Notebook: Eagles coach berates media


the United States, organizer Andrew Shannon said. Vick has been job hunting since being conditionally reinstated to the NFL last month. Twenty-six teams have said they're not interested in signing the 29-year-old, with the remaining six declining to comment or not ruling him out.


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Roethlisberger working his way into shape By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Joe Burnett got a hand on the pass and made a nifty grab before it hit the ground Monday afternoon at St. Vincent College.

The problem for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger: Burnett, a rookie, plays cornerback and not wide receiver.

Roethlisberger correctly guessed that he has thrown at least one interception in practice since training camp began Saturday.

But Roethlisberger said he is not concerned as he is just warming up.

"My arm's not where I want it to be yet," an upbeat Roethlisberger said yesterday after practice. "Trying to make the throws I make later in the year, (and) my arms's not ready for it."

That, said Roethlisberger, is pretty standard as he mostly rests his right arm during the offseason so it is strong at the end of the season as opposed to the beginning of training camp.

"I don't throw a lot before (camp) for that reason," Roethlisberger said, "so it takes a couple of days to get into it. I hope by Wednesday it will be getting better and then by the weekend it will be in pretty good form."

Roethlisberger has been getting work with a lot of receivers, especially since veteran Hines Ward has been given the last two days off by coach Mike Tomlin. One of the biggest priorities of camp for the Steelers is to identify a receiver who can take over the No. 3 wide receiver job from the departed Nate Washington.

Roethlisberger said he has been impressed with the talent the Steelers have behind Ward and Santonio Holmes.

"We have a lot of young guys that can really stretch the field," Roethlisberger said. "(Limas) Sweed can really stretch the field. Mike (Wallace), he's doing a great job of getting down the field. We just need him to catch the ball when he gets down there."

Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.



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Steelers deal with plenty of contract issues By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, August 4, 2009

He plays one of the hardest positions to fill on a 3-4 defense, and he plays it at a Pro Bowl level. But Casey Hampton is also on the wrong side of 30, and there is always the question of whether a battle of the bulge will become an issue with the mammoth nose tackle.

As the Steelers, ahem, weigh the pros and cons of signing Hampton among others to long-term contracts they do so with sand trickling down an hourglass.

The regular-season opener is a little more than five weeks away, and if the Steelers don't get a new deal done with Hampton, to mention one, the 6-1, 325-pounder said he will test free agency at the end of the season.

"Definitely if I play out the season I've got to see what's out there," said Hampton, who turns 32 on Sept. 3.

A handful of Steelers starters are in a position to do the same thing. And it speaks to the unusually large number of key players going into the final year of their contract that the Steelers were very busy during the offseason and yet there still may be unfinished business.

The question for the Steelers, who have a longstanding policy of not negotiating once the season starts, is whether they are in a position to do much more business.

They have precious little room under the salary cap, which is $128 million this season, after signing players like outside linebacker James Harrison, tight end Heath Miller and offensive tackle Max Starks to multi-year contracts.

Putting more strain on the Steelers (and every other NFL team this year) is the fact that they have to set aside a pool of money for contract incentives that count against this year's salary cap.

In the past, incentives earned during a season could be counted against the following year's salary cap. That has changed since there won't be a salary cap after this season if a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) isn't reached between the players and owners before March 2010.

Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert has said the team has not ruled out re-signing more of its players before the Sept. 10 opener against the Tennessee Titans. But the reality is not every player who merits a new deal is

Page 1 of 4Steelers deal with plenty of contract issues - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review


going to get one.

"There's a lot of great players that are in the last year of their contract," said starting defensive end Brett Keisel, who is in the final year of his deal. "The Rooneys obviously know what they're doing. It's just kind of out of your hands. You just have to go out and perform and perform well."

Fortunately for the Steelers, the players also in Keisel's situation have expressed a similar sentiment.

"Do I think I should get an extension? Well, yeah. Do I think I deserve a new contract? Yeah. But right now I'm obligated to play this year," said kicker Jeff Reed, whose agent met with the Steelers at the beginning of last week. "So I can't sit here and say 'I can't believe Heath got his' and 'He got his' and 'He got his.' That's not my role. My role is to do as best I can when I get the opportunity, and good things will happen to me."

Getting a deal done with Reed seems like a no-brainer. He is one of the more accurate kickers in the league, and the eighth-year veteran plays a position that doesn't command nearly the money that others do.

Tougher choices loom with players such as Hampton, Keisel, running back Willie Parker, safety Ryan Clark and center Justin Hartwig.

All with the exception of Parker are in their 30s. Parker, 29, is entering his sixth season and is at a point in his career where it might be risky for the Steelers to lavish a long-term contract on him. The two-time Pro Bowler conceded as much when he said, "I was banged up last year, got hurt the year before."

Parker, who missed five games last season, added, "Right now I'm a Steeler, and I want to be a Steeler for life. I love this organization. It's not a time for contract issues, contract talk. All of that will take care of itself."

Clark has adopted a similar stance.

And he has taken the rather extreme step of not asking his agent for any updates on his contract situation.

"I want to continue liking everybody," Clark said of not getting personally involved. "I remember going through it with the Redskins and feeling like I did a good job there and feeling like I wanted to be there and hearing the things they say about you to tell you why they can't give you a certain amount of money or why they can't give you that contract.

"Obviously I have another year here. I don't want to know why I can't get it or why it won't be done."

PROS AND CONS



Here is a list of starters going into the final year of their contract as well as why (and why not) the Steelers should get a deal done with them.

S RYAN CLARK

Sign: Underrated player and good locker room guy

Don't sign: Will he hold up healthwise with his kamikaze style of play?

NT CASEY HAMPTON

Sign: Is perfect plug in middle of Steelers defense

Don't sign: Isn't getting any younger — or skinnier.

C JUSTIN HARTWIG

Sign: Solidified what had been a weak spot

Don't sign: Can't pay everyone on the offensive line

DE BRETT KEISEL

Sign: An appreciated if overshadowed player on a top defense

Don't sign: First-round pick Ziggy Hood is waiting in the wings.

RB WILLIE PARKER

Sign: Is a premier back when healthy

Don't sign: Is a premier back when healthy

K JEFF REED

Sign: Consistent and handles elements at Heinz Field

Don't sign: There isn't one.

*OT WILLIE COLON

Sign: Has started 38 consecutive games at RT

Don't sign: Is he the long-term answer at RT?

*—Only becomes a restricted free agent if no collective bargaining agreement is reached between players and owners before March of 2010.

Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.



Veteran Steelers get a break at training camp By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Inside linebacker James Farrior, defensive end Travis Kirschke, receiver Hines Ward and cornerback Deshea Townsend sat out the Steelers' first practice yesterday morning. Not coincidentally, Farrior (34), Kirschke (34), Ward (33) and Townsend (33) are among the oldest players on the roster.

"Whenever you have older, veteran guys, whenever you have an opportunity to give us a little time off and give us a little extra rest, you feel easy about doing it,'' Farrior said. "It feels good.''

Farrior, Kirschke and Townsend returned to the afternoon workout.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who ran a much tougher camp two years ago, made good on his promise to lessen the workload for his veterans.

"We didn't really talk about it,'' said Farrior, the defensive captain. "But it's that time in our careers where getting enough time off only helps the team. It was all (Tomlin's) move."

Said Tomlin: "We gave our thirty-something guys the morning off."

• Starting inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons returned to practice yesterday morning after sitting out Sunday and not finishing Saturday's practice because of cramps caused by dehydration. Tight end Heath Miller, limited the first two days of practice while recovering from sports hernia surgery, participated in individual drills and 7-on-7 drills in the afternoon workout. Rookie defensive end Sonny Harris continues to be limited because of a strained groin.

• With starting center Justin Hartwig (broken toe) still limited, Doug Legursky lined up at first-team center. Starting right guard Darnell Stapleton, who had been filling in at center, observed the morning practice from above the practice fields. Was Stapleton, who has experienced swelling in one of his knees, being punished by the coaching staff?

"No," he said. "I'm a good boy." Tomlin said the condition of Stapleton's knee will be evaluated.

• Free agent receiver Stefan Logan returned to practice yesterday morning after missing the conditioning run and sitting out the first two days of practice with a foot sprain. Logan did not participate in the afternoon workout.

Page 1 of 3Veteran Steelers get a break at training camp - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review


• Tomlin said he spoke recently with chairman Dan Rooney, the U.S. ambassador to Ireland. Rooney told Tomlin that it was the first time he missed the start of training camp in 68 years. Tomlin said that although Dan Rooney isn't around, he speaks regularly with team president Art Rooney II.

"It's business as usual for us," Tomlin said Monday.

• The Steelers have two practices today. The second one starts at 2:55 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

INSIDE THE ROPES

A daily look at the best parts of the Steelers' training camp in Latrobe:

LACK OF ETIQUETTE: Coach Mike Tomlin said it was "testy" at times during yesterday's second practice, probably the most physical practice so far. Tomlin said the Steelers need to develop better "football etiquette." Tomlin could have been referring to some of the big hits delivered on the field, none bigger than safety Tyrone Carter drilling rookie Mike Wallace after a catch even though those type of hits are generally frowned upon by the coaching staff. Wallace said the hit was a wake-up call. "This is the NFL," he said. "There are going to be hits like this all the time." In another case, rookie Joe Burnett intercepted Ben Roethlisberger and was upended by a frustrated Limas Sweed. Burnett responded by tossing the ball back to Sweed, which could have resulted in a penalty in a game.

HIT PARADE: Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons returned to practice in a big way Monday morning. Timmons blew up rookie running back Frank "The Tank" Summers on a running play. Later during the same practice, outside linebacker James Harrison hit free agent Stefan Logan so hard on a pass play that Logan dropped the ball. Harrison picked Logan up.

BACKS VS. BACKERS: The popular backs vs. backers drill yesterday highlighted a couple of young running backs, second-year player Rashard Mendenhall and Summers. Playing running back in the NFL involves more than carrying the ball. Running backs are also expected to pass block. Mendenhall had his hands full with Harrison, but he got better as the drill progressed. Summers struggled his first time against linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who beat him with an inside rush. The next time, Summers managed to push Woodley outside.

DEFENSIVE SUPPORT: Safety Ryan Clark playfully admonished fans who cheered after Ben Roethlisberger completed a pass to Willie Parker yesterday afternoon. "Y'all better start cheering when we do something on defense," Clark said. Fans promptly took up a chant for the defense.

John Harris can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.




TUESDAY AUGUST 4, 2009 :: Last modified: Monday, August 3, 2009 11:58 PM EDT

Big Ben's not in midseason form By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff

LATROBE — Ben Roethlisberger is still working his right arm into playing shape. The Steelers quarterback admitted Monday that he’s a bit frustrated with his performance during the first three days of training camp.

“I think I have a pick every day in practice,” he said. Roethlisberger has thrown an interception during 11-on-11 drills in each of the past three days. Rookie cornerback Keenan Lewis swiped one of his passes Saturday. Strong safety Troy Polamalu intercepted him Sunday. Monday, it was free safety Ryan Clark who picked off a Roethlisberger pass. “It’s frustrating at times,” Roethlisberger said. “(I’m) trying to make the throws I can make later in the year … (but) my arm isn’t ready for it.” Roethlisberger said he was particularly upset that he didn’t connect on a few deep passes Monday. But coach Mike Tomlin said he isn’t worried. “We misconnected on a couple of deep balls, but it didn’t look like it had anything to do with arm strength,” Tomlin said. Roethlisberger, 27, admitted that his arm strength isn’t what he’d like it to be because he didn’t do a lot of throwing in the weeks leading up to training camp. He said it usually takes a week of camp until he works his arm into shape. “I don’t throw a lot before I come into this for that reason. I don’t want to get worn down late in the year,’’ he said. “It just takes a couple of days to get into it. I hope by Wednesday.”

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Big Ben looking for deep ball again Associated Press

LATROBE - Ben Roethlisberger is having no trouble with the two-a-day practices at the Pittsburgh Steelers' training camp. His throwing arm is.

Roethlisberger missed some deep throws he felt he should have completed Monday, then said his head is ahead of his right arm three days into camp.

"I think I have a pick (interception) every day in practice because my arm's not where I want it to be yet and I'm trying to make the throws that I can make later in the year," Roethlisberger said.

Despite winning a second Super Bowl in four seasons, Roethlisberger had a down season statistically a year ago - with 17 touchdown passes, compared to 32 the season before - and the Steelers want to get the deep pass back into their offense.

Partly for that reason, Roethlisberger didn't throw much before practice started Saturday.

"I don't want it to get worn down late in the year," Roethlisberger said following the second of two Monday practices. "It takes me a few days to get into it. Hopefully by Wednesday I'll be getting better and by the weekend it'll be in good form."

The Steelers may have more speed at receiver than they've had for several seasons, with rookie Mike Wallace added to Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes and second-year receiver Limas Sweed. That encourages Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.

"We've got a lot of guys who can do that, stretch the field - obviously we know Santonio can do that," Roethlisberger said. "Sweed can stretch the field, Mike is doing a great job of getting down the field, now he needs to catch the ball when he gets down there."

Coach Mike Tomlin, pleased with his team's intensity on a sunny, warm day but unhappy with part of practice, isn't worried about Roethlisberger's arm.

"We misconnected on a couple of deep balls, but it didn't look like it had anything to do with arm strength," he said.

What bothered Tomlin were several incidents of pushing and shoving after a play and some drills not being properly run.

"We have to develop our practice etiquette and professionalism, just like we have to do our assignments," he said.

NOTES: WR Hines Ward, who had shoulder surgery in February, missed practice for the second day in a row, but Tomlin said he wasn't injured. Several other players who are in their 30s, including LB James Farrior, DE Travis Kirschke, and CB Deshea Townsend, also were allowed to skip the morning practice. ... Roethlisberger said he's in a rush to get his arm ready because Arians "is adding something new every day." ... Roethlisberger again did not discuss the civil lawsuit filed against him in Nevada last month. On Saturday, he said he will answer only football-related questions.

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08/04/2009

Wallace impressing veterans By Jim Wexell , For the Herald-Standard

UNITY TWP. - Ben Roethlisberger complained that his arm won't be full strength for about a week, but cornerback Joe Burnett wouldn't believe it. The rookie intercepted a Roethlisberger fastball with one hand - after juggling it - to make a sensational diving catch. "That was a fastball, like you said," said Burnett, the 5-9 fifth-round pick who the Steelers view as a return man and nickel back. The interception was the up in an up-and-down day for Burnett. Early in practice, Burnett was beaten by at least five yards by rookie speedster Mike Wallace, who hauled in the bomb for a touchdown. Later, Burnett received several reps in the thankless task of punt gunner up against two defenders who took turns smacking him at the line of scrimmage. Most of the reps included beastly rookie corner Keenan Lewis, who wound up and drilled the pinballing Burnett several times, but Burnett accomplished his goal of slithering through to the return men more times than not. "Coach put it in my head that he wanted to see me be aggressive. 'I want you to be my gunner, and I want you to beat the guy in front of you.' Plain and simple, that's how he put it to me," Burnett said. "And I was aggressive. With two guys, they have the advantage and that's what I'm going to see in a game, so I need the reps, and I got them. I think I opened coach's eyes with that drill. "As for Mike Wallace beating me deep, he's going to do that to a lot of guys. He's a good player. I was in nickel and I blew the coverage, but you also have to give a handclap for Mike Wallace. He ran a great route." MORE THAN A HANDCLAP Wallace got more than a handclap from noted headhunter Tyrone Carter yesterday. During a 7-on-7 passing drill, one play after fellow safety Ryan Clark showed mercy on Shaun McDonald over the middle, Carter decked Wallace over the middle in a fashion similar to the way Anthony Smith decked Willie Reid the last two camps. But, Wallace took the killshot, held on to the ball, got up off the ground, and started running for the end zone. Was he surprised to be hit during the normally easygoing drill? "Not really," Wallace said. "I know our DBs are looking to rock the rookies out there. It's all part of the game. I'm just playing football." Wasn't it over the top? "It's all part of coming in. I don't have a problem with it. I like it, actually. I feel like it's going to make me better." Perhaps the incident, along with brief scuffles between Keyaron Fox and Tony Hills, and Scott Paxson and Ramon Foster, led Tomlin to comment about practice etiquette. "We have to develop our practice etiquette, professionalism, just like we do our techniques and assignments," he said. COME AND GO BLUES Pint-sized kick returner Stefan Logan was activated from the PUP list in the morning, but last year's starting right guard, Darnell Stapleton, could be lost for a while. He came to camp with a problematic knee, but sat out both practices yesterday as he walked gingerly around campus. "His knee acts up every now and then," Tomlin said of the 23-year-old. "We're actually taking a look at him (Monday). I'll have more information in the morning or (Tuesday) afternoon." With Justin Hartwig also sidelined with a toe injury, Doug Legursky is now the center. Legursky was a three-year center at Marshall University. He made the Steelers' practice squad last season as an undrafted rookie.

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As for Logan, the 5-6, 180-pounder looked right at home returning punts on the Steelers' artificial morning practice field. The 28-year-old finished fourth in the CFL in rushing last season and is hoping to catch on with the Steelers as a running back-wide receiver hybrid. Logan has darting quickness, but there's a rumor that Willie Parker beat him handily in a 40-yard dash last spring after a practice. "No," Logan said of the rumor. "Willie P needs to be out here right now. See, it wasn't even a race really. We did 16 drills of cone work, and after that Willie P was like, 'Hey, we're going to run a 40-yard sprint.' OK. Are we all out? Or are we just coasting at 75 percent? And he said, 'No, I'm going all out.' I was like, OK. After we took off, I didn't know he was going to take off that fast, and I was like, 'What?' So once I saw it, I took off, and right at the line I passed him, so I did win. He's a veteran so I'll give it to him. If he wants to say he beat me, then he beat me, but really I won that race. That's fine though. He said we'll race again and I'm fine with that." Logan said he once ran a 4.35 40, but calls himself a 4.4 man. "I think I have a legitimate shot as a punt returner, kickoff returner," he said about making the team. "And I'm pretty sure the coaches would throw a few wrinkles in the offense to get the ball in my hands in the open field, and that's what they're trying to do. That's why I have to take advantage of every opportunity and make something happen."

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Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:26 pm EDT

Terrell Suggs and his t-shirt don't like the Pittsburgh Steelers

By Chris Chase

Some people figuratively wear their emotions on their sleeves. Terrell Suggs(notes) literally has it printed on his back. And all classy-like too, I might add.

So deep is the Baltimore Ravens linebacker's dislike of the Pittsburgh Steelers that he's taken to wearing a shirt that reads "You Bet Your Sweet Ass I Hate The Steelers" under his jersey during practice.

Suggs told the Baltimore Sun that he saw the shirt in a store and thought, "oh, that's nice for camp." The front of it reads "YBYSA", an acronym for what appears on the back (and something that sounds like something Drago said at the end of the bout in Rocky IV.)

This isn't the first time Suggs has made his thoughts about Pittsburgh known. Last year he got into a bit of hot water for suggesting that his team had put a bounty out on Hines Ward. (Ever the gentleman, Ward politely reminded Suggs of the NFL policy against such actions.)

It's only natural that Suggs, his teammates and Ravens fans would hate Pittsburgh though. The Steelers are a model franchise, have had more historical and recent success (including three wins over the Ravens last year) and, most importantly, don't have to live in Baltimore.

The feeling is mutual in Pittsburgh, if a little bit more understated. It's not that the Steelers and their fans don't hate the Ravens, but I always get the sense that Baltimore has much stronger feelings about the whole thing. (It's the same thing with the Maryland-Duke rivalry in college basketball.) I mean, do you think James Harrison(notes) would be caught dead wearing a Ravens diss shirt to Steelers camp?

Thanks, D.C. Steeler Nation

August 4, 2009

The N.F.L. Has Identified the Enemy and It Is Twitter

By JUDY BATTISTA

To the list of universal threats to football success — injury and indiscretion, a Tom Brady-led offense

marching against your defense — the N.F.L. has added another: Twitter.

As training camps opened last week, players were told that the same standard — read: paranoia — that

applied to the flow of information to reporters also applied to Twitter. In Green Bay, players were told they

would be fined if they texted or tweeted from team meetings or coaching sessions.

When Coach Tony Sparano met with the Miami Dolphins before Sunday’s first practice, he effectively

outlawed Twitter, nose tackle Jason Ferguson said.

“I don’t have an account,” Ferguson said. “I was thinking about getting one until I got the information. O.K.,

won’t get it now. Can’t do it. I don’t want to get fined, not yet.”

Football coaches are a password-protected lot, preferring to dispense so little information that most days,

they would struggle to fill 140 characters. They worry that the casual nature of Twitter could inspire the

budding bloggers in their locker rooms to inadvertently disclose more than they should about injuries, game

plans and what is said behind closed doors.

The N.F.L. does not have a policy about social media, although it warns players about the risks of someone

impersonating them on one of the sites. Cellphones, computers and P.D.A.’s cannot be used by players,

coaches or other club personnel on the sideline, in coaches’ booths or locker rooms from pregame warm-ups

through the end of the game. But N.F.L. officials are working on a policy that would apply to the use of social

media sites on the day of the game.

Sparano told the Dolphins that information on Twitter would be picked up by the news media and provide

another dreaded distraction.

Coaches did not have to look hard for an example: after Minnesota quarterback Tarvaris Jackson sprained a

knee ligament in practice Saturday, his teammate Bernard Berrian tweeted that he was out for the season.

Berrian later said that he was joking, and Jackson was expected to miss only a few practices.

A greater fear for coaches is that a player will mention that he turned his ankle in practice — or worse, that

somebody else did — and that the news media and opponents will quickly read it.

Twitter has become a source of fascination for the sports world. N.F.L. executives tweeted from the college

draft. The cyclist Lance Armstrong tweets continually. So do scores of N.B.A. players. Shaquille O’Neal has

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more than 1.8 million followers. But no other league guards information as fiercely as the N.F.L. does,

making the collision of tweets and tackles particularly intriguing. Hence, the only-slightly-exaggerated advice

one team executive gave: do not tweet about anything more than what you are eating.

The teams in the nation’s biggest media market — the Giants and the Jets — did not issue new Twitter rules.

Jets kicker Jay Feely is an avid tweeter, but he often sticks to a safer topic than football: politics.

Football coaches would prefer players pick up their playbooks and not their BlackBerrys.

“I’m naïve to the whole thing, I don’t really know what this is,” Sparano said, after warning his players about

Twitter. “I just learned how to text a couple months ago.”

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NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Giants star Plaxico Burress was indicted by a grand jury on weapons charges for shooting himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub and faces a minimum prison sentence of 3 1/2 years if convicted, prosecutors announced Monday.

The indictment charged the 31-year-old Burress with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment, Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said.

THE HUDDLE: DA says Burress 'narrowly missed' shooting second person

"The grand jury applied the law to the facts of this case," Morgenthau said. He said the accidental shooting at the Latin Quarter nightclub on Nov. 29 was treated "like any similar case against any other defendant."

Burress' lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said he was disappointed but not surprised by the indictment, which came after Burress testified before the grand jury and expressed remorse.

"When you have the mayor and the district attorney both publicly demanding a maximum prison sentence, it was perhaps too much to hope for the grand jury to conduct a sympathetic review of the unique facts of this sad case," Brafman said in a statement.

Burress' former teammate Antonio Pierce, who was with Burress in the club and drove him to the hospital, was not indicted.

The panel also did not indict the nightclub security guard who carried the gun to Pierce's car or the hospital staff members who failed to notify police that Burress had been shot.

Morgenthau said hospital personnel were guilty of "a screw-up rather than a cover-up" and the security guard exhibited "bad judgment in the first degree" but did not commit a crime.

Pierce, who also testified before the grand jury last week, was practicing with the Giants in Albany when he learned of the panel's decision.

Giants President John Mara said the team was pleased that the linebacker was not indicted.

"We said last week we felt strongly that Antonio's actions did not warrant criminal charges, and obviously the grand jury, having heard all of the testimony, felt the same way," he said.

Pierce's lawyer, Michael Bachner, said, "By appearing before the grand jury for almost three hours and answering the grand jury's very direct and very considered questions, it was clear to us that they understood that Mr. Pierce acted as any citizen under extraordinary circumstances would have acted."

Burress was at the Latin Quarter nightclub Nov. 29 when a gun tucked into his waistband slipped down his leg and fired, shooting him in the right thigh.

Prosecutors said Monday that after taking Burress to the hospital, Pierce drove the gun to his own home in New Jersey — not to Burress' home, as was originally reported. They said he later arranged for it to be taken to Burress' home.

Assistant District Attorney John Wolfstaetter said the bullet that hit Burress narrowly missed a nightclub security guard who was standing inches away.

The bullet lodged in the floor and was recovered by a bartender, Morgenthau said.

"He wanted it as a souvenir but we told him he had to turn it over," he said.

The gun was not licensed in New York or in New Jersey, where Burress lived, prosecutors said. Burress' license to carry a concealed weapon in the state of Florida had expired in May 2008.

The charges Burress was indicted on carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 3 1/2 years in prison. He pleaded not guilty to weapons charges earlier this year and is free on $100,000 bail.

The grand jury indictment comes after plea bargain negotiations broke down, apparently because Morgenthau was insisting that Burress serve at least two years in prison under any plea agreement.

Assistant District Attorney Mark Dwyer said it is standard policy to request a two-year sentence as part of a plea bargain on such serious charges.

Burress, who caught the winning touchdown for the Giants over the New England Patriots in the final minute of the 2008 Super Bowl, also could face disciplinary action by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell's office announced in June that the league already had started its examination of the shooting, and NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Monday's indictment "will be considered as part of that review."

The Giants released Burress in April and he has yet to sign with another team.

Plaxico Burress indicted on felony gun charge; Pierce clear

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By Tom Pedulla, USA TODAY

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady seemed oblivious to the heavy rain that greeted the start of training camp Thursday as he barked instructions to teammates who struggled to get a grip.

As the most valuable player of two of New England's three Super Bowl triumphs works his way back from a devastating left knee injury suffered in last season's opener, he appears to be on firmer footing in his personal and professional life than ever before.

"I think it's been a great learning experience for me, and I'm using it as a positive," says Brady, who turned 32 on Monday. "Hopefully I can go out this year and be a great quarterback for this team."

PHOTOS: Patriots training camp LETTER FROM CAMP: Belichick 'a lot friendlier' in his 10th year with Pats

Neal ElAttrache, who operated on the four-time Pro Bowler on Oct. 6 and performed two follow-up procedures less than two weeks later, is convinced he can.

He says the legs of the 10th-year veteran are stronger now than at any time before in his career.

"He's an unbelievable worker. He did everything you could have hoped for a patient to do."

Brady, who agreed to wear a knee brace at the insistence of Patriots trainer Jim Whalen, has showed early flashes of the form that allowed him to be the league's MVP as he threw for 4,806 yards in 2007. He acknowledges the brace may be costing him a step.

"Have I gone from slow to slower? That's possible," he jokes, knowing speed has never been a big part of his repertoire.

Otherwise, he looks like the same franchise quarterback to his teammates.

"We've been through minicamp. We've been working with him the whole offseason," wide receiver Wes Welker says. "It's no surprise he's able to get in the flow of things."

Brady tore the anterior cruciate ligament and the medial collateral ligament when the helmet of blitzing Kansas City Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard crashed into his knee in last season's opener. That left the former sixth-round draft choice to cope with the first major setback of an otherwise storybook career.

Brady needs only to look at the Cincinnati Bengals' Carson Palmer for encouragement. After suffering a severe knee injury in the wild-card round of the playoffs at the close of the 2005 season, he threw for 4,035 yards and 28 touchdowns the next year.

Palmer says of Brady, "I would just tell him to be prepared for the mental obstacles when he gets back on the practice and the game field.

"You have to get over being uneasy about people being down around your feet and get over feeling like you need to step out of the way to protect yourself."

'It's (a) blessing in disguise'

But family and friends say he is better for the cruel turn that followed a magical season in which he led the Patriots to the NFL's first 16-0 regular season while throwing for a record 50 touchdowns. New England's bid for perfection ended with a 17-14 upset loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

"There's no question, it's (a) blessing in disguise," says his father, Tom. "He's got a renewed vigor. It was almost like a sabbatical in the middle of his career.

"When you lose a year following the best year of your career, it's an unfortunate occurrence. But the Lord works in strange ways."

Brady appears at ease as he strains to shake off almost a year's worth of rust during the early days of camp. He delights in his time off the field after previously being consumed by football.

He married supermodel Gisele Bundchen on Feb. 26 and dotes on his son, 22-month-old Jack. He shares custody with actress and former girlfriend Bridget Moynahan.

He says the perspective he gained while sidelined makes him better equipped to deal with everyday stresses.

"I'm more content, I think, in learning how to deal with those situations," he says. "A lot of things that have happened in my life you learn from, and, like I said, you use those as challenges."

Rodney Harrison, who played six seasons with Brady before retiring last offseason to become an NBC analyst, sees someone who added balance to his life.

"Obviously, he's gotten married and he's building a family," Harrison says. "Yes, there is a difference.

Tom Brady returns: With QB, 'something's different' for Pats

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"A lot of times when you go through an injury such as what Tom went through, things start to fall into perspective. It's your family that's really important, because football comes to an end for all of us."

Scott Zolak, a backup Patriots quarterback from 1992-98 who covers the team for radio station WBZ in Boston, also senses a difference in a four-time Pro Bowler who had started 128 consecutive games — the third-longest streak by an NFL quarterback behind Brett Favre's 269 games and Peyton Manning's 176.

"It seems there is some sort of peace about him," Zolak says. "That is the best way to sum it up."

Although Brady trails only boyhood idol Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw, each of whom won four Super Bowls, he's not content with his place in history.

"I hope I have the opportunity to play for a long time. I think when you sit on the sidelines for an entire year, you realize how much you love it," he says. "Not that you need that to happen to be grateful to play, but you experience things in a much different way. I love being out here."

Coach Bill Belichick asked Brady to remain home on game days last year, apparently thinking his presence could create a distraction.

Brady's father says of his son's time away, "It was very hard on him. He was anxious. He watched every minute of every game and dissected it, but he was not part of the team."

It showed during that first practice how much it meant for him to be part of the team again. Only the threat of lightning drove him and his teammates from the field.

"Throughout the monsoon he was fired up. 'Let's get out of the huddle and get it right.' I like that," newly acquired wide receiver Greg Lewis says. "I'm trying not to have any mistakes. I don't want to get him on me."

'Leadership right in front of you'

Lewis, who spent the first six years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, is among a number of key veterans added during the offseason by a franchise bent on toppling the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

Free agent running back Fred Taylor, previously a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, is another newcomer who sees why the Patriots loom as top contenders to secure their fourth Vince Lombardi Trophy and first since 2004. The more he sees of his 6-4, 225-pound quarterback, the more he is impressed.

"Playing these guys a few times in the playoffs," Taylor says, "you look over and say, 'We can beat that team.'

"But then you get here, and you see his passion, you see the way he studies, you see how demanding he is of his players, the leadership right in front of you. You see why he's a proven winner."

The strength of an organization led by Belichick, in his 10th year as coach, and of the supporting cast that surrounds Brady was evident when New England responded to his loss by rallying behind former backup Matt Cassel.

Cassel, previously untested, threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns with 11 interceptions as the Patriots narrowly missed the playoffs at 11-5. It was their eighth consecutive winning season.

New England showed its confidence in Brady's recovery from an injury that typically requires an eight- to 12-month recuperation by dealing Cassel to the Chiefs at the end of February for a second-round draft choice. Some observers thought the Patriots would retain Cassel as an insurance policy.

Brady's injury was that severe. ElAttrache described the knee as "grossly loose and grossly unstable" when he first operated.

'As he goes, the team goes'

Brady hopes for stability in his knee and on the field. He has offensive weapons everywhere.

Randy Moss provides a tremendous threat every time he accelerates downfield and broke Jerry Rice's single-season record with 23 touchdown receptions in 2007. Welker leads the NFL with 223 catches since joining the Patriots two years ago. Free agent signee Joey Galloway, 37, still provides a long-ball threat. Taylor, who ranks 16th all time with 11,271 rushing yards, brings needed help for the running game.

They have a swagger when Brady is in charge. His 101-27 (.789) record is the best of any NFL quarterback in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) with at least 100 starts. His postseason mark (14-3, .824) trails only that of the Green Bay Packers' Bart Starr (9-1, .900).

"Something's different when he steps on the field," Zolak says. "Montana had it. It's something a guy has when he steps in the huddle. It's that aura, that clout. As he goes, the team goes."

Brady still has physical and mental hurdles to clear. There is no telling how long it will take for him to develop a rhythm with his receivers. His rebuilt knee will be subjected to all kinds of hits.

"There will be plenty of guys to test it," Brady says. "I'm going to get hit plenty. I'm sure it will be just fine."

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Monday, August 3, 2009

Lynch's suspension upheld

Associated Press NEW YORK -- Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch's three-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy will stand.

Lynch

The league announced that Lynch's appeal was denied in a statement released Monday afternoon.

Lynch's suspension begins on Sept. 5 and ends on Sept. 28, a day after the Bills play the New Orleans Saints in their third regular-season game.

Lynch, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his two seasons with the Bills, will be allowed to participate in all preseason practices and games before Sept. 5.

Lynch pleaded guilty in March to a misdemeanor gun charge in Los Angeles. He was sentenced to 80 hours of community service and three years probation.

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"We are disappointed, obviously," Bills head coach Dick Jauron said after the team's afternoon practice at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y. "We'll lose a real good football player for three games. But, hopefully, Marshawn has learned a good deal from it."

The suspension resulted from the player's arrest in Culver City, Calif., on Feb. 11, when police searched a parked car Lynch was in and found a 9mm semiautomatic handgun in a backpack in the trunk. Police also found four marijuana cigarettes in the car, but no drug charges were filed.

It was Lynch's second run-in with the law following a hit-and run-accident in Buffalo in May 2008. In that incident, he pleaded guilty to a traffic violation and admitted to driving off after striking a female

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pedestrian with his car near Buffalo's downtown bar district.

The Bills signed veteran running back Dominic Rhodes and re-signed Fred Jackson in the offseason.

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Monday, August 3, 2009

Palmer back at practice

By James Walker ESPN.com GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- After a two-day hiatus, Cincinnati Bengals starting quarterback Carson Palmer rejoined his team at training camp and participated in a Monday morning practice.

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Palmer felt ill Saturday and missed the Bengals' last two sessions. According to a source, he was dealing with flu-like symptoms over the weekend, and Palmer specifically said it was bronchitis.

"I'm feeling better," Palmer said. "They said I'm not contagious anymore, so I'm allowed to be around my teammates and not quarantined in my dorm room, which is good."

Backups J.T. O'Sullivan and Jordan Palmer took over the duties at quarterback for Cincinnati.

Carson Palmer, who is coming off an elbow injury that cut short his 2008 season, needs all the reps he can get in training camp. He hasn't played in an NFL game since last Oct. 5 as the Bengals finished 4-11-1.

James Walker covers the AFC North for ESPN.com.

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