Steel Balls

The first thing I came away with from Thursday’s practice was the fact that the team seems to be missing star power. Of course, the likes of AB and Bell and a 1/2 day of Ben practicing will do that. But that’s the O. I agree with Rod Woodson, the D does not have that play maker. But I began to realize they certainly have candidates to become that player. Burns, Davis and Tuitt are all players who can be difference makers.

Burns was like a blanket. All that work against AB has shown. Now of course, will he still bite on play fakes and getting turned around on inside out routes, well games will only tell us that. However his confidence is not lacking and he was everywhere. I give this two reasons, the new coach off the field in his first camp, and the new one on the field in his first camp. Tom Bradley has this group energized and focused. There also seems to be a camaraderie that was missing last year. The second is Joe Haden. Forget his play on the field, he is leading and teaching this secondary, especially the corners. After watching and talking to Joe Haden, he is now easily my favorite non Steeler-Steeler (not that we have many of those). Although Haden was signed older, think of what James Farrior did for the Steelers as a leader for the LB’s, this is what Haden is doing to the secondary. Now, this is not to short Morgan Burnett. He was still recovering on Thursday and hopefully he has that same impact on the safeties. Davis was also sidelined this day.

I was asked about Cam Sutton. He looks to be a jack of all trades. Played corner and safety. He looked slight out there, but then again so did Haden. Sutton was beat at least three times by James Washington and once by JuJu. But I wonder if this is the Dermontti Dawson/Joel Steed effect. Especially since James Washington was beating everyone.

James Washington. What’s not to love. Great route running. Deep pass tracking. Combat catches. Getting easily open. Looked 15 years old. The only thing I have not seen is YAC but that will be better evaluated in games. But, as I said in my opinion, this is our next great receiver. He had the likes of Landry and Dobbs throwing to him and he looked great. Wait til he gets Ben. The only thing is I wish this kid had Mann as his coach. I’m guessing after seeing JW he might be thinking he should have stuck around one more year.

Jesse James just looks like he belongs. Maybe he takes another step up this year. He had a great deep flag route beating Bostic. I joked aloud as the crowd cheered. Not sure if that play was good or bad for us as Bostic was easily beating in coverage by a slow TE. Ed Bouchette,  who was in front of me, turned around and chuckled. However, Bostic has all the looks of an NFL ILB. Matakevich does not. But that doesn’t mean #44 can’t be. That has been the knock on him, plays better than his measurables. Bostic hung out with Tuitt, Heyward and Hargrave. Good company. Speaking of Hargrave….my opinion of him keeps falling. He is a DT in a 4-3. I don’t see anything special with him. Frazier on the other hand took on double teams and did not look overmatched. Something to keep an eye on.

That brings us to Keion Adams, for Mack. It seemed they did not have him pin his ears back and rush, which is fine, they seem to know he can do that. However, on back to back plays against the run, #99 easily went from left to right through traffic to make the tackle for no gain. One play he beat back up guard #60 inside and at the end of the play the guard was visibly pissed at himself for getting beat so bad. This is something Bud Dupree had problems with last year.

TJ Watt signed my camp poster I print out every year. I said to him, “I know, I’t no Urine Chart.” He laughed. Ben signed a lot which was unusual, unable to get him though. Just missed Mason Rudolph too. Joe Haden signed for everyone. Had a chance to talk to him a little. What a great guy. Like I said, better person than player, and that speaks volumes.

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