Mike Prisuta: It Was an Interesting Month at Latrobe

By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, August 26, 2005

Although their stay at St. Vincent College has at long last been completed, the Steelers will endeavor to rely on the foundation they established on campus throughout the upcoming season.
The work habits.

The dedication to preparation.

The camaraderie.

The cliches that somehow combine to become a mission statement.

It's been an interesting month, one worth documenting for the record heading into preseason game No. 3 tonight against the Redskins:

Best camp gimmick: Linebacker Joey Porter and running back Duce Staley keeping score during practice repetitions.

Although Staley didn't last long as a participant, the idea caught on quickly, fostering a constant atmosphere of competition between the offense and defense, one that had grown from the recent habit of keeping track of which unit had "won" traditional showdown periods such as "Goal Line," "Red Zone" and "One Minute."

Although the players quickly lost count, a competitive tone was set and the Steelers were off and running on their way to a productive camp.

Best drill: "Backs on 'Backers." These one-on-one confrontations were as compelling as they were combative, to the extent that the exercise has replaced the formerly furious "Goal Line" drill as the most-anticipated and enthusiastic activity at St. Vincent.

Best camp: Linebacker James Harrison, who is suddenly backing up the mean-as-he-needs-to-be persona with relentless productivity on defense as well as special teams.

Best camp phenom: Wide receiver Nate Washington, who is on the cusp of successfully completing the leap from Tiffin to the big leagues.

Quietest camp: Tight end Walter Rasby. Other than a fight with rookie-free agent linebacker Andre Frazier, Rasby was hardly noticed. But he's going to make this team all the same.

Most determined camp: Tight end Jerame Tuman. Challenged by the drafting of Heath Miller No. 1, Tuman responded by elevating his game. As impressive as Miller has been, Tuman is still starting and still very much in the plans (at least on running downs).

Most stubborn camp: Cornerback Willie Williams. The Steelers threw Ike Taylor, Ricardo Colclough and Bryant McFadden at Williams in anticipation of someone taking Williams' job. But Williams will not be moved.

Most improved at camp: Guard Chris Kemoeatu, who has come so far so fast he replaced left guard Alan Faneca with the first-team offense on Tuesday (honorable mention: linebacker Rian Wallace).

Camp bust: Wide receiver Fred Gibson, who never realized mental errors are unacceptable at this level.

Most disappointing camp: Wide receiver Zamir Cobb, who would have made the team last year had he not gotten hurt. This year, Cobb hurt himself by failing to seize an opportunity that ultimately slipped through his grasp.

Best debut: Wide receiver Cedrick Wilson. If departed free agents could always be replaced as seamlessly and economically as the Steelers have apparently replaced Plaxico Burress, there would never be a need to extend anyone's contract.

Mike Prisuta is a columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.