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Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Wednesday news, notes

If there was anyone still trying to figure out why the Steelers selected Jarvis Jones in the first round of the draft, they needed only watch the final few minutes of practice Wednesday to figure it out.

First, Jones read a screen play and dropped to the flat, deflecting John Parker Wilson's pass to the running back for an incompletion.

Next, he dropped into coverage on tight end Peter Tuitupou and batted away another Parker Wilson pass over the middle.

On the final play of practice, Jones dropped into the middle and leaped to bat down Parker Wilson's final pass attempt over the middle.

Yes, it was all against Parker Wilson, who has about as much chance of making this team as I do.

But Jones also batted down three Ben Roethlisberger passes at the line of scrimmage last week, intercepting the deflection on one of them.

He just has that knack.

Jones also showed good power and feet while going one-on-one against tight end Matt Spaeth in a tight ends backer drill - before Spaeth was carted off after aggravating his previous knee injury.

He's a keeper.

@ Jonathan Dwyer got some work today as the first-team running back. Both Isaac Redman and Le'Veon Bell practiced as well, so it just must have been Dwyer's turn.

@ Antonio Brown continues to look impressive. On the first play of team, he turned William Gay inside out on a post, turning it into a big gainer.

Later, he got deep behind Ike Taylor to haul in a bomb from Ben Roethlisberger. There was no safety help on either, but Brown's playing at a different level.

@ DaMon Cromartie-Smith made a nice play in help coverage to pick off a Parker Wilson pass. At 6-2, 203, he has the one thing the other safeties on the roster do not - size.

He's also a heady player.

This might finally be the year he sticks on the roster full time.

@ The Steelers released running back Curtis McNeal, who was injured, and defensive end Cordian Hagans, who was not, to sign cornerback Devin Smith and Alvester Alexander.

With so many corners down - Cortez Allen, Curtis Brown, Terry Hawthorne and DeMarcus Van Dyke were out again Wednesday - it's opening the door for a player such as Isaiah Green to have a shot at making this team.

4 comments:

steelcan said...

Hey Dale, I know its early, but when was the last time youve seen the top 4 picks look as promising as this year?

Anonymous said...

Every year at camp !!!!!

Anonymous said...

Maybe this year will be as good as the 74 draft. Heck, how about 5 hall of famers instead of 4. That Landry Jones looks like the next Terry Bradshaw.

No but seriously the top four picks do look like they have promise.

Mrs. Isaac Redman

Dale Lolley said...

They look good. But it's tough to judge going against teammates. We'll see what they look like Saturday.