Steelers notebook
Rookie snaps ball in practice as centers take a beating LATROBE – From 1964 to 2000, the Steelers used three centers. Tuesday, the Steelers needed their fifth-team center in order to get through practice.
Here’s the break(ing) down of the position, in reverse order:
5.) Jimond Pugh, a rookie free-agent, survived the rain-shortened practice despite taking a beating from all comers, including Monday’s pick-up, rookie Roy Attieh.
4.) Kendall Simmons worked as the emergency center last year and was needed again Tuesday. Of course, in his second day back to practice after being treated for diabetes, Simmons couldn’t stay outside and play very long.
3.) Calvin Collins is a guard, but has played center for the Atlanta Falcons. The summertime pick-up sprained his ankle Saturday and sat out Tuesday’s practice. He’s due back today.
2.) Chukky Okobi also injured his ankle in Saturday’s preseason opener and, according to coach Bill Cowher, is also due back today.
1.) Jeff Hartings went to Birmingham, Ala., to have his injured knee checked by the original surgeon, Dr. James Andrews. Cowher said that Hartings was scheduled to return last night with Andrews’ update.
“He had some swelling last week, felt good in the game and he felt good when he came out here Monday,” Cowher said. “But he probably feels like we do right now – a little unsure.”
Cowher spoke to reporters from the practice field on top of a hill at St. Vincent College as lightening flashed from an oncoming storm. Practice was stopped at 4:35 p.m., about 40 minutes early, but Hartings’ injury was the main topic in a hurried press briefing.
Hartings, 31, missed four games last season after undergoing surgery to repair torn knee cartilage, and then aggravated the injury prior to training camp. He’s been in and out of practice throughout camp.
“His knee just didn’t feel right,” Cowher said. “He has yet to see Dr. Andrews since the surgery. We talked last night. He wants to make sure he puts at ease any feelings he has, have Dr. Andrews look at it, and he feels like right now, even with the short week at this point in training camp, he wanted to get it done as soon as possible. For his peace of mind we sent him down there.”
NO CAN OF CORN: Russell Stuvaints of McKeesport is considered to be one of the best of the Steelers’ undrafted rookie crop, and he played well in the preseason opener Saturday. His tackle of Detroit Lions running back Autry Denson was perhaps the best hit of the game by a Steelers defender.
Stuvaints, however, has one big regret. He allowed a Mike McMahon pass to go between his hands for what should’ve been a fourth-quarter interception. Three plays later, the Lions scored their final points on a 33-yard field goal.
“Man,” Stuvaints said with a sigh. “I watched the tape and I kept rewinding it and I was so mad at myself. How didn’t I catch that ball? Maybe it was a little nervousness, or I didn’t get up high enough or maybe I didn’t realize the ball was that close. I don’t know.”
Stuvaints is a 6-foot, 208-pound strong safety out of Youngstown State. The coaches like his run-stopping abilities and are watching how the former linebacker performs in pass coverage.
“I’m still in almost the same position I was before the game,” Stuvaints said. “If I’d have made those plays, they said I could’ve made it better for myself. I could’ve been in a better situation, or something close to those words.”
X’s and O’s: Other Steelers missing Tuesday’s practice were receiver Lee Mays (shoulder) and quarterback Tim Levcik (knee). … The Steelers are scheduled for two practices Wednesday. The afternoon session is open to the public. It begins at 3 p.m.