NFL Draft Scout Rankings, From Prep to Pro Coverage for Pros by Pros

Latest Steelers Player Notes

Sep 2 2010 - Byron Leftwich
QB Byron Leftwich left Thursday's preseason game four minutes into the second quarter with a left knee injury. The likely starter in Ben Roethlisberger's absence for at least the first four games of the season, Leftwich was replaced by Dennis Dixon.

Sep 1 2010 - Justin Hartwig
C Justin Hartwig, a two-year starter at center, lost that job to rookie Maurkice Pouncey. Hartwig carries a salary of $2.08 million and teams know he likely will be released, but the team might try to find a trade first.

Sep 1 2010 - Ben Roethlisberger
QB Ben Roethlisberger will remain in Pittsburgh working out with a quarterbacks coach while serving his four-game suspension to start the season. George Whitfield, from San Diego, has worked with Roethlisberger previously. Roethlisberger cannot be at the team's facility or attend games during his suspension and says he will watch closely on TV. "I will be so focused, taking mental reps on every single play."

Sep 1 2010 - James Harrison
LB James Harrison intercepted Denver's Kyle Orton on Sunday night, and as Orton tried to tackle him on the return, Harrison lowered his shoulder into the quarterback, knocking him out for one series. "He was running his mouth and getting in the way of the train," Harrison said. "And the train wasn't coming off the track."

Sep 1 2010 - Lawrence Timmons
LB Lawrence Timmons, entering his second season as a starting inside linebacker, may be the team's best option on the outside if one of the Steelers' two starters is hurt. If that happens, Larry Foote could step into Timmons' job on the inside.

Sep 1 2010 - Antwaan Randle El
WR Antwaan Randle El, returning to the team he left as a UFA in 2006, has nailed down the No. 3 job against a weak challenge from rookie Emmanuel Sanders.

Sep 1 2010 - Ziggy Hood
DE Ziggy Hood, the team's No. 1 pick in '09, had an outstanding training camp, but that did not translate into games as he did little as the backup on both sides.

Sep 1 2010 - Isaac Redman
RB Isaac Redman has added the role of fullback and has been used in a two-back "pony" set. He has been a bright spot for the Steelers this summer.

Sep 1 2010 - Keenan Lewis
CB Keenan Lewis, trying to challenge Bryant McFadden, fell into disfavor with a complete meltdown in the third preseason game, in which he started. He did not play well, committed two ugly personal fouls and was yanked from the game because of it.

Aug 31 2010 - Chris Scott
OT Chris Scott (foot) was placed on the physically unable to perform list. Scott will be able to return to practice as of Week 7. The Steelers will then have three weeks to decide whether to activate him or keep him on injured reserve.

Aug 30 2010 - Troy Polamalu
S Troy Polamalu has more protection than a helmet could ever offer for his flowing jet black locks. Lloyds of London has insured the Steelers safety's hair for $1 million as part of his sponsorship deal with hair care provider Head & Shoulders.

Aug 30 2010 - Flozell Adams
OT Flozell Adams, after some famous struggles early-on with a new team and new position, has nailed down the starting job at right tackle.

Aug 30 2010 - Emmanuel Sanders
WR Emmanuel Sanders added flanker duties to his repertoire in the third preseason games after playing mostly split end in his rookie summer. He seems to be claiming the No. 4 receiver spot.

Aug 30 2010 - Keenan Lewis
CB Keenan Lewis started the third preseason game for an injured Bryant McFadden (pectoral muscle) and continues to push to win that job.

Aug 30 2010 - Maurkice Pouncey
C Maurkice Pouncey, the 18th pick in the draft, started the third preseason game and could become the first rookie as a regular starter for the Steelers in five years.

Aug 30 2010 - Ryan Clark
FS Ryan Clark did not play in Denver Sunday night. Clark, who lost his spleen and gallbladder after playing in the high altitude in Denver in 2007, was held out of the Steelers game there last season as a precaution. "I'm glad it's not as big an ordeal as it was last year," Clark said.

Aug 29 2010 - Ben Roethlisberger
QB Ben Roethlisberger could meet commission Roger Goodell in New York by the end of the coming week, according to a broadcast report by ESPN. Roethlisberger faces a six-game suspension with a possible reduction to four games if he has made progress up to the standards set by Goodell at their first meeting. Roethlisberger was suspended after an investigation into his actions that led to accusation of sexual assualt in Georgia. While he was not charged, Roethlisberger was supended for violating the personal conduct policy.

Aug 27 2010 - Maurkice Pouncey
OG/C Maurkice Pouncey will start at center on Saturday and could play the full game. Expected to start at right guard as a rookie, Pouncey appears to have supplanted C Justin Hartwig a year earlier than expected.

Aug 27 2010 - Dennis Dixon
QB Dennis Dixon will not start against Denver on Sunday, but he is expected to get first-team reps, coach Mike Tomlin said. It could be important for Dixon to play with the starting offense as the coaches evaluate him against presumed four-game starter Byron Leftwich. Ben Roethlisberger, who is suspended for the first four -- and possibly six -- games in the regular season, will start Sunday's game. "We're looking forward to seeing him take advantage of that," Tomlin said Friday. "There's a great scarcity with first-team snaps in the preseason. We've been very thoughtful and diligent about how we dole those out. We've given deference to the veteran players and Byron Leftwich has taken advantage of his. Dennis has taken advantage of those snaps (he's gotten) and is deserving of his opportunity."

Aug 27 2010 - Ike Taylor
CB Ike Taylor and Giants WR Hakeem Nicks were each fined $10,000 for a scuffle during an Aug. 12 game, according to the Star-Ledger.

Aug 26 2010 - Ryan Clark
S Ryan Clark will sit out Sunday's preseason game at Denver. Clark didn't play in the Steelers' game there last season. Playing at a high altitude triggered a red blood cell condition when Clark played there in late October 2007. He was forced into surgery and his spleen in gall bladder were removed. Clark does plan to do a light workout simply to test his reaction to the environment, but nothing strenuous.

Aug 26 2010 - Dennis Dixon
QB Dennis Dixon will not start against Denver on Sunday, but he is expected to get first-team reps, coach Mike Tomlin said. It could be important for Dixon to play with the starting offense as the coaches evaluate him against presumed four-game starter Byron Leftwich. Ben Roethlisberger, who is suspended for the first four -- and possibly six -- games in the regular season, will start Sunday's game.

Aug 26 2010 - Ben Roethlisberger
QB Ben Roethlisberger will start Sunday's preseason game against the Broncos. Dennis Dixon, presumed the No. 3 starter when all three players (Byron Leftwich included) are available, will also get first-team reps.

Aug 26 2010 - Maurkice Pouncey
C Maurkice Pouncey took all of the first-team reps at center on Wednesday and has likely supplanted Justin Hartwig at the center position. Pouncey, a first round pick, was expected to break in at guard before eventually taking over at center. According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the move has been in the works since the Steelers' coaching staff was "blown away" by Pouncey's first two training camp practices.

Aug 23 2010 - Matt Stewart
LS/LB Matt Stewart signed with the Steelers. Stewart, who hasn't played in an NFL game since 2006, was signed in June but released at the start of training camp.

Aug 23 2010 - Antonio Brown
WR Antonio Brown looked impressive in his first chances as a return man on punts (4-10.8 average) and kickoffs (2-25.0 average) against the Giants.

Aug 23 2010 - Emmanuel Sanders
WR Emmanuel Sanders caught three passes Saturday night against the Giants for 52 yards.

Aug 23 2010 - Justin Vincent
RB Justin Vincent averaged 6.2 yards a carry in leading the Steelers in rushing with 37 yards on six carries against the Giants. He's become the forgotten man in the competition for a roster spot.

Aug 23 2010 - Charlie Batch
QB Charlie Batch did not play this past weekend and it looks more and more as if he could be released on the final cutdown and the Steelers will roll the dice and go with two quarterbacks until Ben Roethlisberger returns from his suspension.

Aug 23 2010 - Doug Legursky
C Doug Legursky, who would become the No. 2 at the position if the Steelers release Justin Hartwig, also played right guard Saturday.

Aug 19 2010 - Flozell Adams
OT Flozell Adams and Jonathan Scott will rotate with the first-team offense in Saturday's game against the Giants.

Aug 19 2010 - Jonathan Scott
OT Jonathan Scott and Flozell Adams will rotate with the first-team offense in Saturday's game against the Giants.

Aug 19 2010 - Maurkice Pouncey
C Maurkice Pouncey won't start at center against the Giants on Saturday but will get playing time with the first team, coach Mike Tomlin said.

Aug 19 2010 - Justin Hartwig
C Justin Hartwig, competing with rookie Maurkice Pouncey for the starting job, will be the Steelers' starter Saturday against the Giants. Pouncey, however, will see time with the first team.

Aug 19 2010 - Jason Worilds
LB Jason Worilds will be available to play against the Giants this weekend. Coach Mike Tomlin said Worilds will "get a look. I don't know how extensive it will be."

Aug 17 2010 - Ben Roethlisberger
QB Ben Roethlisberger will play in Saturday's game at the New York Giants after not taking a snap in the team's preseason opener against Detroit last Saturday. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said he will play, but wouldn't confirm if he'd start after practicing with the first-team offense on Monday. "Ben is going to have opportunities to play in the preseason," coach Mike Tomlin said. "But with the number of snaps that we anticipated the offense running, it just wasn't appropriate to play him."

Aug 16 2010 - Dennis Dixon
QB Dennis Dixon remained behind Byron Leftwich in the Steelers' quarterback pecking order during Monday's practice. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians did say "when you play without Ben (Roethlisberger), you're going to utilize all the player you have. (Dixon) will have a package, and how he plays within that package will determine how much he plays." Leftwich has far more experience, and Dixon's electric elusiveness and quickness in the open field might actually be a vote against him right now. "If he's your starter," said Arians of Dixon, "you're not going to expose him to running the football, because they're going to break him up. That stuff, you can forget about that if he's the starter. He wouldn't last two ballgames.

Aug 15 2010 - Jason Worilds
LB Jason Worilds (hamstring) may return to practice Monday but was withheld from Saturday's game because he has not practiced.

Aug 15 2010 - Isaac Redman
RB Isaac Redman rushed for 60 yards on 15 carries in the first preseason game, including a twisting 31-yard run in which he broke three tackles. This comes after his success in two separate live drills in camp, short yardage and goal line.

Aug 15 2010 - Rashard Mendenhall
RB Rashard Mendenhall, who has had trouble hanging onto the football in the past, fumbled on the first series of the first preseason game. Teammate Flozell Adams recovered but Mendenhall was replaced by Mewelde Moore for the second series.

Aug 15 2010 - Dennis Dixon
QB Dennis Dixon had a perfect first preseason game, at least in his passer rating (158.3) by completing six of seven passes for 128 yards and one touchdown while working with the second and third teams in a 23-7 victory against the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field Saturday night. He also ran six times for 31 yards, including a touchdown that was overturned by replay when his knee hit the half-yard line. Nevertheless, his running and passing in that game was hard to overlook, as have been his first two weeks of practices in camp. "I thought he did a nice job," coach Mike Tomlin said. "He moved the offense relatively well. I liked his composure and it was a good start for him."

Aug 15 2010 - Ben Roethlisberger
QB Ben Roethlisberger is expected to play at the New York Giants on Saturday after not taking a snap in the team's preseason opener against Detroit last Saturday. "Ben is going to have opportunities to play in the preseason," coach Mike Tomlin said. "But with the number of snaps that we anticipated the offense running, it just wasn't appropriate to play him."

Aug 12 2010 - Ben Roethlisberger
QB Ben Roethlisberger might -- or might not -- be on the field Saturday against Detroit. As of now, coach Mike Tomlin won't say. Tomlin did say the starters will play about two series but refused to disclose whether Roethlisberger, who will begin the season serving a suspension, or Byron Leftwich will be the starter.

Aug 9 2010 - Tuff Harris
DB Tuff Harris (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve.

Aug 8 2010 - Jonathan Dwyer
RB Jonathan Dwyer returned after a pulled hamstring for practice over the weekend but was overweight and endured the wrath of his coaches.

Aug 8 2010 - Emmanuel Sanders
WR Emmanuel Sanders has been a sensation through the first week and looks every bit like a No. 3 receiver.

Aug 8 2010 - Thaddeus Gibson
LB Thaddeus Gibson had a good first week but he's way behind on the learning curve because he could not attend OTAs because Ohio State classes were still in session.

Aug 8 2010 - Jason Worilds
LB Jason Worilds remains out with a hamstring injury.

Aug 8 2010 - Ziggy Hood
DE Ziggy Hood, limited to a handful of plays a game as a rookie and only on the left side, has practiced at every position along the three-man line, including nose tackle.

Aug 8 2010 - Daniel Sepulveda
P Daniel Sepulveda kicked off for the first time in a "live" drill at practice Friday night and he could be an alternative there to Jeff Reed, who does not have a strong kickoff leg.