Many folks do not like Mike Florio, but yet all of them visit his site at ProFootballTalk.com. Florio gave an excellent interview on the LaVar and Dukes radio show defending social media and small bloggers everywhere in light of the Mike Wise fiasco. Make sure to listen to the first two audio podcast. Speaking of Wise, the Washington Post sportswriter and columnist was suspended Tuesday for one month for his hoax.

Scott Brown of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review did an exclusive one-on-one interview with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger that you can hear below and Brown recaps it here as well.

Former Steelers and Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was denied work release for the second time Tuesday. Burress was sentenced to two years in prison after shooting himself in the right thigh at Manhattan club. The earliest he can return to the NFL would now be the 2011 season and will have been out of the league for nearly three years.

Jim Wexell reports that frustration concerning the quarterback situation is growing on the South Side and even Charlie Batch is a little testy as of late with reporters.

The latest Ed Bouchette Steelers chat transcript is up on the Post Gazette website and Ed discusses a myriad of user questions concerning the roster.

You knew as soon as you heard that Head and Shoulders insured the hair of Troy Polamalu that there had to be a new commercial right around the corner. Well indeed the new one has surfaced and you can see it below. Expect to see it quite a bit in fact over the next 60 days.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• dwyer steelers september 1
• ben roethlisberger updates september 1 2010
• jonathan dwyer at practice september 1 2010
• jonathan dwyer steelers September 1 2010
• polamalu

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will not be permitted to have contact with the Steelers once the season starts, but has said he plans to bring in his own with private quarterbacks coach, Steve Clarkson, from California to work with during his suspension.

The pregame notes for the Steelers final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers has been released and you can read it right here. The game is Thursday night at Heinz Field.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that inside linebacker James Farrior and cornerback Bryant McFadden, could miss Thursday's preseason finale against Carolina with injuries. Farrior is likely doubtful after receiving six stitches to close a gash in his forehead that occurred in the first quarter against Denver. McFadden will likely sit again with a pectoral injury he suffered against the Giants. Larry Foote would likely start in place of Farrior and Keenan Lewis might get a second start if he can get out of Tomlin's dog house by then.

Lloyd's of London has insured the hair of Troy Polamalu for $1 million dollars. The policy of course was purchased by Head and Shoulders and did not reveal what must be done to Polamalu's hair for anyone to collect on the policy. Polamalu has done several commercials for the shampoo giant over the years featuring his long, flowing black hair.

Mike Bires of the Beaver County Times has taken his stab at the 53 man roster and thinks it is too late for Jonathan Dwyer to make the cut and also thinks Patrick Bailey sticks on special teams and Matt Stewart takes over for Greg Warren now at long snapper. You can see our latest 53 shot right here.

The Lions signed linebacker Rocky Boiman on Monday as depth at middle linebacker. Boiman ended the 2009 season with the Steelers as a desperately needed special teams player.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• did the steelers cut jonathan dwyer
• steeler farrior gash broncos
• polamalu and head and shoulders commercial contract
• Keenan Lewis Steelers August 31
• keenan lewis cut aug 31
• jonathan dwyer steelers August 31 2010
• jonathan dwyer
• inside steelers training camp august 31 2010
• dwyer steelers august 31
• steelers 53 roster august 31 2010

The Steelers lost to the Denver Broncos 34-17 in the 3rd preseason game of the 2010 season. Below are my notes and nuggets I kept on the game along with my observations. I have much more coming on this game and am working through the night. These are initial reactions of mine as I am about to watch the game a second time and begin working up tape selections. Below are the notes I compiled throughout the game. remember these are initial reactions one time through the game.

Ben Roethlisberger looked more ready to start a season than any other season I have ever seen. Too bad we have to wait at least 4 weeks.

Maurkice Pouncey had another good night making his first start. The game is not too big for him as a rookie. He had a few errors, but nothing horrible.

Rashard Mendenhall shows he can make something out of nothing on runs. He did not fumble and got positive yardage. He looks sound assignment wise.

Mike Wallace is great running up field. Nothing new there. Thought I saw a few lazy routes, but need to watch the tape again to focus in on him. No one better in open field though. He will have quite a few big gainers through the season.

Trai Essex remains Trai Essex. Not his best game for sure.

Not a game Dennis Dixon will save on the DVR. Bad decisions all night and looked uncomfortable at times. No problem with his legs, but looked like he was given a bigger play book tonight and was overwhelmed.

Flozell Adams looked noticeably better this week in pass blocking, but I reserve judgment until I go over the game again. He looked like he slid to his right much better and got off the ball better. Also should be noted that Denver was missing several regulars on defense.

Keenan Lewis is no threat to Bryant McFadden at left cornerback to start the season. He really got frustrated easy and off his game in a hurry. Needs to understand he will get beat sometimes and needs to put it behind him.

11 penalties for 93 yards. Need I explain?

Lawrence Timmons continues his great preseason. Really consistent player. Dumb penalty though.

Pony backfield seemed to work again with Isaac Redman in the lead back role.

Frank Summers is no fullback. I will be surprised if he sticks.

Did Aaron Smith, Brett Kiesel or Casey Hampton play tonight? Really quiet night up front.

William Gay had a nice interception. Probably his best game in a long while.

Ryan Mundy needed all the work he could get at free safety tonight. Was late reacting when relied on to give help over top of linebackers.

Say what you will about Matt Spaeth, but he has had a great camp and preseason. Always willing to block.

As expected, Jason Worilds looked faster in second game of work. Long way to go, but making progress.

More missed tackles by Troy Polamalu and Anthony Madison.

The best days of Justin Hartwig are way behind him.

Crezdon Butler read the interception all the way. Not sure he has done enough to make the 53 man roster though. I think he can be snuck to the practice squad.

Jonathan Dwyer needed that success tonight. Makes errors, but another one that can likely be shipped to the practice squad.

Daniel Sepulveda can kickoff for sure, but is he as consistent as Jeff Reed? Jury still out on if he has the job.

I am still waiting for Ziggy Hood to be an impact relief guy. He had such a great camp by all reports, but is not flashing in games.

Antonio Brown has done enough on returns to make Stefan Logan expendable.

Sunny Harris continues to disappoint me.

Denver's punt gunners out gunned us on special teams.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• article about the broncos beating the steelers
• Broncos beat the steelers
• article about broncos beating steelers
• steeler game notes broncos
• steelers broncos game
• keenan lewis played terrible versus broncos tonight
• matt spaeth
• pouncey broncos
• anthony madison denver broncos
• steelers broncos notes

Sunday night the Steelers will travel to Denver to play the Broncos in the third preseason game of the 2010 season. Per my normal routine, I have listed below 10 things to look for Sunday heading into the game.

Brown Sanders Flip Flop X & Z - The education of rookie wide receivers Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders continues this week as both will play their opposite positions this week as Brown moves from the z flanker position to the x split end spot and Sanders moves from split end X spot to the Z flanker position. Sanders mostly played the slot and flanker in college and looks to be the heir apparent to Hines Ward down the line and the number 3 receiver in the nearer future. It should be noted that Brown will also get his second look in as many weeks as the return man on both punts and kickoffs.

Hartwig Playing Time - Yes, I know Maurkice Pouncey will start at center and we certainly will be watching that first and foremost, but we are more curious to see if Justin Hartwig comes in as the number 2 center or gets any work at guard. If Hartwig is destined to be released next week, one would think he may not get any snaps versus Denver, so that he does not run the risk of injury and be forced to be placed on IR or released with an injury settlement. If Hartwig does play, he might actually still be in the running for a backup roster spot. Do the Steelers really need to see him play though? I don't think so. We will be snap counting, but expect Pouncey and Doug Legursky to get most of the center work and for Hartwig to keep his uniform clean.

Is There A Long Snapping Battle? - Out of nowhere the Steelers re-signed Matt Stewart last week. Stewart was with the Steelers prior to training camp and also has spent time working at linebacker in the NFL. Mike Tomlin said Friday that Stewart will get an in-game look against Denver as a long snapper and was brought in as competition and to push Greg Warren. By all reports, the veteran Warren is pretty concerned about Stewart being brought back as well. Tomlin said he wanted to carry Stewart in training camp, but injuries forced them to need the roster spot early on and thus Stewart was released. Stewart is much more mobile and a better tackler that Warren and it could signal the end to the injury prone Warren if Stewart proves he can snap flawlessly on punts and kick tries. Watch for any work Stewart gets on other special teams units besides just long snapping.

Quirky QB Rotation - I do not pretend to understand what method is behind the quarterback rotation that Mike Tomlin is expected to use against Denver. Normally the 3rd preseason game is a dress rehearsal for week 1 of the season, but Tomlin said Friday that Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon will all see time with the first team Sunday night. Early word is that Roethlisberger will start and Dixon will follow, but none of this is locked in stone. Stay tuned.

Do We Get Another Look At The Pony? - Bruce Arians showed us the pony backfield of Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman last week against the Giants and we will be looking to see if it makes another appearance again Sunday night. The pony backfield opens up the play book to several different possibilities if indeed used going into the season.

Robo-Kicker II "Thin Air Beware" - Steelers punter Daniel Sepulveda got his first chance to kickoff last week versus New York and all signs point to him getting a second chance in the thin air of Denver. Hopefully Danny Boy kicks them all out of the endzone in the Mile High City.

Keenan Getting Keener - Bryant McFadden will sit out this week with a right pectoral muscle injury suffered agains the Giants and second year corner Keenan Lewis will start at left cornerback in his spot. Lewis continues to make a huge jump and looks to make a statement Sunday that he is NFL ready. He is still not expected to jump McFadden on the depth chart, but is right on the heels of BMac and continues to push him.

Free Safety Replacements - Starting free safety Ryan Clark will sit out as a precaution because of his sickle cell issue, so Will Allen and Ryan Mundy will share plenty of time at free safety opposite Troy Polamalu. Both Allen and Mundy have had great camps and the extra time will do them both good with the first team defense.

Hotel Getting Right On The Right - Free agent tackle Flozell Adams is slowly making the transition from left tackle to right tackle and it shows in his pass blocking. Hopefully another week of practice and study will show some improvement against the Denver pass rush. The season is getting closer and the Hotel is running out of practice snaps to get it right on the right side.

Is That You Jonathan? - Rookie running back Jonathan Dwyer is expected to return to game action this week as he has been practicing all week after sitting out the Giants game with a shoulder injury. I think he is playing for a practice squad spot at this point and needs to show late in the Denver game what he has learned thus far if indeed given any snaps.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• steelers hotel in denver
• 10 Things To Look For steelers
• 10 things to watch steelers
• 2010 nfl preseason wk 3 pitts @ denver qb rotations
• things to look for in the steelers preseason game 3
• steelers 2010 preseason robo kicker
• ryan clark free safety for steelers 40 yard dash time
• steeler preseason game 3 time sunday
• steelers hartwig
• 10 things to look for denver

I broke down the 9-yard touchdown run by Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw in the Steelers game this past Saturday to show what really happened on the play. It should be noted that Bryant McFadden was in the game at right cornerback as Ike Taylor had been ejected earlier in the game. McFadden normally plays the opposite side, so keep that in the back of your head as well. It would be interesting to see if Taylor would of suffered the same fate or not on this run.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• ahmad bradshaw preseason
• ahmad bradshaw preseason stats
• derek hagan
• ahmad bradshaw 2010
• ahmad bradshaw preseason 2010
• ahmad bradshaw nfl combine
• ahmad bradshaw new york times
• ahmad bradshaw history foot problems
• ahmed bradshaw preseason 2010
• Ahmad Bradshaw 2010 nfl

Veteran center Justin Hartwig said he is worried about his future with the team because he sees what is happening with rookie Maurkice Pouncey taking over his job. Hartwig, though, said he wants to remain with the Steelers. You can listen to his media interview from yesterday right here.

Speaking of Pouncey, it is a big week for him, but you would not know it by this interview yesterday. For a rookie, he is very relaxed and poised with the media. He also says he and former Steelers center Dermontti Dawson have reached out to one another.

Dale Lolley caught up with Frank Summers to talk about his chances of making the 53 man roster as a fullback and what it takes to learn the position.

Steelers rookie inside linebacker Stevenson Sylvester joined the FAN Morning show yesterday to talk about his progress in camp and the upcoming Pitt Panthers v. Utah Utes game. He also talks about his transition from college to the NFL and the mentoring he has received from the veterans.

Safety Troy Polamalu says the team can survive without Ben Roethlisberger for the first 4 games and understands the defense has to step up and play a bigger role. Troy also did a Q & A with the Sporting News as well in which he talks about how much longer he will play.

Another nugget on the giving Troy Polamalu as he and Nike teamed up to donate $140,000 worth of football equipment to the American Samoa Department of Education.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• steelers 2010 pre season Samoan
• inside steelers training camp august 27 2010
• jonathan dwyer steelers August 27 2010
• polamalu samoa nike
• recap of steelers camp aug 27 2010
• steeler press conference 8 27 2010
• steelers aug 27

Mike Tomlin said on Wednesday that Antonio Brown will get more work this week as a punt and kickoff returner and punter Daniel Sepulveda also will kick off for the second consecutive game. Tomlin liked the work of each it appears.

Speaking of Sepulveda, yesterday we looked at his kickoff hang times, but PPG columnist Ron Cook looks at his hitting and tackling in an entertaining piece.

Keenan Lewis will start at left cornerback against Denver as Bryant McFadden will likely sit out Sunday after suffering a right pectoral muscle injury against the Giants.

Current Steelers long-snapper Greg Warren is a bit curious himself as to why the team re-signed Matt Stewart earlier this week. This may be worth watching on Sunday if Stewart gets any long snap duty.

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu joined Doug Gottlieb and Mike Golic and talked about returning from injury, defensive struggles last year, the changes in the other AFC North teams and his famous hair.

Ed Bouchette calls Mike Tomlin’s quarterback rotation baffling for the upcoming game Sunday. Bouchette reports that Ben Roethlisberger will make his second straight start Sunday night in Denver and Dennis Dixon will get some snaps with the first team as well.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• Keenan lewis Steelers August 26
• steelers aug 26

The Steelers beat the New York Giants 24-17 in the 2nd preseason game of the 2010 season. Below are my notes and nuggets I kept on the game along with my observations. I have much more coming on this game and am working through the night. These are initial reactions of mine as I am about to watch the game a second time and begin working up tape selections. Below are the notes I compiled throughout the game.

The team overall looked a little sluggish getting started. Camp finally breaking and traveling did not help.

Let us hope Ike Taylor got that out of his system. Any how I gave Taylor the unanimous decision.

Post snap penalties have to stop by start of season.

I will break down both Flozell Adams snaps and the early snaps of Jonathan Scott at right tackle, but Flozell failed again in my opinion. Athletic defensive ends can beat him on the edge with ease. Hard to see him sticking right now for the price he demanded as 2.5 million should buy a better free agent product. Scott looked adequate on the surface, but I sure would like to see him start next week to see how he fares.

Max Starks looked tired and going through the motions tonight. Trai Essex looked like Trai Essex. Enough said.

Maurkice Pouncey will be your opening day center in my opinion. I do not think he took any snaps tonight at right guard and was 3 times the center Hartwig was. What is sad is I thought Hartwig showed more fight for his job tonight. Pouncey was moving two at a time on some plays.

Byron Leftwich to Mike Wallace was a great all around play. Line blocked well, Leftwich sold it. Wallace will win all foot races.

Leftwich I think is your starter with packages mixed in for Dennis Dixon. For only 4 games you can play to both quarterbacks strengths.

I think Ben Roethlisberger will be fine. I do not think he forces that ball up in the regular season. He looked relaxed, but thought he stayed in a series too long.

Too many negative plays on the night.

Rashard Mendenhall should be able to run up the middle this year especially if Pouncey starts.

Frank Summers still is slow off the snap and leading to the hole. Still getting acclimated to the NFL.

Brett Kiesel is hot and cold at times. Will certainly need snaps off this season.

Bryant McFadden is a better left corner than right corner. Not sure the reasoning he was moved over there after Taylor was ejected other than to get Keenan Lewis into the game earlier and not take snaps away from BMac.

Troy Polamalu showed some burst, he also showed he still can miss a tackle or two. Regardless, he is still the best strong safety in the league.

I liked the effort to get the ball more to Antwaan Randle El this week along with Heath Miller. These two will get plenty of chances to contribute this year. Miller may even lead the team in catches. Miller did wiff on a block. It happens.

Outside linebacker play tonight was pedestrian, especially from the rookies Thaddeus Gibson and Jason Worilds. Oh, and wave goodbye to Patrick Bailey. God forbid he ever had to start at left or right outside linebacker.

There is nothing wrong with the motor of Lawrence Timmons. Larry Foote and James Farrior looked more focused this week as well. Inside linebacker play was good overall on the night.

I think Nick Eason is still ahead of Sunny Harris. I will look closer in the next 8 times through the game, but Harris has not taken the roster spot in my opnion.

Will Allen is an upgrade over Tyrone Carter from last year. His recognition and quickness are still there and he is great on special teams.

Joe Burnett caught him one. Corners need more plays like that. Burnett does get cauight out of position at times.

Daniel Sepulveda did an adequate job kicking off. I need to time the hang times though before I can give a true assesment. He did make a huge tackle though. You want that to happen never though.

Antonio Brown did a great job on returns. Stefan Logan still seems adequate as well. It will come down to the progress of Brown as a receiver in my opinion. I think Emmanuel Sanders will get his chance returning next week in Denver. Logan needs to really make himself uncut-able and has yet to do it.

I really was hoping Ziggy Hood will be a little more dominating than he has been in the first two games. I am not too worried though.

Casey Hampton can still plug up the middle.

Tony Hills on the surface looked good again in the snaps I was watching him specifically. The tape will not lie though. I reserve my judgment until I get a closer look.

I do not see how Kraig Urbik makes the 53 man roster without an injury. 3rd round pick wasted.

I can do without seeing Byron Leftwich run. He makes Dan Marino look like Usain Bolt.

I like the way Dwayne Wright runs. It will not matter though.

Mewelde Moore is one of the best blitz pickup backs around. Fearless and will take 3rd down snaps away from Mendenhall again.

Isaac Redman has become a complete running back. His work on special teams is improving.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• patrick bailey steelers blog
• pittsburgh post gazette steelersv isaac redman
• Keenan Lewis Steelers vs Giants
• urbik preseason 2010 giants
• jason worilds
• thad gibson stats vs giants
• giants notes for steelers game
• steelers defeat giants 2010
• urbik giants
• steelers game mendenhall august 22nd

Perhaps the biggest news to come out of the Thursday Mike Tomlin press conference was the word that Jonathan Scott would work at right tackle with the first-string offense after Flozell Adams exits. We broke down Adams 11 snaps earlier in the week and he was not even close with his pass blocking. Adams hopefully will improve leaps and bounds this week as we will be watching both very closely. The fact is that neither measure up to Willie Colon thus far from where we are standing.

John Harris wrote about the battle for the left cornerback position between Bryant McFadden and Keenan Lewis. Lewis has made tremendous improvement, but for right now I still believe McFadden is your number one corner. It is nice to finally have some solid depth at the position as Joe Burnett has made quite the progress as well from the tape we have watched.

Speaking of the secondary, Dale Lolley writes that McFadden and strong safety Troy Polamalu are the keys to plugging leaky pass defense of 2009.

Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley hosted the second installment of the 2010 SteelersTV Training Camp Special on Steelers.com. Be prepared to have some time set aside as it is almost 25 minutes long, but features some great footage.

If you missed the radio interview of Ben Roethlisberger on the Mark Madden show, you can listen to it here on the 105.9 Podcast page.

Perhaps the best sports radio yesterday was the interview Stan and Guy had with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio was was spewing conspiracy theories about Dennis Dixon and Stan Savran in so many words was telling him he was full of crap. Florio also came in unprepared and did not know that Dixon started the Ravens game because Charlie Batch was out injured in addition to Ben Roethlisberger. You can listen here.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• Stan Savran florio
• aug 20 steelers news
• steeler game august 20th
• stan savran mike florio
• stan savran interview august 20th
• savran and ilkin
• pittsburgh river wizards wxdx
• Keenan Lewis training camp August 24
• Keenan Lewis interview wxdx
• john harris willie colon

Day 18 of training camp is under way in Latrobe with just one practices today. This is the 1st practice since the Saturday night game verus Detroit. We will have news, notes, nuggets and practice information from today posted up on this page as we get it in. Check back often through out the evening to see the updates per our usual.

Compiled from interviews and info on Steelers.com | ESPN Radio Pittsburgh | 93.7 The Fan Radio | Pittsburgh Post Gazette | Pittsburgh Tribune | Twitter Updates

Monday practice Steelers1st team & 2nd team offensive line still the same in first 11 on 11 drill. Pouncey 2nd team center.

Steelers 1st team QB in first 11 on 11 drill was Ben Roethlisberger.

Dennis Dixon running 3rd team to start.

Pouncey now getting some 1st team reps at center now after the first time through on 11 on 11 drills.

Hines Ward with alligator arms on one pass to avoid hit.

Ziggy Hood flashing in drills as is Thaddeus Gibson and Doug Worthington.

Working redzone drill now.

Rashard Mendenhall carrying ball very tight to his body in goal line drills.

Daniel Sepulveda getting right leg iced down right now on sideline.

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu practice with knee sleeve on today.

Rookie RB Jonathan Dwyer did not practice Monday due to a shoulder injury he sustained in the game. Day-to-day at this juncture.

DE Brett Keisel (calf), FB Dwayne Wright (illness), DT Steve MClendon all missed time on Monday as well.

Incoming search terms for the article:

• steelers news and notes august 18 2010
• steelers 2010 training camp day 18
• steelers camp day 18
• steelers 2010 training camp report day 18
• jonathan dwyer steelers august 17 2010
• how is the doug worthington doing in camp drills?
• steelers training camp august 17 2010
• steelers camp aug 17
• steelers camp aug 17th
• steelers training camp monday recap