SB Nation - Ryan Mundy

Steelers S Ryan Clark has a decision to make

John Bena — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:33:23 -0000

More photos » by Keith Srakocic - AP

2 months ago: Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark, left, comes down with an interception intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohammed Massaquoi (not shown) in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (43) is in on the play. The Steelers won 27-14. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Browse more photos »

Ryan Clark is perfectly healthy yet needs to decide if he will board the plane this weekend and fly to Denver with his Steelers teammates and face the Broncos. Clark has made this trip before and in all honesty it nearly killed him.

It was 2007 and the Steelers and Broncos played on a Sunday Night. Clark began having complications and stayed behind after the rest of his teammates traveled back to Pittsburgh. At the time it was reported that Clark had injured his spleen during the game. That was partially correct, but didn't come close to addressing the severity of the situation.

Clark had suffered from complications due to a sickle-cell trait he carries. That trait, along with another ailment, combined with the high altitude to wreak havoc on Clark. Parts of his spleen failed to get oxygen and, essentially, died. Doctors were forced to remove Clark's spleen, and a few weeks later, his gall bladder due to the reaction.

Once doctors were able to figure out what was wrong with Clark and remove the two organs, they told the safety that he could play again. But the 5-11, 205-pounder was down to 170 pounds.

"I knew I had the sickle-cell trait before," said Clark. "But most people who have it, it never presents a problem. Only about 1% of the people who have the trait ever have the reaction that I had to the altitude."

Clark's teammate Santonio Holmes also carries the trait, but has never had an issue playing in Denver.

For Clark the decision becomes whether to play on Monday Night. According to the Steelers, Clark has received the medical clearance to play. For their part, they are covering all the bases - backup safety Ryan Mundy practiced with the first team on Monday for the first time all season.

Either way, this is another glimpse into just how fragile life can be - and a reminder that this is just a game.

Chicago Bears Would Be Well Served Throwing To Matt Forte If They Hope To Knock Off Defending Champion Pittsburgh Steelers

Blitzburgh — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:11:35 -0000

More photos » by John Smierciak - AP

Browse more photos »

Last season, running back Matt Forte led the Chicago Bears in receptions with 63. Second on the squad was tight end Greg Olson with 54, followed by speed merchant Devon Hester with 51. Before I go on, how anemic was the Bears passing offense last year!?! Sheesh. I digress. Forte led all running backs last year with those 63 receptions, besting good friend Maurice Jones-Drew by a single reception.

In Sunday's 21-15 loss to the Packers, the Bears only threw to Forte just once. It was during the 2nd quarter and Chicago was knocking on the door inside the Green Bay 10. Cutler was picked off and never looked to dump it off to his sure-handed running back again. Forte had plenty of carries in the 2nd half but never was able to take some pressure off Cutler and the wide receivers as a viable pass-catching threat. I didn't watch this game so I can't comment on whether or not Green Bay designed a scheme that minimized Forte's potential impact in the passing game. It's kind of hard to do that though in the first place, so my guess is no.

Here's my take. In Jay Cutler's first game, I imagine he was pressing a bit too much to try to make big plays to the outside and over the middle of the field to his tight end and wide receivers. The check down to the running back isn't very sexy. That's a common trap for young quarterbacks to fall in to - not taking what might be given to them underneath while waiting for opportunities down the field. Hell, it took the greatest quarterback to ever play - Peyton Manning - a number of years before he finally disciplined himself to not force things.

I'd bet that Cutler gets reminded all week about dumping the ball off to Forte early in the game. For several reasons. Firstly, without Troy Polamalu out there making incredible tackles in open space and taking angles away from guys before they get a head of steam going, it's more likely that the Bears can muster some positive yardage (3-6+ yards) with short passes. Just think back to last week and the tackle of Chris Johnson near the goal-line of the Titan's first drive and you will realize that no other player on the Steelers roster can make open field tackles quiet like Troy Polamalu. With the Steelers most explosive player scratched from this one, the Bears should resist the temptation to try to burn the backup with the deep ball and instead challenge them to make play after play against shifty playmakers like Forte in open space. It only takes one whiff by a defender to yield dividends.

Secondly, Cutler needs to get his head right early on in this contest. The Bears are playing at home rather than in the hostile confines of Lambeau Field, so that should help. But if he struggles early and the crowd begins to groan..well, given what we know about Cutler's ability to remain even keeled mentally, I'd imagine that the Bears coaching staff will do everything possible to make sure he has some positive moments out there before they ask him to shoulder too much responsibility.

Finally, if Cutler and the Bears offense are able to get things going - even just a bit - early on by softening the Steelers pass rush with some screens and other passes to Forte, that may very well get Pittsburgh's reserve safetys to make a crucial error over-committing later on in the game. We saw Anthony Smith doing it against the Patriots. And though he deserves credit for what he has and continues to contribute to this football team, we all know that Tyrone Carter doesn't take the best angles or possess top-notch athleticism at this stage in his career.

If Chicago can find the right balance of patience, diverse play calling and success methodically taking what the Steelers defense gives them early in the game, they could very well strike big later in the game when physical fatigue slowly begins to set in. Physical fatigue leads to mental mistakes and Ryan Mundy, William Gay and Tyrone Carter ain't a bad group of defensive backs to take your chances against when the stakes are high.

Am I concerned about this Sunday's game? Yup. At least on defense. That's largely because I think they will look to get the ball in Forte's hands in the passing game rather than trying to pound the rock with him on the ground or give Cutler the green light to sling it around the perimeter and deep over the middle early in the game. I do think the Steelers offense can lead this team to victory on Sunday, even if the defense were to allow 17-24 points. It's too early in the season to make bold declarations about any units in the NFL, but my hunch is that the Steelers offense - particularly the passing game - is going to be extremely formidable all year, particularly against mediocre pass defenses. Chicago's would qualify.

So if I had to guess, I'd say ignore all the chirping by the announcers about how this one is going to be a low-scoring affair. I don't see it with Pittsburgh's top defensive back being out, and coupled with Lawrence Timmons likely out the Bears will have a lot more space in the middle of the field than usual. Additionally, I also just wrote a few days ago that that I didn't feel Chicago's defense was as good as advertised the past two seasons. I think the Bears' defense will be better down the road - both later this year and in future years - due to them paying more attention to that side of the ball. But it can't and won't happen overnight. And with the slew of injuries Pittsburgh must contend with, combined with the fact that Chicago's playing at home in what should be gorgeous conditions, I have a hard time seeing how this game is a low-scoring affair. That's if Big Ben makes good decisions with the football. And that's if the Bears look to get the ball in to the hands of second year sensation Matt Forte in other ways besides just handing the ball off to him.

Poll

Matt Forte - Over/Under 120 rushing + receiving yards against Pittsburgh?

Over

312 votes

Under

815 votes

1127 votes | Poll has closed

Vying For A Seat On The Bus, Six Players That Will Surprise At Latrobe This Year

datruth4life — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:21:11 -0000

More photos » by Keith Srakocic - AP

Browse more photos »

Now that the rings have been put away and old stories from this past year have been re-told and put on the backburner, Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin now officially has his team where he wants it -- with all eyes forward on training camp and the 2009 season. Each year at Latrobe, there are at least 2 or 3 unsuspecting players who were afterthoughts when signed in the offseason but end up beating the odds to make the team and contribute.

We all know the Willie Parker and James Harrison stories, but other players who impressed this past year at training camp and contributed to the team's Super Bowl run included rookie free agent LBs Patrick Bailey & Donovan Woods, C/G Darnell Stapleton and RB Gary Russell (who has since been released). Two other players who impressed in last year's camp that didn't make the team but did make the practice squad were S Ryan Mundy and CB/S Roy Lewis. The saving grace for Kevin Colbert during his tenure as the Steelers' Director of Football Operations is that he has usually hit homeruns with his first round picks in the draft and that the Steelers scouting department has helped make up for his less than stellar second-day draft picks through rookie and street free agent signings.

Here are six players that people aren't talking about right now but I think they very well could be by the end of Training Camp:

6. Jordan Reffett, DE, 6'5, 295 -- The Steelers signed Reffett as a rookie free agent after the 2008 draft but released him before the final cut this past year. He was signed to the practice squad for a few weeks during the season but was later released. He was resigned to the squad in the offseason.

What's working in his favor: Reffett has the size the Steelers like in their 3-4 ends, is athletic and comes with a good motor. He flashed during a couple of preseason games, but didn't show enough ultimately to beat out Travis Kirschke or Nick Eason as a backup. With this being his second lap around the track, sort to speak, Reffett should better know what is expected of him in LeBeau's D as well as what he needs to show to make this team. In other words, he should be able to not think too much and just go out and play.

What's working against him: To make this squad, Reffett will have to beat out Nick Eason and 6^th round pick R. Harris, and that would only happen if the Steelers keep 7 DL (which I believe that they will). There has been a lot of talk about Big Snack and B. Keisel being in the last year of their deals, but so are Eason and Kirschke. If you are the Steelers, do you begin to prepare for the future by putting Ziggy Hood and Reffett in the rotation now?

Outcome: Reffett has his work cut out him, but he only has to show more than Nick Eason to stick. I also believe that he would be a little more ready to play this year than R. Harris, who I believe will be put on the practice squad.

*****

5. Martin Nance, WR, 6'3'', 215 lbs -- Nance is most known for being Big Ben's big play man at Miami of Ohio during Ben's junior year. After being injured most of his junior year, Nance came back as a senior to put up good numbers but went undrafted and signed as a rookie free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 2006. After being cut in August of that year, he was picked up by the Vikings. He had 4 receptions for 33 yards during his rookie season and was released at the end of training camp by the Vikings in 2008. He was signed to the Steelers practice squad in September 2008 and stayed there the rest of the year. He was signed to the regular squad in the offseason.

What's working in his favor: The Steelers have an open competition for its 3, 4, & 5 WR spots and those spots won't be settled until after training camp and the preseason. Nance is a big WR that has good hands, can run the route tree and sneaky speed deep. He can also highpoint the ball, meaning he can go up and get it when in traffic. If he can show that he can play in the slot, get deep on occasion, and play special teams like a young Hines Ward, he has a chance. Also, Bruce Arians has been high on Nance since last season.

What's working against him: Nance will have to either beat out Sweed or McDonald to make this team and be active on game days. I believe that Mike Wallace will be active on game days because he is the team's top KR and could be in Nate Washington's designated role of stretching the field. Sweed is the 2^nd round pick that everyone wants to see win the job and McDonald is the vet who has started in an NFL game that the coaches might feel more comfortable with if Ward or Holmes goes down.

Outcome: It's not looking good for Nance but no one has been hit yet. When the pads go on, he will have a chance to impress. Having played with Ben before shouldn't hurt his chances. If he can prove that he can do more for the Steelers on game day than Sweed or McDonald, he'll have a chance. However, he appears to be a long-shot at best.

*****

4. Roy Lewis, Safety, 5'10'', 190 lbs -- Lewis was signed as a rookie free agent by the Steelers this past year and made a favorable impression on Coach Tomlin & LeBeau with his hitting and his ability to play corner and safety. However it wasn't enough to make the regular squad. He spent most of the season on the practice squad.

What's working in his favor: The Steelers are in need of younger blood on the roster at safety. Tyrone Carter is hanging on and needs to be replaced on the roster. With Ryan Clark's injury history and the way that Troy P. plays football, the troops need to be ready to fill in at a moment's notice. The ability to play both safety positions as well as CB in a pinch will help his cause.

What's working against him: Ryan Mundy seems to be the first young safety in line to claim that 3^rd safety spot behind Troy and Ryan Clark, and Carter hasn't been put out to pasture yet. Also, this could be the year that Deshea's ability to play safety be put to use. Free agent CB Keiwan Ratliff can also play safety in a pinch.

Outcome: The Steelers have a deep secondary and Ryan Mundy seems ready to take that next step as the Steelers young safety in training. The fact that the Steelers have more experienced CBs such as Ratliff and Deshea, whom can both play safety, doesn't help his cause either. Unless Lewis is the star of the camp in the secondary, he will probably begin next season on the practice squad.

*****

3. Donovan Woods, LB, 6'2'', 230 -- Woods was the surprise rookie free agent to make the team coming out of training camp this past year. Though he played OLB at the start of camp, the coaching staff had him play ILB in its nickel and dime defenses late in preseason games and Woods flashed potential at that ILB spot. However, it is the potential that he showed on special teams that allowed him to surprisingly capture one of the last available roster spot. When he pulled his hamstring early in the season, P. Bailey was promoted from the practice squad in the preseason and never let the spot go. Bailey returned to the practice squad and was resigned in the offseason.

What's working in his favor: Woods' versatility along with his special teams ability gives him a great chance to land a spot as a backup ILB on this team. With Larry Foote leaving and Timmons moving up to man that spot, K. Fox now becomes the Steelers 3^rd LB in that rotation with a roster spot for a second backup at ILB. Woods and Timmons fit the mold of player that Tomlin wants in his ILBs, fast, physical and versatile. However, Woods main ticket to win that roster spot and see the field again this year will be special teams.

What's working against him: The coaching staff might still decide to sign another veteran ILB before or during training camp like Napoleon Harris. Tomlin has a history with Harris and he has already been brought in for a physical. Another competitor for the ILB spot could be Arnold Harrison, who can play both OLB and ILB as Woods can.

Outcome: Woods has a good opportunity to make this team and contribute as a backup ILB and special teams player. Even if the team signs Harris or another veteran backup ILB, they will be hardpressed to be a better special teams player than Woods or show the upside that he has. I expect Woods to not only win a roster spot and be one of the top special teams tacklers this year, but to also continue to grow as an ILB in this D.

*****

2. Jason Capizzi, 6'9'', 315 lbs -- Jason Capizzi has the type of story that most loyal fans to their ballclubs love to hear: a local boy that makes good by signing with the hometown professional sports team. After originally signing with the Steelers as a rookie free agent two years ago, Capizzi was cut before the season begin and has seen stints on the practice squads of the Chiefs and Buccaneers. When the Steelers needed an extra OT when M. Smith was placed on injured reserve this past year in the midst of their Super Bowl run, the Steelers signed Capizzi. Although he didn't dress for games or the Super Bowl, the team resigned him in the offseason.

What's working in his favor: The Steelers have a need for young OL with versatility. The team's decision to pick him up while in the midst of a Super Bowl run tells you a little about the comfort that they have in the player. Capizzi has good feet for such a large man, and has now added the ability to play RT as well as LT. If Trai Essex proves to be the Steelers best bet at RG over D. Stapleton and K. Urbik to start the season, then the Steelers will need a swing tackle to take Essex's spot. Capizzi might be the answer to that role.

What's working against him: With this being Capizzi's third year, it is clearly time for him to show that he belongs or the team will likely turn the page and look for other young lineman to develop. Tony Hills, a natural LT, has also been playing some RT in OTAs. Another rookie free agent this year that has seemed to garner some interest from the coaching staff and Steelers beat writers is Ramon Foster from Tennessee. Also, will the Steelers keep 9 OL this year or 10? That could impact his status as well.

Outcome: I believe this is the best opportunity for Capizzi to make the Steelers and that he will take hold of this opportunity. I further believe that if he gets time in the starting lineup at RT that he could be there for awhile. He has the tools, he knows the offense, can play more than one position and realizes it is now or never. If Capizzi can hold his own against Deebo and Woodley in training camp, then that could be a sign he's ready for bigger and better things.

*****

1. Patrick Bailey, LB, 6'4, 235 lbs -- Bailey first began to draw the attention of Steelers Nation on kick off returns. In a preseason game this past year against the Panthers, Bailey made 3 special teams tackles and was even talked about highly by the Panthers team announcers. However, it took an injury to Donovan Woods for Bailey to make the regular roster. When he did, he made the most of it and never looked back, becoming one of the team's best special teams' players.

What's working in his favor: The ability to run down the field with speed and angrily introduce himself to returners? Other than Deebo, he might be the best LB on the roster at doing so. He's definitely on this team. The only question is if Bailey is just a good special teams LB or does he have the potential for more?

What's not working in his favor: Bailey will be active on game days, but if he wants to see anytime in the rush packages, he has to prove that he can rush the QB and play the run. In other words, he has to prove that he is a complete OLB. With Woodley and Deebo ahead of him, there is no rush for him to play this year. He will be competing against A. Frazier, A. Harrison and Bruce Davis for time on the outside.

Outcome: Bailey will win a roster spot and his arrow is pointing up with this team. He doesn't have to win a starting spot in the D to win a spot in the hearts of Steelers coaches and fans everywhere. He just has to continue busting heads on special teams. While Cowher never seemed to get this young, hungry type of player for special teams during his tenure, Tomlin made it a priority for improving his coverage units this past year. This year's special teams, coverage and returns, could be the best the Steelers have had in a decade.

*****

I know you guys have several players that you believe can make this list, but I only stuck to those who I have seen play and were either rookie free agents this past year or street free agents. I would love to hear your feedback as well as some of your choices. It's shaping up to be a very entertaining and competitive training camp in Latrobe. Holla back and Be Blessed.

"The line allows the linebackers to rush, the rush makes the coverage better. Together we all eat," Mike Tomlin.