Annual Coors Light Kickoff and Rib Festival

It's the start of football season and that means the Annual Coors Light Kickoff and Rib Festival. Festivities and events are scheduled from Friday, August 29th through Monday, September 1st.

Thursday, August 28th - final Steelers pre-season game against the Panthers (the festival begins along Art Rooney Avenue prior to the game)

Friday, August 29th - free Clarks concert
Saturday, August 30 - Pitt Panthers vs. Bowling Green (Saturday evening features free Night Ranger concert)

Sunday, August 31 - free Kenny Wayne Shepherd concert
Monday, September 1st - kicks off with the Steelers 5K Race and Walk and an afternoon full of activities including a free concert at 4:30pm by Bad Company.

Leftwich OFFICIAL (and New Punter is Signed)

The Steelers have officially announced their signing veteran quarterback Bryan Leftwich and 13-year punter Mitch Berger to one-year deals.

Daunte Culpepper is still also "in the mix." Both Culpepper and Byron Leftwich participated in the morning workout today.

Following the workout, the Steelers went to work with the agents for both players, and it was shortly after the team’s only practice of the day at SaintVincent College that Coach Mike Tomlin announced Leftwich had signed.

“We made an agreement with Byron Leftwich to sign and be a quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers,” said Tomlin. “We have some familiarity there, because Ken Anderson, our quarterbacks coach, worked with him down in Jacksonville.”

To add Leftwich and Berger to the roster, Pittsburgh cut lineback Anthony Trucks and wide receiver Gerran Walker.

Steelers Added BOTH Culpepper AND Leftwich

Charlie Batch's injury during the 2nd quarter of Friday's preseason game leaves the Steelers in somewhat of a bind.

Coach Mike Tomlin said they look to sign another veteran quarterback. Among those fitting the veteran criteria and currently available are Daunte Culpepper and Byron Leftwich.

There are several sites reporting that the Steelers HAVE signed BOTH Culpepper and Leftwich! ProFootballTalk.com (PFT) and TIOPS say their sources have told them the team will add two veteran quarterbacks. TIOPS is saying that Mike Potts will be released and Culpepper will be at camp today and the speculation for signing both quarterbacks is said to be because Charlie Batch's injury is more serious than originally thought and will be out longer than anticipated - perhaps for the season.

My husband feels that the Steelers are more likely to keep Culpepper rather than Leftwich for the simple reason that Culpepper played for the Vikings -- the team Tomlin was previous a Defensive Coordinator for.

BATCH Out 4 - 6 Weeks

Steelers #2 quarterback, Charlie Batch, was hurt in yesterday's pre-season opener. Speculation was confirmed later during the game when announcers reported he suffered a broken collar bone. Early reports say he'll be out for 4 - 6 weeks (some have extended it to 8 weeks).

It looks likely that the Steelers will be in the market for another quarterback. The name Brian St. Pierre has been brought up more than once. He signed with the Arizona Cardinal in the off-season which would mean Steelers would have to make a trade if Ken Whisenhunt is willing to part with him (perhaps he would see a former Steeler for another Steeler as a fair trade).

ROETHLISBERGER Will Start Friday

Coach Mike Tomlin said that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will start in the team's first pre-season game tonight, but that it will not be for more than a series.

Tomlin said that he will use all four quarterbacks in the pre-season opener with each of the rookie quarterbacks Dennis Dixon and Mike Potts heading in after veteran Charlie Batch.

Roethlisberger's participation in practice over the past four days was limited due to a groin injury that Tomlin said was precautionary.

Troy Polomalu and Casey Hampton remain on the PUPS list and will not play in tonight's game. Other players who are ruled out for the game are Anthony Smith and Cody Boyd.

Sepulveda Has Surgery

Daniel Sepulveda had surgery on the torn ACL in his right knee on Wednesday.

Sepulveda is definitely out for this season but Coach Mike Tomlin says he will not be placed on injured reserve until the Steelers roster is cut down to 72 players.

Pre-Season HIT

Yesterday at practice, Steelers safety Anthony Smith delivered a hard blow to Ward who was slow to get up after he hit the ground. This wasn't the first time that Ward has been upset with Smith over hard hits. Last year at camp Ward was anything but happy about Smith plowing over wide receiver Willie Reid and again at one of last week's practice, Reid was the target of one of Smith's blows. However, this WAS the first time that Ward was on the receiving end of one of Smith's hits!

When asked about it, the permanent smile typically on Ward's face was no where to be found.

"There's not much to say ... he hit me," Ward said. "You saw what happened.
You guys saw it. There's really nothing for me to say."

"I'm not going to comment about it," Ward said. "I've been hit before."

"I normally don't get hit like that during the preseason till preseason games," Ward said. "It is what it is. I'm not going to harp about it."

And they say Sidney Crosby whines!

Unnecessary Roughness? Maybe. Hines Ward's gripe legitimate? Perhaps. But let's just keep it on the field and out of the media and everyone's view.