<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>STEELERS.COM CAMP DIARY TUESDAY, JULY 29 The morning practice was definitely a hot one, and things only got hotter as temperatures rose all day and the sun never went away. But that didn’t mean there weren’t some fun moments. In the morning session, which was devoted mostly to special teams, the quarterbacks got into a little contest that they have where they throw a ball into a targeted area on a net. You get a point for hitting the target, but lost points if you miss the net all together. Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch were neck-and-neck throughout and had a three-throw shootout at the end. Roethlisberger didn’t hit on his, with one going over the top of the net. Batch stepped up and won the drill and the bragging rights for the day. A tradition at training camp is to have rookies get up on a wall in the cafeteria and sing in front of their teammates, staff and others who are there. Defensive lineman Jordon Reffett was on the hot seat today but got them going when he sang Friends In Low Places. One thing is for sure, the rookies don’t want to embarrass themselves when it’s their turn. The big news at the afternoon practice was the injury to Daniel Sepulveda, which you can read about on steelers.com. MONDAY, JULY 28 Camp truly got underway today as the Steelers held their first two practices of the season. There was a morning session, but things really livened up in the afternoon, the first session opened to the public. St. Vincent College campus opens at 1:30 pm for fans attending camp and there is a line waiting to get in. When the guards give the go-ahead it’s like the running of the bulls as fans take off up a hill to get a prime spot for autographs. And for those who made that run and waited it out most of the day, it paid off. Plenty of players stopped and signed, but none longer than safety Ryan Clark, wide receiver Hines Ward and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. “It might be the only time the fans get the chance to get this close and try to get an autograph,” said Roethlisberger, who gave away his signed wristbands and shoes to kids before calling it a day. “It takes some time, but I try to do it for them because I think they like it and enjoy it.” The noise was deafening as fans tried to get the players attention and they seemed to enjoy themselves as much as those who were getting their jerseys and footballs signed. “It’s the opening day of camp and the anticipation of football season,” said Ward. “A lot of us like to stay out a little later today even though it’s a long day. They just want to get their favorite players autograph. We might not be out there like that every day because some days you are exhausted, but opening day you have to give a little extra.” On the sidelines there were a few familiar faces as former linebacker Kevin Greene is in camp working with the linebackers. Former center Jeff Hartings also was a visitor, watching practice with his two young sons and the group he attended with from the Urban Impact Foundation. “It brings back a lot of memories,” said Hartings. “I wish I could be back out on the field.” One guy who was easy to spot out on the field before he put his helmet on was wide receiver Nate Washington, who is now sporting a Mohawk. “It’s something new,” said Washington. “I am trying to change things up. It’s a different look. Somebody suggested it to me and I took them up on it. I have had it for about a month now.” SUNDAY, JULY 27 With players set to start checking in to camp around noon it was off to St. Vincent early today to get checked in to the dorms and be ready to go. For those of you heading to camp don’t forget on the weekends there is likely to be work being done on 376 East, so check the construction schedule before you head out. I know I made an early departure and beat the traffic, but many arriving later to cover camp said that traffic was a bit heavy. If you have been to camp before then you are going to want to check out the directions on steelers.com on the 2008 Training Camp page for a bit of a change. There is construction on campus so if you are coming out Route 30 East you are going to turn a bit sooner than you are used to. Don’t sweat it, though. Enjoy the scenic ride and you will wind up at the fan parking lot just fine. It was still quiet on campus when I got there so that gave me time to get set in my room. There are always those last minute things, so it was off to pick up a few necessities to make sure the television and all other electronics work just fine. The cafeteria was still quiet with just rookies who either arrived on Saturday or early Sunday enjoying the brunch. It won’t be that way for long though. It wasn’t long, though, until SUVs started to pull up to the dorms and the players unloaded their luggage and then some. There were computers, televisions, pillows, comforters and so many came in carrying Guitar Hero most of us lost count. “I just brought my TV so I can watch NFL Network and Law and Order,” said linebacker LaMarr Woodley. Marvel Smith had his hands full checking in, but when he went to move his car he didn’t mind spending a few minutes to show off pictures of his two-month-old son and said he is looking forward to getting daily photos sent to him from his wife Kelli during camp. Jeff Reed’s entrance to camp was anything but subtle as it looked like he was driving the front end of an 18-wheeler. “I figured it would be something funny to do for camp,” said Reed. “That’s the kind of guy I am, do something stupid. You wouldn’t expect a kicker to drive something like that.” Reed said the size of the vehicle made for an interesting ride through the construction zones on 376 East. “You run over the construction cones like I did,” said Reed. “I had a hard time going through Monroeville. I never drove anything that big. It’s supposed to pull a horse but today it just pulled me.” Wide receiver Hines Ward hopped out of his truck and approached the awaiting media looking like one of them as he had a camcorder recording everything. “I am working with NFL Network,” said Ward. “I am behind the scenes in training camp. They are doing 32 teams in 32 days. So this is the Steelers cam.” After checking in many of the players did just what I did, headed out to pick up some things they forgot and came back with their hands filled with K-Mart bags. A few others ran out for something even more essential – some fast food. All players were checked in safe and sound before the start of the conditioning test (which you can read about on steelers.com).</div> http://news.steelers.com/article/92063/
