No players won or lost jobs in the spring -- with one big exception -- but there will be several in the starting lineup open to them when they report to training camp July 27 at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.
"What we've done to this point has been good," coach Mike Tomlin said about the entire offseason workouts, "but it's been teach-oriented, it's been skill-develop-oriented. It's different than playing the game of football."
Tomlin laughed at the possibility that players could have won a job "in shorts" and said spring workouts are mainly a time to build team camaraderie and for individual learning.
"I don't read too deeply into evaluating (that) time of year," Tomlin said. "It's about teaching. This is football in shorts, and I keep that in mind as I look at what goes on out there. People that may do great things out there may disappear in pads. Guys who struggle out there in shorts may be great players in pads. I always keep that thought in mind. I reserve judgment until we go to training camp and put pads on."
The exception, besides some minor roster changes, came when the Steelers released veteran running back Najeh Davenport near the end of June. It was widely speculated that Davenport would be released after the Steelers drafted Rashard Mendenhall in the first round and signed Mewelde Moore to be their third-down back.
The coaches had to decide between Davenport and young Gary Russell. They wanted to see Russell, who had a weight problem in the year before the Steelers signed him as an undrafted rookie in 2007, throughout the spring. They were happy with what they saw and decided to jettison Davenport and his $1 million salary.
Davenport served as Pittsburgh's No. 2 back the past two seasons -- he was signed one game into the 2006 season after he was released by Green Bay. Davenport rushed for 763 yards and seven touchdowns on 175 carries in two seasons in Pittsburgh. He caught 33 passes for 394 yards and three more touchdowns.
His best game came after Willie Parker broke his leg in the 15th game of last season in St. Louis. Davenport rushed for 123 yards and caught a 32-yard pass in that victory. He started against Jacksonville in the playoffs and scored two touchdowns in that Pittsburgh loss.
CAMP CALENDAR: Players report to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe the afternoon of July 27 and will have their running test that evening. The first practice will be held July 28. Practices in the afternoon (3 p.m.) are open to the public, as are the two night practices -- at 7 p.m. Aug. 1 at Latrobe High School Stadium and at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at Saint Vincent College. No scrimmages are scheduled. The last practice at camp is Aug. 17.
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