SportingNews.com - NFL - Steelers Team Report
Ryan Clark appears to be holding off second-year man Anthony Smith for the starting free safety spot. Smith, a third-round pick in 2006, started the final three games last season when Clark was injured and had two interceptions. He is very athletic and instinctive and hits like a linebacker. But Clark has been steady throughout the preseason, seldom getting caught out of position and also showing an ability to deliver big hits.
NEWCOMER REPORT: OLB Lawrence Timmons, the team's No. 1 pick, finally returned to practice after missing nearly three weeks with an inflamed--the same injury that forced him to miss most of the offseason workouts. Timmons has fallen behind in his development, even though he does have a pretty good understanding of the playbook. He has missed too much time on the field and won't get enough playing time the rest of the preseason to be much of a contributor this season.