Steelers' Faneca will skip voluntary drills

Links (3)

Haynes hopes to return to Steelers
Published 5/23/2007 by Ben Maller at Ben Maller's Sports Rumors & Notes
... Running back Verron Haynes, released in March, continues to work out at the Steelers' training facility. He hopes to pass a physical and re-sign with the team before training camp after knee surgery last year

Faneca not expecting Steelers trade?
Published 5/23/2007 by Ben Maller at Ben Maller's Sports Rumors & Notes
... The Steelers were back on the practice field yesterday and guard Alan Faneca was back home in Louisiana, where he said he will stay until training camp. Coach Mike Tomlin had held out hope that Faneca might attend some of the voluntary workouts with his teammates in Pittsburgh that end June 14. Faneca said yesterday he will attend none and that he will next join the team when required July 23, the opening of training camp in St. Vincent College. His position "never changed," Faneca said of his unhappiness with the Steelers over his contract situation. The six-time Pro Bowl guard said it is likely he will play the 2007 season with the Steelers because they have not traded him as he had asked. "My guess is they're not going to trade me, so that puts me in Pittsburgh," Faneca said.

Faneca's Absence Could Have a Bright Side
Published 5/24/2007 by JJ Cooper at FanHouse
... Alan Faneca was as good as his word. He's not at the Steelers' voluntary minicamp going on right now, and it seems likely he won't be back until training camp begins . That's obviously not good for the Steelers and it causes some heartburn for Steelers fans. But there is one bright side to all of this: the Steelers are loaded in mediocre/young guards. Between Sean Mahan, Chris Kemoeatu, Kendall Simmons, rookie Cameron Stephenson, and potentially Willie Colon/Trai Essex/Chukky Okobi if you want to get crazy, the Steelers still have plenty of options to look at during these OTAs. The big problem is finding out if any two of these guys are any good (to have one starter at right guard this year and another to take over at left guard next season). When you consider that Kemoeatu has all the physical ability needed to play guard, but seems to have trouble picking up protection schemes, giving him a chance to take more reps with