PITTSBURGH -- At first glance, it didnt look like much, centre Maurkice Pouncey taking his spot in the middle of the offensive line and snapping the ball to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. But for Pouncey, more than eight months removed from tearing both the ACL and MCL in his right knee during the Steelers season opener last September, it was a big step. Pouncey joined his teammates Tuesday for the first time after knee surgery cost him all but eight snaps of the 2013 season. "Yeah, it was my first time doing live action," Pouncey said. "I didnt have any restrictions. It was pretty neat to dry-block some guys and finish on some plays, it was pretty awesome. So, it was great. There were no problems at all." The three-time Pro Bowler was expected to anchor a young offensive line last season. It never happened. Minutes into the opener against Tennessee, Steelers guard David DeCastro dived into the back of Pounceys legs, derailing the direction of an entire season. "Ive never been hit like that," Pouncey said, quickly adding that he hoped to leave all the injury talk in the past. "I think it was more mental than anything, getting my confidence back. Theres only so much you can do to be ready, but then you have to go out and do it." Maybe its why Pouncey was even more fired up than usual as he took the field with his teammates. The sight of Pounceys No. 53 jersey in front of him was certainly a welcome one for Roethlisberger. "It was great," Roethlisberger said. "As a friend and a guy who has worked so hard to get back out here, it was fun to see him back in the pads." Second-year running back LeVeon Bell missed the opening three games last season due to a foot injury during training camp, so the opening OTA practice was his first time running behind a Pouncey block. "Maurkice is one of the more athletic centres in this league," Bell said. "He can run a little better, so were going to try to get back to where we started last year, with more of an outside, zone running game. Its something he can do, and hes also a leader for the front guys. So were looking forward to having him back." Bell and bruising back LeGarrette Blount, acquired as a free agent during the off-season, are counting on Pouncey and an offensive line now under the guidance of former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak. "Weve been building since last year," Pouncey said. "We finished the season pretty well, and a lot of the guys played great. Now, to get a new coach, a Hall of Fame player like that, its awesome. Its going to be great for the group." Roethlisberger believes Pounceys return and the continued improvement of the offensive line could make the Steelers among the most potent offences in the league. Pittsburgh ended 2013 on a 6-2 run while thriving in the no-huddle put together by co-ordinator Todd Haley and Roethlisberger. "Thats a big part of running the no-huddle, because you get those guys working together," Roethlisberger said. "Theyre comfortable. Theyre familiar, and theyve got another off-season of training and continuity and learning from each other. And, so, theyre whats going to drive this team and this offence." NOTES: Inside linebacker Sean Spence, who missed the past two years after sustaining a gruesome left knee injury during the preseason in 2012, said he was thrilled to complete a practice. Spence tried to return at midseason last year, but sustained a hand injury. ... Cornerback Ike Taylor and safety Troy Polamalu did not attend the voluntary workout while training elsewhere. ... The Steelers signed two draft picks to four-year deals on Tuesday, offensive lineman Wesley Johnson (fifth round) and linebacker Jordan Zumwalt (sixth round). Zumwalt cannot attend OTAs until his class at UCLA has graduated. Adidas Nmd Wholesale China .J. -- Fabian Johnson scored his first international goal and Clint Dempsey doubled the lead after a defensive lapse as the United States beat Turkey 2-1 Sunday in the second of three World Cup warm-up matches for the Americans before they head to Brazil. Adidas Nmd Womens Clearance . - First-timer Chris Harris Jr. http://www.nmdsneakerssale.com/nmd-shoes-white-deals.html. Viewers in the Canadiens region can watch the game on TSN Canadiens at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The game can also be heard on TSN Radio Montreal 690. The Calgary Flames will see if they can take their recent hot streak on the road when they shoot for a sixth consecutive win Monday night in Montreal. Nmd Fake Vs Original . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell while figuring out which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Cheap Mens Nmd Shoes .com) - The Vancouver Canucks will try to win two straight games for the first time since mid-January on Monday night as they play host to the struggling New York Islanders.The English Football Association will ask FIFA to investigate whether former players have dementia as a consequence of brain damage from playing the game. Three members of Englands 1966 World Cup squad - Martin Peters, Nobby Stiles and Ray Wilson - have Alzheimers, family members told The Mirror on Saturday.Concerns have grown in Britain about the impact of head injuries after campaigning by the family of former England striker Jeff Astle, whose death in 2002 was attributed to repeatedly heading heavy, leather balls. English FA medical head Ian Beasley is seeking assistance from world soccers governing body to help determine if there are definitive long-term health dangers from playing the game, and if prospective players should be warned.We are taking some research questions to FIFA imminently to ask, Can you help us in trying to find out if dementia is more common in ex-professional footballers? Beasley said.The trouble is we just dont know .Its a massive undertaking to try and decide whether theres an association between having played professional football and cognitive decline - dementia you might call it - commonly brain damage causing functional impairment over time. We just dont know.Its always tempting to say It must be. But were not sure.Last year, USAs Soccer Federation recommended a ban on headers for players 10 and under in a bid to address concerns about the impact of head injuries. Nobby Stiles is one of three members of Englands 1966 squad suffering from dementia Beasley, who is also the England team doctor, wants researchers to assess whether the severity of any brain damage depends on which position the person played, how many games they played, and at which level.ddddddddddddThe hope is (FIFA) will tell us one way or another, Beasley said. This is a health and safety issue in the end, and thats what it will come down to. You may still want to be a professional footballer but at least we can advise you what the chances are of something irreversible happening to you.FIFA chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak was not aware of the FA seeking specific research into links between footballers brain trauma and dementia.We have very little evidence that would substantiate that assumption for football players, Dvorak said at the Football Medicine Strategies conference in London, which was also attended by ex-Chelsea club doctor Eva Carneiro.But thats the reason why we are also studying the long-term changes of former professional male and female footballers. Not only for brain dysfunction, but also early onset of osteoarthritis.We are looking at the long-term changes without having any suspicions yet.You can watch the Sky Sports documentary - Concussion: The Impact of Sport - right now On Demand. Also See: Soccer AM Sunday Supplement Goals on Sunday The FantasyFC Revista ' ' '