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. John Gibson Jersey . 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. Sami Vatanen Jersey . MacIntyre stopped 49 shots and the Marlies defeated the Texas Stars 5-1 in Game 1 of the American Hockey Leagues Western Conference final. "I felt in control, so that was nice," MacIntyre said. Derek Grant Jersey . Jim Leyland, in his eighth playoffs, has never had a starting rotation he trusts as much as the grouping of Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez and Doug Fister. http://www.officialduckshockeyauthentic.com/ondrej-kase-jersey/ . - The Mavericks built a 12-point lead with 2:50 to play, gave away all but two points of it, and still managed to hang on.BARCELONA, Spain -- Barcelona conceded a second goal to Getafe forward Angel Lafita in injury time to stumble to a deflating 2-2 draw at home on Saturday, dealing a major blow to its hopes of repeating as Spanish league champion. Lionel Messi volleyed in Dani Alves pass for his 28th league goal this season in the 23rd minute, only for Lafita to level after a rare attack for Getafe in the 37th. Substitute Cesc Fabregas appeared to put Barcelona back on track when he initiated a move that ended with Alexis Sanchez scoring in the 67th. But Barcelonas brittle defence again betrayed it in the final moments when Lafita charged in to head home Jaime Gavilans cross and grab a draw that silenced the Camp Nou. Out of the Champions League and Copa del Rey, Barcelonas chances of defending its domestic crown are fading fast. The Catalan club was left three points behind Atletico Madrid before the leader visits Levante on Sunday. There are two more rounds after this weekend. Real Madrid trails Atletico by six points but has a game in hand. Despite still being mathematically alive, Barcelona appears to have given up the title. "This hasnt been a good season, nor is this the way we wanted it to end," Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said. "The responsibility lies with the manager. Our expectation was to stay in it as long as we could. We did so until today. If we havent been able to beat a team fighting to stay up, then we dont deserve to be champions." Barcelona has been sub-par in the second half of the season. After dropping just four points through the first 18 league games under Martino, it has dropped 18 points in the last 18 rounds. Martino, who is widely expected to be fired, added, "Sometimes you dont think its necessary to ask for a second chance because you dont deserve one." Elsewhere, Celta Vigo won 2-0 at Osasuna, Elche won 1-0 at Malaga, and Valladolid edged Espanyol 1-0 as it tries to escape the relegation zone. Barcelonas first home game since former coach Tito Vilanovas death last week from throat cancer ffeatured a commemorative video, an enormous banner with the message "Tito, Always Eternal," and a minutes silence before kickoff. Antoine Morand Jersey. . Barring slipups by Atletico and Madrid, Barcelona wont win a major title for the first time since the 2007-08 season, before former coach Pep Guardiola took over with Vilanova as his assistant. Vilanova led the team to the league title last year in his only season as coach. Barcelona dominated the outclassed Getafe for the first 80 minutes, but its lack of scoring touch cost the host dearly. Lafita converted two of Getafes three scoring opportunities, while Pedro Rodriguez and Alexis were particularly off target for a Barcelona side that generated a plethora of empty shots. Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets said the players were the "only ones" to blame. "We have committed mistakes that are not befitting players who want to play in this league. We wont win any titles this year, and I hope that serves the team in years to come." Getafe rested one point above the relegation zone. In Pamplona, Manuel "Nolito" Agudo scored his third brace in as many games for Celta. He struck first in the 20th with an exquisite chip shot and followed that by driving in a cross from an angle in the 34th. Celta climbed into eighth place while Osasuna was left level on points with Valladolid and clinging to safety. Elche moved four points above the drop after winning at Malaga thanks to Garry Rodrigues goal in the 11th. Elche had two players shown direct red cards. Reserve goalkeeper Antonio Rodriguez was booked for coming off the bench to argue with Malagas players in the 68th, and defender Alberto Botia was sent off in the 82nd for kicking the ball into a prone Malaga player after a foul. Valladolid defender Antonio Rukavina scored in the 20th and Espanyol was never able to mount a comeback, with Luis "Pizzi" Afonso dismissed with a second yellow card in the 72nd. Valladolid striker Manucho injured his leg in the second half and had to carted off. Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '