Camp Classic Moment

As a former Steelers beat writer, it's hard to go to Steelers camp without thinking of middle linebacker Jack Lambert. He ruled training camp more than any player in the great Steelers era of the 1970s and 1980s. As a rookie, Lambert, a Hall of Famer with a fearless streak, led rookie hazing. It was usually Lambert who would test the escape routes around curfew. And if practices didn't go right as camp dragged on, it was Lambert who called out the young players to pick up their game. Personally, I'll never forget during a tricky time in labor negotiations, Steelers player rep Cliff Stoudt led a fight not to go with the NFLPA's position to strike. I stood outside a building waiting for players to leave a meeting to get quotes, but because I wrote the initial stories about the Steelers' protest, Stoudt incorrectly told players I got my information by hiding in the closet. The next morning Lambert told me that the players wouldn't talk to me, but Lambert would. He believed me. After the next practice, Lambert walked directly to me on the field and asked if I wanted an interview. The Steelers' personal boycott against me ended that moment. — John Clayton

LATROBE, Pa. -- Here are five quick observations from the Steelers' training camp.

1. Loved seeing the Steelers' $20 million cornerback Chad Scott dressing up for practice. He donned police "caution" tape on his helmet and on the back of his uniform. He just wants receivers and quarterbacks to know that it's dangerous to throw in his direction.

2. Former XFL quarterback Tommy Maddox looked a little rusty getting back in the NFL, but he has a chance to be the Steelers' third quarterback. He's not a big-time thrower, but he has good leadership skills that should come out during camp. His bid for the roster would be meaningless, though, if Tee Martin can't beat out Kent Graham for the backup job. That would make Martin the No. 3 quarterback and Maddox the odd man out. The Steelers think Martin is the backup of the future.

3. Plaxico Burress is the No. 2 split end behind Hines Ward and only has shown a little flurry Monday of beating him out. Burress still has a tendency to not complete routes. Meanwhile, Troy Edwards, the starting flanker, picked up his game and feels he's ready for a better season. That said, Ward is still the Steelers' best receiver.

4. Jerome Bettis looks the best in three summers at halfback. Two years ago, he hurt his knee in camp and never fully recovered until this offseason. On three occasions Monday, Bettis ran with powerful authority through the defensive line and linebacking corps and showed great quickness.

5. Casey Hampton may have been a few pounds heavy at the start of camp, but he has all the looks of a great nose tackle. With Hampton and underrated Kendrick Clancy to go along with a great linebacker group, the Steelers will be hard to run against.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.