Pittsburgh returned to the observe discipline for a lighter session that Mike McCarthy termed a “review” when talking to reporters earlier within the day. There’s another league-mandated ramp-up day adopted by a day without work Sunday earlier than pads come on Monday. Let’s speak about what stood out at this time.
A reminder there’s a abstract/recap close to the underside of the submit for many who don’t have time to learn via all of at this time’s notes.
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Camp Notes (Day Three)
– It was a really mild walkthrough session at this time. There’s hardly something to judge from a efficiency standpoint, and it was clear from how the sector was arrange that at this time could be completely different. Gone have been the six JUGs machines that lined the precise finish zone of the close to discipline. Gone was the blocking sled on the center discipline that Payton Wilson made pals with pre-practice.
About the one piece of apparatus on the sector earlier than observe was the V62 Turf Vac {that a} staffer drove round and used to clear off the far discipline, though it was hardly wanted at this time.
Gamers didn’t put on helmets and didn’t even convey them to the sector. Nobody wore gloves. Some, like Nick Herbig, wore a white bucket hat all through observe. Jaquan Brisker wore grey sweats whereas Pat Freiermuth donned a white baseball cap. Jaylen Warren rode his bike to the entrance door of the principle facility at 10:03 earlier than the ten:30 begin time. Relative to the primary two days, the surroundings was relaxed.
The protection was not allowed to make performs on the ball, and all the pieces was run at half-speed, if that.
Apply started at 10:30 and ended proper round midday. A shorter observe, with some just a little confused on when it was beginning or ending. Even a few of the group would possibly’ve been. As quickly because the PA announcer within the press field reminded followers that no recording of observe is allowed, the horn to finish observe sounded.
The group did vital work in drills, however it wasn’t thrilling from a notes/recap standpoint.
Mike Tomlin would often have a walkthrough, however often the ultimate observe earlier than a preseason sport. By no means this early. Mark this down as one other change.
– Not a lot to notice from an damage standpoint on a day like this. EDGE T.J. Watt and DL Cam Heyward received the day without work, not that the work was intense. It didn’t appear like Darnell Savage labored through the 11-on-11 interval. I’ll control him for tomorrow. CB Donte Kent continued to work on the facet, performing some jogging as he works again from an ACL tear.
Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey stay on the PUP checklist however have been seen throughout observe. Porter stood subsequent to Energy & Conditioning Coach Mark Lovat throughout stretch line.
– It was a heat and fully sunny day for observe. Actually not a cloud within the sky.
– Some jersey recognizing at this time: RB Kaleb Johnson and a Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr.
– Due to the character of at this time’s observe, gamers didn’t stroll out as early. The one leisure early was the single-engine white airplane making its right-hand flip to land at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. The occasions space of observe was nonetheless busy, providing followers loads to do. Former Steelers C Jeff Hartings was at this time’s particular visitor, taking photographs with followers earlier than observe started.
– First participant out of the power was rookie DL Kevin Jobity Jr. at 10:19 AM. He signed a number of autographs for followers atop the stands. QB Drew Allar and C Ryan McCollum walked out subsequent, adopted by WR Levi Wentz and OL Spencer Anderson.
– Nostril sort out Kyler Baugh received just a little bit of additional work in earlier than observe, hitting the blocking sled that was off to the left facet of the center discipline and dealing on his punch and placement. Rookie Gabriel Rubio chatted up DL coach Domata Peko.
– Gamers started and went via stretch line on the center discipline. The specialists did their very own factor on the far discipline. Lengthy snapper Christian Kuntz snapped discipline objectives to holder/punter Cameron Johnston, with kickers Chris Boswell and Laith Marjan going via simulated kicks. Johnston appeared to supply extra instruction to Marjan, who’s trying to put collectively good tape this summer season to stay someplace else through the season.
– After getting unfastened, gamers jogged over to the close to discipline and have been welcomed by a hearty applause from the followers there to observe them.
– At this time’s observe was damaged down into two components. 25 minutes engaged on situational moments on the finish of half/sport. Plenty of offense and a few particular groups. It was adopted by 75 minutes of full 11-on-11 drills. The “ones” on the close to discipline, the “twos” on the center discipline.
Notes from the 25-minute/situational interval.
– For the primary offensive rep, WR Germie Bernard joined DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. with the 1s. Keeanu Benton and Derrick Harmon have been the d-tackles with Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen at inside linebacker. Asante Samuel Jr. and Jamel Dean have been the surface cornerbacks with Brandin Echols within the slot. DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker have been the safeties.
Aaron Rodgers’ first throw was full to Bernard alongside the sidelines towards zone protection.
– The remainder of the offensive interval was “moment” centered with coaches calling out particular conditions. Some examples.
15 seconds left, no timeouts25 seconds left, one timeout, down three20 seconds left, one timeout, down 710 seconds left, no timeouts
All from various factors of the sector. Some within the offense’s personal territory, some previous midfield.
Pittsburgh ran a pair extra Hail Marys. Aaron Rodgers took a shotgun snap, rolled left, and threw to the 1-yard line, the place DK Metcalf caught the ball on a knee and rapidly hopped again to place himself in the long run zone. WR A.T. Perry caught Will Howard’s Hail Mary in the long run zone.
– In a excessive red-zone second, RB Eli Heidenreich, break up out slot proper like a receiver, ran vertically and caught a landing go from Will Howard. Throughout the identical state of affairs, Aaron Rodgers tossed a few landing passes to DK Metcalf, who jumped up and spun round to snare one.
– Punting notes when the group sprinkled in that portion of the interval.
First-team punt-protect unit. On the road of scrimmage: Jack Sawyer-Nick Herbig-Christian Kuntz-Carson Bruener-Riley Nowakowski. Payton Wilson and Cole Holcomb the left and proper wings with Travis Homer the upback. D’Shawn Jamison and Ben Skowronek the gunners.
Homer was loud and vocal as the principle communicator at upback. That’s his path to the 53, and he has an opportunity.
Second-team punt-protect unit. On the road of scrimmage: Jaheim Bell-Robert Tonyan-Christian Kuntz-Malik Harrison-JJ Galbreath. Eli Heidenreich was the upback. Don’t have the wings famous.
Kaden Wetjen was the lone punt returner for this era, although once more, there weren’t any footballs within the air.
There have been a few punt shifts that might be new to Pittsburgh. A “spread” punt look with the tackles on the road and the wings break up out huge like receivers earlier than shifting again to a conventional formation. Some NFL groups do that to present the return/rush group a special look, however it’s not one thing the Steelers did below Danny Smith.
CB Doneiko Slaughter and WR Brandon Smith additionally get reps as gunners.
– On one discipline purpose simulation (kickers didn’t kick), the kicking/shield group was one man brief. Holder Cameron Johnston referred to as for an eleventh, and DL Logan Lee raced out to fill the lacking left-wing spot.
– The remainder and bulk of observe was devoted to 11-on-11 classes that happened on the close to and center fields with a water break 25 minutes in. Evaluating issues is fairly ineffective, so I spent the time performing some housekeeping on who was aligning the place, particularly a few of the backups I haven’t gotten to see a lot of the primary two days. Beneath, I’ll break down how the “1s” and “2s” have been break up off to get a semi-depth chart of the pecking order and the place issues stand to wrap up July.
First Group (Starters/Rotational Gamers)
Coaches On This Facet: OC Brian Angelichio (play caller), DC Patrick Graham (play caller), WRs coach Adam Henry, OLB coach C.J. Ah You, DL coach Domata Peko, OL coach James Campen, QBs coach Tom Arth
Gamers On This Facet:
Quarterback – Aaron Rodgers, Mason RudolphRunning Again – Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Kaleb JohnsonWide Receiver – DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Michael Pittman Jr., Brandon Smith, Ben SkowronekTight Finish – Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Robert Tonyan, Jaheim Bell
Defensive Line – Cam Heyward (off day however standing there watching), Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Yahya Black, Dean Lowry, Gabriel RubioEdge Rusher – T.J. Watt (off day however watching), Nick Herbig, Alex Highsmith, Jack SawyerInside Linebacker – Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole HolcombCornerback – Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols, Tamon Lynum, Daryl PorterSafety – Jaquan Brisker, DeShon Elliott, Darnell Savage (didn’t see him observe however he was watching), Jack Henderson
Some observations with the lineup of the group:
– DK Metcalf received just a little extra motion within the slot at this time as they moved him, and others, round. Germie Bernard has been used a bit extra on the surface than Roman Wilson, so having him with the 1s provided extra flexibility to shift Metcalf inside.
– Jaheim Bell took a minimum of one rep at fullback. He’s an H-back sort, in order that is sensible.
– The beginning d-line in base with Heyward held out. Derrick Harmon at LDE, Yahya Black at NT, Keeanu Benton at RDE. Persevering with to see Benton take finish reps in Pittsburgh’s 3-4 base protection. Harmon and Benton labored in sub-package.
One d-line trio in base: Yahya Black at LDE, Gabriel Rubio at NT, Dean Lowry at RDE with Jack Sawyer at LOLB and Nick Herbig at ROLB. Rubio and Lowry stayed in nickel.
One other trio: Sebastian Joseph-Day at LDE, Gabriel Rubio at NT, Dean Lowry at RDE.
– One cornerback trio in sub-package: Daryl Porter at LCB, Tamon Lynum at RCB, and Brandin Echols within the slot.
– DeShon Elliott performed nearer to the road with Jaquan Brisker seeing extra time at free security.
– A lightweight-hearted second on a lighter day. Derrick Harmon stood within the offensive huddle as they referred to as a play. Dylan Cook dinner escorted him again to his defensive teammates.
Second Group (Backups/Reserves)
Coaches On This Facet: HC Mike McCarthy (play caller), DBs coach Joe Whitt Jr. (play caller), assistant OL coach Jahri Evans, senior offensive assistant Frank Cignetti Jr., ILBs coach Scott McCurley
Gamers On This Facet:
Quarterback – Will Howard, Drew AllarRunning Again – Travis Homer, Eli Heidenreich, Lew NicholsWide Receiver – Levi Wentz, A.T. Perry, Joaquin Davis, Kaden Wetjen, Cole BurgessTight Finish – Lake McRee, JJ Galbreath, Riley Nowakowski (he additionally received some work at fullback)
Defensive Line – Logan Lee, Esezi Otomewo, Kyler Baugh, Kevin Jobity Jr., Anthony GoodlowEdge Rusher – Jamin Davis, Julius WelschofInside Linebacker – Carson Bruener, Jacoby Windmon, Malik HarrisonCornerback – Daylen Everette, Ahmari Harvey, D’Shawn Jamison, Doneiko SlaughterSafety – Sebastian Castro, Robert Spears-Jennings, Devan Boykin
Some observations of the lineup of this group.
– The bottom line of defense look consisted of Esezi Otomewo at LDE, Kyler Baugh at NT, and Logan Lee at RDE. Anthony Goodlow and Kevin Jobity Jr. primarily subbed in for sub-packages. In different sub-packages, Otomewo and Lee have been the d-tackle pairing.
– With Pittsburgh having simply two true exterior linebackers with this group, Pittsburgh used some three inside linebacker teams with one EDGE and Carson Bruener, Malik Harrison, and Jacoby Windmon on the sector. Windmon has some inside/exterior versatility, too. Windmon rotated in with these guys.
In true “base,” Carson Bruener and Malik Harrison have been the primary on the sector at inside linebacker. Doneiko Slaughter opened up at LCB with Daylen Everette at RCB. D’Shawn Jamison initially labored within the slot in nickel/sub and later traded with Slaughter, placing Jamison within the slot and Slaughter exterior. Ahmari Harvey’s reps got here at proper cornerback.
– The lone handheld “pole camera” I referenced yesterday was mounted on the quarterbacks, Howard and Allar. Couple that with McCarthy over there, and it exhibits how a lot consideration is being given to teaching and creating these two. That’s good.
– Levi Wentz and Joaquin Davis noticed time at exterior receiver with Kaden Wetjen within the slot. Couple of missed connections to Davis. One drop on a smoke display screen, one other throw that regarded just a little behind him.
– Devan Boykin labored at security at this time. Primarily a nook in school (though he performed extra security earlier in his profession), he is perhaps shifted to the again finish, though with the teams break up up, it’s just a little exhausting to know for certain. Perhaps that’s simply to fill the strains because the group is halved. One thing to observe.
– Sebastian Castro and Roberts Spears-Jennings have been the principle security duo.
– You would possibly discover I didn’t embrace the offensive line on right here. That’s as a result of a lot of the group traded off between first and second group. Apart from clear starters like Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu, and Zach Frazier or clear reserves like Logan Thompson, they jogged between fields to separate their reps. That included Dylan Cook dinner, Max Iheanachor, Brock Hoffman, Broderick Jones, Steven Jones, and Ryan McCollum.
Some observations concerning the line.
– Broderick Jones labored at left and proper sort out all through the day. In a single combo, it went Broderick Jones-Steven Jones-Ryan McCollum-Gennings Dunker-Doug Nester
One other combo: Jack Driscoll-Lorenzo Thompson-Greg Crippen-Gennings Dunker-Doug Nester
One other combo: Lorenzo Thompson-Doug Nester-Ryan McCollum-Gennings Dunker-Jack Driscoll
Thompson labored at left sort out and guard, which he’s executed all through his first few years within the league.
– At this time was lots of housekeeping, and we’ll continue to learn precisely what all this implies all through the following few weeks.
– After observe ended, Mike McCarthy gathered each rookie, draft decide and UDFA, and spoke with them for greater than 5 minutes. After breaking down the huddle, the rookies walked up the trail and the steps to the power.
– Will Howard signed a slew of autographs for youths after observe.
– No post-practice work at this time. Everybody just about left the sector as soon as the horn sounded them off, besides the rookies McCarthy held again.
Camp Recap (TL;DR)
– Much less of a recap at this time with observe being so mild. As I discussed above, all the eye on the “2s” with McCarthy and the digicam over there speaks to their degree of intent with Will Howard and Drew Allar.
– Receiver Brandon Smith continues to run with the “1s” and has an early inside observe on a prime observe squad spot above others he’s competing with like Levi Wentz, A.T. Perry, and Joaquin Davis.
– Noticed a few of the true West Coast roots at this time. Robust-I formation with Nowakowski at fullback and an under-center handoff. Couple of run performs in 11-on-11 for the primary time this camp.
– Tight finish Robert Tonyan is clearly working forward of men like Lake McRee and JJ Galbreath.
– Gabriel Rubio performed defensive finish/sort out in school however labored at base nostril sort out at this time. And it seems to be like Logan Lee, who has flipped between finish/nostril sort out previously, is taking part in finish full-time. Rubio working with the 1s is a optimistic signal for his roster probabilities, although it’s nonetheless very early.
– Jamin Davis is taking part in exterior linebacker after taking part in off-ball for a lot of his NFL profession. Totally on the left facet.
Saint Vincent Snapshot
Quarterbacks coach Tom Arth sandwiched between Drew Allar (No. 16) and Will Howard (No. 18) early in observe.
Tallest Gamers In Steelers Historical past
Highlighting the tallest gamers who’ve performed for the franchise.
Jeremy Parquet/OT – 6066
Parquet isn’t practically as recognizable as yesterday’s inclusion of Darnell Washington, however he beat Washington out by one-tenth of an inch. Parquet appeared in two regular-season video games for the Steelers in 2008 and gained a hoop with the group that 12 months. Pittsburgh waived him the next summer season.
Soundtrack Of Camp
A music I listened to throughout my journey to or from Latrobe.
Pray For the Reboot – Joywave
Fred Rogers Quote Of The Day
“I hope you’re proud of yourself for the times you’ve said ‘yes,’ when all it meant was extra work for you and was seemingly helpful only to someone else.”
