Saturday served as Pittsburgh’s closing day of the NFL’s “ramp up” interval earlier than the pads can come on Monday. It additionally marked the top of Pittsburgh’s longest stretch of coaching camp, 4 consecutive practices earlier than a time off Sunday. A extra spirited follow trying just like the primary and second ones versus yesterday’s walk-through surroundings. Let’s speak about it.
A reminder there’s a abstract/recap close to the underside of the put up for individuals who don’t have time to learn by all of at present’s notes.
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Camp Notes (Day 4)
– Starting with the damage roundup. Safeties DeShon Elliott and Darnell Savage went by particular person work however didn’t take part in crew classes. That has opened the door for Robert Spears-Jennings to see a lot of first-team reps to start camp. Together with Jalen Ramsey remaining on Energetic/PUP listing, it’s possible why the crew is about to signal Rayshawn Jenkins.
No adjustments to the standing of the PUP gamers. Nevertheless, I noticed Jalen Ramsey stretching and doing a little mild jogging early in follow. He and Joey Porter Jr. went by the paces with Energy & Conditioning Coach Mark Lovat. Donte Kent continues to rehab. His work was rather less vigorous at present, however I think about they ramp him up and sluggish him down as a part of their rehab plan. Kent in all probability will get a bit additional rehab within the facility and got here out after the wholesome gamers at 11:07 AM.
Mike McCarthy didn’t know if any of the three would return by Monday. It looks like Kent has one of the best probability, however I don’t know if he’ll return that quickly. I feel he can get again earlier than coaching camp ends Aug. 17, nevertheless.
– Rayshawn Jenkins, by the way in which, was not on the sphere Saturday. His deal isn’t but official, however he ought to be on the market Monday. Which means Pittsburgh might want to make a corresponding transfer to make room on the roster. Up to now, Pittsburgh’s but to make a coaching camp roster transfer.
– As anticipated on a weekend, at present introduced within the greatest crowd to this point. Nonetheless not as packed as final 12 months, morning practices skinny the group a bit bit, however a ton of individuals all the identical. The Steelers’ drumline welcomed everybody to camp, arrange on the predominant entrance.
– Earlier than follow, Ike Taylor labored DB drills on the far subject with somebody who I’m fairly positive was his son Ivan Taylor, a DB at Alabama. Cool for them to have that point collectively earlier than they climbed the far hill and walked up the highway that results in the principle facility.
– Referees have been on-hand for each follow, together with at present’s.
– Travis Homer once more was the primary participant on the sphere at 10:31 AM. He acquired on the JUGs machine, walked the sphere within the naked toes, after which labored on his pass-protection punch on the gauntlet luggage the backs run by.
– Offensive lineman Steven Jones has been among the many first to take the sphere and was the second out at present at 10:40 AM. Inside linebacker Payton Wilson and guard Mason McCormick walked out collectively at 10:42 AM, Wilson signing a fast autograph or two earlier than making his method down the steps and to the sphere. Cole Holcomb got here down a pair minutes later and the 2, as they usually do, took their activates the blocking sled on the center subject.
– Drew Allar was the primary quarterback to the sphere, placing on his white No. 16 jersey as soon as he took the grass and warmed up, tossing with an assistant from 10 yards out.
– T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig walked down the steps along with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham by their aspect. Three key figures to Pittsburgh’s defensive success.
– Plenty of gamers on the JUGs machine earlier than follow: SS DeShon Elliott, CB Asante Samuel Jr., WR Roman Wilson, TE Riley Nowakowski, and WR Germie Bernard acquired on there early.
– Rookie DL Gabriel Rubio and Kevin Jobity Jr. hit on reverse ends of the blocking sled earlier than follow, every engaged on their punch.
– New security Jaquan Brisker brings loads of power all through follow and is without doubt one of the subject’s loudest voices. A giant scream as he reached the underside of the steps the place a Youth Soccer crew stands alongside to greet the gamers.
– Mike McCarthy was pushed to the sphere in a black side-by-side that dropped him off subsequent to the close to subject. He acquired on the market as gamers have been starting stretch line. The primary horn sounded at 11:11 AM and McCarthy was on the market at 11:15 AM.
– Riley Nowakowski works with the tight ends, not operating backs, throughout particular person classes. He did at present, a minimum of. I’ll verify once more this upcoming week.
– In warmups, the offense and protection engaged on separate fields, the offensive line combos remained the identical. Roman Wilson labored with the 1’s over Germie Bernard, who acquired a glance with the starters yesterday. Rico Dowdle acquired the primary couple operating again reps with Jaylen Warren getting into after. Dowdle’s reps have been runs with Warren’s first play-action.
– One small however notable remark. Throughout one rep, Mike McCarthy verbally relayed a play name to rookie QB Drew Allar. McCarthy then stepped into the huddle to listen to Allar share it together with his teammates, prone to check Allar’s recall and command.
McCarthy switched between a verbal play name and sending it on by way of his walkie talkie throughout this era.
– Chief of workers Steve Scarnecchia had the megaphone at present and alerted gamers of the following drill and the place to go.
– Throughout particular person interval, quarterbacks first threw into an enormous internet with pockets as targets to function receivers. Later, they threw over the netting to assistants standing behind. Elsewhere, receivers and defensive backs caught passes round luggage. The receivers turning upfield, like on a curl route, with defenders operating downhill like they’d driving on the ball in protection.
With out quarterbacks, S&C assistant Justus Galac threw to the receivers and whipped them in there with as a lot velocity as he may. His arm goes to really feel it tomorrow.
– Throughout the person interval, rookie Riley Nowakowski labored among the many tight ends, not operating backs. Eli Heidenreich labored with the operating backs, not extensive receivers. He’s been a operating again all over camp.
– Jason Simmons continues to teach the cornerbacks with Joe Whitt Jr. working with the safeties. Whitt takes a whole lot of time to point out gamers what he’s in search of in every rep. Fairly hands-on man.
– Noticed assistant GM Andy Weidl and director of faculty scouting Dan Colbert taking in follow between the close to and center fields.
– Alex Highsmith labored on his signature inside-spin transfer with coach C.J. Ah You. Highsmith is seeking to discover extra success with it this 12 months after a quiet 12 months getting sacks or strain off the transfer in 2025.
– Defensive assistant Shawn Howe, who Patrick Graham as soon as known as the “pass rush coach,” labored with a handful of defensive linemen: Sebastian Joseph-Day, Esezi Otomewo, Anthony Goodlow, Dean Lowry, and Kevin Jobity Jr. Unsure how the group of gamers was combined however that’s how he spent the time.
Particular Groups Interval
– Pittsburgh started the interval engaged on subject objectives. Derrick Harmon and Darnell Washington have been the wings.
Listed below are Chris Boswell’s outcomes: good from 39 yards, 46 yards, 49 yards, 52 yards, 57 yards, and an extended from 59 yards. He missed from 41 and 55 yards.
Rookie Laith Marjan tried three kicks. He was good from 42 yards however missed from 46 yards (clanked off proper upright) and 51 yards (quick).
– The remainder of the interval was dedicated to punt protection. Gunner pairings included Tamon Lynum and Daryl Porter, Brandon Smith and Cole Burgess, Daryl Porter and Brandin Echols. Through the interval, TE Jaheim Bell and RB Lew Nichols labored as wings with WR Max Hurleman seeing reps as the non-public protector.
On the LOS blocking: Jamin Davis-Lake McRee-Christian Kuntz-Julius Welschof-Jacoby Windmon
Regardless of the quarterbacks working elsewhere, Mike McCarthy watched the specialists right here.
Skeleton Interval
Notes from the 3-on-3 and 7-on-7 reps.
– Lew Nichols made a pleasant catch on an prolonged play from Aaron Rodgers, reaching to his again hip to make a brief catch with Patrick Queen on him.
– The toughest contact of the day got here from Nick Herbig tackling Germie Bernard to the bottom throughout the interval.
– Roman Wilson executed a shifty angle path to mud D’Shawn Jamison working left to proper.
– Asante Samuel Jr. leaped and contested a put up route deep downfield for WR Brandon Smith.
– Jaheim Bell snagged a curl away from Nick Herbig, who charged onerous and almost broke it up. Good ball to position it away from him. I feel Mason Rudolph threw it however not 100-percent positive. Herbig was upset and smacked down a site visitors cone that sat alongside the sidelines. Sorta sums up the Pittsburgh Pirates’ season, if you concentrate on it.
From the 7-on-7 interval.
– Rodgers confirmed off his still-very-good arm deep down the left sideline on a throw to DK Metcalf. Metcalf dove however couldn’t make the seize.
– Jaylen Warren acquired the preliminary rep in 7 on 7 with Rico Dowdle getting the following one.
– Doable miscommunication between Aaron Rodgers and Michael Pittman Jr. The veteran receiver appeared to bend his route in with Rodgers throwing it nearer to the sideline. Brandin Echols overlaying.
– Pittman bounced again by catching a move on a curl route in site visitors from Rudolph.
– Payton Wilson with a pleasant play to swat away an beneath move supposed for Eli Heidenreich.
– Will Howard with a fairly contact move down the fitting seam full in stride to Max Hurleman.
– Rodgers aired out a deep ball to Ben Skowronek, however he slowed up with Robert Spears-Jennings overlaying and the move fell incomplete. In warmups, Germie Bernard did related and didn’t run by his route. Gotta end since you by no means know when Rodgers gives you an opportunity.
Crew Interval (11 on 11)
First Session
The twin “2 spot” interval as McCarthy referred to throughout Saturday’s press convention. I primarily watched the center subject with the backups/reserves to provide that group a take care of watching the starters the primary two days, however I used to be in a position to catch a pair reps from the starters.
This was a lower-intensity interval with the protection offering solely minimal resistance.
1. Logan Lee and Esezi Otomewo the d-tackle pairing. Jack Sawyer and Jamin Davis at EDGE with Malik Harrison and Carson Bruener the within linebackers. D’Shawn Jamison at left nook, Daylen Everette at proper nook, and Doneiko Slaughter within the slot. Jack Henderson and Sebastian Castro at security.
Will Howard’s throw full left aspect on a comeback to Max Hurleman. Everette engaged on him however not charging onerous to interrupt it up, that are the “rules” of the drill.
2. Howard once more full to Hurleman towards Everette. Slaughter raced in on a blitz.
3. Kaleb Johnson at operating again. Howard half roll to the fitting and throws alongside the sideline. Slaughter jumped it and acquired each toes inbounds, the aspect choose affirming the catch, for an interception. Good play.
4. Howard appears for Cole Burgess far downfield however Burgess breaks off his route and the ball is properly over his head.
5. Howard appears proper after which comes again left to finish a brief move to Cole Burgess.
6. Gabriel Rubio and Esezi Otomewo the d-tackles. Howard dumps his move off left to rookie TE Lake McRee for a brief completion.
7. Kyler Baugh and Kevin Jobity Jr. the d-tackles now. Jamin Davis and Julius Welschof the surface linebackers. Davis rushes in unblocked and free. Drew Allar, now in at quarterback, climbs the pocket however his throw is within the filth and properly wanting his supposed goal.
8. Allar hits Jaheim Bell on an angle route proper to left with Jack Henderson on prime of him.
9. Anthony Goodlow at LDE, Kyler Baugh at NT, Kevin Jobity Jr. at RDE. Allar fires a dig over the center full to WR Levi Wentz working left to proper.
10. D’Shawn Jamison at LCB and Ahmari Harvey at RCB. Slot fade from Allar left aspect full to Wentz over Harvey.
11. Malik Harrison and Jacoby Windmon the within linebacker duo. Allar drops to his aspect arm to attach with rookie WR Kaden Wetjen on a drag route left to proper.
12. Otomewo and Lee the d-tackles. Slaughter and Devan Boykin the corners. Howard hits Burgess on a curl route journey aspect with Slaughter fast to shut after the catch.
13. Slaughter and Everette the surface cornerbacks with Jamison working within the slot. Bell motions proper to left. Display proper aspect full to Johnson.
14. A.T. Perry and Cole Burgess the surface receivers. Proper sort out Doug Nester with lively eyes to choose up Carson Bruener’s blitz off the protection’s left aspect. Howard rolls left and completes a throw to a sliding Burgess alongside the sideline.
15. Howard full to Burgess on a dig route left to proper. Howard giving Burgess a whole lot of targets this era.
16. Allar finds Wetjen on an angle route proper to left. Slaughter with the tag.
17. Allar display move to Johnson, who makes a pleasant arms catch above his head to safe the throw.
18. I missed charting one throw, however Allar rolled proper and uncorked a move down the fitting aspect full to, I feel, Wetjen. Allar’s arm is vigorous.
19. Allar full to JJ Galbreath on a crosser proper to left. Double-caught however secured.
Some first-team takeaways.
– Troy Fautanu acquired yanked after false beginning and Max Iheanachor subbed in for him. I’m truly not sure if Iheanachor took it at left sort out or if Dylan Cook dinner flipped over. That might’ve been sensible of me to notice. Alas, I didn’t whereas I my eyes shifted to the following “2’s” rep.
– Aaron Rodgers rolled proper and needed Roman Wilson in the fitting flat. He was open however the move was off beam and incomplete.
– T.J. Watt stunned and intercepted Rodgers at present. Rodgers threw over the center however Watt, dropping from his proper exterior linebacker spot, was proper there to choose it off. Rodgers by no means noticed him. Enjoyable runback with Watt throwing a stiff arm down the fitting sideline, and a superb instance of Watt’s new-found versatility. A spotlight of the day.
Second Session
1. Keeanu Benton and Cam Heyward the d-tackles. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith the surface linebackers. Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson inside. Asante Samuel Jr. at left nook, Jamel Dean at proper nook, Brandin Echols within the slot. Rico Dowdle at operating again with DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., and Germie Bernard at receiver.
Rodgers full to Metcalf after play-action on a 10-yard out towards Samuel.
2. Offense in 12 personnel with Bernard and Wilson the wideouts. Jet run with Wilson taking the handoff proper aspect.
3. Derrick Harmon and Sebastian Joseph-Day the d-tackles. Jaquan Brisker and Robert Spears-Jennings the security duo. Bernard within the slot with Metcalf and Pittman on the surface. Jaylen Warren within the backfield.
Highsmith rushes free off the sting. Rodgers fast throw to Metcalf on a curl towards Samuel.
4. Sawyer and Herbig the surface linebackers, Queen and Holcomb inside. Mason Rudolph in at QB. Hits Bernard on an in minimize with Brisker glued to him all the way in which downfield attempting to tear the ball out.
5. Esezi Otomewo and Yahya Black the d-tackles. Bruener and Holcomb the within ‘backers. Will Howard in at QB. Ben Skowronek goes in motion. Handoff up the middle to RB Lew Nichols, one of the rare runs in team sessions so far. Carson Bruener fills with OL Steven Jones going to the ground by play’s finish.
6. Jack Henderson and Devan Boykin the safeties. I-formation with Riley Nowakowski at fullback. Play-action. Howard has Bernard over the center, however he drops the move.
7. Daryl Porter and Daylen Everette the surface cornerbacks. Drew Allar checks in and hits Kaden Wetjen on a pace out.
8. Dean Lowry and Gabriel Rubio the d-tackles. Malik Harrison and Jacoby Windmon at inside linebacker. Eli Heidenreich at operating again. Allar finds Lake McRee over the center, however the move bounces off his chest and falls incomplete. A drop.
A pile-up of blockers and rushers happened close to the quarterback with a coach calling out “Stay on your feet!” as a reminder to the group.
9. Logan Lee at LDE, Kyler Baugh at NT, Kevin Jobity Jr. at RDE. Alex Highsmith at LOLB, Nick Herbig at ROLB. Jaquan Brisker and Robert Spears-Jennings at security. Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf on the surface with Roman Wilson within the slot. Rico Dowdle the operating again.
Handoff to Dowdle up the center on a shotgun run.
10. Keeanu Benton and Sebastian Joseph-Day the d-tackles. O-line of Fautanu-McCormick-Frazier-S. Jones-Cook dinner. Brandon Smith and Cole Burgess the surface receivers with Bernard within the slot. Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.
Display left supposed for Jaylen Warren however the protection spots and disrupts it. Cam Heyward specifically. Rodgers’ move lands incomplete.
11. Kevin Jobity Jr. and Anthony Goodlow at d-tackle. T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig at OLB, Roman Wilson within the slot with Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf out extensive. Jaquan Brisker up on the road of scrimmage and blitzes.
Rodgers full left aspect to Metcalf.
12. Samuel and Dean on the surface with Echols within the slot. Queen and Wilson the within linebackers mugging/exhibiting blitz into the A-gaps. Mason Rudolph in at QB, Dowdle at RB.
Echols blitzes off the sting and T.J. Watt beats Max Iheanachor inside. Rudolph rolls proper on an prolonged play earlier than finishing to Michael Pittman Jr. alongside the fitting sideline.
Third Session
– Two-minute drill. Ball on the offense’s 35 with underneath two minutes to play and, I imagine, two timeouts. Aaron Rodgers’ first probability.
1. Brisker and Spears-Jennings the safeties. Benton and Heyward the d-tackles. Herbig and Highsmith the EDGEs, Queen and Wilson the within ‘backers, Samuel and Dean the surface cornerbacks. Lew Nichols at RB getting some first-team burn.
Rodgers fast throw full to Nichols in the fitting flat. He rapidly scoots out of bounds as Samuel tags him after a brief achieve.
2. Ball on the 37. Samuel breaks up a curl supposed for Metcalf. Good rep from Samuel.
3. Third down. Watt at LDE. Rodgers’ throw full to Metcalf left aspect towards Echols for a primary down.
4. Ball on the offense’s 47. Roman Wilson within the slot. Minimal achieve after Nichols handoff left aspect.
5. Ball on the protection’s 48. Rodgers makes a examine on the line. Throws however the ball appears to slide out of his arms and falls incomplete properly away from any supposed goal.
6. Third down. Slot fade to Metcalf proper aspect. Echols performs it properly and regardless of giving up a whole lot of dimension, breaks it up. He’s pumped after the play. So are his fellow DBs, who congratulate him.
7. Fourth down. Onerous rely from Rodgers. Herbig dusts Fautanu across the edge however Rodgers hits Pat Freiermuth over the center for the catch and conversion. Good play. Freiermuth will get high-fives from the opposite tight ends alongside the sideline.
8. Ball on the protection’s 39 with 36 seconds left. Rodgers full to Brandon Smith on a fast out.
9. Ball to the 31. Smith and Pittman out extensive with Bernard within the slot. Rodgers finds Bernard on a shallow cross working proper to left.
10. Right down to the 28. Rodgers needs Nichols within the left flat. Go may’ve been tipped nevertheless it was off the mark, Nichols throwing out his proper hand however the move hitting off it incomplete.
11. Simply 14 seconds left. Empty set with Pittsburgh in 01 personnel, Bernard and Wilson the third and fourth receivers alongside Metcalf and Pittman. Rodgers with a fairly back-shoulder throw to Pat Freiermuth working up the fitting seam towards Patrick Queen. Completely different route however related placement as his landing towards the Colts final 12 months.
– Second stringers take the sphere with Drew Allar getting the prospect. Similar situation.
1. Julius Welschof and Jamin Davis at EDGE. Esezi Otomewo and Sebastian Joseph-Day the DTs, Jack Henderson and Sebastian Castro at S. Doneiko Slaughter at slot nook.
Allar’s first throw full on a slant to Burgess with Henderson closing fast however letting Burgess move on this no-tackling session.
2. Ball on the offense’s 41. Allar’s throw is behind A.T. Perry, however he reaches again for it and hauls it in. A pleasant seize.
3. Ball on the protection’s 49. Allar misses an open Burgess on a crosser proper to left. Behind and off beam.
4. Heidenreich at operating again, motioning and splitting out extensive to the left. Davis rushes in free from his linebacker spot. Allar’s throw to Perry is excessive and incomplete. They didn’t appear completely on the identical web page.
5. Third down, 1:16 on the sport clock. Allar needs Burgess on a curl, however the throw is a bit extensive and Burgess may’ve slipped a bit popping out of his break. Incomplete. Good pocket by the o-line, together with LT Broderick Jones and RT Max Iheanachor. Bruener and Holcomb the within linebackers on this play.
6. Fourth down. Nowakowski slot proper, empty set. On-target back-shoulder throw down the left sideline is full to Perry working towards Daylen Everette. Good ball and big-time play. A 38-yard pickup.
7. Ball on the 11. Heidenreich gun run left aspect.
8. Right down to the 8. One other run by Heidenreich.
9. Allar skies a throw to the again left nook of the top zone supposed for Burgess. Out of vary and incomplete with Daryl Porter overlaying.
10. Solely 13 seconds left. Burgess and Perry the surface receivers with Max Hurleman within the slot. Nowakowski at tight finish. Sprinting proper, Allar needs Hurleman on the objective line. It’s lined and brought away. Allar strikes to his second learn, Perry, in the fitting nook at the back of the top zone. Tosses it up however incomplete with Daryl Porter overlaying. Regarded like a seize and many contact right here, however the refs didn’t throw a flag.
That ends follow.
Camp Recap (TL;DR)
– My early sense in broad phrases is that Rico Dowdle may get extra burn on early/”run” downs and Jaylen Warren in passing conditions. However going to maintain watching as soon as the pads come on subsequent week and Pittsburgh can really rep its run sport. First handoffs in crew classes got here at present. There’s much more to study and chart.
– Will Howard’s greatest passes are ones down the seam inside 15-25 yards. The place he can present his plus contact and accuracy. A few of the deeper ideas or throws with out loft, his lack of velocity reveals up.
– Drew Allar can and has spun it downfield however nonetheless looking for consistency on the “layups.”
– Wasn’t Germie Bernard’s greatest day. A drop, not operating by an early route. Very early however need to see extra from him subsequent week.
– Pat Freiermuth and DK Metcalf have been actively focused within the passing sport at present. Freiermuth continues exhibiting plus arms.
– Simply watching in drills, Riley Nowakowski catches the ball rather well. Proceed to see Joaquin Davis battle to convey passes in cleanly.
– Okay Laith Marjan confirmed a superb leg in faculty with vary to hit from 55 yards. Didn’t present it at present. Quick from 51 with out actually any wind isn’t NFL-level. Perhaps only a mishit ball or knocking off some rust.
– Asante Samuel Jr. continues stacking good days. Protection hasn’t been allowed a ton of pushback, however he’s made a whole lot of performs in protection. Can Pittsburgh discover a strategy to get him snaps in situational/sub-packages?
– Max Hurleman has been doing all of it on the punt unit. By way of simply three practices repping it, he’s aligned as a punt returner, gunner, and private protector. Plenty of versatility whereas enjoying a little bit of receiver.
– Good to see Watt’s interception from ROLB, the “other” spot. Fruits of Pittsburgh’s plan to maneuver him round extra.
– Rookie DL Gabriel Rubio is a big man. Appears to be like the half and has been flashing good power and pop on the level of assault. I can see why Pittsburgh had draft curiosity.
Saint Vincent Snapshot
A take a look at the hand-held digital camera I’ve referenced a pair instances in camp. To place a visible since I point out it a lot. You may see Mike McCarthy (black shirt/pants) and Brian Angelichio (white cap, black shorts within the foreground) proper forward watching the quarterbacks.
Tallest Gamers In Steelers Historical past
Highlighting the tallest gamers who’ve performed for the franchise.
Daniel McCullers/NT – 6066
“Shade Tree” had the scale of a grizzly bear. His play was nearer to teddy bear. McCullers seemed the half and lasted in Pittsburgh for six seasons however recorded simply 41 tackles throughout 73 video games as a backup nostril sort out. His peak turned a detriment, too tall and sometimes out-leveraged when attempting to stuff the run.
Soundtrack Of Camp
A track I listened to throughout my journey to or from Latrobe.
Straws – The Brook & The Bluff
Fred Rogers Quote Of The Day
“When I say it’s you I like, I’m talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive. Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed.”
