LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – So much for the anticipation of the first day of padded practice. Dry all day in Latrobe until just as practice began and then by 4p, sunny at St. Vincent College.
“Didn’t get what we are looking for today, but such is life in football and life in general,” Tomlin said.
The Steelers were able to get some work done in the St. Vincent College gym and look forward to Wednesday being the first day in pads. He said the fields absorbed too much water to be able to wait and practice later on Tuesday. He said it wouldn’t have been safe.
There was still news from Day 5 of Steelers camp. Here is the Fan 5.
#1 Roman Wilson
Tomlin noted that wide receiver Roman Wilson is focused and he said its appropriate for him to be that way.
“This is a big camp and a big process for Roman going into year two with not having much participation in year one, but the standards of expectations and improvement being the same,” Tomlin said. “As I mentioned several times, he’s not in uncharted waters, Calvin Austin walked that same journey very recently in missing a lot of time in his rookie year and it hadn’t slowed the trajectory of his progress and career.”
Tomlin said Wilson has been a willing worker on special teams, everything from returning kicks and punts to working with the gunners. He said how he performs going forward with the pads on will determine his role. It’s vital for him as he battles to be on the active roster for game days.
#2 Calvin Austin punt returner
“I like him there,” Tomlin said. “He’s got a desire to be the best in the world. He’s made some dramatic improvements. He was moving in that direction over the course of the last season. He’s excited about taking another step in that area.”
#3 Kick returners
Tomlin said they are not devoid of candidates to return kickoffs this year, as Cordarrelle Patterson was released Monday.
“We are really excited about Kenny Gainwell in that area,” Tomlin said. “Certainly Jaylen Warren’s got some experience in that area. We are looking at Kaleb Johnson. We are looking at Roman Wilson. We are not devoid of candidates. I’m pretty comfortable with the pool of candidates, but still some work to sort out.”
#4 Kenny G v Payton W
Even before the pads came on Tuesday there were one-on-one battles in camp. There is a listing in the linebacker room showing the results of the passing matchups between new running back Kenneth Gainwell and linebacker Payton Wilson. Gainwell has lined up a lot in the slot and run routes of out the backfield. The responsibility for covering him goes to Wilson.
“It’s great being here because it’s such a competitive environment,” Wilson said. “He makes it that way on purpose.
Every rep that you go you know you are going to be on the big board so you want to compete as hard as you can. Credit to KG as one of the best route-running running backs I’ve ever faced. The work that we are going to give each other is going to really help us.”
#5 Quotes & Notes
Quick injury notes- OT Broderick Jones is expected to participate in practice on Wednesday as he is dealing with a soft-tissue injury. Guard Isaac Seumalo remains day-to-day with a similar injury.
LB Payton Wilson
“You don’t have to game plan to help people out anymore. We have guys you can put on an island at any position. Whether that’s linebacker, nickel, DB spot, safety spot. You can put them on an island and they are going to get the job done and you can trust them with that.”
WR Robert Woods on setting the tone
“Don’t be soft, I would like to say it in other words. Don’t be soft is the main thing. Go out there and be physical. Obviously the defense is hyped and the safeties are going to feel like they are doing something. Don’t ever turn anything down.”
G Mason McCormick
“There is no more thinking about what would happen. We are going to see what would happen. I just play how I play. I believe what I believe in. We’ll see what has to happen.”
Mike Tomlin on several questions about players
“These are great questions, it’s just really early in the process guys. We just came out of acclimation and just lost our first padded practice. Many of these discussions are very much in development.”
Payton Wilson on starting padded practice
“This is what football is. The last five days have been fun or whatever, but we are in underwear. We are out there running around tagging people. Like Coach says, we are going to find out. We are going to see who can hit. Who can make tackles. Who can really make plays.
This is why you play the game.”