LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Mike Tomlin called it an exciting day as it was the first day in pads at Steelers Training Camp in Latrobe. Backs-on-backers drills, one-on-ones with receivers and defensive backs and physical 11-on-11 matchups with the first team offense going against the first team defense.
Injuries
Appears to be the first significant injury of camp, rookie corner Corey Trice, Junior wasn’t able to put pressure on his right leg (appeared to be a knee injury), Mike Tomlin said they were still evaluating him and it was a non-contact injury. Linebacker Elandon Roberts wasn’t able to finish, but Tomlin called it precautionary.
Porter party
Joey Porter, Senior and other members of Joey Porter, Junior’s family on hand to watch on Tuesday.
“We were just talking about that with my dad, having me sit there and watch a practice and now I’m actually doing a practice. It’s crazy. It doesn’t feel real, but it’s happening and I’m blessed.”
He had an interception against Mitch Trubisky down the sideline on a pass intended for Cody White.
“It felt great to get the first one under my belt in training camp,” Porter, Junior said. “It’s like everything I’ve tried to rep before and after practice, locating the ball, coming up with my hands. The fact that it’s paying off feels good. Just going to keep trying to stack them.”
He and George Pickens continue to battle during camp, during play and with their talking. Pickens made an unreal one-handed catch over Porter during one-on-one drills.
“Iron sharpens iron, he caught some crazy stuff down there, I don’t know how he caught it. It’s great. We are always going to talk here and there, but we are teammates at the end of the day. We want the best out of each other. We will keep working.”
“As Coach said, we are a professional team, not an MMA team.”
Backs on Backers highlights
· After early struggles, Connor Heyward had some impressive blocks
· Newby John Lovett was run over a few times and flattened on his back once by Roberts and another by Mark Robinson.
· This was Roberts drill, he performed well and Robinson did for the most point as well
· OLB Nick Herbig showed off his quickness a couple of times, once around Darnell Washington-who held his own early against TJ Watt
· It appeared Zach Gentry won or held to a draw on every matchup
“The first day of pads, it’s a special feeling especially for the new guys,” Gentry said. “That was as good a first day, at least contact-wise, as I’ve seen.”
7-shots
Two-point conversion from the two-and-a-half-yard line
· Najee Harris run up the middle for a TD
· Najee powers thru LB Cole Holcomb for a TD
· Pass breakup by Patrick Peterson on fade attempt by Kenny Pickett to Pat Freiermuth
· Pickett forced to scramble, had to throw it away
· Trubisky behind Gentry incomplete
· RB Darius Hagans middle barely crossed for a TD
· Trubisky incomplete to Dez Fitzpatrick, only got one foot in v Trice
Other notes
· Dan Moore got nearly every first-team rep at left tackle, Broderick Jones got one late.
· First day of padded practice and second day as a Steeler, linebacker Kwon Alexander had a couple of big hits.
· LB Tanner Muse had a fumble recover on a muffed handoff as it appeared a lineman stepped on Mason Rudolph’s foot and the ball was loose. Tomlin called the play ‘some junior varsity s#*%’
· Jaylen Warren had the longest run of the day on the left side of the line
· DeMarvin Leal moved around a lot on the defensive line and nearly tipped a pass and intercepted it.
· Washington did catch a TD on a scramble by Trubisky. It looked like a free play as the defense was offsides, but offense called for illegal man downfield
· Diontae Johnson caught a couple of touchdowns including one on a pretty throw by Pickett on what appeared to be a stop and go route.
Steelers practice at 1:55 on Wednesday at St. Vincent College. Friday is the Friday Night Lights practice at Latrobe Memorial HS.