After taking Sunday off, the Steelers began a short "game week" with a spirited workout, the first of two practices (and the last one with pads) before lining up against somebody other than their teammates Thursday night.
Many of the periods, both individual and team, featured full contact. "Love it," Mike Tomlin said. "Love the matchups within the game, particularly the bigs and, man, on a day like today where we were featuring short yardage and goal line I expect those guys to rise to the occasion and show the type of spirit associated with that type of play."
What Tomlin did not appreciate was the scuffle that broke out during 11-on-11 between rookie T Dan Moore, Jr. - a frequent fight club member this camp - and captain Cam Heyward who added to what has to be his career record of camp dust-ups. "I'm not commenting in any regard (about) the extra-curricular things that go on," Tomlin said, not wanting to appear he condones that sort of thing. "I'll acknowledge it potentially can happen because we've got emotional guys vying and competing on a daily basis."
A couple of players were not able to compete. RB Benny Snell is "having something looked at," Tomlin said. "Maybe I'll have an update for you when I determine the severity or lack of severity (but) right now we're exploring his status.
Miles Killebrew replaced SS Terrell Edmunds in the contact drills today and when Tomlin was asked about it he revealed that Edmunds had off-season surgery. I don't believe we had heard that before. A team official says it was shoulder surgery.
Today's offensive star was . . . none other than fullback Derek Watt. On the second play of 11-on-11, Watt was wide open on a circle route out of the backfield for a long gain before Fitzpatrick caught up. "I don't even know if I'm the first read but when they don't cover you, "Watt smiled. "Ben said he looked out there and thought he didn't see it properly because I was wide open."
Watt was also involved in goal line plays. "I'd better be involved in short yardage plays or else what the heck am I doing?" Watt joked, but that's a question a lot of you had been asking.
Seven Shots– Ben Roethlisberger was 1-3 – TD to JuJu, overthrow to JuJu after good coverage all-around, incomplete fade to Najee Harris, who complained about tight coverage by Ulysses Gilbert. Mason Rudolph was 1-2 – incomplete to Anthony Johnson, broken up by Justin Layne, TD to Anthony McFarland (who later had a drop in team drills). Dwayne Haskins 2-2 – TD to Pat Freiermuth, nice high throw, then a 2-yard run for a score.
Five Shots(Bonus goal line drill) – Harris TD run behind Watt, Harris stuffed at the line, Chase Claypool drop/miss on a poor/low Rudolph throw, Kalen Ballage TD run over wide open left side, Haskins incomplete to Jaylan Samuels – poor throw backpedaling off back foot.
Walking Wounded– Zack Banner took a few snaps at RT, TE Eric Ebron, DL Stephon Tuitt, LB TJ Watt worked on the side.
Next Up– Heinz Field practice Tuesday at 1:30, walk-through Wednesday. Hall of Fame Game vs. Dallas Thursday in Canton.
