PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It seems simple enough as Mike Tomlin said it's another day of mini-camp where he feels like they've been able to teach and learn and get better. The team has one more off-season workout before training camp.
Like the previous day, Steelers focused heavily on situational football on Wednesday. They worked possession-down, two-minute and red zone drills and as Tomlin said he can't get enough of it. If you could see him during the practice, you quickly realize he really can't. His enthusiasm for some of the subtle aspects of the game is unique for a head coach.
He said they are putting the icing on what's been a good offseason from a teaching standpoint. He's seeing how the younger players conduct themselves as he shows them some of the nuances of the game.
For instance, those first-year pros dealing with the lack of a clock stoppage when you get a first down. He said there is a lot to be taught in these environments.
"I'm really just listening more than anything," Tomlin said. "I think communication is a display of understanding and so I'm looking at adjustments being made, communication offensively and defensively, declarations from a protection standpoint, adjustments from a coverage standpoint. I'm doing probably more listening than I am watching because I'm just really interested in the learning component and communication is an indicator of that."
Pickett improvement
It's pretty obvious to watch Kenny Pickett's leadership this season.
As Pickett said on Wednesday it goes with the job. He's not afraid to say something if he needs to. Of course, last year at this time Pickett was running with the third team.
"He's probably a little bit lower anxiety than he was a year ago," Tomlin said. "And so, he's able to absorb the totality of what it is that we're doing and the
things that come with being him, the leadership component, and I just think he's in position to receive things from a different perspective this year."
Watt return
TJ Watt was at mini-camp on Wednesday after an excused absence on Tuesday. Tomlin said he likes to give veterans a break this time of year when they have the opportunity to do so. It's as much strategic as earned. Every rep missed by a veteran, or given off, is an opportunity for a younger player to get work. The example he coined was not having Patrick Peterson for a series allows Joey Porter, Junior and Cory Trice, Junior to get better.
