PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A recap of the first day in pads as the Steelers avoided rain, but not contact. Here are some of the reactions to shoulder pads and helmets being worn for the first time during the Fan 5.
#1 No rain
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he was first just pleased to be able to get practice in with no rain as Tuesday’s scheduled first day with pads had to be cancelled due to a downpour. The Steelers head coach welcomed the popping on a field for the first time since January.
“I think people that have physicality is an asset to their game,” Tomlin said. “It needs to show up and show consistently.”
#2 Fight
There was a skirmish between veteran receiver Robert Woods and third-year corner Joey Porter, Junior at St. Vincent College Wednesday.
“Nothing, a little play fighting I think,” Porter said. “Everybody is a little intense the first day of pads. Everybody trying to get after it. That happens. We are still teammates at the end of the day.”
Not the first time a Porter has been in a camp dust-up, he said the heat is playing into the irritation among players.
“I feel like the first day was good getting acclimated running around hitting people,” Porter said. “I had a great time today. I feel like everybody in the secondary did too.”
Woods said on Tuesday that he wanted to set a tone and make sure none of the receivers backed down.
#3 Broderick Jones
Dealing with a soft-tissue injury, Steelers starting left tackle Broderick Jones worked partially on Wednesday. He would do all of the individual and work on the side during team drills. Tomlin said he is working his way back to full participation.
#4 Pat McAfee Show
The Plum native, West Virginia and Colts punter, Pat McAfee hosted his ESPN and YouTube Show at camp drawing a thousand or so fans huddling around the largest set Steelers training camp has ever seen. Fans would often chant and McAfee routinely brought up Pittsburgh brands like Iron City Beer. One of the most recognizable sports figures, McAfee wore a cutoff Steelers shirt and had regular guest Aaron Rodgers, TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, Pat Freiermuth and head coach Mike Tomlin, who doesn’t do many appearances on national shows.
“It’s cool to see everyone from this area support him and he’s been great to everyone here,” Freiermuth said. “I’m very grateful for him having me on. He looks out for everyone on the team. He’s a great guy.”
“Pat’s a talent,” Tomlin said. “His show is entertaining. He’s got a real following. It really added to our environment today and I’m appreciative to that.”
#5 Best Quotes
OT Troy Fautanu
“We are going to continue to keep getting better as an offense and hopefully put on a better show than we did (Wednesday).”
OLB Nick Herbig on brother, and former Steelers OL, Nate Herbig, now retired
“He’s a GOAT. I wouldn’t be here without him, for real. I’m super-blessed to have someone like that in my life that paved the way for me and paved the way for so many kids from Hawaii. Super honored to be his brother.”
TE Pat Freiermuth on Aaron Rodgers working with them
“He’s done a great job of challenging us in certain concepts in certain routes, especially with me figuring out different ways to run the same route, but show something else.”
RB Kenneth Gainwell working against LB Payton Wilson
“I’m taking that opportunity to get him better and for me to get better each and every day.”