LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers had a tight end line up in the backfield and get a carry on a pitch. That tight end has done this before with Arthur Smith. It was part of an unpadded practice at St. Vincent College Thursday.
Here is the Fan 5 from Steelers training camp.
#1 Jonnu in backfield
Position flexibility has been a theme of camp this year especially with the defensive backs. We also knew that tight end Jonnu Smith would be more than the traditional tight end with the ability to move out in the slot or even out wide. What we saw Thursday was him taking a pitch as a lone running back.
“Made plays from the backfield in my career, nothing different,” Smith said. “I’m just continuing to be as valuable as I can to this offense. Wherever it is that they need me, that’s where I’m going to be at.”
Jonnu challenged all of us to look at the box score of a game he played while a member of the Titans with Arthur Smith in 2019. In that game against Houston, he had one carry for 57 yards.
“I saw Jonnu in the backfield,” said tight end Pat Freiermuth. “He’s fast. He’s really good with the ball in his hands. Anytime we can get the ball in his hands and he can create explosive plays, it’s good for us.”
#2 left side offensive line
Left tackle Broderick Jones and left guard Isaac Seumalo did return to individual drills during an unpadded practice on Thursday at St. Vincent College. They went full against teammates during blocking drills. However, neither took part in team action with Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook working on the left side. Mike Tomlin said they are getting closer to going full.
#3 7 shots/best catch
Let’s start with the best catch, it was one-on-one drills as 5’10” receiver Roman Wilson jumped over Joey Porter, Junior and came down with a 30-plus yard completion early in practice.
“Just a ‘go get it’ mentality,” Wilson said. “That was a great play. I loved the fans out here and loved their reaction. I feel like every rep I take out there I can build from.”
7 Shots
· Aaron Rodgers fade to DK Metcalf, pass breakup by Darius Slay
· Rodgers slant right side to Melcalf for TD
· Rodgers left side incomplete for Roman Wilson, Slay PBU
· Mason Rudolph buys time, finds Robert Woods back end zone
· Rudolph threw high off Woods hands, good coverage by Juan Thornhill
· Will Howard left side at the goal line to WR Brandon Johnson, he just crossed it
· Howard too high for TE JJ Galbreath
#4 Notes/Injuries
· Steelers had two players suffer knee injuries on Thursday, both are being evaluated—defensive linemen Dean Lowry and Jacob Slade
· TJ Watt and Cam Heyward had a veteran’s day off
· TE Darnell Washington made a nice high catch over a linebacker during one-on-one drills and turned easily and headed toward the end zone
· Along with the 2 pass breakups during 7 shots, corner Darius Slay had another PBU during team drills
· During 3rd down work, defensive back James Pierre tipped a pass by Mason Rudolph intended for Robert Woods and safety Miles Killebrew intercepted it
· Another 3rd down opp, Will Howard threw a perfect pass to reciever Roc Taylor for a 40-yard gain and likely touchdown.
#5 Quotes
WR DK Metcalf
“Nobody likes to get pushed around in the first day of pads, but we took it personal, cleaned up our technique stuff, some of our splits and made an emphasis in the meeting room that we were going to come out here and ball.”
TE Pat Freiermuth on Aaron Rodgers
“The coolest thing is if he feels that he messed up a play, he’ll take accountability. He doesn’t throw other people under the bus. He’s a great leader and a great guy.”
WR Roman Wilson on Aaron Rodgers
“He’s a cool dude. I tell everyone in my family, he’s the coolest guy I’ve ever met. He’s truly one of a kind, so far everybody loves him.”
Mike Tomlin
“This is a football team we are putting together, but it’s also an opportunity to learn how to compete and compete the right way and be professional. I love the energy and competitive spirit on display.”
S Chuck Clark
"It's football. It's the nature of the game. It's a rough game. You put a bunch of A-type personalities in a space and go be competitive, go be physical, stuff is going to happen."