For the first time in nearly two years, fans were able to take in a Steelers Training Camp practice, albeit not at Saint Vincent College but at Heinz Field.
As you can see, it was a little bit different – especially for the relatively few fans in attendance - but not all that much for the players since they had camp at Heinz Field a year ago.
The biggest bonus for the fans – and one that I had honestly not thought about – is you can watch replays just like a game. That’s especially good when drills are conducted coincidentally. If you’re focusing on, say, backs on backers and you hear hooting and hollering from fans watching a long pass completion from another part of the field there is a chance you can catch it on the scoreboard.
All in all, it was a typical first day of at least something resembling “real” football as the players strapped on the pads – “some good, some bad” in the words of Mike Tomlin who did single out a few players with praise, including two rookies.
Tomlin lauded Kendrick Green for his improved conditioning over the month between mini-camp and this camp and seems to be impressed with his presence at center. Green is one of only two expected starters along the O-line to be working the first week. (The other is veteran free agent guard Trai Turner.)
The other rookie Tomlin singled out was – surprise, surprise – Najee Harris. The first round pick had some nice battles with Marcus Allen during backs-on-backers and held his own for the most part against Allen who was the star of that drill. Harris also battled Robert Spillane to a draw which is impressive since the backs are limited in how they can block.
Another player worthy of a Coach T shoutout was second-year man Alex Highsmith who also stood out in backs-on-backers (at the expense of Pat Freiermuth). Tomlin’s praise was for Highsmith’s work during the live 11-on-11 run drill when Highsmith often found himself in the backfield but the coach pointed out that his success came versus rookie tackle Dan Moore (and also, for that matter, the tight ends).
As for the 7 Shots Goal Line Drill at the start of practice, the offense had the advantage. After Cam Sutton stripped Chase Claypool of what had appeared to be a touchdown, Ben Roethlisberger split Harris out wide for an easy TD against Devin Bush then Benny Snell scored on a handoff up the middle. Mason Rudolph hooked up with rookie Isaiah McCoy and an uncovered Kalen Ballage for touchdowns, Dwayne Haskins scored on a QB draw then threw a disputed TD pass to Tyler Simmons.
Injury Report: Tomlin said Eric Ebron left practice with elbow discomfort and tackle Anthony Coyle suffered a stinger – “hopefully they won’t miss much time.” Bush got a little live work while the coach indicated that veterans such as Zack banner, Chuks Okorafor, Stephon Tuitt and others will be brought along slowly which also serves to give Tomlin and his staff longer looks at younger players they don’t know as much about.
Next up: Thursday’s practice is against scheduled for 1:30 while Friday’s will be from 5:-7:00.