LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – As the Steelers closed a 57th training camp in Latrobe there was a lot to take from the three weeks. Here is a look at some of the offensive takeaways, plus how there wasn't an issue with contracts.
New QBs
Always the eyes go the quarterbacks, practice, game, out in public. Early on fans didn't get to see much of Russell Wilson, but so much has been talked about during Justin Fields' four-year career.
When he came in person and you saw a quarterback nearly the size of TJ Watt, that opened eyes. He was able to show off his athleticism, even when most of the times the play was dead once the quarterback crossed the line of scrimmage. There was some inconsistency, especially in the first couple of days. Fields said he found an issue in his delivery watching tape of those first few practices and continues to get that back along with working on his footwork and balance.
Over the last week the highest percentage of splash play throws were made by Fields.
George steps
There was the dust up with new receivers coach Zach Azzanni early in the practices, but a smooth camp otherwise for George Pickens. Azzanni said he was brought in to make his players better and brings an intensity to the position. After the first push-back, Pickens said publicly he's good with being coached hard and there were no issues, at least visibly or in public, between the two. Pickens continues to make highlight plays in practice, but along with those, he's finishing plays. They are also running him more in the slot to potentially take advantage of mismatches with linebackers and safeties, while also making it hard for a defense to double-team him.
It's not to say there won't be future run-ins or times where he's frustrated not getting the ball, but a productive, mature camp.
New coach, new drills
A new strength staff meant different warmups and stretches, at times the players warmed up with their position groups or offense and defense instead of the entire team stretching together. We also a change in the crispness to the offensive reps. From the intensity of an Azzanni, to the attention to detail from new QB coach Tom Arth and his footwork drills, it's different with Arthur Smith. He didn't tolerate mistakes. Accountability was at a different level, not just on the field where for a part of camp linemen were running laps for mental errors, but players said it was like that in film study.
How it translates in points in games is the where it will matter, but it's at least a change in practice.
Scuffle
Haven't seen a good camp fight in a little bit. It's not that you want to see it, but if anything, it showed the team has Fields back. After he was knocked into by linebacker Elandon Roberts, linemen raced over to physically protest the hit on their quarterback. Younger players like Mason McCormick and Ryan McCollum not only supported their teammate, but there has been a growing bond between Fields and this team. You saw it in offseason work and it's grown at camp.
TE love
If you didn't believe Arthur Smith's offense would feature the tight ends by his previous schemes in Atlanta and Tennessee, you saw it first hand in camp. He ran plays where they had three tight ends lined up together. Over the span of time in Latrobe, the tight ends ran seam routes, out routes, deep crossing routes, screens. Pat Freiermuth had his first 100-yard game last season, it could be the start of something special although it might be spread around as second-year tight end Darnell Washington is moving as fluidly as he has as a Steeler and Connor Heyward comes up with a big catch nearly every day.
Contracts
It's unfair to say Cam Heyward held out of voluntary work, but the Steelers captain who typically attends all workouts waited until halfway through OTAs before reporting. He has been on the record that he wants a new contract and at 35 is different from other players of that age. Heyward showed up to training camp on-time, in-shape and has been going through every drill. It's also a contract year for Freiermuth and James Daniels, but they just continue to work with no money drama, at least publicly.
Warren intensity
First day of pads, the Steelers jumped right in to the physical backs on backers drill (essentially a pass protection drill for running backs and tight ends). Again the star of the drills is not a defensive player, but running back Jaylen Warren. He welcomes the physicality. Will take on all comers and usually wins. Mike Tomlin will call for players to challenge Warren to which the undrafted running back appreciates the level of respect he's earned.
"It's you versus another man," Warren said. "If you lose, it's on you. You can't blame anyone else. I love the physical part of it. I love everything about it."
Warren helps set a physical tone which the Steelers say is an emphasis this year on offense.
Still a destination
It hasn't gotten old for fans to come to Steelers training camp. A record for Friday Night Lights at Latrobe High School and the stands at Chuck Noll Field at St. Vincent College were full most days. Some practices were glorified walk-throughs without pads, yet the fans brought an energy. It still matters to Steeler Nation to be able to watch a practice and it remains a unique connection between the team and its fanbase.
