LATROBE (93.7 The Fan) – If not the most physical practice, it was right there and probably no coincidence it was middle linebacker Elandon Roberts’ first padded work since returning. A look at highlights Up Camp with the Steelers.
Roberts impact
The veteran Roberts popped a couple of players during drills, one was receiver Levi Wentz and another on fellow veteran Travis Homer. They weren’t cheap, but maybe at a speed a little faster than the rest were playing.
“E-Rob, he’s going to by physical whether it’s on this field probably playing with his kids he is physical,” said Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Fight
It was to be the final play of 11-on-11 red zone drills when receiver Max Hurleman caught a pass near the left sidelines and was popped by rookie Robert Spears-Jennings. Recently signed tight end Lance Mason came over and yelled at Spears-Jennings and then Hurleman seemed to get more upset than he initially was.
It was an offense against defense period with a scoring system and the competitiveness was escalating. A number of players got into the scrum that spilled onto the sidelines. Safety Jaquan Brisker, who didn’t practice, said he stirred up his teammates to be involved in it. When asked what he said ‘I can’t disclose that information’.
Offensive line work
Head coach Mike McCarthy said before practice they would experiment with different line combinations, and they did. Brock Hoffman got some first team guard work, on both sides, and Dylan Cook worked some at left tackle with Broderick Jones at right.
When they would start first-team work, the first team offensive line remained the same with Troy Fautanu-Mason McCormick-Zach Frazier-Spencer Anderson-Dylan Cook. First-round pick Max Iheanachor did not practice.
List of missing
The list grows of those not practicing—WR DK Metcalf, WR Michael Pittman, Iheanachor, WR Brandon Smith, S Jaquan Brisker, DB Brandon Echols, DL Sebastian Joseph-Day, DB Israel Mukuamu and the three PUP players-Joey Porter, Junior, Jalen Ramsey and Donte Kent.
Fumbles
We have seen very few balls on the ground during camp, but running back Lew Nichols fumbled during an 11-on-11 drill (forced by Esezi Otomewo) and running back Jaylen Warren (forced by TJ Watt) during red zone drills, each had one. Mason Rudolph had a fumbled snap during an under-center exchange with Zach Frazier.
Best moment
First play of the Franco Moment, Aaron Rodgers hit Roman Wilson in stride down the right sideline for a big gainer, likely touchdown. Rodgers waited for Wilson to congratulate him and both had big smiles. Considering some of the tension at times for miscommunication, it was a cool moment between them. Rodgers would find Wilson a few others times including on a skinny post.
Best catch
It probably was by Germie Bernard in the end zone diving and catching a Rodgers pass a little too far for him. But, shoutout to Elandon Roberts, who, while running up the left sideline caught a pass in an individual drill with his extended right arm and pulled it in with no issue.
Notes
- Free agent corner Doneiko Slaughter had a couple of pass breakups and was then talking a big game after each play
- Along with the forced fumble, Watt had a batted pass at the line and had a tackle for loss on a different run play.
- It was Rodgers, then Mason Rudolph and Will Howard and Drew Allar alternated with the third team during several drills
- Rico Dowdle had a couple of nice runs, several on cut-backs
- Steelers had a two-back diamond formation for a play, with Dowdle at tailback rookie Riley Nowakowski and tight end Darnell Washington lined up as dual fullbacks.
Heidenreich adds to what he can do
The rookie from the Naval Academy won the team Home Run Derby on Saturday. Eli Heidenreich said he hit four home runs out, but there was a point system and he got several others close to the fence and said he won going away.
Heidenreich noted he had not swung a bat since high school when he played for Mt. Lebanon.
“I don’t know if I ever poked one out in a game, I was more of like a contact-type hitter, led off,” Heidenreich said. “It was more for fun, I was a football-first guy.”
Gator visit
A couple of weekends ago, Jaquan Brisker had over 100 family members at camp, Sunday it was the Gateway HS football team. He talked to the players from his alma mater after practice.
“Coming from that school and for them to see a figure like me, I never got to see that,” Brisker said. “I was just telling them to go win, to treat practice like the game, just like how I do, bring energy, bring passion. We are blessed to be out here, don’t take it for granted.”
Finale
Monday at 11a is the final public practice of the season at St. Vincent College.
Breaking down the physical practice at St. Vincent College
Breaking down the physical practice at St. Vincent College
