LATROBE (93.7 The Fan) – While the fans were not allowed on campus due to the weather and conditions on the grounds because of the rain, it doesn’t mean there wasn’t energy at St. Vincent College Friday afternoon.
The Steelers got the entire practice in as it really only rained as it ended and then for a short time. There was a lot of talking between both sides to fill the void left by the empty stands.
There was also the introduction of a new period to practice called a ‘red zone smackdown’. What it is--they put the ball on the 25-yard-line and its offense against defense. The first team to 21 points wins. The offense won Friday, ‘of course’ according to receiver Michael Pittman.
“You heard it,” said defensive captain Cam Heyward. “It’s real similar to Mike Tomlin, he had the ‘Family Day Short yardage’. It’s an alpha mentality. We are just trying to win blades of grass making it very competitive.”
There is a lot of talking between both sides and it gets the groups going.
“I had to give (assistant head coach) Joe Whitt a little bit of hell,” Heyward said. “As a defense, we tend to jaw a little bit. He was trying to temper it and I was like ‘you got to accept it’.”
“I’m not one of those guys, but I like it though,” said receiver Roman Wilson. “It’s great, great energy. It’s entertaining and it makes practice enjoyable.”
“I think every defense talks trash and we don’t have two of our biggest trash-talkers practicing right now in Jalen and Joey Porter,” Pittman said. “If they think there is a lot of trash-talking now, wait until those two get back because I think it will get worse.”
Defensive look
McCarthy said he’s thrilled with new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. He really likes the disguise and mannerism, which are part of the six fundamentals of Steelers football.
“Patrick is doing a phenomenal job,” McCarthy said. “I think he's an incredible football coach. It’s great to see him take this system and put the way we want to play with these guys. I think our players give us a lot of flexibility, our ability to get in and out of different personnel groups, try to hide the pass rushers, not hide them, just change their positions just for the identification of the offense,
particularly in pass protection.”
“So, I think it's been a good start.”
The words were flying as the team ramps up to under a week before preseason
The words were flying as the team ramps up to under a week before preseason
