LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Mike Tomlin called it bittersweet as Steelers Training Camp in Latrobe ended with an unpadded practice and a little over two hours of work at Chuck Noll Field. What Tomlin said about Russell Wilson and Zach Frazier, plus highlights from the final public practice Wednesday.
Wilson progression
Tomlin said quarterback Russell Wilson had a really good day getting all of the first-team reps. He said the arrow has pointed up the whole time for him. Tomlin said the time up here provided a ‘get-to-know’ process between the two.
“We’ve known each other from a distance,” Tomlin said. “Obviously, we’re both Virginia guys. But you don’t really know people until you get the opportunity to work with them day-to-day, and we’ve established a foundation in that regard. But it’s just the beginning to be quite honest with you. The journey that is the season is going to provide opportunities for us to do that.”
Wilson said he’s waiting to hear from the coaches if he will play Saturday against the Bulls.
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Frazier starting?
Nate Herbig worked most of the first team center reps, although Russell Wilson worked some second-team to get snaps with Zach Frazier.
“Zach has been constantly improving, as have those young guys,” Tomlin said. “I can’t say enough about that rookie class and the offensive line. I think there’s strength and community, they work hard, they study together. I just like what I’ve seen from them. But, we’ve invested a lot in them, and so we’ve got some expectations, so it’s not like we’re surprised.”
Asked if Frazier will get the start at center, Tomlin said they haven’t made that decision yet.
One-on-one drills
Steelers did one of Tomlin’s favorite drills on the last day, a receiver, running back or tight end catches a quick pass in the flat about 15-yards from a defender and then they go one-on-one for a tackle or to elude a tackle. Among the highlights
· After Nick Herbig stopped Jaylen Warren, Warren put a spin move on Herbig in the rematch that had the team fired up
· A good open-field tackle by Payton Wilson on Scotty Miller earned Wilson a high-five from Tomlin
· Calvin Austin put a drop-step on Thomas Graham that allowed him to get by easily
· QB Kyle Allen got by a defender and then ran to the end zone and kind of half tried to dunk the ball over the goal posts and came up a little short.
· George Pickens decided to try and be a tackler. Connor Heyward got around him with little issue and it got a good laugh from the defense
Joint practice
It’s been nearly a decade since the Steelers engaged in a joint practice. That will happen Thursday at Acrisure Stadium and be closed to the public. He said they will get some key work with an opponent when it comes to the new kickoff rules. He said it will be ‘game-like intensity with some unfamiliar faces’ and that he expects all healthy enough to participate.
“I just expect it to be good work,” Tomlin said. “I was on the phone last night with ‘McDee’ [Sean McDermott]. He and I go way back. He’s a great dance partner from that perspective. I know his values. Excited about good, clean work in preparation for our season.”
Notes
An unpadded practice usually favors the offense and it did on Wednesday
· Dan Moore, Junior worked almost every rep at left tackle with Broderick Jones on the right
· Russell Wilson threw a nice 45-yard out to George Pickens during 7-on-7 drills
· Wilson also threw a nice ball to Darnell Washington on an out at the 17-yard line and Wilson praised Washington for his work during camp
· Wilson had fade route TD to Quez Watkins over Ryan Watts, which with Watts at 6’3” required a nice touch
· Justin Fields hit Pickens high in the back of the end zone with a catch over Beanie Bishop
· DeShon Elliott and Keeanu Benton returned to practice after missing due to injury
· Several did not practice including Alex Highsmith, DeMarvin Leal, TJ Watt, Isaac Seumalo, Donte Jackson, Troy Fautanu, Elandon Roberts, Patrick Queen
· A couple of new injuries-nickel Grayland Arnold had just returned recently to full work and left with a calf injury. TB Jonathan Ward with a hamstring
7 Shots (unpadded)
· Russell Wilson back cross TD to George Pickens (Nate Herbig was the center)
· Wilson TD to Pat Freiermuth in the center of the end zone
· Wilson fade incomplete to Van Jefferson (Cory Trice coverage)
· Wilson fade right TD to Scotty Miller (Wilson pumping fist after score)
· Justin Fields rolled right with a TD in the flat to RB Jonathan Ward (Zach Frazier was the center)
· Fields scramble left for a touchdown
· Fields scramble threw too high for Quez Watkins
Latrobe Love
“Our last day here in Latrobe,” Tomlin said. “This is always just a great place for us. We’re just really so appreciative of the relationships that we have up here, the long-standing relationships. Can’t’ say enough about the people up here that have
made this a great stay for us. The people that take care of us in our dorms, security, cafeteria services, everyone. They just really do a good job. They bend over backwards [for us], and we are very appreciative.”