LATROBE, Pa. – The Steelers finally got their chance to practice in full pads at Saint Vincent College after a weather delay. Coach Mike Tomlin seemed satisfied with the dry conditions on Wednesday, a welcome change after Tuesday’s downpour.
“Today was a solid day of practice,” Tomlin said. “We had good competition and tackled well. We’ll review the tape and keep improving.”
Despite the pleasant weather, the heat index in Latrobe hit 101 degrees.
### Competitive Drills
During practice, the “7-Shots” drill featured many running plays. On the first attempt, with a three-tight-end setup, quarterback Aaron Rodgers handed the ball to running back Jaylen Warren, who scored a touchdown on a powerful run up the middle.
The next play saw a slant pass from Rodgers to DeShon Elliott, who blocked it successfully. But Rodgers bounced back, showcasing some agility to find tight end Jonnu Smith for another touchdown.
Mason Rudolph then joined in, connecting with wide receiver Brandon Johnson for yet another score. The offense took the lead 3-1, and later, Rodgers threw a perfect pass to DK Metcalf in the end zone, sealing a 4-3 win.
### Physical Action
One of the standout drills was “Backs-On-Backers,” a fan favorite that sets the tone of practice. In this drill, the defenders get a head start while the blockers can’t cut. Tomlin matched veteran players against each other, leading to entertaining competition.
Darnell Washington, a tight end, impressed everyone, even when facing linebacker T.J. Watt. Tomlin noted, “Players with physicality are valuable. They should show it regularly.”
### Live Tackling
The Steelers are unique for incorporating live tackling in almost every padded practice. Wednesday’s session showed the offense struggling with timing. Defensive standout Joey Porter Jr. tackled Warren for a loss early on, and players like Mark Robinson consistently made their presence felt, disrupting plays.
Tomlin commented on Porter’s performance, emphasizing the need for consistency: “One good day doesn’t define a player. It’s about building on it.”
### Key Takeaways
– Rookie RB Kalen Johnson had a rough start in the backs-on-backers drill, struggling with the physicality of ILB Malik Harrison.
– A low snap from Zach Frazier disrupted one play during an 11-on-11 session.
– Metcalf made an impressive catch against Joey Porter Jr. during one-on-one drills.
– Left tackle Broderick Jones participated in individual drills but sat out team drills. Tomlin mentioned he is close to being fully active.
– Tomlin provided an injury update, mentioning that defensive end Esezi Otomewo was evaluated for a knee issue, while most players faced minor bumps or heat-related problems.
As the Steelers continue their training, all eyes will be on how they manage the heat and improve their game plan ahead of the season.
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