Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp: Mike Tomlin brings drills, thrills and camp spills

Drills

Players are situated on the field according to positions for both individual and group development. Quarterbacks with the quarterbacks, running backs with the running backs, receivers with the receivers, well, you get the idea, and of course the coaches for each position included. The defense is on the other end of the field pretty much setup in the same manner. This portion of the practice seems like the NFL Combine because not much “contact” takes place even if they are in pads.

Technique is a big part of the drills as a refresher for the veterans and a new experience for rookies as well as those that are learning the “Steeler Way.” One thing that I can say for sure, is that we have very good position coaches that have a sure way of teaching and getting their points across.

Now comes our crews favorite part of training camp -contact. Nothing like seeing who was made for this game or who was played by this game. The back on backers drills were off the chain as the running backs were clashing with the linebackers and it did not disappoint not one bit. A lot of the lesser known linebackers like Matt Galambos and Matthew Thomas proved to be up to the challenges of Jaylen Samuels and Steven Ridley.

The idea here is for the running back to at least get pass the line of scrimmage by power or football moves (or as we say, “shake moves”) or by both. The offensive line and tight ends were heavily engaged with the defensive line and outside linebackers that produce some crunching and embarrassing moments.

Tyson Alualu is a beast, and I liked Pat Collins at the center position. Except, when he went up against Big Dan McCullers, of whom he had a AlI-Frazier moment with and hard blows were thrown. Don’t invite those two to any of the next events, it will not end well.

Bud Dupree, I think the light came on because he dominated, and I mean dominated all of the tight ends with his rush techniques that embarrassed some people. Too bad he went into concussion protocol because the change of sides on defense has given him new life.

Then you had defensive backs on receivers, which was competitive except for Antonio Brown doing the Antonio Brown thing, putting people in the wash, rinse and spin cycle. But Young Boy astronaut James Washington was taking DB’s to the stratosphere, high pointing balls that left DB’s flat on earth. PT had to get in his three cents worth in saying he told me J.W. was cash money like J.G. Wentworth. However, it was the group drills, the 7 on 7, the 11 on 11, two minute drill and the goal line drills that produced the most excitement.

The defense no longer looks like smoke and mirrors but a defense with real substance with some nasty boys tuning people up. The defense has won all of the matchups against the offense in these drills so far, even though the offense did have some shining moments. James Connor’s running and Young Boy Astronaut doing his thing.

The “click clacks” echoed all throughout the stadium and dudes were dropping like flies from getting “tuned up” or from the sweltering heat that had you thinking twice about why you came. Coach Tomlin was commended by several folk about bringing tackling emphasis to this camp, but at what cost because if everybody is getting hurt you will need more players to suit up. Maybe Big Q, BDos and Boozmoney from my crew can put some clothes on. Don’t laugh, they’re all ex-ballers that can still hold it down on a good day.