July 27, 2024 • 45 mins
Labs and Tom talk about Day 2's practice, hear from Coach Tomlin and Russel Wilson, and preview the Hall of Honor festivities later today.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
He's the Training camp Report with Tom Opferman and Bob
Labriola on Steeler's Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
We're in day three of Steeler's training camp. The acclamation
period is in full swing. But Labs, really the only
thing that people can focus on is the calf of
Russell Wilson. When we were going off the air yesterday
for the training camp report, you noted you were seeing
them on the practice field. He was wearing a hat
while the other quarterbacks were in shells, so looked like
he wasn't going to practice.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
You were right. He did not practice again yesterday.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Everything from Tomlin to Russ Wilson to anybody you'd ask,
it's still just precautionary. But this is now day two
without your new starting quarterback practicing with his new team.
Speaker 4 (00:48):
Yeah, And in a subsequent interview with the media, Russell
Wilson explained that that injury quote unquote, what happened, calf strain,
whatever you want to turn it happened during the run
test when he was pushing a sled. So you know,
(01:13):
I don't know, I'm not gonna I'm not going to
get into you know, any of that.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
But skip right past that part.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
But someone did say, you know, one of the one
of the smart alex in the media corps, not that
there are any mentioned watching Ben Roethlisberger do that? Could
you imagine that?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Oh No, I could not, although I do.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
I do see this video re.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Emerge every training camp and it's hilarious with Ben. This
isn't pushing a sled. But do you remember the video
where he was back in the pocket and they were
just throwing blocking dummies at him and he was just
batting him out of the air like he was King
Kong hitting airplanes out of the sky.
Speaker 4 (01:56):
Yes, yes, I remember that. There was also I think
it was it was a backs on backers and Ben
jumped in. I mean, this was not the land thing.
Ben jumped in to take the snaps, you know, and
and and uh to have rushers going at him, and
(02:18):
he was just working on you know, moving about in
the pocket, you know, avoiding people. I thought Kevin Colbert
was going to lose his mind, right, Yeah. I mean
it's nice that you know, you want to work on
that stuff, and I get it that it's part of
(02:39):
your game. But do we really need some rookie free
agent who falls to the ground rolling on your knee
you know, because you know, he's trying to make a
decent showing for the you know, for the video, and
Mike Tomlin is always there watching that. But yeah, it
was it was humor. Nothing bad happened, so we can
(03:03):
look back on that.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Yeah, well, something slightly bad happened with Russ, but again
it doesn't seem to be too serious and no one
is very worried about it. And the good news on
the injury front two labs is Russ has been the
only thing that has been plaguing the Steelers. Now, you know,
they were the guys like Cole Holcombe and Dean Lowry
and Cordero Patterson that were the first two on the
pup list and then Cordello Patterson on the non football
(03:25):
related injury list. But you know, it's now two days
into camp and I'm knocking onwood really hard and it's
a futile effort because injuries are just going to happen
in this sport eventually.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
But so far, so good on that front.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Everybody is going to be able to participate again in
Day three, aside from Russ of course, maybe.
Speaker 4 (03:42):
Well yeah, we'll have to see, yeah right, yeah, you know, hopefully,
you know, that continues, and I certainly hope that you
know you didn't jinx it by just bringing it up.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
And I'm knocking on still. I'm still doing it right now.
My knuckles are bleeding.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
I'll certainly give your name an address, Mike Tomlin if
a string of bad luck happens to befall the team
now because of what you just said. So you know,
pay attention to what's happening a practice. And if you
hear an angry knock on your door.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Don't answer. I don't want to get my buppy.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
That might be the way to go.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
One thing you did note.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
In your training camp wrap up yesterday, Labs, was you
did notice, even though it is the acclamation period, it's
starting to look a little less like mini camp and
it's starting to become more like training camp. I assume
that means like intensity started to get ratcheted up some
and you know, maybe some more football centric drills were
(04:44):
put into place, and it can't obviously look completely like
football until Tuesday when the pads come on. But just
talk about what you mean by starting to notice they're
kind of transitioning towards more of a training camp setting.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
Well, I mean the first and most obvious thing was
seven shots. That was that was back and you know,
we we we saw this, uh last summer a good
bit whenever, you know, seven shots, if it was three
to three after the first six snaps, Mike Toman would
(05:18):
put the number ones back out on the field offense
and defense. And you know, because he would say he
didn't want the drill to be decided by you know,
number threes. And because once again, you know, we're back
to this now too. The menu at dinner is at stake.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
And forget all about that, Yeah, lobster, sk cheeseburgers.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Well, you know what, it was funny once when Mike
Toman first started that, I asked him about it, you know,
and he said, well, you know it's let's not make
it sound like we're making going to eat franks and
beans out of the cant seven shots. But he did say,
you know, they used to do that at some colleges,
(06:12):
you know, was the the difference in what was on
the menu was more significant than it is actually here.
You know, it may be steak and lobster for the winners,
you know, but the losers, you know, it's there's still
I don't know chicken fish, you know, prepared in a
(06:35):
way that you know it's healthy, you know, protein packed
and all the all the nutrients you're looking for from
a dinner. But it's you know, there are certain things
on the menu that you just associate with, you know,
being a perk.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
So that's the difference at this training camp. But it's
more about I think the bragging rights because there's two
separate lines. So all you know, the players have to
the winning players. And it's not just the players on
the field, it's the whole unit. So if offense wins,
(07:15):
the whole offense and all the offensive coaches get to
go through the cafeteria the winner line.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
John rees Plumbley gets to eat the steak even if
he didn't grow single pass right right.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
And then if the defense loses, I'm just hypothetically here,
all the defense players and the defensive coaches go through
the quote unquote losers line, and it's you know, everybody
can see it, you know, and I'm sure there's a
lot of wolfing around that's going on. But there there
are two exceptions. Mike Thoman said that he and Danny
(07:50):
Smith always eat with the winners because naturally the head coach,
and why would he declare himself loser? Right? And the
special teams coordinator had nothing to do with it.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Well, I'll even throw I'll even throw this out there
for Danny Smith. You know, special teams, that's a mashup
of defensive and offensive players.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
So he's got winners on both sides.
Speaker 4 (08:16):
Right. So, but I I think it's you know, there
there's some I don't. I don't know that guys are
giving extra on the practice field for dinner. But I
do think that it's with professional athletes. They're all competitors.
It's more like the bragging rights or just to say
(08:37):
you know, I won, because I'll bet you there are
video games going on or they're playing cards or whatever
that they just want to say they won. There might
be nothing at stake other than the bragging rights. And
you know a lot of times the professional athletes that's
that's all that's necessary. So so that's that's another thing
(08:59):
I think that indicates that it's getting more like training
camps than a mini camp.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Now, one thing that a lot of the fans are
going to be interested in when it comes to this
seven shots drill was something that you noted uh with
the configuration of the offensive line while Justin Fields, who
was QB one yesterday, was out on the field.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
It started just like we saw in Day.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Two yesterday with Dan Moore at left tackle and Roger
Jones at right tackle, but with Fields in, they moved
Jones to the left and they put their rookie Troy
Fatano at the right side of the line. So that
new look with the second year left tackle and the
rookie right tackle that everybody has kind of been pounding
the table for. You got a glimpse of that in
a seven shots setting with the first team quarterback.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
Yeah, and again, I don't know if it means anything.
You know, it's just training camp or and you know,
we'll see if it happens more often and if they
implement it more or you know, was it just something
they threw out there is kind of a I don't
know see how everyone would adjust to it, because you know,
(10:06):
that's another thing Mike Tomlin and the other coaches they
like to create artificially, create adversity. You know, maybe there's
something with this Russell Wilson calf that is related to
that as well. So you know, again we'll have to see,
you know, he's creating adversity both for Justin Fields a
(10:30):
little bit by a late, late late telling him that
he's going to be running with the ones on day two. Yeah,
and then you're creating some adversity for Russell Wilson because
he has to watch when he wants to practice and
(10:51):
believes he can, you know. And then there's the other
guys on the unit. You know, how do they adjust
to all of a sudden you think you're if you're
a starter or working with the ones on offense or
in the you know, first group. However that's designated all
of a sudden, Okay, that's that guy's not there now,
(11:12):
because that could happen during a game. The quarterback gets hurt,
the backup goes in. You know, you can't not say, well,
you know, I'm not we didn't practice with this guy
this week. You know. So yeah, there's some of that too,
because as Mike Tomlin said, you know, that's that's life,
that's how that works. So, you know, creating some adversity
(11:36):
and seeing how guys react to it, and this is
a good time to do it. You know, we're still
in July. It's it's training camp and everything. But it's
still July, which means it's still very early. Well.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Coach Tomlin, as he always does, caught up with the
media following yesterday's practice.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Let's take a listen to what coach had to say.
Speaker 5 (11:54):
Man, a real awesome day out here in terms of
teaching and learning. And I think that's the component that
this stage of the journey, there's so much area for
improvement that you just see significant coaching points and lesson
opportunities with each staff of the ball, and so really
excited about the work we've done today, more excited about
(12:14):
the meetings that we have into this evening and analysis
of it, and then we repeat process and come back
out here tomorrow. And really, at this stage that cycle
is what's so important in terms of getting better and
covering some things so we can get on the more
complex issues and problems. The preseason gets on us quick
in today's NFL, and so Man, days like today are
(12:36):
significant learning what's going to happen to night and analysis
of it is significant as well. No real news new
news on the injury front. We held Russ out again today,
but there's no new news to add in terms of
his health. It can still be characterized as day to day,
Like I talked to the team about very rarely, particularly
(12:56):
this stage of the journey, do I worry about who's
not working more as an opportunity for those that are working,
those that get elevated opportunities because of it, and how
units respond to the absence of people, because that's reflective
of the season. Man, We're gonna lose guys from time
to time, and we still got a function. I was
really excited about Kyle Allen today, Man getting elevated work
(13:18):
as a consequence of Russ's injury, and so really nice
opportunity for him today. I thought he did some nice things.
For example, in that regard, I'll pause and open it
up for questions regarding Russ.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
Is this more of your coaching decision or does he
want to get out here in practice?
Speaker 3 (13:34):
Or are there any setbacks or anything?
Speaker 5 (13:35):
No setbacks. I just you know, he's got a minor
thing that I don't want to become a major thing,
and so I'd rather deal with short term misery.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
Like as far as Kyle goes, I mean, you're bringing
a third quarterback with a lot of starting experience in
the past with other teams.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Are you starting to see more of that out of
him throughout this progress.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
It's so early, it really is. I'd be reaching there
to talk about progress in the course of two days.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
What kind of.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
Benefit is it for Justin to work with the ones
to kind of build through that rapport with some of
these receivers.
Speaker 5 (14:06):
It is so obvious, it's it's a great opportunity for him.
Speaker 7 (14:10):
Is that a kind of appealing to the competitive fire
to have the first team come back out for the
tiebreaking seven trucks?
Speaker 5 (14:15):
You know, we don't want the third group to determine
the winner of a drill, you know what I mean?
You know, I think it's appropriate, don't you to get
get the first group back out there? If we're talking
about winning and losing and who's eating good tonight at dinner.
That's why we'll always send the first groups back out
to determine tight contests.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
What is it that you like about Zach Design and
he's approach to coaching the wide receivers. It seems like a.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Really fired guy.
Speaker 5 (14:38):
He's detailed, he's professional, He's been around the block and back.
I've known Zack and known of Zach for a long time.
It looks like Calvin and JUNI were going to have
for each other after days one one in Southwark. You
think it's just the nature to match up. Both guys
are guys that play in the slide and situational ball,
just like you'll see a lot of d Elliott versus
(14:59):
fire move. I think that's what's interesting about this environment.
You know, you work ones on ones, twos on twos,
and you see consistency in terms of matchups, and so
guys are gonna be challenged. They have to win their matchup.
If they win their matchup enough, they get elevated into
the next group and get a new challenge. That's what
training camp is about, certainly. And so you're gonna identify
matchups like Calvin and Beanie or or Mouth and d
(15:23):
Elliott or you know whoever. That's just a component of
this thing, Zach, Frazier and Benton. It's a lot of
that going on, and it's good. That's how we all
get better. But not what it is early though, that
betis playing such a prominent snapping teams. I wouldn't overanalyze that. Guys,
be careful there.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Should we overanalyze the white shirt two days.
Speaker 5 (15:45):
In a row you probably will anyway, So I'm not
gonna stop you.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
All right, all right, thanks guys, Labs.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
We were rolling there and they had to go with
the white shirt question again. I mean we almost had
them for another like three minutes. I think, well, maybe
we'll do better today. But the one thing that I
did want to bring up at the end there was
with Beanie Bishop, because everybody tries to, you know, nail
on their campfeine and that was a big thing that
Tunch used to do. Wolf still does it with Starks
and in the locker room. Still, you know, nail on
(16:13):
that campfeene on early and then brag about it when
you're right at the end. I see a lot of
people doing that with Beanie Bishop already he's being thrown
into first team reps already, Labs.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
But Tomlin, I.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Think, very strategically through some cold water on all that
fire right there.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
Yeah. I mean I'm sure that because earlier in his remarks,
Mike Tomlin reference to how and with a lot of
these matchups, you're kind of testing the waters with the
guy or you know, both guys in one offense, one
(16:51):
defense to see how they respond, and then you know,
if they respond well, you know, maybe they earn more
time with the whatever group they're in, or maybe you know,
if they're not in the first group when this is
going on, they can move up a group, you know,
if you're because Mike Tomlan refers to what is JV.
You know, the guy's third on the depth charter lower. Okay,
(17:12):
if you do good in the JV workouts, then you
get moved up to the varsity and they see how
you do there, and so that's how the normal progression.
And then it goes the other way too, you know,
if you get you know, and I hate to use
his name because but you know, we're talking about Beingie Bishop.
(17:33):
Let's let's pretend that in his first team reps he
doesn't do well well, then you move him back so
and if he does do well, you keep him there
and maybe give him more. So this is the kind
of thing I mean, they're just kind of testing the water,
so to speak. And then after the practice on the field,
(17:56):
and that's one of the things that they Mike Tomlan
believes is good about these earlier practices on weekdays is
that they are then able to view that the video
of practice with the team or as individual groups, you know,
and maybe it's done both ways. I don't really know
the meeting schedule, but you're doing it the same day.
(18:17):
You have that time because last year or in previous years,
when practice was at what was it close to four three,
two fifty five. Okay, so you're on the field for
two hours, that's five o'clock. Then there's you know, you're
cool down or whatever. Then you eat dinner. Now you're
(18:39):
only allowed the Collective Bargaining Agreement only allows you to
have these players at work quote unquote for eleven hours
a day. So if your first meeting is at eight, say,
which is pretty earlier, maybe it's seven, seven thirty whatever,
it might be, well you can't you can't be still
(19:00):
watching video. But nine o'clock you have to turn them loose.
So he said that they would.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Often the NFL takes that seriously too, like if you
get caught, it's draft picks, it's heavy fines, it's big deal.
Speaker 4 (19:14):
Yeah yeah, and you know, and I don't know that
it would ever get to this point, but you know,
the NFL can make it difficult for you to have
a destination cam too.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
If you keep doing stuff like that.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
Right, yeah, right, So so this this way, now it's
fresher in their minds. You just did it on the field.
We're looking at it now, we make the corrections, and
then maybe the next day on the field we can
work on you know what we just talked about, because
that is also a good teaching technique, is you know,
(19:47):
that's why they have walkthroughs, you know that have a
walkthrough and then a practice you know after that, because
you show them some things or introduce some things during
walkthrough and then not long after, you go on the
field and then you know, rep it physically. So this
is kind of that, only different. You do it on
(20:08):
the field and then you correct it in the in
the media rooms, meeting rooms, excuse me, and you know,
then hopefully those things sync in teaching tools. You know,
I don't know what works better. I've never been involved
in any of that, so you know, we'll see how
it works out. But hopefully, you know, again it proves
(20:31):
to be an effective teaching tool.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
We're going to get more into the quarterbacks when we
come back, and Russ Wilson spoke at length with the
media yesterday. I'm sure everybody wants to hear what he
had to say. After missing a second day of practice,
We'll keep an eye on him today. Hopefully he can go.
If not, it'll be three days with Justin Fields at
QB one, so we'll weigh in more with that position. Next,
it's Labs and Tom on the Training Camp Report on
(20:54):
Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
He's the Training Camp Report with Tom Opferman and Bob
Labriola on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
Well, it was day two without Russell Wilson. Justin Field's
running with the ones yesterday. But lads, you noted in
your training camp report you know nothing that Fields did
that was off putting, but the QB two yesterday. Who
will go back to QB three when Russ is eventually healthy.
Kyle Allen had some head turning moments in practice.
Speaker 4 (21:29):
Yeah, and he did. Mike Toman reference those a little bit.
But let me point something out too. I mean, yeah,
I understand that the defense won, you know, seven shots yesterday.
Justin Fields only got the ball in the end zone
the one time, but he also had I don't know,
I would say five or six excellent plays that he
(21:54):
made both throwing the ball in terms of his delivery,
accuracy on time. And then there was a design running play,
a kind of like a read option look thing where
if you were watching that, especially from my vantage point
(22:14):
in the press box where you get a little bit
of a elevated view. The word I would use to
describe that was wow.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
So you know, and that's what you want to see
out of a guy who was a top ten pick before,
right like that.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
You want to have them that's where you go wow.
Speaker 4 (22:30):
So you know, I know, I've seen some of the
reports on yesterday, you know, from the in the various
media outlets, and I just want to caution any fans
who are hearing or reading anything you know that Justin
Field's had a bad day. I would disagree with that.
(22:52):
I think that he is. He is. I don't want
to who was the coach, who we are, who we
thought they were done the screen. You know, Justin Fields
is kind of who we thought he was gonna be,
especially early in this training camp, which is a guy
with significant talent who will do a lot of good things,
(23:16):
but he also has some things he needs to work
on and improve. And you know, I think we saw
that yesterday to label him, you know, labeled the second
day for him as the QB one. And while Russell
Wilson is rehabbing or resting or however you want to
describe that situation, I don't think that's accurate and I
(23:39):
would dispute it, and so anyway, let me let me
just make that point right now.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
You know, I like what you said about you know
that read option play was eye popping for fields.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
That's when the athleticisn't really shown through.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
And speed too, speed.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Decisiveness, and that's such a big part about running successfully
in the NFL, as you don't just necessarily have to
be the fastest guy in the field, but you have to.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
Know how to run and where to run.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
And that to me is why I think I would
like to see or at least like to see them
tinker with a package or two with him that could
get that on the field in a regular season setting.
Not that he would ever compete with Russ to be
the quarterback, but that is just such a weapon, and
you saw it up close and personal for the first
time really yesterday that you can't really just have sitting
(24:27):
on your sidelines for sixty minutes.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
Yeah, you know, I get that too, But let me
just throw this out there too. No pads, no tackling.
I mean, I don't know that I want to expose
because if you do that, if you put justin fields
in a situation where okay, we have a package now
first and ten at near midfield, you put him in,
(24:52):
you don't think the Ravens are going to think he's
going to run, and if he does, you know, what
are you exposing him to? So uh, you know, it's
it's nice to talk about and it's fun to watch,
but I don't know. Maybe I'm just living in my
fears already, and as I've tried to caution everyone else,
(25:14):
I need to caution myself that it's still only July.
But you know, I just hate to see something bad
happen to him, Yes, because the you know, the offensive
coordinator or the Steelers are trying to you know, get
tricky or entertain you know, the fans with quote unquote
(25:35):
a package. So you know, I don't know how that.
Maybe my opinion might change, or maybe it evolves a
different way. I don't know. It worked great for Cordell
Stewart in nineteen ninety five, but you know, I just
don't know if you know that translates into today's football
with this particular team. Again, maybe my opinion will change,
(25:58):
But right now, I'm of the special justin fields package,
especially if it's it comes in the middle of the field.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
Maybe I'm just getting a little greedy there, because you're right,
it is a risk that you're taking when you throw
him out there for injury.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
But i will say this, you know.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
Most likely he will run the ball on those read
options if there were special packages. But if you're the
Baltimore Ravens, I mean, I think can exactly take some
hill back there doing the read option. He can zip
one in if he has to, so don't don't necessarily
all sell out completely on the run. But yeah, I mean,
he is, if not the best, one of the best
backup quarterbacks in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
He could start for some teams right now.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Getting him injured on a play like that to gain
like five yards just might not be worth it.
Speaker 4 (26:42):
Yes, that's my point, So we'll see. I'm just I'm
that's not something I'm ready to wholeheartedly endorse at this stage.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Well, Russ Wilson caught up with the media and everybody
was wanting to hear from him after missing his second
day of practice, so we thought we'd give that to you.
It was a lengthy discussion. So here's Russ Wilson talking
to the media after practice yesterday.
Speaker 7 (27:03):
You know, we we uh, we were doing a sled
push thing and just got a little tweaked a little bit,
so you know, uh, you know, just working hard and
just sometimes things happen. But the good thing, good news
is that I feel good and we'll get there when
the time. And good thing is I'm getting a lot
of the mental reps and throwing throwing stuff on the side,
and then post practice and all that.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
Well, could you go in there's a game. Yeah, I'm
definitely okay.
Speaker 5 (27:25):
Post a little disappointing, You're dave here was so anticipated
out here.
Speaker 4 (27:30):
I'm sure you were flying up to. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (27:32):
You know, I love practice.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
I don't.
Speaker 7 (27:34):
I hate missing practice. I hate not being out there.
That's always been a thing for me. My whole career
is uh is practice. So you know that's why, you know,
being super intentional, still getting all the play, seeing everything,
walking through everything, still uh doing everything I can, even
even after practice, coming out here and getting extra work
and whatever it may be. And so the great news
is that we've got a lot of time with the
(27:54):
guys in the offseason, so I feel really confident with
the guys that we have and the guys that were
throwing to and guys playmaker and everything else. And so
you know, the good thing is it, Uh, it's great
because I get to go through a little diversity, you
get to you get to respond to it, and that's
really the reality. And I think for me, I've always
been able to respond to adversity the right way. The
good news is that once again I feel good and
(28:16):
getting there every day.
Speaker 6 (28:18):
Want to talk about the uniqueness of your workouts and
wait and you kind of share elaborate here in that.
Speaker 7 (28:23):
I won't go to great detail, uh in terms of
what style workouts all the time, but you know, I
definitely get after it, you know, and you know, just
you know, to be able to play as long as
I have, you got to be uh you got to train,
you know, physically, you got to be able to do
all the stuff. And so I've always trained really hard,
as you you know, and so in terms of uh,
those details of the workouts, you know, lots of squats,
lots of single leggs stuff, a lot of you know,
(28:45):
you know, jumping and moving around, keeping them hard rate
up just you know, but uh, but yeah, it's been
it's been a really good off season for me, you know.
Unfortunately they get to go out here the first day,
which is which stinks.
Speaker 6 (28:54):
About Landon Roberts just said, he you're like a sp
You're he wants to sponge offf you. He wants your
longevity and success at your age, at your tenure in
the NFL. How do you kind of pick up things
about the younger guys in your help to show.
Speaker 7 (29:05):
Well, I think you know, first of all, E Rob
and I would you know, I've been to play against
each other, and you know a lot of these guys
have played against over the years, Cam TJ, a lot
of the guys at MICA. So the thing is is
that you know, we were E Rob and I were
talking the other day while we'reett, while we were getting
ready for the day early in the morning and just talking.
He was asking questions about, hey, how do how do
you prepare on a Monday today?
Speaker 3 (29:24):
All these details and and.
Speaker 7 (29:26):
Minka was asking the same thing on the field of today,
you know, just the thought process and how do you
get prepared every day? So to be able to explain
that knowledge and to be able to go through that
and talk about that, you know, and just the details
of how do you take care of your body every
day throughout it all, even when you do have things
and injuries. It's physical games, working hard and stuff happens.
And the reality is is that, you know, the big
question is how fast can you get back?
Speaker 4 (29:47):
Every time?
Speaker 7 (29:47):
You know, And and that's always the mentality you have
to have and I've always had and so I think
the treatment and all that's really important.
Speaker 4 (29:53):
You know.
Speaker 7 (29:54):
Obviously, the weight room is really important, conditioning all that
stuff is really really imperative, and so be able to
share that and so learning from the younger guys too,
it's like, you know, I always ask.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
Them, what are you guys doing to stay so young?
Speaker 6 (30:03):
You know?
Speaker 7 (30:04):
And so it's always good and uh so there's a
lot of questions, you know, always from the younger guys
to me in particular, you know, to figure out like
what's your what's your what's your treatment plan? Every week
every day? And so those are good things and that's
a good part of the part of the leadership and
being of VET and everything else.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
For us. How past can you get back?
Speaker 7 (30:25):
Yeah, I mean I want to get back today, yesterday,
you know. But coach coach and the coaches like listen,
we got got time, and we're still you know, I
got a lot of reps in the office, so we're
not just trying to rush it. We've got you know,
I say, we've got twenty one games, twenty twenty to
twenty one games to play, you know, And somebody said
we got we gotta have you for seventeen.
Speaker 4 (30:42):
I'm this.
Speaker 7 (30:43):
I'm thinking twenty one, possibly twenty hopefully in the first place.
Speaker 4 (30:46):
You know.
Speaker 7 (30:46):
But that's just got to be the mentality you have.
And so we're just you know, just uh, I'm excited to.
Speaker 4 (30:52):
Get to get the work every day.
Speaker 7 (30:54):
The guys are doing a tremendous job of learning and studying,
and all the bonding we're doing when we're sitting now
on the on the port last night just talking having fun.
Those are the kind of moments and the cherished And
I'll be back sooner or later about.
Speaker 8 (31:07):
Justin facing some adversity as well, justin face some adversity
as well as you yesterday getting that text early six
am that he was going to be running with the
ones we saw you out there. What was your approach
kind of the last two days having to kind of
hang back and be able to maybe help him a
little bit through that adversity.
Speaker 7 (31:20):
Yeah, I think communication. I think I think leaderships everything,
you know, talking to the guys not just him, but
also the other quarterbacks as well, but then also the receivers,
o line, just keeping the energy high. You know, I'm
a I'm a big believer in high energy, positivity, uplifting communication,
you know, the extra work afterwards, before before as well,
finding those moments, those those those little moments that maybe
(31:42):
become a big moment in a big game, and those
things add up, and so the role doesn't change in
terms of leading and thinking and processing and processing every
play and the protections and all that. All that matters,
you know, And and that's that's that's the best way
to learn sometimes too, is is you you do it physically,
and then you also when you're not in whether if
I'm you know, going or not, it's you you take
(32:02):
those reps in and so and that's even when I'm
watching the scout team on defense or offense or whatever
it may be, I'm just watching the defense, I'm studying.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
And that's the that's the.
Speaker 7 (32:10):
That's the fun part about practice is you got two
hours of learning to do, and then you get to
do in the film room and you keep going.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
The next day, talking about rus, Mike was talking about
how he wanted to create some short term misery for
you when he said that he was gonna hold you out.
Speaker 3 (32:25):
What was that conversation, Like, is it misery for you
to not be able out there? Yeah?
Speaker 7 (32:29):
I hate not practicing, so but yeah, he was like, man,
he was laughing. He's like, I enjoy this. You gotta
you gotta, you gotta you know, wait a second and
all that.
Speaker 3 (32:37):
So it was funny.
Speaker 7 (32:38):
I think that coaches just being you know, uh, coaching
and the trainers all that being just super careful, just
so nothing gets worse or nothing happens, you.
Speaker 3 (32:45):
Know, that's all.
Speaker 7 (32:46):
You know, we got We've got some good pass rushers
on the other end, you know, so just just make
sure these things right, you know. But anyways, you know,
I really enjoyed being around coach Tom Win.
Speaker 4 (32:54):
His is his.
Speaker 7 (32:56):
Understanding of the game of people relationships. You know, he's honest,
he's thought, he's thoughtful. Uh, not just to me, but
to everybody. I'm just it's it's really remarkable, uh, to
to be a part of and to watch and understand
and no wonder why and and they you know, we've
won so much here. Uh, you know, there's a lot
of great football and a great tradition and and it
(33:17):
really starts with the tremendous head coaches that they've had
over the past, you know, obviously, and there hasn't been
many of them, and there's a reason why.
Speaker 6 (33:24):
So as you've been taking all those mental reps, I
was just to be doing has he been watching?
Speaker 3 (33:27):
How has he been executing what you've been seeing?
Speaker 7 (33:29):
Yeah, he's done a good job. You know, He's he's
every every play is going to get a really good defense.
So every day, you know, here there's some really great
plays and then plays that he responds, you know.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
Back to and listen and that. So it's just that's
the part of practice.
Speaker 4 (33:40):
And he's doing a good job.
Speaker 7 (33:41):
He's he's a really good competitor. He's thought, you know,
he's he processes as.
Speaker 3 (33:47):
Well, you know, and he's a tremendous young.
Speaker 4 (33:49):
Talent for sure.
Speaker 3 (33:50):
Doesn't feel better today.
Speaker 4 (33:51):
Yeah, I feel better.
Speaker 7 (33:52):
I'm getting better every day.
Speaker 3 (33:53):
You have a target for a returner.
Speaker 7 (33:55):
I'm just listening to to them what they want me
to do. I'm I'm I'm trying.
Speaker 4 (33:59):
To return every day.
Speaker 3 (33:59):
You know so, but just you know, just take one day.
Speaker 7 (34:02):
At a time and uh, you know, and that's that's
the process.
Speaker 3 (34:08):
That's the benefit of that time. Well, the kind of
go over things just as you're watching them happen.
Speaker 7 (34:13):
Yeah, well, you know, you're always taking things in, you know,
the knowledge that you can gain, you know, from the
meetings and taking it from the meetings to the walk through,
the walk through the field and then post practice and
communication during practice and in between periods.
Speaker 3 (34:26):
It's critical.
Speaker 7 (34:27):
It's everything you know and you have to be able
to do that constantly. And I've always been a big
believer of that, you know. I've been the big believer
that the little things matter and when you learn those things,
the details, and when you get to teach those details
and work with guys and ask them and what do
you think on this as as players to as well
hand coaches. Uh, there's a lot of information to be
to be gained and we're doing that right now in
(34:48):
that process.
Speaker 4 (34:49):
Howwa is the energy level here compared to where you've been.
Speaker 7 (34:53):
There's been some great places I've been, but this is
really special obviously, and uh, I'm just grateful to be here.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
Man.
Speaker 7 (34:58):
This is uh, see all the black and gold around.
You know, it's it's pretty cool. All the kids. My
favorite part of training camp, besides throwing touchdowns and winning
and doing all this fun stuff and the competitives, the
offense and defense is the kids. Honestly, just to see
the kids out here and just them having fun. Them
wearing my jersey, TJ Watch Jersey, Cam Heyward, Whoever's jerseys
(35:18):
they're wearing, or whatever black and goal they wearing. That's
the fun part of it. They get to see us
because we were young kids like this. I rememb when
I was a young kid just like this, hoping to
get out here one day. And it's all possible, I believe,
with God, with hard work, with just just a great
sense of urgency as a young young man, young girl,
a young woman.
Speaker 4 (35:38):
It's just this possible.
Speaker 7 (35:39):
And you know, I remember being behind that the FedEx
sign over there, and the Steelers signed behind that one
day back in the day, and now in between the
white lines.
Speaker 3 (35:48):
So it's a special thing, and never take it for granted.
Speaker 2 (35:51):
Russell Wilson didn't even practice yesterday and he gave the
media nine minutes and they were thoughtful answers. Again, I mean,
we've drilled this point down before labs. But that's if
you be one right there, that's exactly how he's supposed
to act. He gives the time of day and then
some even when he wasn't a participant in practice, gassed
up his backup and Justin Field said, he's doing great.
Speaker 3 (36:11):
I'm here to help him.
Speaker 2 (36:11):
I mean, every box is just being checked except for
the ones that are on the field because we can't
see that yet because of his calf injury.
Speaker 4 (36:19):
Yeah. And you know the other things. I mean the
time that he spent signing autographs.
Speaker 2 (36:24):
Yeah, and mentioning how the kids are the best part
of this and the fans. I mean, he just knows
how to do this.
Speaker 4 (36:29):
Labs and and you know he worked in the the
official sponsor of Steelers training camp.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
How could you be.
Speaker 4 (36:41):
Yeah, how could you be more of a pro than that?
And you know it wasn't like an obvious, you know,
over the top way. He wasn't hitting you with a
Hitney with it.
Speaker 2 (36:51):
The Peyton Manning Budweiser thing after the Super Bowl, remember
that right?
Speaker 4 (36:55):
Yes? Uh so you know again I say this off
and it's the word I used, you know for anyone
looking for a one word description of Russell Wilson pro.
He's a pro and every aspect of the business. You know,
he relates to his teammates both on the offensive side
(37:18):
of the ball and the defensive side of the ball.
He is He is fan friendly, he is fan accessible.
He is accessible to the media. He is cooperative with
the media. And I don't think you're gonna have anything
to worry about from the team standpoint when he talks
to the media, because you know, maybe at one point
(37:43):
there's gonna be some pushback media wise, you know, for
his optimism and you know, looking for the bright side
on everything. You know, glass half full kind of in
all situations. But that's what you want from that guy.
You don't want him to stand up and say, this
guy missed to block, this guy ran around wrong route,
(38:04):
whatever it might be, we lost the game because the
defense didn't do something or special teams didn't do something.
I mean, he's not that kind of a person. He
is not showing himself to be that kind of a person.
And that's what makes him, you know, a QB one
kind of person. He handles not only the job but
(38:26):
the role, and those are two very different things.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
Often well it's a very fun day up at Steelers'
training camp. Not to say that all days up at
camp aren't fun. But today, later on in the afternoon,
the Hall of Honor class for twenty twenty four will
be unveiled. Labs at a big part in selecting that.
So we won't tell you who he selected, but we'll
talk about that process and we'll talk about how great
the Hall of Honor is. When we come back to
(38:50):
wrap up today's training camp report on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 1 (38:57):
He's no training camp report with Tom Oppers. Then Bob
Labriola on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
Later on today, the Steelers twenty twenty four Hall of
Honor class will be unveiled. We just have a few
minutes left here in our final segment today, Lab, So,
I thought we just you know, give that the do
that it deserves. We're obviously not going to tell you
the class. You have to wait till afternoon for that.
I don't even know it. I mean, Labs likes me,
but he doesn't trust me that much. Ste even tell
me what the class is. But you know, kind of
(39:25):
just lay out to the folks, because you're a big
part of the selection committee what that process is like
and then what they can expect today, where the announcement
will be around, what time, et cetera.
Speaker 4 (39:35):
Well, I'll start with this. I just want to give
you a heads up. You can stop working on your
acceptance speech.
Speaker 3 (39:43):
Another year goes by where you don't push me through.
Speaker 4 (39:46):
Huh that's yeah.
Speaker 2 (39:47):
Sorry, But anyway to the bribe, Oh, never mind, I'm
not supposed to say that.
Speaker 4 (39:53):
But there are six. There are six members of the committee,
Art runing, the second, myself, Mike Pursuda, Andrew Stocky, Joe Gordon,
longtime PR director and you know, he did so many
other things for the organization, and you know, I don't
(40:15):
want to slight him by just calling him a PR
director a long time. Truly one of the best PR
directors in NFL history and in my opinion, the most
accomplished sports PR individual in Pittsburgh sports history. Bar Nunn
and Tony Quatrini, former director of marketing for the Steelers
(40:38):
for a long time. So those are the six people.
It starts out with the committee meets twice. The first
meeting you kind of bring and discuss some people that
you think are worth discussing. Now. Also going on, there
(41:01):
is an ability for fans to nominate. Yeah, there is
some input, but that nominating process is by no means final.
So during the first meeting the fans nominations are passed around,
(41:21):
compiled first, and then passed around and they are considered
by the committee. The committee also may have some individuals
that they want to discuss, I mean, and there's discussion,
and then when that meeting is completed, then there was
another meeting three weeks later. Maybe it depends on you know,
(41:44):
everyone's schedule and that time of the year and that
kind of thing, and then everybody votes. Now, the classes
recently have been four members usually that's the number earlier,
you know, when when this first the first Hall of
(42:05):
Honor class was twenty seventeen, that's when it officially was formed.
And the first class included all of the steelers in
the Hall of Fame, because you know, and it just
made sense, you don't want to start choosing, you know,
among Hall of Famers, you know, gold jacket you get in,
(42:27):
you know, and I think that's very legitimate. But that
first class included all the gold jackets plus four other people.
And those four other people were Andy Russell, Els Greenwood,
Donnie Schell, who ended up getting a gold jacket and
Dick Hoke and then since then, you know, some of
the subsequent classes. Early had more than four people, but
(42:50):
lately it has been four. And then you vote, and
you know, the four highest vote getters, uh, they're they're
the people who get in. And you know, that was
again the case this year. And as I said, you
can stop working on your acceptance speech because both you
and I came in with a zero after all that
(43:11):
discussion and talking and voting and all of that stuff.
So the hill is still very high to climb.
Speaker 3 (43:19):
For both of us. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (43:20):
Yeah, And you know, I just think this is such
an important thing for the Steelers. Every organization that does
one of these is important. But you know, with the Steelers,
the Hall of Fame is such a tough nut to
crack for even the greatest players in the league. But
with a franchise like Pittsburgh, there's so many players that
are just in that hall of very good right on
the outside looking in at the Hall of Fame, that
(43:41):
deserve to be immortalized and deserve to get the recognition
from their great careers.
Speaker 3 (43:46):
And this is a vehicle that allows that.
Speaker 4 (43:49):
Yeah, and let me say this, I mean, I'm not
criticizing the Hall of Fame, Board of Selectors or anything,
but I know for a fact that there's Steelers fatigue. Yeah,
they're just tired of voting in Steelers. And so someone
like Elsie Greenwood, who I cannot believe is not in.
I mean, you know, every significant front four, the Fearsome, Forsome,
(44:13):
the Purple People, Leaders Doomsday. You know, all of those
front fours have more than one member in the Hall
of Fame. The Steelers do not.
Speaker 3 (44:24):
It's the straightest one the steel curtain.
Speaker 4 (44:27):
So again, like I said, I do that to me
is even more of a reason for the Hall of Honor,
and I think it makes it maybe a little bit
more significant because it gives the Steelers and their fans
an opportunity to recognize guys who unfortunately may never make
(44:49):
the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 2 (44:51):
Well, Labs and his fellow committee members. Decision will be
made public this afternoon. We will definitely be carrying the
ceremony here on Steelers Nation Radio. So keep it right
year all day long and you'll hear that and hear
a lot of reaction to the four nominees that got
in there.
Speaker 4 (45:06):
That's the way. One o'clock today one.
Speaker 2 (45:09):
O'clock today, so keep it here for that, but also
keep it here next because we're going in the locker room.
Wolf and Starks are taken over, so we passed the
baton off to them labs, and I will be back
again tomorrow at nine am for another training camp report
on Steelers Nation Radio.
He's the Training camp Report with Tom Opferman and Bob
Labriola on Steeler's Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
We're in day three of Steeler's training camp. The acclamation
period is in full swing. But Labs, really the only
thing that people can focus on is the calf of
Russell Wilson. When we were going off the air yesterday
for the training camp report, you noted you were seeing
them on the practice field. He was wearing a hat
while the other quarterbacks were in shells, so looked like
he wasn't going to practice.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
You were right. He did not practice again yesterday.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Everything from Tomlin to Russ Wilson to anybody you'd ask,
it's still just precautionary. But this is now day two
without your new starting quarterback practicing with his new team.
Speaker 4 (00:48):
Yeah, And in a subsequent interview with the media, Russell
Wilson explained that that injury quote unquote, what happened, calf strain,
whatever you want to turn it happened during the run
test when he was pushing a sled. So you know,
(01:13):
I don't know, I'm not gonna I'm not going to
get into you know, any of that.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
But skip right past that part.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
But someone did say, you know, one of the one
of the smart alex in the media corps, not that
there are any mentioned watching Ben Roethlisberger do that? Could
you imagine that?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Oh No, I could not, although I do.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
I do see this video re.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Emerge every training camp and it's hilarious with Ben. This
isn't pushing a sled. But do you remember the video
where he was back in the pocket and they were
just throwing blocking dummies at him and he was just
batting him out of the air like he was King
Kong hitting airplanes out of the sky.
Speaker 4 (01:56):
Yes, yes, I remember that. There was also I think
it was it was a backs on backers and Ben
jumped in. I mean, this was not the land thing.
Ben jumped in to take the snaps, you know, and
and and uh to have rushers going at him, and
(02:18):
he was just working on you know, moving about in
the pocket, you know, avoiding people. I thought Kevin Colbert
was going to lose his mind, right, Yeah. I mean
it's nice that you know, you want to work on
that stuff, and I get it that it's part of
(02:39):
your game. But do we really need some rookie free
agent who falls to the ground rolling on your knee
you know, because you know, he's trying to make a
decent showing for the you know, for the video, and
Mike Tomlin is always there watching that. But yeah, it
was it was humor. Nothing bad happened, so we can
(03:03):
look back on that.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Yeah, well, something slightly bad happened with Russ, but again
it doesn't seem to be too serious and no one
is very worried about it. And the good news on
the injury front two labs is Russ has been the
only thing that has been plaguing the Steelers. Now, you know,
they were the guys like Cole Holcombe and Dean Lowry
and Cordero Patterson that were the first two on the
pup list and then Cordello Patterson on the non football
(03:25):
related injury list. But you know, it's now two days
into camp and I'm knocking onwood really hard and it's
a futile effort because injuries are just going to happen
in this sport eventually.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
But so far, so good on that front.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Everybody is going to be able to participate again in
Day three, aside from Russ of course, maybe.
Speaker 4 (03:42):
Well yeah, we'll have to see, yeah right, yeah, you know, hopefully,
you know, that continues, and I certainly hope that you
know you didn't jinx it by just bringing it up.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
And I'm knocking on still. I'm still doing it right now.
My knuckles are bleeding.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
I'll certainly give your name an address, Mike Tomlin if
a string of bad luck happens to befall the team
now because of what you just said. So you know,
pay attention to what's happening a practice. And if you
hear an angry knock on your door.
Speaker 3 (04:14):
Don't answer. I don't want to get my buppy.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
That might be the way to go.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
One thing you did note.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
In your training camp wrap up yesterday, Labs, was you
did notice, even though it is the acclamation period, it's
starting to look a little less like mini camp and
it's starting to become more like training camp. I assume
that means like intensity started to get ratcheted up some
and you know, maybe some more football centric drills were
(04:44):
put into place, and it can't obviously look completely like
football until Tuesday when the pads come on. But just
talk about what you mean by starting to notice they're
kind of transitioning towards more of a training camp setting.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
Well, I mean the first and most obvious thing was
seven shots. That was that was back and you know,
we we we saw this, uh last summer a good
bit whenever, you know, seven shots, if it was three
to three after the first six snaps, Mike Toman would
(05:18):
put the number ones back out on the field offense
and defense. And you know, because he would say he
didn't want the drill to be decided by you know,
number threes. And because once again, you know, we're back
to this now too. The menu at dinner is at stake.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
And forget all about that, Yeah, lobster, sk cheeseburgers.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Well, you know what, it was funny once when Mike
Toman first started that, I asked him about it, you know,
and he said, well, you know it's let's not make
it sound like we're making going to eat franks and
beans out of the cant seven shots. But he did say,
you know, they used to do that at some colleges,
(06:12):
you know, was the the difference in what was on
the menu was more significant than it is actually here.
You know, it may be steak and lobster for the winners,
you know, but the losers, you know, it's there's still
I don't know chicken fish, you know, prepared in a
(06:35):
way that you know it's healthy, you know, protein packed
and all the all the nutrients you're looking for from
a dinner. But it's you know, there are certain things
on the menu that you just associate with, you know,
being a perk.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
So that's the difference at this training camp. But it's
more about I think the bragging rights because there's two
separate lines. So all you know, the players have to
the winning players. And it's not just the players on
the field, it's the whole unit. So if offense wins,
(07:15):
the whole offense and all the offensive coaches get to
go through the cafeteria the winner line.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
John rees Plumbley gets to eat the steak even if
he didn't grow single pass right right.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
And then if the defense loses, I'm just hypothetically here,
all the defense players and the defensive coaches go through
the quote unquote losers line, and it's you know, everybody
can see it, you know, and I'm sure there's a
lot of wolfing around that's going on. But there there
are two exceptions. Mike Thoman said that he and Danny
(07:50):
Smith always eat with the winners because naturally the head coach,
and why would he declare himself loser? Right? And the
special teams coordinator had nothing to do with it.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Well, I'll even throw I'll even throw this out there
for Danny Smith. You know, special teams, that's a mashup
of defensive and offensive players.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
So he's got winners on both sides.
Speaker 4 (08:16):
Right. So, but I I think it's you know, there
there's some I don't. I don't know that guys are
giving extra on the practice field for dinner. But I
do think that it's with professional athletes. They're all competitors.
It's more like the bragging rights or just to say
(08:37):
you know, I won, because I'll bet you there are
video games going on or they're playing cards or whatever
that they just want to say they won. There might
be nothing at stake other than the bragging rights. And
you know a lot of times the professional athletes that's
that's all that's necessary. So so that's that's another thing
(08:59):
I think that indicates that it's getting more like training
camps than a mini camp.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Now, one thing that a lot of the fans are
going to be interested in when it comes to this
seven shots drill was something that you noted uh with
the configuration of the offensive line while Justin Fields, who
was QB one yesterday, was out on the field.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
It started just like we saw in Day.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Two yesterday with Dan Moore at left tackle and Roger
Jones at right tackle, but with Fields in, they moved
Jones to the left and they put their rookie Troy
Fatano at the right side of the line. So that
new look with the second year left tackle and the
rookie right tackle that everybody has kind of been pounding
the table for. You got a glimpse of that in
a seven shots setting with the first team quarterback.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
Yeah, and again, I don't know if it means anything.
You know, it's just training camp or and you know,
we'll see if it happens more often and if they
implement it more or you know, was it just something
they threw out there is kind of a I don't
know see how everyone would adjust to it, because you know,
(10:06):
that's another thing Mike Tomlin and the other coaches they
like to create artificially, create adversity. You know, maybe there's
something with this Russell Wilson calf that is related to
that as well. So you know, again we'll have to see,
you know, he's creating adversity both for Justin Fields a
(10:30):
little bit by a late, late late telling him that
he's going to be running with the ones on day two. Yeah,
and then you're creating some adversity for Russell Wilson because
he has to watch when he wants to practice and
(10:51):
believes he can, you know. And then there's the other
guys on the unit. You know, how do they adjust
to all of a sudden you think you're if you're
a starter or working with the ones on offense or
in the you know, first group. However that's designated all
of a sudden, Okay, that's that guy's not there now,
(11:12):
because that could happen during a game. The quarterback gets hurt,
the backup goes in. You know, you can't not say, well,
you know, I'm not we didn't practice with this guy
this week. You know. So yeah, there's some of that too,
because as Mike Tomlin said, you know, that's that's life,
that's how that works. So, you know, creating some adversity
(11:36):
and seeing how guys react to it, and this is
a good time to do it. You know, we're still
in July. It's it's training camp and everything. But it's
still July, which means it's still very early. Well.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Coach Tomlin, as he always does, caught up with the
media following yesterday's practice.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Let's take a listen to what coach had to say.
Speaker 5 (11:54):
Man, a real awesome day out here in terms of
teaching and learning. And I think that's the component that
this stage of the journey, there's so much area for
improvement that you just see significant coaching points and lesson
opportunities with each staff of the ball, and so really
excited about the work we've done today, more excited about
(12:14):
the meetings that we have into this evening and analysis
of it, and then we repeat process and come back
out here tomorrow. And really, at this stage that cycle
is what's so important in terms of getting better and
covering some things so we can get on the more
complex issues and problems. The preseason gets on us quick
in today's NFL, and so Man, days like today are
(12:36):
significant learning what's going to happen to night and analysis
of it is significant as well. No real news new
news on the injury front. We held Russ out again today,
but there's no new news to add in terms of
his health. It can still be characterized as day to day,
Like I talked to the team about very rarely, particularly
(12:56):
this stage of the journey, do I worry about who's
not working more as an opportunity for those that are working,
those that get elevated opportunities because of it, and how
units respond to the absence of people, because that's reflective
of the season. Man, We're gonna lose guys from time
to time, and we still got a function. I was
really excited about Kyle Allen today, Man getting elevated work
(13:18):
as a consequence of Russ's injury, and so really nice
opportunity for him today. I thought he did some nice things.
For example, in that regard, I'll pause and open it
up for questions regarding Russ.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
Is this more of your coaching decision or does he
want to get out here in practice?
Speaker 3 (13:34):
Or are there any setbacks or anything?
Speaker 5 (13:35):
No setbacks. I just you know, he's got a minor
thing that I don't want to become a major thing,
and so I'd rather deal with short term misery.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
Like as far as Kyle goes, I mean, you're bringing
a third quarterback with a lot of starting experience in
the past with other teams.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Are you starting to see more of that out of
him throughout this progress.
Speaker 5 (13:55):
It's so early, it really is. I'd be reaching there
to talk about progress in the course of two days.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
What kind of.
Speaker 6 (14:01):
Benefit is it for Justin to work with the ones
to kind of build through that rapport with some of
these receivers.
Speaker 5 (14:06):
It is so obvious, it's it's a great opportunity for him.
Speaker 7 (14:10):
Is that a kind of appealing to the competitive fire
to have the first team come back out for the
tiebreaking seven trucks?
Speaker 5 (14:15):
You know, we don't want the third group to determine
the winner of a drill, you know what I mean?
You know, I think it's appropriate, don't you to get
get the first group back out there? If we're talking
about winning and losing and who's eating good tonight at dinner.
That's why we'll always send the first groups back out
to determine tight contests.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
What is it that you like about Zach Design and
he's approach to coaching the wide receivers. It seems like a.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Really fired guy.
Speaker 5 (14:38):
He's detailed, he's professional, He's been around the block and back.
I've known Zack and known of Zach for a long time.
It looks like Calvin and JUNI were going to have
for each other after days one one in Southwark. You
think it's just the nature to match up. Both guys
are guys that play in the slide and situational ball,
just like you'll see a lot of d Elliott versus
(14:59):
fire move. I think that's what's interesting about this environment.
You know, you work ones on ones, twos on twos,
and you see consistency in terms of matchups, and so
guys are gonna be challenged. They have to win their matchup.
If they win their matchup enough, they get elevated into
the next group and get a new challenge. That's what
training camp is about, certainly. And so you're gonna identify
matchups like Calvin and Beanie or or Mouth and d
(15:23):
Elliott or you know whoever. That's just a component of
this thing, Zach, Frazier and Benton. It's a lot of
that going on, and it's good. That's how we all
get better. But not what it is early though, that
betis playing such a prominent snapping teams. I wouldn't overanalyze that. Guys,
be careful there.
Speaker 3 (15:43):
Should we overanalyze the white shirt two days.
Speaker 5 (15:45):
In a row you probably will anyway, So I'm not
gonna stop you.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
All right, all right, thanks guys, Labs.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
We were rolling there and they had to go with
the white shirt question again. I mean we almost had
them for another like three minutes. I think, well, maybe
we'll do better today. But the one thing that I
did want to bring up at the end there was
with Beanie Bishop, because everybody tries to, you know, nail
on their campfeine and that was a big thing that
Tunch used to do. Wolf still does it with Starks
and in the locker room. Still, you know, nail on
(16:13):
that campfeene on early and then brag about it when
you're right at the end. I see a lot of
people doing that with Beanie Bishop already he's being thrown
into first team reps already, Labs.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
But Tomlin, I.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
Think, very strategically through some cold water on all that
fire right there.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
Yeah. I mean I'm sure that because earlier in his remarks,
Mike Tomlin reference to how and with a lot of
these matchups, you're kind of testing the waters with the
guy or you know, both guys in one offense, one
(16:51):
defense to see how they respond, and then you know,
if they respond well, you know, maybe they earn more
time with the whatever group they're in, or maybe you know,
if they're not in the first group when this is
going on, they can move up a group, you know,
if you're because Mike Tomlan refers to what is JV.
You know, the guy's third on the depth charter lower. Okay,
(17:12):
if you do good in the JV workouts, then you
get moved up to the varsity and they see how
you do there, and so that's how the normal progression.
And then it goes the other way too, you know,
if you get you know, and I hate to use
his name because but you know, we're talking about Beingie Bishop.
(17:33):
Let's let's pretend that in his first team reps he
doesn't do well well, then you move him back so
and if he does do well, you keep him there
and maybe give him more. So this is the kind
of thing I mean, they're just kind of testing the water,
so to speak. And then after the practice on the field,
(17:56):
and that's one of the things that they Mike Tomlan
believes is good about these earlier practices on weekdays is
that they are then able to view that the video
of practice with the team or as individual groups, you know,
and maybe it's done both ways. I don't really know
the meeting schedule, but you're doing it the same day.
(18:17):
You have that time because last year or in previous years,
when practice was at what was it close to four three,
two fifty five. Okay, so you're on the field for
two hours, that's five o'clock. Then there's you know, you're
cool down or whatever. Then you eat dinner. Now you're
(18:39):
only allowed the Collective Bargaining Agreement only allows you to
have these players at work quote unquote for eleven hours
a day. So if your first meeting is at eight, say,
which is pretty earlier, maybe it's seven, seven thirty whatever,
it might be, well you can't you can't be still
(19:00):
watching video. But nine o'clock you have to turn them loose.
So he said that they would.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Often the NFL takes that seriously too, like if you
get caught, it's draft picks, it's heavy fines, it's big deal.
Speaker 4 (19:14):
Yeah yeah, and you know, and I don't know that
it would ever get to this point, but you know,
the NFL can make it difficult for you to have
a destination cam too.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
If you keep doing stuff like that.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
Right, yeah, right, So so this this way, now it's
fresher in their minds. You just did it on the field.
We're looking at it now, we make the corrections, and
then maybe the next day on the field we can
work on you know what we just talked about, because
that is also a good teaching technique, is you know,
(19:47):
that's why they have walkthroughs, you know that have a
walkthrough and then a practice you know after that, because
you show them some things or introduce some things during
walkthrough and then not long after, you go on the
field and then you know, rep it physically. So this
is kind of that, only different. You do it on
(20:08):
the field and then you correct it in the in
the media rooms, meeting rooms, excuse me, and you know,
then hopefully those things sync in teaching tools. You know,
I don't know what works better. I've never been involved
in any of that, so you know, we'll see how
it works out. But hopefully, you know, again it proves
(20:31):
to be an effective teaching tool.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
We're going to get more into the quarterbacks when we
come back, and Russ Wilson spoke at length with the
media yesterday. I'm sure everybody wants to hear what he
had to say. After missing a second day of practice,
We'll keep an eye on him today. Hopefully he can go.
If not, it'll be three days with Justin Fields at
QB one, so we'll weigh in more with that position. Next,
it's Labs and Tom on the Training Camp Report on
(20:54):
Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
He's the Training Camp Report with Tom Opferman and Bob
Labriola on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
Well, it was day two without Russell Wilson. Justin Field's
running with the ones yesterday. But lads, you noted in
your training camp report you know nothing that Fields did
that was off putting, but the QB two yesterday. Who
will go back to QB three when Russ is eventually healthy.
Kyle Allen had some head turning moments in practice.
Speaker 4 (21:29):
Yeah, and he did. Mike Toman reference those a little bit.
But let me point something out too. I mean, yeah,
I understand that the defense won, you know, seven shots yesterday.
Justin Fields only got the ball in the end zone
the one time, but he also had I don't know,
I would say five or six excellent plays that he
(21:54):
made both throwing the ball in terms of his delivery,
accuracy on time. And then there was a design running play,
a kind of like a read option look thing where
if you were watching that, especially from my vantage point
(22:14):
in the press box where you get a little bit
of a elevated view. The word I would use to
describe that was wow.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
So you know, and that's what you want to see
out of a guy who was a top ten pick before,
right like that.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
You want to have them that's where you go wow.
Speaker 4 (22:30):
So you know, I know, I've seen some of the
reports on yesterday, you know, from the in the various
media outlets, and I just want to caution any fans
who are hearing or reading anything you know that Justin
Field's had a bad day. I would disagree with that.
(22:52):
I think that he is. He is. I don't want
to who was the coach, who we are, who we
thought they were done the screen. You know, Justin Fields
is kind of who we thought he was gonna be,
especially early in this training camp, which is a guy
with significant talent who will do a lot of good things,
(23:16):
but he also has some things he needs to work
on and improve. And you know, I think we saw
that yesterday to label him, you know, labeled the second
day for him as the QB one. And while Russell
Wilson is rehabbing or resting or however you want to
describe that situation, I don't think that's accurate and I
(23:39):
would dispute it, and so anyway, let me let me
just make that point right now.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
You know, I like what you said about you know
that read option play was eye popping for fields.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
That's when the athleticisn't really shown through.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
And speed too, speed.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Decisiveness, and that's such a big part about running successfully
in the NFL, as you don't just necessarily have to
be the fastest guy in the field, but you have to.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
Know how to run and where to run.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
And that to me is why I think I would
like to see or at least like to see them
tinker with a package or two with him that could
get that on the field in a regular season setting.
Not that he would ever compete with Russ to be
the quarterback, but that is just such a weapon, and
you saw it up close and personal for the first
time really yesterday that you can't really just have sitting
(24:27):
on your sidelines for sixty minutes.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
Yeah, you know, I get that too, But let me
just throw this out there too. No pads, no tackling.
I mean, I don't know that I want to expose
because if you do that, if you put justin fields
in a situation where okay, we have a package now
first and ten at near midfield, you put him in,
(24:52):
you don't think the Ravens are going to think he's
going to run, and if he does, you know, what
are you exposing him to? So uh, you know, it's
it's nice to talk about and it's fun to watch,
but I don't know. Maybe I'm just living in my
fears already, and as I've tried to caution everyone else,
(25:14):
I need to caution myself that it's still only July.
But you know, I just hate to see something bad
happen to him, Yes, because the you know, the offensive
coordinator or the Steelers are trying to you know, get
tricky or entertain you know, the fans with quote unquote
(25:35):
a package. So you know, I don't know how that.
Maybe my opinion might change, or maybe it evolves a
different way. I don't know. It worked great for Cordell
Stewart in nineteen ninety five, but you know, I just
don't know if you know that translates into today's football
with this particular team. Again, maybe my opinion will change,
(25:58):
But right now, I'm of the special justin fields package,
especially if it's it comes in the middle of the field.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
Maybe I'm just getting a little greedy there, because you're right,
it is a risk that you're taking when you throw
him out there for injury.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
But i will say this, you know.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
Most likely he will run the ball on those read
options if there were special packages. But if you're the
Baltimore Ravens, I mean, I think can exactly take some
hill back there doing the read option. He can zip
one in if he has to, so don't don't necessarily
all sell out completely on the run. But yeah, I mean,
he is, if not the best, one of the best
backup quarterbacks in the NFL.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
He could start for some teams right now.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Getting him injured on a play like that to gain
like five yards just might not be worth it.
Speaker 4 (26:42):
Yes, that's my point, So we'll see. I'm just I'm
that's not something I'm ready to wholeheartedly endorse at this stage.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Well, Russ Wilson caught up with the media and everybody
was wanting to hear from him after missing his second
day of practice, so we thought we'd give that to you.
It was a lengthy discussion. So here's Russ Wilson talking
to the media after practice yesterday.
Speaker 7 (27:03):
You know, we we uh, we were doing a sled
push thing and just got a little tweaked a little bit,
so you know, uh, you know, just working hard and
just sometimes things happen. But the good thing, good news
is that I feel good and we'll get there when
the time. And good thing is I'm getting a lot
of the mental reps and throwing throwing stuff on the side,
and then post practice and all that.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
Well, could you go in there's a game. Yeah, I'm
definitely okay.
Speaker 5 (27:25):
Post a little disappointing, You're dave here was so anticipated
out here.
Speaker 4 (27:30):
I'm sure you were flying up to. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (27:32):
You know, I love practice.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
I don't.
Speaker 7 (27:34):
I hate missing practice. I hate not being out there.
That's always been a thing for me. My whole career
is uh is practice. So you know that's why, you know,
being super intentional, still getting all the play, seeing everything,
walking through everything, still uh doing everything I can, even
even after practice, coming out here and getting extra work
and whatever it may be. And so the great news
is that we've got a lot of time with the
(27:54):
guys in the offseason, so I feel really confident with
the guys that we have and the guys that were
throwing to and guys playmaker and everything else. And so
you know, the good thing is it, Uh, it's great
because I get to go through a little diversity, you
get to you get to respond to it, and that's
really the reality. And I think for me, I've always
been able to respond to adversity the right way. The
good news is that once again I feel good and
(28:16):
getting there every day.
Speaker 6 (28:18):
Want to talk about the uniqueness of your workouts and
wait and you kind of share elaborate here in that.
Speaker 7 (28:23):
I won't go to great detail, uh in terms of
what style workouts all the time, but you know, I
definitely get after it, you know, and you know, just
you know, to be able to play as long as
I have, you got to be uh you got to train,
you know, physically, you got to be able to do
all the stuff. And so I've always trained really hard,
as you you know, and so in terms of uh,
those details of the workouts, you know, lots of squats,
lots of single leggs stuff, a lot of you know,
(28:45):
you know, jumping and moving around, keeping them hard rate
up just you know, but uh, but yeah, it's been
it's been a really good off season for me, you know.
Unfortunately they get to go out here the first day,
which is which stinks.
Speaker 6 (28:54):
About Landon Roberts just said, he you're like a sp
You're he wants to sponge offf you. He wants your
longevity and success at your age, at your tenure in
the NFL. How do you kind of pick up things
about the younger guys in your help to show.
Speaker 7 (29:05):
Well, I think you know, first of all, E Rob
and I would you know, I've been to play against
each other, and you know a lot of these guys
have played against over the years, Cam TJ, a lot
of the guys at MICA. So the thing is is
that you know, we were E Rob and I were
talking the other day while we'reett, while we were getting
ready for the day early in the morning and just talking.
He was asking questions about, hey, how do how do
you prepare on a Monday today?
Speaker 3 (29:24):
All these details and and.
Speaker 7 (29:26):
Minka was asking the same thing on the field of today,
you know, just the thought process and how do you
get prepared every day? So to be able to explain
that knowledge and to be able to go through that
and talk about that, you know, and just the details
of how do you take care of your body every
day throughout it all, even when you do have things
and injuries. It's physical games, working hard and stuff happens.
And the reality is is that, you know, the big
question is how fast can you get back?
Speaker 4 (29:47):
Every time?
Speaker 7 (29:47):
You know, And and that's always the mentality you have
to have and I've always had and so I think
the treatment and all that's really important.
Speaker 4 (29:53):
You know.
Speaker 7 (29:54):
Obviously, the weight room is really important, conditioning all that
stuff is really really imperative, and so be able to
share that and so learning from the younger guys too,
it's like, you know, I always ask.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
Them, what are you guys doing to stay so young?
Speaker 6 (30:03):
You know?
Speaker 7 (30:04):
And so it's always good and uh so there's a
lot of questions, you know, always from the younger guys
to me in particular, you know, to figure out like
what's your what's your what's your treatment plan? Every week
every day? And so those are good things and that's
a good part of the part of the leadership and
being of VET and everything else.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
For us. How past can you get back?
Speaker 7 (30:25):
Yeah, I mean I want to get back today, yesterday,
you know. But coach coach and the coaches like listen,
we got got time, and we're still you know, I
got a lot of reps in the office, so we're
not just trying to rush it. We've got you know,
I say, we've got twenty one games, twenty twenty to
twenty one games to play, you know, And somebody said
we got we gotta have you for seventeen.
Speaker 4 (30:42):
I'm this.
Speaker 7 (30:43):
I'm thinking twenty one, possibly twenty hopefully in the first place.
Speaker 4 (30:46):
You know.
Speaker 7 (30:46):
But that's just got to be the mentality you have.
And so we're just you know, just uh, I'm excited to.
Speaker 4 (30:52):
Get to get the work every day.
Speaker 7 (30:54):
The guys are doing a tremendous job of learning and studying,
and all the bonding we're doing when we're sitting now
on the on the port last night just talking having fun.
Those are the kind of moments and the cherished And
I'll be back sooner or later about.
Speaker 8 (31:07):
Justin facing some adversity as well, justin face some adversity
as well as you yesterday getting that text early six
am that he was going to be running with the
ones we saw you out there. What was your approach
kind of the last two days having to kind of
hang back and be able to maybe help him a
little bit through that adversity.
Speaker 7 (31:20):
Yeah, I think communication. I think I think leaderships everything,
you know, talking to the guys not just him, but
also the other quarterbacks as well, but then also the receivers,
o line, just keeping the energy high. You know, I'm
a I'm a big believer in high energy, positivity, uplifting communication,
you know, the extra work afterwards, before before as well,
finding those moments, those those those little moments that maybe
(31:42):
become a big moment in a big game, and those
things add up, and so the role doesn't change in
terms of leading and thinking and processing and processing every
play and the protections and all that. All that matters,
you know, And and that's that's that's the best way
to learn sometimes too, is is you you do it physically,
and then you also when you're not in whether if
I'm you know, going or not, it's you you take
(32:02):
those reps in and so and that's even when I'm
watching the scout team on defense or offense or whatever
it may be, I'm just watching the defense, I'm studying.
Speaker 3 (32:09):
And that's the that's the.
Speaker 7 (32:10):
That's the fun part about practice is you got two
hours of learning to do, and then you get to
do in the film room and you keep going.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
The next day, talking about rus, Mike was talking about
how he wanted to create some short term misery for
you when he said that he was gonna hold you out.
Speaker 3 (32:25):
What was that conversation, Like, is it misery for you
to not be able out there? Yeah?
Speaker 7 (32:29):
I hate not practicing, so but yeah, he was like, man,
he was laughing. He's like, I enjoy this. You gotta
you gotta, you gotta you know, wait a second and
all that.
Speaker 3 (32:37):
So it was funny.
Speaker 7 (32:38):
I think that coaches just being you know, uh, coaching
and the trainers all that being just super careful, just
so nothing gets worse or nothing happens, you.
Speaker 3 (32:45):
Know, that's all.
Speaker 7 (32:46):
You know, we got We've got some good pass rushers
on the other end, you know, so just just make
sure these things right, you know. But anyways, you know,
I really enjoyed being around coach Tom Win.
Speaker 4 (32:54):
His is his.
Speaker 7 (32:56):
Understanding of the game of people relationships. You know, he's honest,
he's thought, he's thoughtful. Uh, not just to me, but
to everybody. I'm just it's it's really remarkable, uh, to
to be a part of and to watch and understand
and no wonder why and and they you know, we've
won so much here. Uh, you know, there's a lot
of great football and a great tradition and and it
(33:17):
really starts with the tremendous head coaches that they've had
over the past, you know, obviously, and there hasn't been
many of them, and there's a reason why.
Speaker 6 (33:24):
So as you've been taking all those mental reps, I
was just to be doing has he been watching?
Speaker 3 (33:27):
How has he been executing what you've been seeing?
Speaker 7 (33:29):
Yeah, he's done a good job. You know, He's he's
every every play is going to get a really good defense.
So every day, you know, here there's some really great
plays and then plays that he responds, you know.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
Back to and listen and that. So it's just that's
the part of practice.
Speaker 4 (33:40):
And he's doing a good job.
Speaker 7 (33:41):
He's he's a really good competitor. He's thought, you know,
he's he processes as.
Speaker 3 (33:47):
Well, you know, and he's a tremendous young.
Speaker 4 (33:49):
Talent for sure.
Speaker 3 (33:50):
Doesn't feel better today.
Speaker 4 (33:51):
Yeah, I feel better.
Speaker 7 (33:52):
I'm getting better every day.
Speaker 3 (33:53):
You have a target for a returner.
Speaker 7 (33:55):
I'm just listening to to them what they want me
to do. I'm I'm I'm trying.
Speaker 4 (33:59):
To return every day.
Speaker 3 (33:59):
You know so, but just you know, just take one day.
Speaker 7 (34:02):
At a time and uh, you know, and that's that's
the process.
Speaker 3 (34:08):
That's the benefit of that time. Well, the kind of
go over things just as you're watching them happen.
Speaker 7 (34:13):
Yeah, well, you know, you're always taking things in, you know,
the knowledge that you can gain, you know, from the
meetings and taking it from the meetings to the walk through,
the walk through the field and then post practice and
communication during practice and in between periods.
Speaker 3 (34:26):
It's critical.
Speaker 7 (34:27):
It's everything you know and you have to be able
to do that constantly. And I've always been a big
believer of that, you know. I've been the big believer
that the little things matter and when you learn those things,
the details, and when you get to teach those details
and work with guys and ask them and what do
you think on this as as players to as well
hand coaches. Uh, there's a lot of information to be
to be gained and we're doing that right now in
(34:48):
that process.
Speaker 4 (34:49):
Howwa is the energy level here compared to where you've been.
Speaker 7 (34:53):
There's been some great places I've been, but this is
really special obviously, and uh, I'm just grateful to be here.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
Man.
Speaker 7 (34:58):
This is uh, see all the black and gold around.
You know, it's it's pretty cool. All the kids. My
favorite part of training camp, besides throwing touchdowns and winning
and doing all this fun stuff and the competitives, the
offense and defense is the kids. Honestly, just to see
the kids out here and just them having fun. Them
wearing my jersey, TJ Watch Jersey, Cam Heyward, Whoever's jerseys
(35:18):
they're wearing, or whatever black and goal they wearing. That's
the fun part of it. They get to see us
because we were young kids like this. I rememb when
I was a young kid just like this, hoping to
get out here one day. And it's all possible, I believe,
with God, with hard work, with just just a great
sense of urgency as a young young man, young girl,
a young woman.
Speaker 4 (35:38):
It's just this possible.
Speaker 7 (35:39):
And you know, I remember being behind that the FedEx
sign over there, and the Steelers signed behind that one
day back in the day, and now in between the
white lines.
Speaker 3 (35:48):
So it's a special thing, and never take it for granted.
Speaker 2 (35:51):
Russell Wilson didn't even practice yesterday and he gave the
media nine minutes and they were thoughtful answers. Again, I mean,
we've drilled this point down before labs. But that's if
you be one right there, that's exactly how he's supposed
to act. He gives the time of day and then
some even when he wasn't a participant in practice, gassed
up his backup and Justin Field said, he's doing great.
Speaker 3 (36:11):
I'm here to help him.
Speaker 2 (36:11):
I mean, every box is just being checked except for
the ones that are on the field because we can't
see that yet because of his calf injury.
Speaker 4 (36:19):
Yeah. And you know the other things. I mean the
time that he spent signing autographs.
Speaker 2 (36:24):
Yeah, and mentioning how the kids are the best part
of this and the fans. I mean, he just knows
how to do this.
Speaker 4 (36:29):
Labs and and you know he worked in the the
official sponsor of Steelers training camp.
Speaker 3 (36:39):
How could you be.
Speaker 4 (36:41):
Yeah, how could you be more of a pro than that?
And you know it wasn't like an obvious, you know,
over the top way. He wasn't hitting you with a
Hitney with it.
Speaker 2 (36:51):
The Peyton Manning Budweiser thing after the Super Bowl, remember
that right?
Speaker 4 (36:55):
Yes? Uh so you know again I say this off
and it's the word I used, you know for anyone
looking for a one word description of Russell Wilson pro.
He's a pro and every aspect of the business. You know,
he relates to his teammates both on the offensive side
(37:18):
of the ball and the defensive side of the ball.
He is He is fan friendly, he is fan accessible.
He is accessible to the media. He is cooperative with
the media. And I don't think you're gonna have anything
to worry about from the team standpoint when he talks
to the media, because you know, maybe at one point
(37:43):
there's gonna be some pushback media wise, you know, for
his optimism and you know, looking for the bright side
on everything. You know, glass half full kind of in
all situations. But that's what you want from that guy.
You don't want him to stand up and say, this
guy missed to block, this guy ran around wrong route,
(38:04):
whatever it might be, we lost the game because the
defense didn't do something or special teams didn't do something.
I mean, he's not that kind of a person. He
is not showing himself to be that kind of a person.
And that's what makes him, you know, a QB one
kind of person. He handles not only the job but
(38:26):
the role, and those are two very different things.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
Often well it's a very fun day up at Steelers'
training camp. Not to say that all days up at
camp aren't fun. But today, later on in the afternoon,
the Hall of Honor class for twenty twenty four will
be unveiled. Labs at a big part in selecting that.
So we won't tell you who he selected, but we'll
talk about that process and we'll talk about how great
the Hall of Honor is. When we come back to
(38:50):
wrap up today's training camp report on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 1 (38:57):
He's no training camp report with Tom Oppers. Then Bob
Labriola on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
Later on today, the Steelers twenty twenty four Hall of
Honor class will be unveiled. We just have a few
minutes left here in our final segment today, Lab, So,
I thought we just you know, give that the do
that it deserves. We're obviously not going to tell you
the class. You have to wait till afternoon for that.
I don't even know it. I mean, Labs likes me,
but he doesn't trust me that much. Ste even tell
me what the class is. But you know, kind of
(39:25):
just lay out to the folks, because you're a big
part of the selection committee what that process is like
and then what they can expect today, where the announcement
will be around, what time, et cetera.
Speaker 4 (39:35):
Well, I'll start with this. I just want to give
you a heads up. You can stop working on your
acceptance speech.
Speaker 3 (39:43):
Another year goes by where you don't push me through.
Speaker 4 (39:46):
Huh that's yeah.
Speaker 2 (39:47):
Sorry, But anyway to the bribe, Oh, never mind, I'm
not supposed to say that.
Speaker 4 (39:53):
But there are six. There are six members of the committee,
Art runing, the second, myself, Mike Pursuda, Andrew Stocky, Joe Gordon,
longtime PR director and you know, he did so many
other things for the organization, and you know, I don't
(40:15):
want to slight him by just calling him a PR
director a long time. Truly one of the best PR
directors in NFL history and in my opinion, the most
accomplished sports PR individual in Pittsburgh sports history. Bar Nunn
and Tony Quatrini, former director of marketing for the Steelers
(40:38):
for a long time. So those are the six people.
It starts out with the committee meets twice. The first
meeting you kind of bring and discuss some people that
you think are worth discussing. Now. Also going on, there
(41:01):
is an ability for fans to nominate. Yeah, there is
some input, but that nominating process is by no means final.
So during the first meeting the fans nominations are passed around,
(41:21):
compiled first, and then passed around and they are considered
by the committee. The committee also may have some individuals
that they want to discuss, I mean, and there's discussion,
and then when that meeting is completed, then there was
another meeting three weeks later. Maybe it depends on you know,
(41:44):
everyone's schedule and that time of the year and that
kind of thing, and then everybody votes. Now, the classes
recently have been four members usually that's the number earlier,
you know, when when this first the first Hall of
(42:05):
Honor class was twenty seventeen, that's when it officially was formed.
And the first class included all of the steelers in
the Hall of Fame, because you know, and it just
made sense, you don't want to start choosing, you know,
among Hall of Famers, you know, gold jacket you get in,
(42:27):
you know, and I think that's very legitimate. But that
first class included all the gold jackets plus four other people.
And those four other people were Andy Russell, Els Greenwood,
Donnie Schell, who ended up getting a gold jacket and
Dick Hoke and then since then, you know, some of
the subsequent classes. Early had more than four people, but
(42:50):
lately it has been four. And then you vote, and
you know, the four highest vote getters, uh, they're they're
the people who get in. And you know, that was
again the case this year. And as I said, you
can stop working on your acceptance speech because both you
and I came in with a zero after all that
(43:11):
discussion and talking and voting and all of that stuff.
So the hill is still very high to climb.
Speaker 3 (43:19):
For both of us. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (43:20):
Yeah, And you know, I just think this is such
an important thing for the Steelers. Every organization that does
one of these is important. But you know, with the Steelers,
the Hall of Fame is such a tough nut to
crack for even the greatest players in the league. But
with a franchise like Pittsburgh, there's so many players that
are just in that hall of very good right on
the outside looking in at the Hall of Fame, that
(43:41):
deserve to be immortalized and deserve to get the recognition
from their great careers.
Speaker 3 (43:46):
And this is a vehicle that allows that.
Speaker 4 (43:49):
Yeah, and let me say this, I mean, I'm not
criticizing the Hall of Fame, Board of Selectors or anything,
but I know for a fact that there's Steelers fatigue. Yeah,
they're just tired of voting in Steelers. And so someone
like Elsie Greenwood, who I cannot believe is not in.
I mean, you know, every significant front four, the Fearsome, Forsome,
(44:13):
the Purple People, Leaders Doomsday. You know, all of those
front fours have more than one member in the Hall
of Fame. The Steelers do not.
Speaker 3 (44:24):
It's the straightest one the steel curtain.
Speaker 4 (44:27):
So again, like I said, I do that to me
is even more of a reason for the Hall of Honor,
and I think it makes it maybe a little bit
more significant because it gives the Steelers and their fans
an opportunity to recognize guys who unfortunately may never make
(44:49):
the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 2 (44:51):
Well, Labs and his fellow committee members. Decision will be
made public this afternoon. We will definitely be carrying the
ceremony here on Steelers Nation Radio. So keep it right
year all day long and you'll hear that and hear
a lot of reaction to the four nominees that got
in there.
Speaker 4 (45:06):
That's the way. One o'clock today one.
Speaker 2 (45:09):
O'clock today, so keep it here for that, but also
keep it here next because we're going in the locker room.
Wolf and Starks are taken over, so we passed the
baton off to them labs, and I will be back
again tomorrow at nine am for another training camp report
on Steelers Nation Radio.
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