July 31, 2025 • 42 mins
Labs and Tom talk about the first padded practice of training camp, recap today’s practice that was moved to the morning, and hear from coach and Joey Porter Jr.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
iHeartRadio's live coverage job Dot twenty twenty five Steelers Training Camp.
He's presented by FedEx where Now meets Next, and also
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(00:29):
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and by US Steel.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Labs. This is an unprecedented training camp report in our
three year history. It's the first time we're coming at
you after a Steeler's practice has concluded, instead of leading
you into Steelers practice. So I feel a little bit
like I'm playing out of position here. So forgive me
if I got the yips today.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Yeah, I mean I'm playing a little out of position too.
And the guys who just left, Rob the Booth, Rob
King and Max Starks, they're the by Plate and color people.
They should be here right now. I told Max, I said,
as he was leaving, I said, Hey, practice is still
going on. Put that headset back on, sit your big
butt down, let's go.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
So practice is ongoing right now for the Steelers. It
was moved to ten in the morning today because storms
were coming into the area. Labs tipped them off last night.
He said, hey, I saw something in the sky and
I just feel something in my bones, So you want
to move that practice up, and they obliged, and they
did decide to put the pads back on the shelf
Flabs And that makes a lot of sense because Friday
(01:33):
Night Lights is tomorrow and that's that's real football that's
going to be played. You need the pads for that.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Yeah, and you know, especially I looked at the schedule,
you know, when it first came out, the advanced schedule
for all of camp, and the only back to back
pads practices were supposed to be Tuesday and Wednesday of
this week. So Tuesday got washed out, so Wednesday, obviously
(02:00):
yesterday they practiced in pads. Was the first day in pads.
And there will not be back to back padded practices
now until the team breaks camp, you know, right before
the second preseason game, which is against the Buccaneers at
practice Shire Stadium.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Now we'll get into today's practice in full. Labs has
a ton of notes, but as I said, it's still ongoing,
so we wanted to let them digest it a little
bit so we get the full report. One note, I
wanted to make those labs before we get some of
your thoughts on the padded practice yesterday. Broderick Jones Isaac
Camalu both returning to practice for the Steelers, so they'll
be in pads tomorrow at Friday night lights. And that's
(02:39):
huge to get Broderick back. Of course we talked about
that yesterday. It's a huge year for him. As many
reps as he can get, making that position change is
really necessary for him. But getting Isaac Camalu back in
really that veteran presence fast. I mean labs. He really
only missed one real practice when you think about it, right.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
And you know, as they brought him off it was
a little book keeping. Uh, they had to bring them
off the NFI list, which happened earlier this morning so
that he could practice today, which he did. And then
I noticed that, uh, you know, there was no messing
around the very first you know, part of walk through.
(03:20):
I looked at the offensive line configuration and he was
at left guard and Broderick Jones was at left tackle.
So you know you need that line to you know,
try and develop some cohesion as a group. Uh. And
you also like the fact that now that the left
side of your offensive line, to the left of center
Zach Fraser, seems to be in place too, and that
(03:42):
those two guys because there's a lot of tandem stuff
that goes on between the guard and the tackle, either
communication or you know, physical uh passing off block or
defenders in past blocking and stuff like that. So you know,
you like those guys to uh get some time together,
go through some of these things together so that you
(04:04):
know when the games start, it's it's a much smoother
type process.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Yeah, and listen, I'm not going to mean any disrespect
with what I'm about to say to Spencer Anderson. He's
more than capable to fill in at any one of
those spots on the offensive line. His versatility is such
an asset and that's why he's looking like he's definitely
gonna be that sixth man for the Steelers offensive line
this year. But Labs, I wanted Isaac Camalo to have
as many reps out there with Roderick Jones, not because
(04:29):
Cmalo needs it, but all those things that you're mentioning,
I mean, having that veteran next to him, to kind
of help him out, you know what I mean. I
don't want to say completely be training wheels for him,
but just kind of be that guide, maybe that shrpa
for him at this early portion of the season in
training camp. But it's very valuable and I think it's
necessary for someone like Broderick.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Absolutely, suarp a nice reference too. I like the I
like that it's it's it's really very appropriate too, because
you know, when you're trying to when you're trying a
scale mount Everest, you need that steady hand next to
you helping you all along the way. A lot of times.
(05:10):
Saving your life in football it might be more called
saving your butt, but it's very similar.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Or saving your forty two year old quarterbacks life that
could be quite literally. All right, labs, what did you
see yesterday in the padded practice? You mentioned Caleb Johnson
was somebody that you thought was going to be put
through the meat grinder a little bit by Tomlin. And
what happened there? Who did he draw on the matchup
and how did he look in backs on backers?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Well, you know, I don't want to bury anybody this early,
but Caleb Johnson is going to need work on his
pass protection in order to be in every down back
in this league, in order to be a situational back
in this league, in order to be maybe more than
(06:00):
just a you know, a guy you hand the ball to.
Because yeah, he did not farewell. Malie Harrison, uh got
the better of three straight repetitions, and he, Malie Harrison
brought the you know, we were talking about it saying,
(06:22):
I wonder what Mike Tomlin's choice of matchup is going
to be. Is going to be the trying to stop
the runaway locomotive or the now you see it, now
you don't option. Malie Harrison brought the runaway locomotive option,
and yeah, Caleb Johnson did not do well. Three straight reps.
(06:45):
You know, the first one, Harrison won the rep. I'll
just say it that way.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
The second time, you know, you get a rematch. You
knew that was coming, got a rematch and it was
a bull rush. It was similar. He won the REP.
And then it seemed to me and like, yeah, again,
I'm watching it through the binoculars up here in the
press box at chucked Oldfield, and it's happening, you know,
down in the back corner of the end zone there
(07:13):
it seemed to me that Caleb Johnson lobbied for the
third And.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
You mentioned yesterday you like seeing that, So that's a
that's a check mark, right.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, But I'm yeah. But what I'm saying is that
one didn't end well either. But at least I don't
want Yeah, I don't want to. I mean, I'm not
saying that this guy can't play. You know, he's a bust,
he was a bad draft pick. I'm not saying any
of that. I'm just saying that where he came from Iowa,
what he was asked to do there, what that offense
(07:47):
was asked him to do, and what that offense was
capable of doing, he just never had any experience at that. Uh.
And I don't know, and I'm not ripping the Iowa
coaches either, I just don't know if that was part of,
you know, his development as a player for that program,
the passing game. So he needs he's going to have
(08:10):
some learning to do. He did not, let me say this,
he did not shy away from the contact. But it
just didn't seem like he had the tools in his
toolbox either in terms of the technique to handle it.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Look, that might be easy for some people to maybe
get a little lump in their throat, right, because hey,
you just drafted this guy. There's high hopes and now
it's not off to a good start and it is
very early. But here's the thing with the Steelers, and
we've touched on this so much. You have Jalen Warren.
There isn't much pressure for Gleb Johnson to come in
and hit the ground running because if you don't, you're
kind of screwed at the running back position. I know
(08:50):
Jalen Warren held his own imbacks on backers, did he
I'm sure he did some reps right, and I'm sure
he was more than fine because he's done this at
the NFL level for a couple of years now.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Yes, I mean I'm not you know, he went against
some you know, legitimate.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
People, different competition, yes, and.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
So I'm not gonna paint a picture that he dominated
the drill by any means, but I mean it was
a totally different look to it. You know. In the
other running back that Mike Tomlin talked about in terms
of being an interesting matchup was Kenneth Gainwell, whom Mike
Tomland refers to as Kenny g So not to be
(09:30):
confused with the musician.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
They should play saxophone on the acrosure, just a hard
Kenny G riff on the saxophone.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Okay, okay, yes I'll make that note. But anyway, and
Peyton Wilson, I thought, uh kind of won that matchup.
They they went three times too. It's Peyton Wilson won
the first one. I would grade the second one ofmate,
(10:00):
which in my opinion, often is a win for the
offense because if the pass rusher doesn't even either knock
you over or get around you, sometimes, you know, just
getting in the way is good enough for the quarterback
to get the ball off, so you know, it's kind
of like a defensive back. You don't have to intercept
the pass. It just has to be incomplete. So anyway,
(10:24):
but the third one, I would have graded it as
a win for Peyton Wilson, which you know, again, these
kinds of drills are such that it depends on what
you choose to focus on. You know, you want to
focus on who wins, or you want to focus on
who loses. Because Kenny G might not have done what
(10:49):
a lot of fans hoped and his repetitions in that drill,
but Peyton Wilson. You know, he looks like a guy
who is developing nicely from player he was as a rookie.
So you know it is when it's Steelers on Steelers,
you can choose to be the half glass half full
(11:09):
or the glass half empty.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
And if you've often noted Labs, Kenny g will have
his chance for a little bit of revenge coming up
here because they flip the dynamic right, it'll be now
Peyton Wilson's going to have to go out and cover
Kenny g And boy, that's such a valuable matchup for
Peyton Wilson too, because his coverage ability as a linebacker
is such a skill set for him. But Gaine was
going to have the advantage there against any linebacker he
(11:30):
goes against right.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
And you know that's the thing now with playing an
inside linebacker in the NFL, you have to be able
to do both. You know, you can't be a run
thumper because they just won't. The other team just won't
run the ball when you're in there. And you can't
be just a will of the wisp cover kind of guy,
because before you know it, Derrick Henry will be coming
(11:55):
right at you one hundred miles an hour, and what
are you going to have in that situation? So, I
mean inside linebacker in the NFL. I I don't know.
I'm maybe that I was going to say it's one
of the most difficult positions in the sport to play.
But then you know, then I start thinking, well, there's quarterback,
and there's cornerback, and then there's left tackle, and but yeah,
(12:21):
well let me say this, inside linebacker. The degree of
difficulty to play the position I think has increased significantly
of late as the offenses have NFL offenses have gone
to you know, multiple receivers, you know, fast break kind
(12:41):
of throwing the ball all over the field to a
lot of different people in every situation. You can imagine
inside linebackers have to be able to do both because
so often you cannot get substitutions on and off the field.
That's another thing. I mean, you know, once upon a time,
when you know, Casey Hampton was a Steelers nose tackle,
(13:05):
they would take them out on third down. Well, now
teams won't let you take them out on third down.
They'll go from second to third, no huddle or line
up on the line of scrimmage, not necessarily no huddle,
hurry up in terms of the play clock. But when
they're on the ball, if you're trying to move players
(13:27):
on and off the field, you're gonna get You're gonna
get burned, either with a penalty, you know, a quick
snap when you got twelve guys on the field, or
they'll just again attack you where you're weak. So yeah,
like I said, inside linebackers, if you want to really
(13:49):
have a good defense, in my opinion, in today's NFL,
you're inside linebackers have to be able to do both.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Now, one area that you can see a clear winner
and loser, of course, is seven shots. And we had
our first installment if you will have real seven shots
because the pads are on and now the offensive and
defensive lines can really have a say in things here.
And it went to another game seven which has been
a very common theme throughout this training camp, throughout the
(14:18):
entire acclamation period. And now in that first padded session
of seven shots and the walk off winner labs Aaron
Rodgers to DK Metcalf, I mean, that's got to make
everybody feel great.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Yeah, But there were also some nice things going on
in terms of the the you know, the defense played
some good run defense because there was running the ball.
You know. The Steelers came out. The first snap was
three tight ends and Jalen Warren on the field. DK
Metcalf was the only receiver, so you know, you had Friarmouth,
(14:55):
you had Darnell Washington and I believe Eve it was
Connor Hayward. No no, John New's start. Yes, my bad.
And there was a lot of shifting like that. They
first came out and it was an empty backfield and
I thought, oh, empty, Okay, he can't run the ball now.
(15:17):
But then they shifted and they you know, realigned a
little bit that the tight ends and Jalen Warren came
back you know and stood behind Aaron Rodgers and it
was a snap under center, so that really kind of
tipped me to okay, this is going to be a run,
and it was. He turned and handed it to Jalen Warren,
who you know, plunged into the middle of the line
(15:38):
and the the defense held their own pretty much. You know,
there was a big pile there and it's one of
those things where you know, did he cross the goal line?
It's happening at the bottom of the pile. I always
have my doubts how it would actually be ruled in
a real game, because once the replay starts, you know,
(16:01):
you never know it's you never know it's gonna come
out of a replay review. But it was ruled a
touchdown in that particular situation. So but then once the
running game had been established as a possibility, you know,
the defense, now there's things that they have to start
(16:21):
considering that they did not really when it was Padla's practice.
And as it went on, Aaron Rodgers had to pass
bat it at the line of scrimmage by Deshaun Elliott.
And then on the third snap, I really liked what
Rogers did. Uh. He took the snap, he used his
(16:45):
mobility out and I don't want to make this sound
like he was scrambling, because that's not what I mean.
He used his mobility, you know, just some quick sideways
movements to create a lane for himself and then got
the ball to John news Smith. Then Mason Rudolph came
on and hit, oh man, I'll get my roster here.
(17:13):
It was a quick slam pass to Brandon Johnson. Always
confused Brandon Johnson and Robert Woods because of their numbers.
So but anyway, forgive me.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
It was ninety of those guys out there.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Yes, so that was that was another touchdown. The offense
had a three three to one lead. Then they tried
another running play. Tough day for Caleb Johnson. They pitched
him the ball and you know, it's not a situation
for a minute that I think that it was his fault.
But he got the ball, there was nowhere to go.
(17:49):
The players from the secondary came up very quickly and
he got stopped well short of the goal line. Then
on the sixth snap, Evan Hall got stopped. Jack Sawyer
was involved in that, but it was one of those
big piles. I'm sure there was a defensive lineman or
two who was doing something to help that situation end
(18:15):
up short of the goal line. And then Aaron Rodgers
came back in. The first units went back on the field,
as they we've seen that throughout this camp. If there's
a you know, a seventh game of the World Series,
the number ones go back on the field play action,
which now is also an extra weapon and a factor
(18:36):
when running is allowed. And it has actually happened, and
he hit dk metcalf from the far left corner of
the end zone. So winter and winter chicken dinner, so
to speak, and.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Maybe quite literally, it was a chicken dinner at a
nice little chicken option for them. When we come back,
we'll get labs as weather report for practice today and
spoiler alert. He's guaranteed to get this one right. So
it's very exciting and we also so we'll hear what
Tomlin had to say. Just some thoughts from Tomlin after
that first padded practice yesterday. It's the Training Camp Report
on Fox Sports Pittsburgh nine seventy AM and the Steelers Audio.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Network Iheartradios Live coverage. Job twenty twenty five Steelers Training
Camp is presented by FedEx where Now meets Next and
also brought to you by CGR Wholesale Roofing and Siding
(19:29):
Supply Center, by Tom's Appliances, by Always Safe Flagging and
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by Castle Rod, by Clearview Federal Credit Union, and by
US Steel.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Tom Off from Men and Bob Labriola on the Training
Camp Report Labs, the Steelers still practicing? Is it still
going on? It was still happening when we started the show.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
I was yes, I was just to say, because I
thought you were gonna go to the weather report and
I was gonna say, I guarantee that there will be
no rain interrupting the Steelers practice now, because it just
ended perfect. That's how confident I am.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Great, And that was the whole notion behind moving the
practice up to ten am today, because they do expect
there to be some weather to deal with this afternoon
in labs. That's just been a theme throughout training camp
right now, you know, as we kind of take our
weather report in a different direction today since practice already happened,
you know, they've had to deal with rain, cutting two
practices short, moving one to the gym, and then there's
(20:34):
just the excessive heat when they are allowed to practice.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Yeah, this has been you know, one of those training camps.
I mean there have been these in previous summers up here.
I you know, the the two thousand and three training camp.
I remember that one as being especially bad. Uh in
terms of the rain, there was all there's always the
heat and the humidity. I mean, this is Latrobe, but
(20:57):
it's the Laurel Highlands. This is this is what you
get here at this time of the year. But you know,
sometimes you're just in a rain pattern and that's what
it is. But you know what I can tell you
is you're looking at the long long range forecast here Saturday, Sunday, Monday,
(21:18):
all temperatures all let me say this, it's all forecasts,
no rain, temperatures in the high seventies or low eighties.
So you know, maybe this pattern that we've been in
recently up here is changing, you know, is breaking. Maybe
all of the misery that has been going on from
a weather standpoint up until now, maybe it's changing a
(21:41):
little bit. Let's hope.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
So yeah, and let's hope so for tomorrow's practice too.
And we'll talk a ton about this tomorrow show hyping
up Friday Night lights because it's really the iconic moment
of Steelers' training camp. And boy, it's been washed out
before in the past, so you know that always have
to knock on wood when you're there, and you hope
that they can get through that because a it'll be
(22:03):
a padded practice and they need to get that in
only having one under their belt so far, and labs,
I can see that preseason game on the horizon now
in Jacksonville, So they definitely got some more work that
they got to do. But that atmosphere is just unlike
anything you've ever seen. The players come over on school
buses like it's just so fun, and for these new guys,
it's just going to be such a unique experience. So
(22:24):
you got to hope that those weather gods can play
nice for these next you know, oh forty eight hours.
Speaker 3 (22:31):
Yeah, and I mean this what I'm going about to
say now just proves I haven't learned my lesson yet
about making statements about the weather and then them turning
out to be wrong. But as we sit here right now,
the forecast there's a very slight chance of raining tomorrow
but not tomorrow night. So you know, tomorrow tomorrow the
situation might be the perfect day based on the weather
(22:55):
that you want to have practice at night, So you know,
we'll I'll have to see tomorrow. You know, tomorrow night
they're saying mostly clear, low is going to be fifty
four degrees, which for some of these players they might
love that, I mean, and I might be thinking I
need a coat.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
We turned the ac on out here. We don't have
Coach Tomlin's comments from practice today. Jesse Yet, I'm sure
he's going to speak to the media soon and then
that'll be turned around on the Steelers' website and a
little bit we'll play those for you tomorrow. But we
do have a little bit of what he said yesterday
after the Steelers first padded practice and still has some
value because, as we keep saying, that's really the first
real practice that the Steelers have. So let's listen into
(23:39):
some of what Tomlin had to say.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
Man, really good days work today. Thankfully the weather cooperated
with us. A lot of competition periods and some tackling.
It's just a major component of this development. Individually and collectively.
We'll take a look at the tape and learn and
continue to push forward. Had one injury maybe to speak
of Oh went down his knee as being a valuated
(24:01):
The rest is just bumped. Some bruises associated with play,
maybe a few heat related things. Nothing that should be
long term with anyone else.
Speaker 4 (24:09):
Questions Ke would you like out.
Speaker 5 (24:11):
Of the pyciality and guys like Mike Roberty and Juno.
You know, I just think that you know, people that
have physicality as an asset to the game. It needs
to show up and show up consistently the people that
you mentioned do and so it's good to see you.
Product was stressed out today, but he wasn't in the
team periods. Where is he at working back? He worked
partially today, worked an individual and on the side, and
(24:32):
so he's moving back to full participation. Where do you
think the offense is in terms of just getting on
the same page?
Speaker 3 (24:39):
Are they where you expect them to be?
Speaker 4 (24:41):
How do you like their development?
Speaker 5 (24:42):
You know, I don't know that I've analyzed it in
that way at this juncture, was just still at the
very early stages of development. I appreciate their approach to
learning and getting better and managing the installs. How much
improve it you say? Joey's made in his pad one?
You know, it's just one day sample, and so like
for me, it's about putting together good consecutive days together
(25:04):
and displaying consistency. Certainly he had a good day today,
anyone else you might have been asking him, so you
might be hope for the years you've been here, what
was that experience.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Like with all the fans up there with the maxaicue.
Speaker 5 (25:17):
Jay Man, Pat's the talent and his show is entertaining
He's got a real following. It really added to our
environment today and I'm appreciative of that, all right.
Speaker 2 (25:28):
Coach Troy Faltono had a couple of nice reps against
t J Watt and one on one, how would you
assess his first padded practice since returning from me Andrew?
Speaker 5 (25:35):
You know, I thought he representing himself well today. As
you mentioned, Man, he really gets an opportunity to improve
and improve fast because of who he gets to work
against every day.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
Did you add Kenneth Kingwell and pe Loss and that
live out to the expectations he had.
Speaker 5 (25:49):
It certainly did, but it will continue in a variety
of ways.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
This coach Tomlin following Steelers padded practice yesterday and labs
a couple of things that I want to touch on there.
First off, with Joey Porter Junior and him being a
willing tackler. That was something that really kind of flashed
during yesterday's practice, wasn't It was him sticking his nose
in the run game a lot.
Speaker 3 (26:11):
Yeah. Especially it was really visible to me in the
team run period, which you know I refer to as
tackle football, and it didn't take very long at all.
First play of the game or first play of the period,
gave the ball to Jalen Warren bounced outside and Joey
(26:32):
Porter came up hard and fast from his cornerback position
made a short tackle for behind line of scrimmage for
a loss. Then there was another a couple of plays later,
Caleb Johnson got the ball, was kind of up the middle.
Derek Harmon and Joey Porter Junior were kind of involved
(26:52):
in that stop. I mean, it was one of those
where you know, there's a big pile up of players
you really don't know who specifically you know, made the
actual tackle, but they were both there kind of at
the bottom of the pile, so they were either blowing
up the blocking or getting the guy on the ground.
It was good run support, good run play.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
And then and that's just in the DNA, right, I mean, come.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
On, right, absolutely, you know, and I'm sure that you
know that is something I don't know that well, let
me say this, I would imagine that a conversation about,
you know, being tougher against the run is something that
came up in terms of the whenever the Porter family
(27:41):
got together during the off season. Because Joey Porter Sr.
Was never a shrinking Violet to put it bluntly, and
you know the he used the term badassu referring to
the Steelers history of outside linebackers at the Hall of
(28:04):
Honor announcement, and I think that that's a similar term
that Joey Porter would senior would want to apply to
any of his progeny who go on to play football.
So yeah, I'm not saying Joey Porter Junior was soft
last year or anything, but the way his position, I
(28:29):
think one of the things that he was concentrating on
the most as a first and second year guy, you know,
following the other team's best receiver, you know, those kinds
of things. Those were kind of at the forefront of
his consciousness on a week to week basis, game to
game basis, and I think this year, his third year,
(28:51):
the guy is looking to round out his game as
an all all around cornerback. Because you know, Joey Porter
Junior picked the number twenty four as his jersey number
after the Steelers drafted him with the first pick in
the second round, and he later said that that was
(29:11):
kind of a shout out a tribute to Ike Taylor, who,
you know, again was a guy that was close to
the family and Ike Taylor. People could say whatever they
want about him. You know, he didn't have a lot
of interceptions, and you know I've heard you know, if
I could catch, it'd have been in the Hall of Fame.
And maybe you know who knows, But Ike Taylor was
(29:33):
a tough guy all the time. He made tackles, He
was physical, He played the position beyond just running cover.
So I'm sure uncle like and that's my little nickname,
Uncle Mike is proud of the way that Joey Porter
(29:54):
Junior now seems to be rounding out his game in
terms of unsupport and tackling.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
We'll hear from Joey Porter Junior before we end the
hour in the next segment. One last guy that Tomlin
mentioned that had a good padded practice before we get
to our break. Here was Troy Fatanu, who is going
up against you can't get better competition, possibly and I
would think the best ed rusher in the NFL. And
it looked like he more than held his own, didn't
(30:21):
he Yes.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
And again it was in one on ones And I
mentioned earlier when we were talking about backs on backers
a lot of times for the offensive guy as still
made as good enough because that allows the quarterback the
necessary time to do what he needs to do. See
the field, read the coverage, and get the ball to
(30:44):
the to the open receiver. And Troy Faoiltana was doing
that consistently in that drill against t J.
Speaker 5 (30:52):
Watt.
Speaker 3 (30:53):
So again, it wasn't a dominant performance by any means,
but it was effective. And effective often is good enough
because you're string enough effectives together and before you know
a lot of people are taking notice and you're starting
to get voted to postseason honors and those kind of things.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
Labs and I will start discussing what happened in today's
practice when we come back, And like I said, Joey
Porter Junr had some thoughts after yesterday's practice, the first
one in pads. He really shined during that padded practice,
So we'll hear from him before the top of the
hour as well. It's the Training Camp Report on Fox
Sports Pittsburgh nine seventy am and the Steelers Audio.
Speaker 1 (31:34):
Network Iheartradios live coverage I'm Not twenty twenty five Steelers
Training Camp. He's presented by pat X where Now meets
Next and also brought to you by bud Light Independence
Health System by Pennsylvania One Call System by Live Casino,
(31:56):
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Pro Shop and buy us Steel.
Speaker 2 (32:10):
Glad you were there consuming practice today, as you do
for every Steelers practice that the media is allowed to consume.
Was there a headline in your eyes or something or
someone that might have stood out now? Of course, to
remind people, the pads were on the shelf today, so
you can only stand out so much.
Speaker 3 (32:26):
Now, I'm gonna have to say, there was some chippiness today, really,
and you mentioned there was no pads, and yes, that's
part of the reason why it kind of stood out
to me. And let me just say this, it seems
to me that the offense is no longer willing to
(32:49):
be a punching bag anymore, or you know, the the
victims of trash talking or you know, any of that
kind of stuff. Because I thought that the Steelers, the
people that they added, you know, Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay,
you know, these kind of people are their edgy so
(33:11):
to the defensive players, those.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Are the type of guy's labs that you hate playing against,
but now that they're Steelers, we're gonna.
Speaker 3 (33:19):
Love them well.
Speaker 5 (33:20):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (33:20):
And John hu Smith is not having it. He is
not having it. Uh he is. And he's standing up
for himself for other offensive teammates. A wan Thornhill is
another guy who is an edgy kind of player. John
hu Smith is not having it. At one point, Patrick
(33:41):
Queen was doing some talking on his way to the
defensive side of the line of scrimmage to start a drill,
and Mason McCormick apparently determined that he was lingering too
long near the offensive huddle and pushed him away, way
(34:01):
back towards the other, you know, his side of the
line of scrimmage in a not a completely violent way,
but I mean it was more than a brotherly shove,
so to speak. So yeah, I think that, and I'm
liking this a little bit. There have been no punches
or anything stupid. But as I said, the offense is
(34:23):
starting to stand up for itself. It's not it doesn't
seem like, let me say this, it seems like it's
trying to develop some of the edge that the defense
has had and is certainly going to have again. This year.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
Yeah, and you know what, it makes a lot of
sense because not only did you bring in a lot
of established guys in that offense that can give it
out and have a resume to back it up. John
new Smith, like you mentioned, who has a little bit
of a relationship already with Jalen Ramsey coming from Miami.
Aaron Rodgers is not shy to have his opinion voiced
on the football field. DK metcalf isn't either. But guys
(34:58):
in the Steelers' locker room like a like a Friar mooth.
You know, some of those offensive linemen, you know now
they're established now they're Pittsburgh Steelers too, And I'm sure
there was a dynamic when they were younger. And you
know this team really was youthful on that offensive side
of the ball. What was like you almost looked up
to the defense like whoa, Like those guys are kind
of larger than life a little bit.
Speaker 3 (35:18):
Yeah. And you know again, when you looked at the
offensive lineup from last year, you know you didn't have
you know, your your your lineman, your line was young,
your receiving corps was young. You know, you didn't have
(35:39):
a Cam Hayward or a T. J. Watt or Patrick Queen,
you know, or some of those guys that the defense,
the defensive side of the ball had, and so the personalities,
the you know, the edginess. I keep going back to
that same word because it really kind of seems to
be an apt word to use. Uh, you didn't have
(35:59):
any of that on the line of scrimmage or on
the offensive side of the ball. I mean, Mark Marquise
Pouncey was gone. You know, Ben Roethlisberger was gone. You know,
a lot of those kind of those kind of guys
that were that provided some of that for the offensive side,
you know, even going back farther, Jerome Bettis, you know,
(36:19):
just those kind of people they they they weren't around anymore.
And I remember it being somewhat of a topic, you know,
who were the offensive leaders? You need to develop some
leaders on offense. Well, it seems to me now that
you know, that's that's coming around a little bit more.
And as I said, I think it's a good thing.
Speaker 2 (36:43):
No, I think it's a good thing as well. And
what were some of the things that they do seven
shots today? Like, what were some of the things that
they did today even though they weren't able to go,
you know, backs on backers and do all that that stuff.
Speaker 3 (36:54):
Yeah, they did. They did a lot of the same
the same drills that they were doing during acclamation periods
or acclamation days. And you know, there was some there
was some competition. Again, with no pads, there wasn't the hitting,
and maybe the edgy ness, the chippiness took the place
(37:17):
of some of the physicality that was that was not
on the field today. But again, you know, I mean
there was there was some good, good work being done.
I noticed during a you know, there was a one
on one period where receivers were going against defensive backs
(37:38):
with quarterbacks throwing in the ball. Uh. There were a
couple of plays where Aaron Rodgers missed connections with the receivers.
But as I was watching, as soon as the ball
was incomplete, the wide receivers coach was right up going
towards the receiver because he didn't do what was supposed
to be done. One was a back shoulder throw. He
(37:59):
didn't make him self available, you know, to receive a
back shoulder throw. Another one was like a flag route.
The guy didn't he cut it off short. The receivers
coach made sure, Aaron Rodgers didn't even have to say
anything about it because he was right there. And so
there's that kind of, you know, coaching going on as well,
because Aaron Rodgers is very much a stickler for guys
(38:21):
running the routes to where they're supposed to be run
and being where they're supposed to be when he delivers
the ball. And hey, let me tell you this, I'm
a big fan of that, because if you're not where
you're supposed to be when you're supposed to be there
as a receiver, that's often an interception.
Speaker 2 (38:38):
And we're going to get into Aaron Rodgers to lead
off our second hour today, and I have some sound
from him before practice yesterday, so we can definitely get
a lot into that kind of the demand that he
has of his receivers and just how that ball is
looking coming out of his hands. But before we wrap
up this hour, I did promise we'd hear from Joey
Porter Junior, who has really kind of been a star
early on in this camp training camp for the Steelers.
(39:01):
He caught up with the media after practice yesterday.
Speaker 5 (39:05):
Joey, how do you feel about the secondary and how
you guys three flying around out of the pads were on.
Speaker 4 (39:09):
I feel like first day was good. You know, it
was getting accumated running around him people. So I had
a great time today. I feel like everybody in the
secondary did too.
Speaker 2 (39:16):
Look like you maybe had the first little fight at Campbell.
Is that what's going on there?
Speaker 1 (39:20):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (39:20):
Nothing little play fighting? I think you know, it was
just everybody's a little bit of tenth. First day had passed,
everybody just trying to get after it. That happens. We
still teammates at the end of the day. O g Woods.
Speaker 2 (39:31):
Yeah, Oji.
Speaker 3 (39:32):
How much did heat you.
Speaker 2 (39:34):
Know, play into that and get you guys, you know,
maybe a little.
Speaker 3 (39:37):
Bit more on edge you want.
Speaker 4 (39:38):
I mean, I think it played a big part. We know,
when it's hot, everybody get a little irritated. You can't
do nothing to nobody when it's hot. So I feel
like that just tacked a lot of people off today
and it is what it is to come.
Speaker 3 (39:48):
With its with the chippiness too. How much do you
is welcome that. I feel like a lot of the
things we've talked to you all week and they're saying
like we're dying to get out there and really hit
each other.
Speaker 4 (39:56):
I mean, everybody wanted to put pass on. We was
kind of upset yesterday that we didn't get the spin,
So today everybody's really anticipating in and we showed on
the field today. You said that the personnel that you
guys have, Peyton wills to saying that the personality guys
have helping you guys communicate and play faster as a unit.
Speaker 5 (40:13):
What's different about this group of guys that have whiled
you got?
Speaker 2 (40:15):
You to accept that tune as early as you can.
Speaker 4 (40:17):
I mean, we got more veterans on the field. I
feel like that that plays a little bit of it.
Speaker 1 (40:21):
You know, we.
Speaker 4 (40:21):
Got Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey we acquired and then
in a little bit more pieces to the puzzle that
really help all the young guys really communicating, try to
get ahead of the playbook as cast as we can,
and we're just gonna take step by step every time
we get on the field.
Speaker 5 (40:34):
With that.
Speaker 4 (40:35):
The first team period, you wanted to set the tongue. Definitely, Yeah, definitely, No,
I was. I was kind of frustrated earlier and I
just wanted to prove people that I could really do that,
So I had to real quick. Is that something you've
been working on a lot exactly. Yeah, I feel like
I've been working on that since my rookie year. I
feel like I showed a lot of people that last year,
and I'm just trying to keep on improving with that.
Speaker 3 (40:55):
How much think you've grown in that? A lot.
Speaker 5 (40:59):
More guys, I was Reeleen gonna pushed you, especially in
your technique to avoid penalties but still stay physical.
Speaker 4 (41:06):
I don't know they know. He's just gonna talk to
me every day. I'm gona keep ask some questions and
I'm gonna nitpick him, just like how he's gonna nitpick me,
and we're just trying to get bet at the end
of the day. So I'm gonna always ask him some
him in d slave, I have eighty degrees from where
you feel like.
Speaker 1 (41:19):
It's a little bit of a relief.
Speaker 3 (41:20):
You guys talk me about that or do you like
to eat?
Speaker 4 (41:21):
It's gonna feel the fame them all. So we're gonna
be ready. We're gona bring our sholder pads at helmets
like always, then we're gonna get after that.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
Well, unfortunately, all they had to do was bring their
helmets for practice today because no shoulder pads. But there's
Joey Porter Junior after practice yesterday really made an impact
in run support and good to see him work on
that aspect of his game and become more and more
of a willing tackler. When we come back Labs and
I will get into Aaron Rodgers, hear from the man
himself and talk about how his start as a Pittsburgh
(41:49):
Steeler has looked through these first few practices of Steelers
training Camp. It's the Training Camp Report on Fox Sports
Pittsburgh nine seventy am and the Steelers Audio Network
iHeartRadio's live coverage job Dot twenty twenty five Steelers Training Camp.
He's presented by FedEx where Now meets Next, and also
brought to you by bud Light, Independence Health System, by
Pennsylvania One Call System, by Live Casino, Caliente Pizza and
Draft House, by Don's Appliances, South Hills Auto, Laurel, Highlands
(00:29):
Visitors Bureau, Wemax, Select Realty, the Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Shop,
and by US Steel.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Labs. This is an unprecedented training camp report in our
three year history. It's the first time we're coming at
you after a Steeler's practice has concluded, instead of leading
you into Steelers practice. So I feel a little bit
like I'm playing out of position here. So forgive me
if I got the yips today.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Yeah, I mean I'm playing a little out of position too.
And the guys who just left, Rob the Booth, Rob
King and Max Starks, they're the by Plate and color people.
They should be here right now. I told Max, I said,
as he was leaving, I said, Hey, practice is still
going on. Put that headset back on, sit your big
butt down, let's go.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
So practice is ongoing right now for the Steelers. It
was moved to ten in the morning today because storms
were coming into the area. Labs tipped them off last night.
He said, hey, I saw something in the sky and
I just feel something in my bones, So you want
to move that practice up, and they obliged, and they
did decide to put the pads back on the shelf
Flabs And that makes a lot of sense because Friday
(01:33):
Night Lights is tomorrow and that's that's real football that's
going to be played. You need the pads for that.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
Yeah, and you know, especially I looked at the schedule,
you know, when it first came out, the advanced schedule
for all of camp, and the only back to back
pads practices were supposed to be Tuesday and Wednesday of
this week. So Tuesday got washed out, so Wednesday, obviously
(02:00):
yesterday they practiced in pads. Was the first day in pads.
And there will not be back to back padded practices
now until the team breaks camp, you know, right before
the second preseason game, which is against the Buccaneers at
practice Shire Stadium.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Now we'll get into today's practice in full. Labs has
a ton of notes, but as I said, it's still ongoing,
so we wanted to let them digest it a little
bit so we get the full report. One note, I
wanted to make those labs before we get some of
your thoughts on the padded practice yesterday. Broderick Jones Isaac
Camalu both returning to practice for the Steelers, so they'll
be in pads tomorrow at Friday night lights. And that's
(02:39):
huge to get Broderick back. Of course we talked about
that yesterday. It's a huge year for him. As many
reps as he can get, making that position change is
really necessary for him. But getting Isaac Camalu back in
really that veteran presence fast. I mean labs. He really
only missed one real practice when you think about it, right.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
And you know, as they brought him off it was
a little book keeping. Uh, they had to bring them
off the NFI list, which happened earlier this morning so
that he could practice today, which he did. And then
I noticed that, uh, you know, there was no messing
around the very first you know, part of walk through.
(03:20):
I looked at the offensive line configuration and he was
at left guard and Broderick Jones was at left tackle.
So you know you need that line to you know,
try and develop some cohesion as a group. Uh. And
you also like the fact that now that the left
side of your offensive line, to the left of center
Zach Fraser, seems to be in place too, and that
(03:42):
those two guys because there's a lot of tandem stuff
that goes on between the guard and the tackle, either
communication or you know, physical uh passing off block or
defenders in past blocking and stuff like that. So you know,
you like those guys to uh get some time together,
go through some of these things together so that you
(04:04):
know when the games start, it's it's a much smoother
type process.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Yeah, and listen, I'm not going to mean any disrespect
with what I'm about to say to Spencer Anderson. He's
more than capable to fill in at any one of
those spots on the offensive line. His versatility is such
an asset and that's why he's looking like he's definitely
gonna be that sixth man for the Steelers offensive line
this year. But Labs, I wanted Isaac Camalo to have
as many reps out there with Roderick Jones, not because
(04:29):
Cmalo needs it, but all those things that you're mentioning,
I mean, having that veteran next to him, to kind
of help him out, you know what I mean. I
don't want to say completely be training wheels for him,
but just kind of be that guide, maybe that shrpa
for him at this early portion of the season in
training camp. But it's very valuable and I think it's
necessary for someone like Broderick.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Absolutely, suarp a nice reference too. I like the I
like that it's it's it's really very appropriate too, because
you know, when you're trying to when you're trying a
scale mount Everest, you need that steady hand next to
you helping you all along the way. A lot of times.
(05:10):
Saving your life in football it might be more called
saving your butt, but it's very similar.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Or saving your forty two year old quarterbacks life that
could be quite literally. All right, labs, what did you
see yesterday in the padded practice? You mentioned Caleb Johnson
was somebody that you thought was going to be put
through the meat grinder a little bit by Tomlin. And
what happened there? Who did he draw on the matchup
and how did he look in backs on backers?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Well, you know, I don't want to bury anybody this early,
but Caleb Johnson is going to need work on his
pass protection in order to be in every down back
in this league, in order to be a situational back
in this league, in order to be maybe more than
(06:00):
just a you know, a guy you hand the ball to.
Because yeah, he did not farewell. Malie Harrison, uh got
the better of three straight repetitions, and he, Malie Harrison
brought the you know, we were talking about it saying,
(06:22):
I wonder what Mike Tomlin's choice of matchup is going
to be. Is going to be the trying to stop
the runaway locomotive or the now you see it, now
you don't option. Malie Harrison brought the runaway locomotive option,
and yeah, Caleb Johnson did not do well. Three straight reps.
(06:45):
You know, the first one, Harrison won the rep. I'll
just say it that way.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
The second time, you know, you get a rematch. You
knew that was coming, got a rematch and it was
a bull rush. It was similar. He won the REP.
And then it seemed to me and like, yeah, again,
I'm watching it through the binoculars up here in the
press box at chucked Oldfield, and it's happening, you know,
down in the back corner of the end zone there
(07:13):
it seemed to me that Caleb Johnson lobbied for the
third And.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
You mentioned yesterday you like seeing that, So that's a
that's a check mark, right.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, But I'm yeah. But what I'm saying is that
one didn't end well either. But at least I don't
want Yeah, I don't want to. I mean, I'm not
saying that this guy can't play. You know, he's a bust,
he was a bad draft pick. I'm not saying any
of that. I'm just saying that where he came from Iowa,
what he was asked to do there, what that offense
(07:47):
was asked him to do, and what that offense was
capable of doing, he just never had any experience at that. Uh.
And I don't know, and I'm not ripping the Iowa
coaches either, I just don't know if that was part of,
you know, his development as a player for that program,
the passing game. So he needs he's going to have
(08:10):
some learning to do. He did not, let me say this,
he did not shy away from the contact. But it
just didn't seem like he had the tools in his
toolbox either in terms of the technique to handle it.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Look, that might be easy for some people to maybe
get a little lump in their throat, right, because hey,
you just drafted this guy. There's high hopes and now
it's not off to a good start and it is
very early. But here's the thing with the Steelers, and
we've touched on this so much. You have Jalen Warren.
There isn't much pressure for Gleb Johnson to come in
and hit the ground running because if you don't, you're
kind of screwed at the running back position. I know
(08:50):
Jalen Warren held his own imbacks on backers, did he
I'm sure he did some reps right, and I'm sure
he was more than fine because he's done this at
the NFL level for a couple of years now.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
Yes, I mean I'm not you know, he went against
some you know, legitimate.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
People, different competition, yes, and.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
So I'm not gonna paint a picture that he dominated
the drill by any means, but I mean it was
a totally different look to it. You know. In the
other running back that Mike Tomlin talked about in terms
of being an interesting matchup was Kenneth Gainwell, whom Mike
Tomland refers to as Kenny g So not to be
(09:30):
confused with the musician.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
They should play saxophone on the acrosure, just a hard
Kenny G riff on the saxophone.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Okay, okay, yes I'll make that note. But anyway, and
Peyton Wilson, I thought, uh kind of won that matchup.
They they went three times too. It's Peyton Wilson won
the first one. I would grade the second one ofmate,
(10:00):
which in my opinion, often is a win for the
offense because if the pass rusher doesn't even either knock
you over or get around you, sometimes, you know, just
getting in the way is good enough for the quarterback
to get the ball off, so you know, it's kind
of like a defensive back. You don't have to intercept
the pass. It just has to be incomplete. So anyway,
(10:24):
but the third one, I would have graded it as
a win for Peyton Wilson, which you know, again, these
kinds of drills are such that it depends on what
you choose to focus on. You know, you want to
focus on who wins, or you want to focus on
who loses. Because Kenny G might not have done what
(10:49):
a lot of fans hoped and his repetitions in that drill,
but Peyton Wilson. You know, he looks like a guy
who is developing nicely from player he was as a rookie.
So you know it is when it's Steelers on Steelers,
you can choose to be the half glass half full
(11:09):
or the glass half empty.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
And if you've often noted Labs, Kenny g will have
his chance for a little bit of revenge coming up
here because they flip the dynamic right, it'll be now
Peyton Wilson's going to have to go out and cover
Kenny g And boy, that's such a valuable matchup for
Peyton Wilson too, because his coverage ability as a linebacker
is such a skill set for him. But Gaine was
going to have the advantage there against any linebacker he
(11:30):
goes against right.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
And you know that's the thing now with playing an
inside linebacker in the NFL, you have to be able
to do both. You know, you can't be a run
thumper because they just won't. The other team just won't
run the ball when you're in there. And you can't
be just a will of the wisp cover kind of guy,
because before you know it, Derrick Henry will be coming
(11:55):
right at you one hundred miles an hour, and what
are you going to have in that situation? So, I
mean inside linebacker in the NFL. I I don't know.
I'm maybe that I was going to say it's one
of the most difficult positions in the sport to play.
But then you know, then I start thinking, well, there's quarterback,
and there's cornerback, and then there's left tackle, and but yeah,
(12:21):
well let me say this, inside linebacker. The degree of
difficulty to play the position I think has increased significantly
of late as the offenses have NFL offenses have gone
to you know, multiple receivers, you know, fast break kind
(12:41):
of throwing the ball all over the field to a
lot of different people in every situation. You can imagine
inside linebackers have to be able to do both because
so often you cannot get substitutions on and off the field.
That's another thing. I mean, you know, once upon a time,
when you know, Casey Hampton was a Steelers nose tackle,
(13:05):
they would take them out on third down. Well, now
teams won't let you take them out on third down.
They'll go from second to third, no huddle or line
up on the line of scrimmage, not necessarily no huddle,
hurry up in terms of the play clock. But when
they're on the ball, if you're trying to move players
(13:27):
on and off the field, you're gonna get You're gonna
get burned, either with a penalty, you know, a quick
snap when you got twelve guys on the field, or
they'll just again attack you where you're weak. So yeah,
like I said, inside linebackers, if you want to really
(13:49):
have a good defense, in my opinion, in today's NFL,
you're inside linebackers have to be able to do both.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Now, one area that you can see a clear winner
and loser, of course, is seven shots. And we had
our first installment if you will have real seven shots
because the pads are on and now the offensive and
defensive lines can really have a say in things here.
And it went to another game seven which has been
a very common theme throughout this training camp, throughout the
(14:18):
entire acclamation period. And now in that first padded session
of seven shots and the walk off winner labs Aaron
Rodgers to DK Metcalf, I mean, that's got to make
everybody feel great.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Yeah, But there were also some nice things going on
in terms of the the you know, the defense played
some good run defense because there was running the ball.
You know. The Steelers came out. The first snap was
three tight ends and Jalen Warren on the field. DK
Metcalf was the only receiver, so you know, you had Friarmouth,
(14:55):
you had Darnell Washington and I believe Eve it was
Connor Hayward. No no, John New's start. Yes, my bad.
And there was a lot of shifting like that. They
first came out and it was an empty backfield and
I thought, oh, empty, Okay, he can't run the ball now.
(15:17):
But then they shifted and they you know, realigned a
little bit that the tight ends and Jalen Warren came
back you know and stood behind Aaron Rodgers and it
was a snap under center, so that really kind of
tipped me to okay, this is going to be a run,
and it was. He turned and handed it to Jalen Warren,
who you know, plunged into the middle of the line
(15:38):
and the the defense held their own pretty much. You know,
there was a big pile there and it's one of
those things where you know, did he cross the goal line?
It's happening at the bottom of the pile. I always
have my doubts how it would actually be ruled in
a real game, because once the replay starts, you know,
(16:01):
you never know it's you never know it's gonna come
out of a replay review. But it was ruled a
touchdown in that particular situation. So but then once the
running game had been established as a possibility, you know,
the defense, now there's things that they have to start
(16:21):
considering that they did not really when it was Padla's practice.
And as it went on, Aaron Rodgers had to pass
bat it at the line of scrimmage by Deshaun Elliott.
And then on the third snap, I really liked what
Rogers did. Uh. He took the snap, he used his
(16:45):
mobility out and I don't want to make this sound
like he was scrambling, because that's not what I mean.
He used his mobility, you know, just some quick sideways
movements to create a lane for himself and then got
the ball to John news Smith. Then Mason Rudolph came
on and hit, oh man, I'll get my roster here.
(17:13):
It was a quick slam pass to Brandon Johnson. Always
confused Brandon Johnson and Robert Woods because of their numbers.
So but anyway, forgive me.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
It was ninety of those guys out there.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Yes, so that was that was another touchdown. The offense
had a three three to one lead. Then they tried
another running play. Tough day for Caleb Johnson. They pitched
him the ball and you know, it's not a situation
for a minute that I think that it was his fault.
But he got the ball, there was nowhere to go.
(17:49):
The players from the secondary came up very quickly and
he got stopped well short of the goal line. Then
on the sixth snap, Evan Hall got stopped. Jack Sawyer
was involved in that, but it was one of those
big piles. I'm sure there was a defensive lineman or
two who was doing something to help that situation end
(18:15):
up short of the goal line. And then Aaron Rodgers
came back in. The first units went back on the field,
as they we've seen that throughout this camp. If there's
a you know, a seventh game of the World Series,
the number ones go back on the field play action,
which now is also an extra weapon and a factor
(18:36):
when running is allowed. And it has actually happened, and
he hit dk metcalf from the far left corner of
the end zone. So winter and winter chicken dinner, so
to speak, and.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Maybe quite literally, it was a chicken dinner at a
nice little chicken option for them. When we come back,
we'll get labs as weather report for practice today and
spoiler alert. He's guaranteed to get this one right. So
it's very exciting and we also so we'll hear what
Tomlin had to say. Just some thoughts from Tomlin after
that first padded practice yesterday. It's the Training Camp Report
on Fox Sports Pittsburgh nine seventy AM and the Steelers Audio.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Network Iheartradios Live coverage. Job twenty twenty five Steelers Training
Camp is presented by FedEx where Now meets Next and
also brought to you by CGR Wholesale Roofing and Siding
(19:29):
Supply Center, by Tom's Appliances, by Always Safe Flagging and
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US Steel.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Tom Off from Men and Bob Labriola on the Training
Camp Report Labs, the Steelers still practicing? Is it still
going on? It was still happening when we started the show.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
I was yes, I was just to say, because I
thought you were gonna go to the weather report and
I was gonna say, I guarantee that there will be
no rain interrupting the Steelers practice now, because it just
ended perfect. That's how confident I am.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Great, And that was the whole notion behind moving the
practice up to ten am today, because they do expect
there to be some weather to deal with this afternoon
in labs. That's just been a theme throughout training camp
right now, you know, as we kind of take our
weather report in a different direction today since practice already happened,
you know, they've had to deal with rain, cutting two
practices short, moving one to the gym, and then there's
(20:34):
just the excessive heat when they are allowed to practice.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Yeah, this has been you know, one of those training camps.
I mean there have been these in previous summers up here.
I you know, the the two thousand and three training camp.
I remember that one as being especially bad. Uh in
terms of the rain, there was all there's always the
heat and the humidity. I mean, this is Latrobe, but
(20:57):
it's the Laurel Highlands. This is this is what you
get here at this time of the year. But you know,
sometimes you're just in a rain pattern and that's what
it is. But you know what I can tell you
is you're looking at the long long range forecast here Saturday, Sunday, Monday,
(21:18):
all temperatures all let me say this, it's all forecasts,
no rain, temperatures in the high seventies or low eighties.
So you know, maybe this pattern that we've been in
recently up here is changing, you know, is breaking. Maybe
all of the misery that has been going on from
a weather standpoint up until now, maybe it's changing a
(21:41):
little bit. Let's hope.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
So yeah, and let's hope so for tomorrow's practice too.
And we'll talk a ton about this tomorrow show hyping
up Friday Night lights because it's really the iconic moment
of Steelers' training camp. And boy, it's been washed out
before in the past, so you know that always have
to knock on wood when you're there, and you hope
that they can get through that because a it'll be
(22:03):
a padded practice and they need to get that in
only having one under their belt so far, and labs,
I can see that preseason game on the horizon now
in Jacksonville, So they definitely got some more work that
they got to do. But that atmosphere is just unlike
anything you've ever seen. The players come over on school
buses like it's just so fun, and for these new guys,
it's just going to be such a unique experience. So
(22:24):
you got to hope that those weather gods can play
nice for these next you know, oh forty eight hours.
Speaker 3 (22:31):
Yeah, and I mean this what I'm going about to
say now just proves I haven't learned my lesson yet
about making statements about the weather and then them turning
out to be wrong. But as we sit here right now,
the forecast there's a very slight chance of raining tomorrow
but not tomorrow night. So you know, tomorrow tomorrow the
situation might be the perfect day based on the weather
(22:55):
that you want to have practice at night, So you know,
we'll I'll have to see tomorrow. You know, tomorrow night
they're saying mostly clear, low is going to be fifty
four degrees, which for some of these players they might
love that, I mean, and I might be thinking I
need a coat.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
We turned the ac on out here. We don't have
Coach Tomlin's comments from practice today. Jesse Yet, I'm sure
he's going to speak to the media soon and then
that'll be turned around on the Steelers' website and a
little bit we'll play those for you tomorrow. But we
do have a little bit of what he said yesterday
after the Steelers first padded practice and still has some
value because, as we keep saying, that's really the first
real practice that the Steelers have. So let's listen into
(23:39):
some of what Tomlin had to say.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
Man, really good days work today. Thankfully the weather cooperated
with us. A lot of competition periods and some tackling.
It's just a major component of this development. Individually and collectively.
We'll take a look at the tape and learn and
continue to push forward. Had one injury maybe to speak
of Oh went down his knee as being a valuated
(24:01):
The rest is just bumped. Some bruises associated with play,
maybe a few heat related things. Nothing that should be
long term with anyone else.
Speaker 4 (24:09):
Questions Ke would you like out.
Speaker 5 (24:11):
Of the pyciality and guys like Mike Roberty and Juno.
You know, I just think that you know, people that
have physicality as an asset to the game. It needs
to show up and show up consistently the people that
you mentioned do and so it's good to see you.
Product was stressed out today, but he wasn't in the
team periods. Where is he at working back? He worked
partially today, worked an individual and on the side, and
(24:32):
so he's moving back to full participation. Where do you
think the offense is in terms of just getting on
the same page?
Speaker 3 (24:39):
Are they where you expect them to be?
Speaker 4 (24:41):
How do you like their development?
Speaker 5 (24:42):
You know, I don't know that I've analyzed it in
that way at this juncture, was just still at the
very early stages of development. I appreciate their approach to
learning and getting better and managing the installs. How much
improve it you say? Joey's made in his pad one?
You know, it's just one day sample, and so like
for me, it's about putting together good consecutive days together
(25:04):
and displaying consistency. Certainly he had a good day today,
anyone else you might have been asking him, so you
might be hope for the years you've been here, what
was that experience.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Like with all the fans up there with the maxaicue.
Speaker 5 (25:17):
Jay Man, Pat's the talent and his show is entertaining
He's got a real following. It really added to our
environment today and I'm appreciative of that, all right.
Speaker 2 (25:28):
Coach Troy Faltono had a couple of nice reps against
t J Watt and one on one, how would you
assess his first padded practice since returning from me Andrew?
Speaker 5 (25:35):
You know, I thought he representing himself well today. As
you mentioned, Man, he really gets an opportunity to improve
and improve fast because of who he gets to work
against every day.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
Did you add Kenneth Kingwell and pe Loss and that
live out to the expectations he had.
Speaker 5 (25:49):
It certainly did, but it will continue in a variety
of ways.
Speaker 2 (25:55):
This coach Tomlin following Steelers padded practice yesterday and labs
a couple of things that I want to touch on there.
First off, with Joey Porter Junior and him being a
willing tackler. That was something that really kind of flashed
during yesterday's practice, wasn't It was him sticking his nose
in the run game a lot.
Speaker 3 (26:11):
Yeah. Especially it was really visible to me in the
team run period, which you know I refer to as
tackle football, and it didn't take very long at all.
First play of the game or first play of the period,
gave the ball to Jalen Warren bounced outside and Joey
(26:32):
Porter came up hard and fast from his cornerback position
made a short tackle for behind line of scrimmage for
a loss. Then there was another a couple of plays later,
Caleb Johnson got the ball, was kind of up the middle.
Derek Harmon and Joey Porter Junior were kind of involved
(26:52):
in that stop. I mean, it was one of those
where you know, there's a big pile up of players
you really don't know who specifically you know, made the
actual tackle, but they were both there kind of at
the bottom of the pile, so they were either blowing
up the blocking or getting the guy on the ground.
It was good run support, good run play.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
And then and that's just in the DNA, right, I mean, come.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
On, right, absolutely, you know, and I'm sure that you
know that is something I don't know that well, let
me say this, I would imagine that a conversation about,
you know, being tougher against the run is something that
came up in terms of the whenever the Porter family
(27:41):
got together during the off season. Because Joey Porter Sr.
Was never a shrinking Violet to put it bluntly, and
you know the he used the term badassu referring to
the Steelers history of outside linebackers at the Hall of
(28:04):
Honor announcement, and I think that that's a similar term
that Joey Porter would senior would want to apply to
any of his progeny who go on to play football.
So yeah, I'm not saying Joey Porter Junior was soft
last year or anything, but the way his position, I
(28:29):
think one of the things that he was concentrating on
the most as a first and second year guy, you know,
following the other team's best receiver, you know, those kinds
of things. Those were kind of at the forefront of
his consciousness on a week to week basis, game to
game basis, and I think this year, his third year,
(28:51):
the guy is looking to round out his game as
an all all around cornerback. Because you know, Joey Porter
Junior picked the number twenty four as his jersey number
after the Steelers drafted him with the first pick in
the second round, and he later said that that was
(29:11):
kind of a shout out a tribute to Ike Taylor, who,
you know, again was a guy that was close to
the family and Ike Taylor. People could say whatever they
want about him. You know, he didn't have a lot
of interceptions, and you know I've heard you know, if
I could catch, it'd have been in the Hall of Fame.
And maybe you know who knows, But Ike Taylor was
(29:33):
a tough guy all the time. He made tackles, He
was physical, He played the position beyond just running cover.
So I'm sure uncle like and that's my little nickname,
Uncle Mike is proud of the way that Joey Porter
(29:54):
Junior now seems to be rounding out his game in
terms of unsupport and tackling.
Speaker 2 (30:00):
We'll hear from Joey Porter Junior before we end the
hour in the next segment. One last guy that Tomlin
mentioned that had a good padded practice before we get
to our break. Here was Troy Fatanu, who is going
up against you can't get better competition, possibly and I
would think the best ed rusher in the NFL. And
it looked like he more than held his own, didn't
(30:21):
he Yes.
Speaker 3 (30:22):
And again it was in one on ones And I
mentioned earlier when we were talking about backs on backers
a lot of times for the offensive guy as still
made as good enough because that allows the quarterback the
necessary time to do what he needs to do. See
the field, read the coverage, and get the ball to
(30:44):
the to the open receiver. And Troy Faoiltana was doing
that consistently in that drill against t J.
Speaker 5 (30:52):
Watt.
Speaker 3 (30:53):
So again, it wasn't a dominant performance by any means,
but it was effective. And effective often is good enough
because you're string enough effectives together and before you know
a lot of people are taking notice and you're starting
to get voted to postseason honors and those kind of things.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
Labs and I will start discussing what happened in today's
practice when we come back, And like I said, Joey
Porter Junr had some thoughts after yesterday's practice, the first
one in pads. He really shined during that padded practice,
So we'll hear from him before the top of the
hour as well. It's the Training Camp Report on Fox
Sports Pittsburgh nine seventy am and the Steelers Audio.
Speaker 1 (31:34):
Network Iheartradios live coverage I'm Not twenty twenty five Steelers
Training Camp. He's presented by pat X where Now meets
Next and also brought to you by bud Light Independence
Health System by Pennsylvania One Call System by Live Casino,
(31:56):
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Laurel Highlands Visitors, Bureau, Remax, Select Realty, the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pro Shop and buy us Steel.
Speaker 2 (32:10):
Glad you were there consuming practice today, as you do
for every Steelers practice that the media is allowed to consume.
Was there a headline in your eyes or something or
someone that might have stood out now? Of course, to
remind people, the pads were on the shelf today, so
you can only stand out so much.
Speaker 3 (32:26):
Now, I'm gonna have to say, there was some chippiness today, really,
and you mentioned there was no pads, and yes, that's
part of the reason why it kind of stood out
to me. And let me just say this, it seems
to me that the offense is no longer willing to
(32:49):
be a punching bag anymore, or you know, the the
victims of trash talking or you know, any of that
kind of stuff. Because I thought that the Steelers, the
people that they added, you know, Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay,
you know, these kind of people are their edgy so
(33:11):
to the defensive players, those.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Are the type of guy's labs that you hate playing against,
but now that they're Steelers, we're gonna.
Speaker 3 (33:19):
Love them well.
Speaker 5 (33:20):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (33:20):
And John hu Smith is not having it. He is
not having it. Uh he is. And he's standing up
for himself for other offensive teammates. A wan Thornhill is
another guy who is an edgy kind of player. John
hu Smith is not having it. At one point, Patrick
(33:41):
Queen was doing some talking on his way to the
defensive side of the line of scrimmage to start a drill,
and Mason McCormick apparently determined that he was lingering too
long near the offensive huddle and pushed him away, way
(34:01):
back towards the other, you know, his side of the
line of scrimmage in a not a completely violent way,
but I mean it was more than a brotherly shove,
so to speak. So yeah, I think that, and I'm
liking this a little bit. There have been no punches
or anything stupid. But as I said, the offense is
(34:23):
starting to stand up for itself. It's not it doesn't
seem like, let me say this, it seems like it's
trying to develop some of the edge that the defense
has had and is certainly going to have again. This year.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
Yeah, and you know what, it makes a lot of
sense because not only did you bring in a lot
of established guys in that offense that can give it
out and have a resume to back it up. John
new Smith, like you mentioned, who has a little bit
of a relationship already with Jalen Ramsey coming from Miami.
Aaron Rodgers is not shy to have his opinion voiced
on the football field. DK metcalf isn't either. But guys
(34:58):
in the Steelers' locker room like a like a Friar mooth.
You know, some of those offensive linemen, you know now
they're established now they're Pittsburgh Steelers too, And I'm sure
there was a dynamic when they were younger. And you
know this team really was youthful on that offensive side
of the ball. What was like you almost looked up
to the defense like whoa, Like those guys are kind
of larger than life a little bit.
Speaker 3 (35:18):
Yeah. And you know again, when you looked at the
offensive lineup from last year, you know you didn't have
you know, your your your lineman, your line was young,
your receiving corps was young. You know, you didn't have
(35:39):
a Cam Hayward or a T. J. Watt or Patrick Queen,
you know, or some of those guys that the defense,
the defensive side of the ball had, and so the personalities,
the you know, the edginess. I keep going back to
that same word because it really kind of seems to
be an apt word to use. Uh, you didn't have
(35:59):
any of that on the line of scrimmage or on
the offensive side of the ball. I mean, Mark Marquise
Pouncey was gone. You know, Ben Roethlisberger was gone. You know,
a lot of those kind of those kind of guys
that were that provided some of that for the offensive side,
you know, even going back farther, Jerome Bettis, you know,
(36:19):
just those kind of people they they they weren't around anymore.
And I remember it being somewhat of a topic, you know,
who were the offensive leaders? You need to develop some
leaders on offense. Well, it seems to me now that
you know, that's that's coming around a little bit more.
And as I said, I think it's a good thing.
Speaker 2 (36:43):
No, I think it's a good thing as well. And
what were some of the things that they do seven
shots today? Like, what were some of the things that
they did today even though they weren't able to go,
you know, backs on backers and do all that that stuff.
Speaker 3 (36:54):
Yeah, they did. They did a lot of the same
the same drills that they were doing during acclamation periods
or acclamation days. And you know, there was some there
was some competition. Again, with no pads, there wasn't the hitting,
and maybe the edgy ness, the chippiness took the place
(37:17):
of some of the physicality that was that was not
on the field today. But again, you know, I mean
there was there was some good, good work being done.
I noticed during a you know, there was a one
on one period where receivers were going against defensive backs
(37:38):
with quarterbacks throwing in the ball. Uh. There were a
couple of plays where Aaron Rodgers missed connections with the receivers.
But as I was watching, as soon as the ball
was incomplete, the wide receivers coach was right up going
towards the receiver because he didn't do what was supposed
to be done. One was a back shoulder throw. He
(37:59):
didn't make him self available, you know, to receive a
back shoulder throw. Another one was like a flag route.
The guy didn't he cut it off short. The receivers
coach made sure, Aaron Rodgers didn't even have to say
anything about it because he was right there. And so
there's that kind of, you know, coaching going on as well,
because Aaron Rodgers is very much a stickler for guys
(38:21):
running the routes to where they're supposed to be run
and being where they're supposed to be when he delivers
the ball. And hey, let me tell you this, I'm
a big fan of that, because if you're not where
you're supposed to be when you're supposed to be there
as a receiver, that's often an interception.
Speaker 2 (38:38):
And we're going to get into Aaron Rodgers to lead
off our second hour today, and I have some sound
from him before practice yesterday, so we can definitely get
a lot into that kind of the demand that he
has of his receivers and just how that ball is
looking coming out of his hands. But before we wrap
up this hour, I did promise we'd hear from Joey
Porter Junior, who has really kind of been a star
early on in this camp training camp for the Steelers.
(39:01):
He caught up with the media after practice yesterday.
Speaker 5 (39:05):
Joey, how do you feel about the secondary and how
you guys three flying around out of the pads were on.
Speaker 4 (39:09):
I feel like first day was good. You know, it
was getting accumated running around him people. So I had
a great time today. I feel like everybody in the
secondary did too.
Speaker 2 (39:16):
Look like you maybe had the first little fight at Campbell.
Is that what's going on there?
Speaker 1 (39:20):
Uh?
Speaker 4 (39:20):
Nothing little play fighting? I think you know, it was
just everybody's a little bit of tenth. First day had passed,
everybody just trying to get after it. That happens. We
still teammates at the end of the day. O g Woods.
Speaker 2 (39:31):
Yeah, Oji.
Speaker 3 (39:32):
How much did heat you.
Speaker 2 (39:34):
Know, play into that and get you guys, you know,
maybe a little.
Speaker 3 (39:37):
Bit more on edge you want.
Speaker 4 (39:38):
I mean, I think it played a big part. We know,
when it's hot, everybody get a little irritated. You can't
do nothing to nobody when it's hot. So I feel
like that just tacked a lot of people off today
and it is what it is to come.
Speaker 3 (39:48):
With its with the chippiness too. How much do you
is welcome that. I feel like a lot of the
things we've talked to you all week and they're saying
like we're dying to get out there and really hit
each other.
Speaker 4 (39:56):
I mean, everybody wanted to put pass on. We was
kind of upset yesterday that we didn't get the spin,
So today everybody's really anticipating in and we showed on
the field today. You said that the personnel that you
guys have, Peyton wills to saying that the personality guys
have helping you guys communicate and play faster as a unit.
Speaker 5 (40:13):
What's different about this group of guys that have whiled
you got?
Speaker 2 (40:15):
You to accept that tune as early as you can.
Speaker 4 (40:17):
I mean, we got more veterans on the field. I
feel like that that plays a little bit of it.
Speaker 1 (40:21):
You know, we.
Speaker 4 (40:21):
Got Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey we acquired and then
in a little bit more pieces to the puzzle that
really help all the young guys really communicating, try to
get ahead of the playbook as cast as we can,
and we're just gonna take step by step every time
we get on the field.
Speaker 5 (40:34):
With that.
Speaker 4 (40:35):
The first team period, you wanted to set the tongue. Definitely, Yeah, definitely, No,
I was. I was kind of frustrated earlier and I
just wanted to prove people that I could really do that,
So I had to real quick. Is that something you've
been working on a lot exactly. Yeah, I feel like
I've been working on that since my rookie year. I
feel like I showed a lot of people that last year,
and I'm just trying to keep on improving with that.
Speaker 3 (40:55):
How much think you've grown in that? A lot.
Speaker 5 (40:59):
More guys, I was Reeleen gonna pushed you, especially in
your technique to avoid penalties but still stay physical.
Speaker 4 (41:06):
I don't know they know. He's just gonna talk to
me every day. I'm gona keep ask some questions and
I'm gonna nitpick him, just like how he's gonna nitpick me,
and we're just trying to get bet at the end
of the day. So I'm gonna always ask him some
him in d slave, I have eighty degrees from where
you feel like.
Speaker 1 (41:19):
It's a little bit of a relief.
Speaker 3 (41:20):
You guys talk me about that or do you like
to eat?
Speaker 4 (41:21):
It's gonna feel the fame them all. So we're gonna
be ready. We're gona bring our sholder pads at helmets
like always, then we're gonna get after that.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
Well, unfortunately, all they had to do was bring their
helmets for practice today because no shoulder pads. But there's
Joey Porter Junior after practice yesterday really made an impact
in run support and good to see him work on
that aspect of his game and become more and more
of a willing tackler. When we come back Labs and
I will get into Aaron Rodgers, hear from the man
himself and talk about how his start as a Pittsburgh
(41:49):
Steeler has looked through these first few practices of Steelers
training Camp. It's the Training Camp Report on Fox Sports
Pittsburgh nine seventy am and the Steelers Audio Network
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