August 6, 2022 • 46 mins
Bob Labriola and Tom Opferman discuss the cancellation of Friday Night Lights practice in Latrobe due to inclement weather, and Saturday's practice being moved to the South Side facilities. The Steelers also released their initial depth chart for the 2022 season, and Labs shares his thoughts on a few things when it comes to how the depth chart shook out.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
Man, We're really excited to be here. It's awesome to
get started, and so now we take off. She's the
training camp report what Tom Opperman and Bob Labriola on
Steelers Nation Radio. Mother Nature has become a bit of
a feature player so far in Steelers two training camp
and labs. Last night, she might have struck her most
(00:27):
devastating blow yet, canceling Friday night Lights practice. As the
skies opened up in the Latrobe area started to flood
a bit, and unfortunately the fans it was close to
I think I heard about fifteen thousand strong. If they
had all gotten there at that point, I had to
get back to their cars and head home because there
was no practice. Yeah, I mean that's the first really never.
(00:50):
Oh yeah, I um, I've never had that happen. I
mean there's been sometimes, you know, there's been a little rain,
there's been Friday nightlights I'm talking about, there's been some rain.
There's been even a couple of times. I remember where
the the team stayed in the locker room or you know,
(01:10):
down underneath the stands there in Latrobe Stadium, waiting for uh,
you know, a brief thunderstorm to pass or lightning in
the area or whatever, and then would come out and
either finish or start, you know, either one of those
things have happened. But I mean, we got on the bus.
The buses were supposed to leave at six thirty from campus,
(01:31):
you know, um, because you get over there in a
in a fairly direct fashion. Then there's the autograph session,
and then usually practice starts right around seven o'clock or
you know, fifteen minutes after the autograph session starts. So
we get on the buses and we sat on the
buses for forty minutes. It was raining so hard, and
(01:54):
it was so much lightning and thunder and um yeah,
just the walk back from the buses, the school buses
to the dorm. Um, you know, my shoes might never
be dry again. I don't know. I meant have to,
you know, I don't put him in the oven or
someone you know who knows. But uh so yet it
(02:16):
was rain. Uh you know, Noah build the arc. Uh no,
it was here. I would have told him, you know,
get out there, get out the hammer and nails and
start building. Um. So yeah, there's that. That, Yes, really unfortunate.
And you know I was I'm sitting in the bus
thinking about what you just said. You know all those
poor people who some of them travel you know, I mean,
(02:38):
um states away for this, they playing, uh this months
in advance. You know the hotels around campus where um
it packed right. So um, but then I'm thinking if
(03:01):
you're you can't autograph anything the sharpies, that wouldn't work right,
everything you know would be wet. Um. So even if
it wasn't lightning, you know, that was kind of ruined.
And then you know we have uh, I won't say
an advanced team, but there are certain you know, members
(03:21):
of the football staff who have to be there, uh
and getting ready, you know, the equipment guys and you know,
the groundskeepers and all that stuff, and you know they
were community. There's a lot of communication back and forth.
And by it was probably about right around ten to
seven or something we started getting word back when people
(03:42):
were leaving. Naturally, I mean it was decided to blow
to blow the horn. Entrept people were like, I'm out right,
I mean, you know, because there's really no shelter there.
It's it's a high school status, a high school field.
So hum. Yeah, it was pretty much a disaster all all,
(04:03):
always around, all things considered, well, one note of importance
before we move through the training camp report. Today, practice
will not be at St. Vincent College in Latrobe. Instead,
the Steers will be conducting their practice at the up
MC Sports Complex on the south Side. So if you're
planning on heading up to the trope today, I am
sorry to give you the bad news that they will
be on the south side and it will not be
(04:24):
open to the public. Media will still be intending and
Tomlin will still speak to the media following practice today.
We were talking about that a little bit. Well, I
thought I was just gonna say here. We were talking
a little bit before we went on the air, and
you were saying, you know, there's probably just no way
they could have practiced up at Latrobe, even though they
covered the field and the grounds corrupt, there is phenomenal
at their job. It was just impossible. It rain too hard,
(04:45):
The fields have to be a mess, everything has to
be a mess. Uh. That has to play into it.
But I guarantee you a big factor is coach t
does not want to even risk missing a practice again today.
I'm sure it really ate at him yesterday that he
waited all day when the weather was decent and then
they actice at night and boom, the Skuy's open up
and I can't practice today. So I know that the
fields might not be in great condition to do it anyway,
(05:06):
but I guarantee it. He just wanted to have a
roof over his head because there was no chance he
was going to get through two days in a row
without a practice. Yeah. And then you know the other
factor is, um. You know, in all due respect to St.
Vincent and the high schools around here that have turf fields, Um,
you know, those turf fields aren't what the indoor facility
(05:27):
at the up mc roney sports complexes. And you know,
after two weeks of practice every day up here, Um,
you don't want to put those bodies on a turf
high school turf field. Remember what happened that one year
the Steelers played in the Hall of Fame game and
(05:48):
lost a couple of three guys in knee injuries, including
Sean Sweez and the kicker Um got hurt during a
Hall of Fame game as well, once upon a time
because of that turf field. So it's now it was
I think it was a it was a preseason game,
but I thought that was in Pittsburgh. But you may
be right either way, I digress. The tough monster is
(06:09):
nothing you want to deal with, right and you know,
and then you also want to, you know, come back
in somewhat decent physical because then you got a game
at the end of next week. So yeah, this is
not this is not good timing Mother nature. Um. You know,
usually the misery up here weatherwise is heat and humidity.
(06:33):
The last few days, the misery has been wet, wet, wet, wet, wet. Well,
we usually like to give you coach Tomlin's thoughts following
practice at this point in our training camp report. Unfortunately,
we didn't have a training camp report yesterday, as you
all know, so I thought, oh man, we're not going
to get to let the people know what he had
to say after practice on Thursday. But as fate had it,
(06:54):
no practice yesterday, so pretty much everything he said following
practice Thursday is still relevant. So we are gonna play
some of coach Thomlins thoughts here and a lot of
Deante Johnson talks, so we'll definitely get into that on
the other side of that, on the other side of this.
But here's coach Thomas speaking to the media following day
eight practice last or this Thursday. Another good day's work today.
UM had to cut it short there for potential lightning
(07:16):
and and that's the one weather condition that we don't
play in. We have respect for that, and so we
missed about eleven players or so. But in the big picture, UM,
very good day. UM. Just continuing with the competition component
and really giving guys an opportunity to highlight individual skill
sets and some of our competition periods one on one
(07:36):
like football, to see who can win one on one matchups. UM.
Really kind of was a big theme of the day,
whether it's the the bigs and old line, D line
pass rush or or one on one routes. UM. I
like the energy and the competitive spirit I saw in
some of those instances starting to get some guys back
to us. UH Maker was a partial participant UH today,
(07:57):
UM cam Uh Sutton is being evaluated. UM, we'll see
what's up with him. I think at a lower body
injury of some description. Don't know the level of severity there.
UM had some heat related illnesses and it was a
good day from that perspective. I always appreciate heat and
(08:18):
and and muggy conditions. I think just think that aids
the team developmental process, and and so we'll take care
of those guys, and we'll continue to go on with
this process. We got a big day tomorrow, um with
the Friday night lights and and changing venue and doing
some competitive things over there. We always appreciate that that
relationship and and and the officials are here. I'd be
(08:40):
remiss if I didn't mention that it is important to
to to get comfortable with the rules of the game,
the points of emphasis, particularly in two. And we appreciate
their presence and and what they're the value that they're
adding to this process. A postal questions just for off.
(09:01):
You know, he's a significant piece. Um, he's done a
good job of staying connected throughout the process and so
UM his train left the station today, I'd imagine it's
not gonna be much of a transition in terms of
him getting up to speed. I know he was excited
about work today and I'm sure he'll have an opportunity
to tell you guys and expand upon that becomes up.
He wanted the ones because he all comensed over how
(09:24):
what does that say like work? I think just did
I'm missing a beat coming back and doing that. He's
been working you guys have seen him work, um and
so UM, we're not surprised by that. Coach. There's a
lot of talk about the limitations of the offense last year,
ban etcetera, etcetera. What have you seen in the offense
that you like so far this pre season. I don't
know what limits you're referring to, but um, you know,
(09:46):
we're just in the process of building what we do
schematically and leaning on the talents that the people that
we have, UM have, and and and working to minimize
our weaknesses and you know, changing launch points and getting
on the perimeter and things of that nature just gonna
be a component of what we do. Mike, You've got
three of these holding things in about a year, and
they all seeming league have had happy ending. Is this
(10:07):
kind of a meet in the middle way to navigate
these situations? You know, I don't talk a lot about
negotiations and things of that nature. I leave that to Oh.
I know he addressed you guys regarding it. Just know,
from a coach's perspective, I'm glass behind us and we
can get focused on on collective and individual development. Deal
in tastes not She's not a big guy, He's not
a four three frown. What makes him such a good plan?
(10:30):
He's got game, UM, you know, skill relative to the position. Uh,
he has at a high level. He's got ridiculous body control. Um.
And I just think that those are are significant components
of determining dominance at that position, probably more so than
the things the measurables that you mentioned, Mike. In terms
of Bennie Snell, where have you seen him grow the most?
(10:52):
What more can continue to carve out his niche in
the backfield? You know, he's done a really good job
of understanding NFL conditioning, and that's gradually improved over the
course of his time here. I'd be remiss if I
didn't mention that, Um, he works hard in offensive periods
and particularly when a guy like Naj is down, he
gets an opportunity to really show his capabilities. But at
(11:12):
the same time, UM, he doesn't wane in regards to
a special team's responsibility. And that's why I mentioned his conditioning,
because you know, you think about his expanded opportunities as
an offensive player, but as a coach, I look at
a guy taking expanded offensive reps while at the same
time maintaining his special team's responsibility, and that is impressive.
(11:34):
On the similar special teams. What do you think of
Stephen sims And and some of those other wide receivers
from Vaughan's and and Snead, They've had their moments. I
really think that story gets told once we start getting
into stadiums. Throughout your time here, I mean, he's he's
been a few years. You've always had that Friday night
lights experience at Memorial stating what's that mean to you?
And what's that mean that these guys here? I love it,
(11:56):
Uh because it's a yellow bus ride, you know, Um,
isn't his style for the players? Um, it's it's a
cool way to stay connected to the local fans. And
the proximity of the fans makes it a cool and
unique experience. And um, it's just awesome. If you're a
football lover, you you love Friday night lights. Like can
you determine how the offensive lines that has played? Is?
(12:19):
You need to see preseason engagement terms? You know, I
could make judgments, but you know we will be in
a stadium in a week or so and and and
more information will be available to us in terms of
evaluating and and I'm one that to to always display
patients in that regard. Do you see the Friday night
lights practice also is a good way to break up
camp and get these guys a little bit of a break,
(12:40):
you know with I don't I'm not looking forward to
be I'm looking forward really to do the quite opposite.
I'm looking forward to to turn up the volume. I'm
looking for them to get caught up in the emotions
of the atmosphere and hopefully it brings the best out
of it. Is there a physician to leave my wellis
(13:01):
he's just yes? That was coach Tom Went speaking to
the media following Thursday's practice and labs. Obviously a lot
of Deontay Johnson talk there because before practice on Thursday,
the news move that he had signed a two year extension,
so essentially a three year deal now for Deontay Johnson
that will make him eighteen point three million dollars per year.
(13:22):
So obviously that's the big news that came out from
Thursday's session at training camp, and personally, I think it's
a great deal for both sides, and I think it's
massively important that you get Deontay Johnson back on the field,
which he was as a full participant on Thursday's practice.
So I couldn't be more happier, and I'm sure Steelers
Nation can't be happier as far as that deal finally
(13:42):
getting done. Well yeah, and you know the thing about
it is, I um and I don't think either side
got everything they wanted, though, I mean, I'm sure that
they would have preferred a longer term. I'm sure Deonte
Johnson would have liked a little more money. Um, But
what both sides got, as you know, as Mike Tomlin
alluded to, their you know, he's a pretty important piece
(14:05):
of what you know, they're trying to do on offense
this year. And you know, you get him back still
with the when when he when he did come back,
was over a full week before the first preseason game,
and you know, you have three preseason games, so that
gives him time and gives the quarterbacks time to kind
(14:26):
of develop a relationship with each other because, um, you know,
he took part in some individual stuff of course, but
you you would like to have him, you know, in
the team drills and you know those kinds of things.
So you know, nobody got everything they wanted. I think
both sides they've got some of the things they wanted,
and I think those some of those the some of
(14:49):
the things that they got that they wanted or you know,
gonna end up maybe helping the team. So uh And
just so we're um on a you know, talking about
good things since I sang the Blue the weather Blues
here earlier, Minco Fitzpatrick was brought off the NFI list
two on Thursday and he practiced, so you know, that's
(15:12):
another step in that direction for him. Um, you know,
he has he of course has already signed a big
contract and so you know, the pieces are starting to
fall into place. Yeah, and I think the offense just
desperately needed Deonte Johnson to come back. You mentioned Mako
return from injury, but there's a lot of guys that
(15:33):
have been on that injury report on the offensive side,
on the first team offense that just haven't been able
to get out there and help the quarterbacks helped that
young offense against the stellar defense so far through camp,
and getting that number one receiver back is just massive.
And it really looked and from what everything I read
and heard and saw clips of on on the internet,
that Deonte didn't really miss a beat at all out there.
(15:53):
He he clearly looked like a cut above the rest
when it came to that position despite missing a few
days of practice. The holding yeah, um, you know, but
the thing to me about it is, um, the coordination
with the quarterbacks. You know, I think that it's it's
really not even worth much discussion if it's been you know,
(16:19):
because that that's who the Ante Johnson had played with
since he came into the league, and that's who you know,
the offense was built around since Deante Johnson came into
the league. But now it's gonna be someone knew who
it is. You know, we'll find out based on practice,
though it certainly looks like Mitch Drobiski is in the
(16:41):
driver's seat. Um. But you know, again, I think that
a lot of that is gonna have to do with
how the preseason games um shake out. And you know,
I even hate to say it because you know, sometimes
you talk it into reality, but you know, injuries are
gonna be playing a part two and we're gonna start
seeing the quarterbacks have to deal with, you know, the
(17:03):
threats of physical harm in these preseason games, and you know,
you just never know how that stuff is going to
turn out. I'm glad you mentioned the preseason games. You
heard Tom On at the end of his presser there say,
you know, someone asked him about his evaluation of the
offensive line, if it's even possible to have an evaluation
so far, and he said, you know, he has some thoughts,
but we'll be in a stadium in a week and
(17:25):
then we'll really be able to, you know, start getting
some information and gathering some information. Do you do you
think that at this point, you know, you've seen everything
you can pretty much see for the most part through
you know, a handful of padded practices, a little over
a week and a half of practice this total with
the team. It's it's now down to we need to
get into this preseason game in order to really advance
our evaluations. Yeah, because you know it's and I'm not
(17:49):
trying to um, you know, paint the wrong picture here,
but their teammates and you know, there are ways to
practice without making the other guy look bad. And so
I'm not saying that there's a lot of that that
goes on, but on what I'm saying is that they're
professionals and they know how to do that if they
(18:09):
want to, and so you know, there's just a little
bit more of an edge to it when the person
on the other side of the line of scrimmage from
you is competing for a job. Um, as as hard
as you are now, I understand that, you know, there
are instances in a practice where you know, the guard
(18:32):
blocking the defensive tackle are both on the bubble in
terms of making the fifty three million roster. But I
think that it's a little bit different, you know, when um,
the two guys are wearing different helmets. So again there's
just a little bit more of an edge, maybe a
little bit more urgency. Um, you know those kinds of things.
(18:54):
And it is still though preseason, and you know, we're
gonna have to see how, how and whom the other
team is playing because you know, for example, last year, UM,
in the game that Dwayne Haskins started Carolina, Yeah, I
think it was pretty much had the whole game right,
(19:15):
and Carolina played a lot of their frontline people because
last year was the first year of I won't call
it a vibe, but it's an extended break between the
last preseason game and the regular season opener because it
leaks the one in the Hall of Fame game, you know,
at its traditional time early in August, and then you
(19:39):
know you only have three preseason games instead of four,
and so you do the arithmetic and it's probably about
an eight to ten day break now between UM the
last preseason game in the preseason or in the regular
season opener. And if you look at the Steelers schedule,
you'll see that. UM. Traditionally, before the preseason was shortened,
(20:01):
the Steelers UM preseason finale always could be on a Thursday,
because then you know, you get a little bit of
it's like a Thursday game to UM a regular next
Sunday games in a regular season. But this year, you know,
the preseason finale is on a Sunday. UM. But still
that's August. The season opened September eleven, so it's pretty
(20:25):
much close to two full weeks, that fourteen days that
they're gonna be off. So um so that some of
the team's philosophies in terms of how they approach this
part of the the the NFL calendar, they're kind of
evolving still. Um So, I mean, again, we're gonna have
(20:47):
to see how it works out. Last year, the Steelers
were the team that had the extra preseason game because
of the Hall of Fame game. UH. This year, they don't.
I don't know how Mike Thomas gonna handle the distribution
of playing time. Um, you know, when we get to
that point. Uh if in August, who knows. Maybe there
are still jobs hanging in the balance, so to speak,
(21:09):
and so maybe there's gonna be more of a sense
of urgency in terms of you know, frontline people playing. Uh.
If not, you know, he's gonna have to figure it
out some happy medium of playing people and resting people. Um,
depending on maybe on how the earlier preseason games have gone.
I mean, it's really kind of impossible for me to predict,
(21:31):
excuse me, how he might go because he had didn't
have a track record, you know, not really, So you know,
we're gonna have to see how it unfolds. Well. A
week from today, the Steelers kick off their preseason schedule
as the Seattle Seahawks pay a visit to Akershore Stadium
and take on the Steelers. Kickoff for that game is
at seven pm, And I guess I should say weather
(21:51):
permitting kickoffs at seven pm because weather permitting has been
an important so far through camps. See there you go again,
Oh man, I'm coming over to your house and spank
you if that happens. Well, Steelers released their depth preseason.
Preseason football is one thing, but delayed preseason football is
(22:13):
a whole. Yeah. Well, the Steelers released their depth chart yesterday,
their first official one. So we'll kick that around a bit.
And I guess we have to talk about some quarterback.
We haven't talked about it yet, and I feel like
we're obligated to, so we'll probably show now. I'm an idiot.
I'm off today. It's a Saturday. I'm off today. What
do you want? We'll be right back after this here
(22:34):
on the Training Camp Report on SNRDC is the Training
Camp Report with Tom Opperman and Bob Labriola on Steelers
Nation Radio. The Steelers released their initial depth chart for
two season yesterday, and Labs it's important that everybody out
(22:55):
there knows just how serious Mike Tomlin takes this first
iteration of the depth chart. He spends hours upon hours
under candle light in a room writing this down critically
and up throwing it into a trash can writing it
down again. It's a huge process for him that he
really cares about a lot. Yeah, I know, I probably
took him. I don't know ninety seconds. Um. But yeah,
(23:19):
well you know, all kidding inside. I was talking uh
to some people in pr while we were sitting on
the bus listening to a rain um last yesterday evening,
and you know, having been a part of I think
this is now sixteen camp opening Mike Tomlin depth charts,
(23:41):
I think I could do this. I mean, there are
a couple of things areas, I mean we can get
into them a little bit, but a couple of areas
where he might have you know, tweaked some things on
my version based on you know, my recollection and experience
with how he does it. But I could have got
(24:02):
it all that because it's you know, really kind of straightforward. Um.
When even when even to the backups, you know, the
backups at which position? Um, you know, it goes like this, um,
years of experience in the league or years of experience
with the Steelers. And then if you're dealing with rookies, Um,
(24:27):
the guy who was drafted gets listed before the guy
who wasn't. And if you have two guys you know
who are drafted, which is rare UM on the in
the same position, then the higher round guy has listed
before the lower round guy. Uh. And that's that's pretty
much it. Um. You know. The only the only spots
(24:50):
truly that you don't follow that UM would be okay
here it is yet free safety backup trade or with
the second year guy third string is Miles Kilbrew, a
seven year guy. Now. One of the things about that though,
is you know Miles Killbrew has been injured. You know
(25:13):
that nicked up. So you know that again you know
when you when you look at it, maybe you get
it wrong initially, UM, but then when you look at it,
you can figure it out right away. Why it's that way.
And it's very rarely a commentary on who's doing well
or who's not because he doesn't you know, he's not
(25:35):
going to reveal that in the training camp or a
camp opening. Uh. Depth chart it's just not you know,
as I wrote a little story about it, it's you know,
something that you know happens every summer and you get
the depth chart, you know, and everybody gets excited about it,
and um, but as I described it, you know, it's
(25:57):
somewhere between meaningless and what Moses wrote down from the
mouth toop with etgton Stone tablets. Uh. You know there
are some things in it that uh me have meaning, um,
but you know his quote was, and I remember this,
this was early in his career. Here his quote was, um,
(26:19):
you know something about the league. Once depth charts, so
be it, they change and that's you know, so it's
probably still pretty good. Uh, since it came out, there
has only been that one practice. No, no, this came out, Yes,
came out before Friday lights. Right, so yeah, it's all right,
(26:43):
it's exactly the same because nothing has happened. So we're
pretty good, you know, knowing that this is actually it
for another twenty four hours. Maybe. Well, I think the
only or where whenever the practice at the south Side
indoor facility ends, which finding out mine which again to
sturmined people practice today will be at the south Side
(27:03):
facility at so do not go up to the trobe.
You will see nothing but an empty field that's potentially
being worked on by a grounds crew to try to
drain all the rain they had yesterday. I think you
could see you could see Noah, Yes, the Ark Building,
New York. Yeah. Uh. Some things of note though on
this step chart is there's three position spots where Tom
(27:24):
and listed two guys on the first team. So I
definitely want to get into each of those real quick,
but we got to talk quarterback real quick before you know,
we get a lot of trouble and get levied with
a bunch of fines by the FCC. So you're speaking
of predictability. It's exactly what happened with the quarterback depth
chart in this first iteration. Mitch number one, Mason number two,
Kenny number three, so exactly like it was at mini
(27:44):
camp and pretty much exactly like we've seen it throughout
camp so far. Yeah, and then you know, and Chris
old Dooke and number four because that's an example that
I was talking about earlier. Two draft picks sinis and
pick it right, pick its first, the first round pick.
Oland Oakin is after him because he was a seventh
(28:07):
round pick, So there you go. But yeah, it's it's
been this way. The quarterback pecking order has been this
way since the opening day of O T A s
back in May May whatever that was, uh And it's
pretty much held uh form except for a couple of
practices maybe where Mike Tomlin flipped pick it up to
(28:31):
two in the rotation here at practice and Mason Rudolph
was three. But then I think it was two practices
and then went back, you know, to the way that
it is now and has been, uh pretty much of
the time. So yeah, it's UM. And the the practice
(28:51):
that Tribisky had I think now it was Wednesday, trying
to keep my day straight here. Wednesday when the fence
kind of rebounded. UM, when Trabinsky UM took the last
competition period of the day, took the offense fifty three
yards in a minute fourteen or whatever was through a
(29:13):
six yard touchdown pass to George Pickens, uh to complete
the two minute drill. And um, you know, based on
that and then how he did Thursday as well, it
seemed to be a little bit of a continuation of
I won't say a rebound, but a rejuvenation or I
(29:33):
don't know, it just it was it was better. He
was better than he had been. Uh. So you know,
I don't know that Uh, Mitch Trobinsky is going to
be unseated. I think it's now definitely his job to lose.
He still can do that, certainly, UM, but I'm feeling
a little bit more certain of his status as number one.
(29:57):
Then I felt before Wednesday. Left guard, left inside linebacker,
and left cornerback. I'll have two guys listed on the
first team. Uh, as far as the depth chart is concerned,
left guard has Kendrick Green and Kevin Dotson, inside linebacker
Devin Bush and Robert Spiline, and at that cornerback spot
Levi Wallace and Keller Witherspoon. Am I reading too much
(30:17):
into this to just say that those are right there, one, two,
and three the most important position battles up for Grabbic
camp right now? Him listing those guys at the first team,
is that him just you know, kind of telling people,
a these are the spots that are truly up for
grabs between these gentlemen. Well and and really I think
that the only one that can is what you just
(30:40):
described is the left guard job. Because the defensive spots,
I really believe, you know, Devin Bush or Robert Splaine,
that's going to be a package thing, you know, based
on what the other team does, um, you know, and
what kind of defense you're playing at that particular time
of the game. I think that you know, Robert Spillane
(31:00):
is UM at this point, more of a run stuff
stuffing inside linebacker Lyndevin Bush. And so if you're playing,
you know a kind of team that likes to run
the ball, power running. I think you'll see more Spline
than Bush. If it's the other kind of team, you'll
see more of Bush than Splane. And then you know,
(31:21):
defensive backs to me, uh, you know who knows if
the Steelers go to a nickel? Yeah, Um, are we
going to assume that either Levi Wallace or a Kellor
a kell of Witherspoon will be on the bench and
Arthur Mallette will be in the game. Or might it
be Cam Sutton moves in to the nickel and Levi
(31:44):
Wallace and a Keller Witherspoon or in the game. Outside
cornerbacks is probably going to be the case. Well, yeah,
you know that that's the way I would lean right
now too. I'm not going to say that that's etched
in stone, but that's certainly what we saw, um last
year when it was you know, Joe Hayden and Witherspoon
at the outside corners or Joe Hayden and James Pierre
(32:08):
at the outside corners, and Camp Sutton moves inside because
he is so versatile. Um, so you know, we're just
gonna have to see. I think something has been having
a pretty good Camp so far as an outside corner.
Maybe this is the year that he just locks that down.
But um, I don't you know, if you're looking for
your best five, all due respect to Arthur Mallett, I
(32:30):
think your best five defensive backs would be Minka and
Edmonds at the safety's Wallace, Witherspoon and Sutton as the
three corners, and then you line. You know, you you
piece them in there however you want. But I think
those are your best five at this point. So you
mentioned that the really only uh significant position battle to
(32:52):
read into from this step chart would be that left
guard spot with Dotson and Kendra Green. I know that
they've only had a handful of padded practices to kind
really get a look at them, and maybe you do
learn a lot more about the offensive line when the
Seahawks come to town next week and you actually get
to play another opponent. But in your opinion, has either
one of those guys started to separate themselves yet or
have they been on pretty much even playing field so far?
(33:16):
I don't you know. I'm gonna have to be honest here,
I haven't had enough time to talk to Craig Wolfley
and Max Starts to answer your question. Yeah, I mean
that's that's always what I would do. Um. You know,
when it used to be touching Wolf, I would make
sure to get myself over to, you know, the individual,
(33:39):
you know, the when the offensive lineman and the defensive
lineman do one on ones during practice. I would always
watch that drill and when one of those guys was
standing over there, I'd go over to and uh, you know,
kind of have one eye on the drill and both
years tuned to what they were saying. And that's how
we I would learn because I don't know. I don't
(34:02):
know enough about the intricacies of the position to say
that's good hand usage or you know, it needs to
drop this butt more, or the hard position to analyze,
no question, Yeah, because you know, as we've said many times,
it's not a scope. Hey hey, well it could be
listening right now. It's close to him taken over, so
be careful. They don't do weekends, I don't think, okay,
(34:27):
so be careful. Sorry Wolf, that was Tom Hey, Um,
but anyway, so I can't speak to that. I think
that though, even if one of them had a slight edge, now, uh,
it could change instantly once the game start, you know,
because that's again that I think that that's a position
(34:48):
that really is uh in need of outside competition to
really tell. So, UM, yeah, I'm not. I'm not gonna
pick one because there's only two. So I got a
fifty chance of guessing right. But I am honest enough
with you and myself to know that it would be
(35:09):
nothing but a guess. Well. Steelers practice today again. Reminder
is at the South Side facility UPMC by the way, yep,
close to the public, So do not plan on going
down there and lining up and hoping to get in,
because you will not be let in. Uh. Practice will
resume again, we assume on Monday up at St. Vincent
College in Latrobe, but today over on the south Side
(35:30):
and we come back, we'll wrap up today's training camp report.
We'll talk about some camp standouts so far that LABS
has noticed in the ten days that they have practiced
up at St. Vincent for Steelers Training CAMPO. So that's
all on the way next right here on the Training
Camp Report on snry PC. Start Training Camp Report with
(35:53):
Tom Opperman and Bob Labriola on Steelers Nation Radio. Everybody
loves to identify standouts at training camp every single year.
I know Wolf always likes to do his camp darling,
and everybody just as hungry to find someone that was
off of everybody's radar that quickly becomes put in the
center of their radars based on a couple of good practices.
(36:15):
And you know, the one guy I wanted to start
with here Labs that I've heard a ton of the
past couple of days has been the running back Jalen Warren.
In fact, he found himself as the number four running
back on the depth chart, behind the guys that were
incumbent Benny Snell number two and Anthony McFarland number three.
So Jalen Warren, as an undrafted rookie free agent, has
certainly turned a lot of heads so far at camp,
(36:36):
and I think he's really right in the mix not
only to you know, make this roster, but to get
helmets on game days as well. Yeah, I think that, Um,
you know, Jalen Warren. The critical element for him right
now is the stay healthy so we can continue to practice,
because that's how you get better and you keep yourself
(36:58):
in the forefront of the coach's mind. Coaches, I mean
that plural coaches minds. And um, then you got to
uh have Danny Smith, fall in love with you. It's
pretty much the secret to being a backup in this
league because I don't think there's you know, any realistic
(37:20):
scenario in which Jalen Warren beats out Nausey Harris for
the starting job. Again, no disrespect, but I mean this
is this is just his reality uh today. You know,
in this league, as his career is, he's trying to
get his career off to a start. So um, yeah,
he has to he has to stay healthy, keep practicing, uh,
(37:43):
and make himself valuable on special teams. I don't think
what we've seen so far uh at practice, you know,
when they have the rotation through you know, catching kickoffs
or punts. He's not really a part of that yet anyway,
And so I think that, you know, Jalen Warren is
going to have to find a way, especially if he
(38:06):
wants a helmet, because you mentioned that. So if if
he wants a helmet, he's going to have to find
a way to be an asset on special excuse me,
special teams because the two guys ahead of him, you know,
Benny Snell is uh decent to good in coverage. He
will get down on kickoffs. He will make some tackles.
(38:28):
Anthony McFarland and Anthony McFarland is a guy who is
in the mix, uh in terms of kickoff returners. So
each of those guys has somewhat of a role on
special teams. Jalen Warren has yet to establish one, and
so you know, it would behoove him to show up
(38:49):
UM on a kickoff coverage team at a tackle or two,
or you know, break a kickoff return, you know something,
because I think that's gonna be his path. But as
you met mentioned, he is a guy who has flashed
and he has looked good in a lot of the
UM specific areas that you need to be UM productive
(39:11):
in or reliable in uh to be an NFL running back.
He can catch the ball. Okay, he's a good runner
and he's a willing blocker. So check check check for him.
Now I find something that you can do on special teams. Yeah,
I mean, I think that's the one thing that's really
I don't want to say holding him back, but you know,
keeping me from saying, yeah, he's a nailed on fifty
(39:32):
three man member of this roster is the fact that
you you have to be good at the special team
side of things. If you're going to play a skill
position and be second, third, fourth on the depth chart there,
So hopefully he gets more reps and special teams. Hopefully
he makes those reps count moving forward, and he continues
his upward trajectory that he started so far at camp.
Another group that has been standing out has been the
(39:53):
receiving Corps because a lot of guys are getting a
lot of opportunity due to Deontay's holding, which of course
came to an end on Thursday, Chase Claypool's injury. You know,
a lot of guys being thrown into the fire. Now.
George Pickens is right at the top of that list.
I mean, that guy seems to make uh the media
or people there, you know, ah, every single practice. He
(40:14):
just is that kind of guy. He's he's a dude,
you know, for lack of a better term, He's just
a dude. He's gonna be a really strong wide receiver
in the NFL, it seems. And then you know, guys
like Steven Sims behind him have been showing a lot
of good things. Anthony Miller has been showing good things.
So the receiving Corps in general stepping up for some injuries.
Slash holdings have been a pretty a pretty optimistic thing
so far. Yeah, you mentioned um um Anthony Miller too.
(40:40):
He's a guy that you know, he got a lot
of time with the first group when Deonte Johnson was
not taking part in the team drills. And uh, you
know that's one of the things that you know, we
were talking about why it was good for the team
and for Deonte Johnson to get his contract situation, you know,
(41:02):
straightened out and get back on the field because you know, again,
the quarterbacks, whoever it is, is going to be new
in terms of the starting a full time starter with
the Steelers, and you know, when the when the game
starts and the threat of violence returns. Quarterbacks you know,
(41:23):
they're they're human beings too, and so you know when
they're in the pocket and however many people wearing the
other colored jerseys are intent on doing him harm. Uh,
he needs to process that information and decide where he's
going to throw the football, you know, often in fewer
than three seconds. So you know, who does he trust,
(41:47):
who does he have a relationship with, Who is he
comfortable with in terms of where they're going to be
Those kinds of things, you know are all part of
that process that's going on in his head as the
clock has taken you know, one Mississippi to miss to
be so, um, not being there hurts you and being
there helps you. So you know, I often said that, UM,
(42:11):
people would always wonder why, like whenever Ben was hurt
Antonio Brown stats dropped well because well, because you know
it wasn't Ben. You know, Ben and him had a relationship.
And you know, if you're the backup, you don't get
a lot of reps with the first team, you know,
unless the starter is injured. And a lot of times
(42:34):
that injury that doesn't occur until in game, so you
don't have a long week of practice where you have
an opportunity, um, you know to work with those first
team guys. So you know that was that's that's part
of that UM. Even Terry excuse me, Terry Bradshaw, Um,
he had a early on Lynn Swan. You know, he
(42:56):
was slick about it too, and I give him credit
for this. He buttied up the brad Shore right away.
And so that's why, right, that's why early on in
that um triumvirt Bradshaws Wan and Stalwarts one got the
ball more. Uh so, uh, these are these are things
that are real, um, and you have to kind of
(43:17):
think about them as you're processing. You know, where the
ball is going to and why the ball is going there,
and uh, you know the importance of practice beyond just
how an individual can use it to improve himself. You know,
they're they're people out there doing it so uh, you know,
in their relationships and that's why you know all that significant.
(43:39):
And Anthony Miller was I thought, doing a nice job
of establishing a relationship with Mitch dr Bisky and Mason
Rudolph as you know, they were, you know, kind of
fighting it out at the top of the depth chart.
Um when camp opened, so that those two the those
That guy is another one. Uh. I'll tell you who
I've liked lately, Jay Sternberger. Jay Sternberger. Yeah, Now it
(44:05):
seems to me, you know that it's gonna be fiarmouth gentry.
And I really like Connor Hayward for the physical element
he brings to it. Actually on the depth chart that
where they released, so a little out of the ordinary, yes, yes, um.
And he's also a special teams guy. Uh he was
(44:26):
in college, let me say that. So but Sternberger has
made some place He's I don't know what kind of
blocker he is. Again, that's I'll fall back on what
I was saying about offensive lineman. Um, but he made
he makes some plays down the field. Uh, he has
body control, pretty decent hands. Um, he's a decent route runner.
(44:49):
And there's a lot of times where something happens and
I'll think it's a receiver and then I put my
binoculars on it and see where number eighty five and
so that's Sternburger. Okay, So you know, I think he's
going to be someone who is going to be heard
from here once the preseason games start. Um. On defense,
I think Cam Sutton has been having a very nice camp.
(45:10):
Miles Jack, We've talked about him, especially against the run. Um.
You know Trey Norwood has flashed what about is he
flashed a little bit of that outside linebacker spot. Yeah,
you know he's another guy that. Um, you see the
number and I go, who's that? You know, because he's
not familiar enough in terms of what his number is
(45:33):
for me to immediately know. You know his number fifty
and you know Ryan Shay's ears number. You know, that's
how that will that will be in my head for
a little bit longer. And speaking of linebackers, Ulysses Gilbert
is showing some especially in the past kind of coverage
drills you know, backs on backers pass. Ulysses Gilbert shows
(45:57):
a nice feel uh and a nice skill set for
those things. Certainly gonna want to keep our eyes on
all of those players we just mentioned as we work
our way through camp. But that's gonna do it for
us today here on the Steelers Training Camp Report. Always
appreciate you guys giving us a listen. Reminder, practice will
not be at St. Vincent College in Latrobe today. Instead,
they are conducting it at the U p MC Sports
Complex in the South Side at one pm and that
(46:21):
is closed to the public. So do not try to
go down to the South Side and get into the
facility because you will be turned away. Practice returns back
to St. Vincent on Monday if all things go according
to plan. Uh. Thanks to Bob Labriola. I'm Tom Operan. Uh.
This has been the Steelers Training Camp Report. Wolf and
Starks are in the locker room up next right here
on SNR
Man, We're really excited to be here. It's awesome to
get started, and so now we take off. She's the
training camp report what Tom Opperman and Bob Labriola on
Steelers Nation Radio. Mother Nature has become a bit of
a feature player so far in Steelers two training camp
and labs. Last night, she might have struck her most
(00:27):
devastating blow yet, canceling Friday night Lights practice. As the
skies opened up in the Latrobe area started to flood
a bit, and unfortunately the fans it was close to
I think I heard about fifteen thousand strong. If they
had all gotten there at that point, I had to
get back to their cars and head home because there
was no practice. Yeah, I mean that's the first really never.
(00:50):
Oh yeah, I um, I've never had that happen. I
mean there's been sometimes, you know, there's been a little rain,
there's been Friday nightlights I'm talking about, there's been some rain.
There's been even a couple of times. I remember where
the the team stayed in the locker room or you know,
(01:10):
down underneath the stands there in Latrobe Stadium, waiting for uh,
you know, a brief thunderstorm to pass or lightning in
the area or whatever, and then would come out and
either finish or start, you know, either one of those
things have happened. But I mean, we got on the bus.
The buses were supposed to leave at six thirty from campus,
(01:31):
you know, um, because you get over there in a
in a fairly direct fashion. Then there's the autograph session,
and then usually practice starts right around seven o'clock or
you know, fifteen minutes after the autograph session starts. So
we get on the buses and we sat on the
buses for forty minutes. It was raining so hard, and
(01:54):
it was so much lightning and thunder and um yeah,
just the walk back from the buses, the school buses
to the dorm. Um, you know, my shoes might never
be dry again. I don't know. I meant have to,
you know, I don't put him in the oven or
someone you know who knows. But uh so yet it
(02:16):
was rain. Uh you know, Noah build the arc. Uh no,
it was here. I would have told him, you know,
get out there, get out the hammer and nails and
start building. Um. So yeah, there's that. That, Yes, really unfortunate.
And you know I was I'm sitting in the bus
thinking about what you just said. You know all those
poor people who some of them travel you know, I mean,
(02:38):
um states away for this, they playing, uh this months
in advance. You know the hotels around campus where um
it packed right. So um, but then I'm thinking if
(03:01):
you're you can't autograph anything the sharpies, that wouldn't work right,
everything you know would be wet. Um. So even if
it wasn't lightning, you know, that was kind of ruined.
And then you know we have uh, I won't say
an advanced team, but there are certain you know, members
(03:21):
of the football staff who have to be there, uh
and getting ready, you know, the equipment guys and you know,
the groundskeepers and all that stuff, and you know they
were community. There's a lot of communication back and forth.
And by it was probably about right around ten to
seven or something we started getting word back when people
(03:42):
were leaving. Naturally, I mean it was decided to blow
to blow the horn. Entrept people were like, I'm out right,
I mean, you know, because there's really no shelter there.
It's it's a high school status, a high school field.
So hum. Yeah, it was pretty much a disaster all all,
(04:03):
always around, all things considered, well, one note of importance
before we move through the training camp report. Today, practice
will not be at St. Vincent College in Latrobe. Instead,
the Steers will be conducting their practice at the up
MC Sports Complex on the south Side. So if you're
planning on heading up to the trope today, I am
sorry to give you the bad news that they will
be on the south side and it will not be
(04:24):
open to the public. Media will still be intending and
Tomlin will still speak to the media following practice today.
We were talking about that a little bit. Well, I
thought I was just gonna say here. We were talking
a little bit before we went on the air, and
you were saying, you know, there's probably just no way
they could have practiced up at Latrobe, even though they
covered the field and the grounds corrupt, there is phenomenal
at their job. It was just impossible. It rain too hard,
(04:45):
The fields have to be a mess, everything has to
be a mess. Uh. That has to play into it.
But I guarantee you a big factor is coach t
does not want to even risk missing a practice again today.
I'm sure it really ate at him yesterday that he
waited all day when the weather was decent and then
they actice at night and boom, the Skuy's open up
and I can't practice today. So I know that the
fields might not be in great condition to do it anyway,
(05:06):
but I guarantee it. He just wanted to have a
roof over his head because there was no chance he
was going to get through two days in a row
without a practice. Yeah. And then you know the other
factor is, um. You know, in all due respect to St.
Vincent and the high schools around here that have turf fields, Um,
you know, those turf fields aren't what the indoor facility
(05:27):
at the up mc roney sports complexes. And you know,
after two weeks of practice every day up here, Um,
you don't want to put those bodies on a turf
high school turf field. Remember what happened that one year
the Steelers played in the Hall of Fame game and
(05:48):
lost a couple of three guys in knee injuries, including
Sean Sweez and the kicker Um got hurt during a
Hall of Fame game as well, once upon a time
because of that turf field. So it's now it was
I think it was a it was a preseason game,
but I thought that was in Pittsburgh. But you may
be right either way, I digress. The tough monster is
(06:09):
nothing you want to deal with, right and you know,
and then you also want to, you know, come back
in somewhat decent physical because then you got a game
at the end of next week. So yeah, this is
not this is not good timing Mother nature. Um. You know,
usually the misery up here weatherwise is heat and humidity.
(06:33):
The last few days, the misery has been wet, wet, wet, wet, wet. Well,
we usually like to give you coach Tomlin's thoughts following
practice at this point in our training camp report. Unfortunately,
we didn't have a training camp report yesterday, as you
all know, so I thought, oh man, we're not going
to get to let the people know what he had
to say after practice on Thursday. But as fate had it,
(06:54):
no practice yesterday, so pretty much everything he said following
practice Thursday is still relevant. So we are gonna play
some of coach Thomlins thoughts here and a lot of
Deante Johnson talks, so we'll definitely get into that on
the other side of that, on the other side of this.
But here's coach Thomas speaking to the media following day
eight practice last or this Thursday. Another good day's work today.
UM had to cut it short there for potential lightning
(07:16):
and and that's the one weather condition that we don't
play in. We have respect for that, and so we
missed about eleven players or so. But in the big picture, UM,
very good day. UM. Just continuing with the competition component
and really giving guys an opportunity to highlight individual skill
sets and some of our competition periods one on one
(07:36):
like football, to see who can win one on one matchups. UM.
Really kind of was a big theme of the day,
whether it's the the bigs and old line, D line
pass rush or or one on one routes. UM. I
like the energy and the competitive spirit I saw in
some of those instances starting to get some guys back
to us. UH Maker was a partial participant UH today,
(07:57):
UM cam Uh Sutton is being evaluated. UM, we'll see
what's up with him. I think at a lower body
injury of some description. Don't know the level of severity there.
UM had some heat related illnesses and it was a
good day from that perspective. I always appreciate heat and
(08:18):
and and muggy conditions. I think just think that aids
the team developmental process, and and so we'll take care
of those guys, and we'll continue to go on with
this process. We got a big day tomorrow, um with
the Friday night lights and and changing venue and doing
some competitive things over there. We always appreciate that that
relationship and and and the officials are here. I'd be
(08:40):
remiss if I didn't mention that it is important to
to to get comfortable with the rules of the game,
the points of emphasis, particularly in two. And we appreciate
their presence and and what they're the value that they're
adding to this process. A postal questions just for off.
(09:01):
You know, he's a significant piece. Um, he's done a
good job of staying connected throughout the process and so
UM his train left the station today, I'd imagine it's
not gonna be much of a transition in terms of
him getting up to speed. I know he was excited
about work today and I'm sure he'll have an opportunity
to tell you guys and expand upon that becomes up.
He wanted the ones because he all comensed over how
(09:24):
what does that say like work? I think just did
I'm missing a beat coming back and doing that. He's
been working you guys have seen him work, um and
so UM, we're not surprised by that. Coach. There's a
lot of talk about the limitations of the offense last year,
ban etcetera, etcetera. What have you seen in the offense
that you like so far this pre season. I don't
know what limits you're referring to, but um, you know,
(09:46):
we're just in the process of building what we do
schematically and leaning on the talents that the people that
we have, UM have, and and and working to minimize
our weaknesses and you know, changing launch points and getting
on the perimeter and things of that nature just gonna
be a component of what we do. Mike, You've got
three of these holding things in about a year, and
they all seeming league have had happy ending. Is this
(10:07):
kind of a meet in the middle way to navigate
these situations? You know, I don't talk a lot about
negotiations and things of that nature. I leave that to Oh.
I know he addressed you guys regarding it. Just know,
from a coach's perspective, I'm glass behind us and we
can get focused on on collective and individual development. Deal
in tastes not She's not a big guy, He's not
a four three frown. What makes him such a good plan?
(10:30):
He's got game, UM, you know, skill relative to the position. Uh,
he has at a high level. He's got ridiculous body control. Um.
And I just think that those are are significant components
of determining dominance at that position, probably more so than
the things the measurables that you mentioned, Mike. In terms
of Bennie Snell, where have you seen him grow the most?
(10:52):
What more can continue to carve out his niche in
the backfield? You know, he's done a really good job
of understanding NFL conditioning, and that's gradually improved over the
course of his time here. I'd be remiss if I
didn't mention that, Um, he works hard in offensive periods
and particularly when a guy like Naj is down, he
gets an opportunity to really show his capabilities. But at
(11:12):
the same time, UM, he doesn't wane in regards to
a special team's responsibility. And that's why I mentioned his conditioning,
because you know, you think about his expanded opportunities as
an offensive player, but as a coach, I look at
a guy taking expanded offensive reps while at the same
time maintaining his special team's responsibility, and that is impressive.
(11:34):
On the similar special teams. What do you think of
Stephen sims And and some of those other wide receivers
from Vaughan's and and Snead, They've had their moments. I
really think that story gets told once we start getting
into stadiums. Throughout your time here, I mean, he's he's
been a few years. You've always had that Friday night
lights experience at Memorial stating what's that mean to you?
And what's that mean that these guys here? I love it,
(11:56):
Uh because it's a yellow bus ride, you know, Um,
isn't his style for the players? Um, it's it's a
cool way to stay connected to the local fans. And
the proximity of the fans makes it a cool and
unique experience. And um, it's just awesome. If you're a
football lover, you you love Friday night lights. Like can
you determine how the offensive lines that has played? Is?
(12:19):
You need to see preseason engagement terms? You know, I
could make judgments, but you know we will be in
a stadium in a week or so and and and
more information will be available to us in terms of
evaluating and and I'm one that to to always display
patients in that regard. Do you see the Friday night
lights practice also is a good way to break up
camp and get these guys a little bit of a break,
(12:40):
you know with I don't I'm not looking forward to
be I'm looking forward really to do the quite opposite.
I'm looking forward to to turn up the volume. I'm
looking for them to get caught up in the emotions
of the atmosphere and hopefully it brings the best out
of it. Is there a physician to leave my wellis
(13:01):
he's just yes? That was coach Tom Went speaking to
the media following Thursday's practice and labs. Obviously a lot
of Deontay Johnson talk there because before practice on Thursday,
the news move that he had signed a two year extension,
so essentially a three year deal now for Deontay Johnson
that will make him eighteen point three million dollars per year.
(13:22):
So obviously that's the big news that came out from
Thursday's session at training camp, and personally, I think it's
a great deal for both sides, and I think it's
massively important that you get Deontay Johnson back on the field,
which he was as a full participant on Thursday's practice.
So I couldn't be more happier, and I'm sure Steelers
Nation can't be happier as far as that deal finally
(13:42):
getting done. Well yeah, and you know the thing about
it is, I um and I don't think either side
got everything they wanted, though, I mean, I'm sure that
they would have preferred a longer term. I'm sure Deonte
Johnson would have liked a little more money. Um, But
what both sides got, as you know, as Mike Tomlin
alluded to, their you know, he's a pretty important piece
(14:05):
of what you know, they're trying to do on offense
this year. And you know, you get him back still
with the when when he when he did come back,
was over a full week before the first preseason game,
and you know, you have three preseason games, so that
gives him time and gives the quarterbacks time to kind
(14:26):
of develop a relationship with each other because, um, you know,
he took part in some individual stuff of course, but
you you would like to have him, you know, in
the team drills and you know those kinds of things.
So you know, nobody got everything they wanted. I think
both sides they've got some of the things they wanted,
and I think those some of those the some of
(14:49):
the things that they got that they wanted or you know,
gonna end up maybe helping the team. So uh And
just so we're um on a you know, talking about
good things since I sang the Blue the weather Blues
here earlier, Minco Fitzpatrick was brought off the NFI list
two on Thursday and he practiced, so you know, that's
(15:12):
another step in that direction for him. Um, you know,
he has he of course has already signed a big
contract and so you know, the pieces are starting to
fall into place. Yeah, and I think the offense just
desperately needed Deonte Johnson to come back. You mentioned Mako
return from injury, but there's a lot of guys that
(15:33):
have been on that injury report on the offensive side,
on the first team offense that just haven't been able
to get out there and help the quarterbacks helped that
young offense against the stellar defense so far through camp,
and getting that number one receiver back is just massive.
And it really looked and from what everything I read
and heard and saw clips of on on the internet,
that Deonte didn't really miss a beat at all out there.
(15:53):
He he clearly looked like a cut above the rest
when it came to that position despite missing a few
days of practice. The holding yeah, um, you know, but
the thing to me about it is, um, the coordination
with the quarterbacks. You know, I think that it's it's
really not even worth much discussion if it's been you know,
(16:19):
because that that's who the Ante Johnson had played with
since he came into the league, and that's who you know,
the offense was built around since Deante Johnson came into
the league. But now it's gonna be someone knew who
it is. You know, we'll find out based on practice,
though it certainly looks like Mitch Drobiski is in the
(16:41):
driver's seat. Um. But you know, again, I think that
a lot of that is gonna have to do with
how the preseason games um shake out. And you know,
I even hate to say it because you know, sometimes
you talk it into reality, but you know, injuries are
gonna be playing a part two and we're gonna start
seeing the quarterbacks have to deal with, you know, the
(17:03):
threats of physical harm in these preseason games, and you know,
you just never know how that stuff is going to
turn out. I'm glad you mentioned the preseason games. You
heard Tom On at the end of his presser there say,
you know, someone asked him about his evaluation of the
offensive line, if it's even possible to have an evaluation
so far, and he said, you know, he has some thoughts,
but we'll be in a stadium in a week and
(17:25):
then we'll really be able to, you know, start getting
some information and gathering some information. Do you do you
think that at this point, you know, you've seen everything
you can pretty much see for the most part through
you know, a handful of padded practices, a little over
a week and a half of practice this total with
the team. It's it's now down to we need to
get into this preseason game in order to really advance
our evaluations. Yeah, because you know it's and I'm not
(17:49):
trying to um, you know, paint the wrong picture here,
but their teammates and you know, there are ways to
practice without making the other guy look bad. And so
I'm not saying that there's a lot of that that
goes on, but on what I'm saying is that they're
professionals and they know how to do that if they
(18:09):
want to, and so you know, there's just a little
bit more of an edge to it when the person
on the other side of the line of scrimmage from
you is competing for a job. Um, as as hard
as you are now, I understand that, you know, there
are instances in a practice where you know, the guard
(18:32):
blocking the defensive tackle are both on the bubble in
terms of making the fifty three million roster. But I
think that it's a little bit different, you know, when um,
the two guys are wearing different helmets. So again there's
just a little bit more of an edge, maybe a
little bit more urgency. Um, you know those kinds of things.
(18:54):
And it is still though preseason, and you know, we're
gonna have to see how, how and whom the other
team is playing because you know, for example, last year, UM,
in the game that Dwayne Haskins started Carolina, Yeah, I
think it was pretty much had the whole game right,
(19:15):
and Carolina played a lot of their frontline people because
last year was the first year of I won't call
it a vibe, but it's an extended break between the
last preseason game and the regular season opener because it
leaks the one in the Hall of Fame game, you know,
at its traditional time early in August, and then you
(19:39):
know you only have three preseason games instead of four,
and so you do the arithmetic and it's probably about
an eight to ten day break now between UM the
last preseason game in the preseason or in the regular
season opener. And if you look at the Steelers schedule,
you'll see that. UM. Traditionally, before the preseason was shortened,
(20:01):
the Steelers UM preseason finale always could be on a Thursday,
because then you know, you get a little bit of
it's like a Thursday game to UM a regular next
Sunday games in a regular season. But this year, you know,
the preseason finale is on a Sunday. UM. But still
that's August. The season opened September eleven, so it's pretty
(20:25):
much close to two full weeks, that fourteen days that
they're gonna be off. So um so that some of
the team's philosophies in terms of how they approach this
part of the the the NFL calendar, they're kind of
evolving still. Um So, I mean, again, we're gonna have
(20:47):
to see how it works out. Last year, the Steelers
were the team that had the extra preseason game because
of the Hall of Fame game. UH. This year, they don't.
I don't know how Mike Thomas gonna handle the distribution
of playing time. Um, you know, when we get to
that point. Uh if in August, who knows. Maybe there
are still jobs hanging in the balance, so to speak,
(21:09):
and so maybe there's gonna be more of a sense
of urgency in terms of you know, frontline people playing. Uh.
If not, you know, he's gonna have to figure it
out some happy medium of playing people and resting people. Um,
depending on maybe on how the earlier preseason games have gone.
I mean, it's really kind of impossible for me to predict,
(21:31):
excuse me, how he might go because he had didn't
have a track record, you know, not really, So you know,
we're gonna have to see how it unfolds. Well. A
week from today, the Steelers kick off their preseason schedule
as the Seattle Seahawks pay a visit to Akershore Stadium
and take on the Steelers. Kickoff for that game is
at seven pm, And I guess I should say weather
(21:51):
permitting kickoffs at seven pm because weather permitting has been
an important so far through camps. See there you go again,
Oh man, I'm coming over to your house and spank
you if that happens. Well, Steelers released their depth preseason.
Preseason football is one thing, but delayed preseason football is
(22:13):
a whole. Yeah. Well, the Steelers released their depth chart yesterday,
their first official one. So we'll kick that around a bit.
And I guess we have to talk about some quarterback.
We haven't talked about it yet, and I feel like
we're obligated to, so we'll probably show now. I'm an idiot.
I'm off today. It's a Saturday. I'm off today. What
do you want? We'll be right back after this here
(22:34):
on the Training Camp Report on SNRDC is the Training
Camp Report with Tom Opperman and Bob Labriola on Steelers
Nation Radio. The Steelers released their initial depth chart for
two season yesterday, and Labs it's important that everybody out
(22:55):
there knows just how serious Mike Tomlin takes this first
iteration of the depth chart. He spends hours upon hours
under candle light in a room writing this down critically
and up throwing it into a trash can writing it
down again. It's a huge process for him that he
really cares about a lot. Yeah, I know, I probably
took him. I don't know ninety seconds. Um. But yeah,
(23:19):
well you know, all kidding inside. I was talking uh
to some people in pr while we were sitting on
the bus listening to a rain um last yesterday evening,
and you know, having been a part of I think
this is now sixteen camp opening Mike Tomlin depth charts,
(23:41):
I think I could do this. I mean, there are
a couple of things areas, I mean we can get
into them a little bit, but a couple of areas
where he might have you know, tweaked some things on
my version based on you know, my recollection and experience
with how he does it. But I could have got
(24:02):
it all that because it's you know, really kind of straightforward. Um.
When even when even to the backups, you know, the
backups at which position? Um, you know, it goes like this, um,
years of experience in the league or years of experience
with the Steelers. And then if you're dealing with rookies, Um,
(24:27):
the guy who was drafted gets listed before the guy
who wasn't. And if you have two guys you know
who are drafted, which is rare UM on the in
the same position, then the higher round guy has listed
before the lower round guy. Uh. And that's that's pretty
much it. Um. You know. The only the only spots
(24:50):
truly that you don't follow that UM would be okay
here it is yet free safety backup trade or with
the second year guy third string is Miles Kilbrew, a
seven year guy. Now. One of the things about that though,
is you know Miles Killbrew has been injured. You know
(25:13):
that nicked up. So you know that again you know
when you when you look at it, maybe you get
it wrong initially, UM, but then when you look at it,
you can figure it out right away. Why it's that way.
And it's very rarely a commentary on who's doing well
or who's not because he doesn't you know, he's not
(25:35):
going to reveal that in the training camp or a
camp opening. Uh. Depth chart it's just not you know,
as I wrote a little story about it, it's you know,
something that you know happens every summer and you get
the depth chart, you know, and everybody gets excited about it,
and um, but as I described it, you know, it's
(25:57):
somewhere between meaningless and what Moses wrote down from the
mouth toop with etgton Stone tablets. Uh. You know there
are some things in it that uh me have meaning, um,
but you know his quote was, and I remember this,
this was early in his career. Here his quote was, um,
(26:19):
you know something about the league. Once depth charts, so
be it, they change and that's you know, so it's
probably still pretty good. Uh, since it came out, there
has only been that one practice. No, no, this came out, Yes,
came out before Friday lights. Right, so yeah, it's all right,
(26:43):
it's exactly the same because nothing has happened. So we're
pretty good, you know, knowing that this is actually it
for another twenty four hours. Maybe. Well, I think the
only or where whenever the practice at the south Side
indoor facility ends, which finding out mine which again to
sturmined people practice today will be at the south Side
(27:03):
facility at so do not go up to the trobe.
You will see nothing but an empty field that's potentially
being worked on by a grounds crew to try to
drain all the rain they had yesterday. I think you
could see you could see Noah, Yes, the Ark Building,
New York. Yeah. Uh. Some things of note though on
this step chart is there's three position spots where Tom
(27:24):
and listed two guys on the first team. So I
definitely want to get into each of those real quick,
but we got to talk quarterback real quick before you know,
we get a lot of trouble and get levied with
a bunch of fines by the FCC. So you're speaking
of predictability. It's exactly what happened with the quarterback depth
chart in this first iteration. Mitch number one, Mason number two,
Kenny number three, so exactly like it was at mini
(27:44):
camp and pretty much exactly like we've seen it throughout
camp so far. Yeah, and then you know, and Chris
old Dooke and number four because that's an example that
I was talking about earlier. Two draft picks sinis and
pick it right, pick its first, the first round pick.
Oland Oakin is after him because he was a seventh
(28:07):
round pick, So there you go. But yeah, it's it's
been this way. The quarterback pecking order has been this
way since the opening day of O T A s
back in May May whatever that was, uh And it's
pretty much held uh form except for a couple of
practices maybe where Mike Tomlin flipped pick it up to
(28:31):
two in the rotation here at practice and Mason Rudolph
was three. But then I think it was two practices
and then went back, you know, to the way that
it is now and has been, uh pretty much of
the time. So yeah, it's UM. And the the practice
(28:51):
that Tribisky had I think now it was Wednesday, trying
to keep my day straight here. Wednesday when the fence
kind of rebounded. UM, when Trabinsky UM took the last
competition period of the day, took the offense fifty three
yards in a minute fourteen or whatever was through a
(29:13):
six yard touchdown pass to George Pickens, uh to complete
the two minute drill. And um, you know, based on
that and then how he did Thursday as well, it
seemed to be a little bit of a continuation of
I won't say a rebound, but a rejuvenation or I
(29:33):
don't know, it just it was it was better. He
was better than he had been. Uh. So you know,
I don't know that Uh, Mitch Trobinsky is going to
be unseated. I think it's now definitely his job to lose.
He still can do that, certainly, UM, but I'm feeling
a little bit more certain of his status as number one.
(29:57):
Then I felt before Wednesday. Left guard, left inside linebacker,
and left cornerback. I'll have two guys listed on the
first team. Uh, as far as the depth chart is concerned,
left guard has Kendrick Green and Kevin Dotson, inside linebacker
Devin Bush and Robert Spiline, and at that cornerback spot
Levi Wallace and Keller Witherspoon. Am I reading too much
(30:17):
into this to just say that those are right there, one, two,
and three the most important position battles up for Grabbic
camp right now? Him listing those guys at the first team,
is that him just you know, kind of telling people,
a these are the spots that are truly up for
grabs between these gentlemen. Well and and really I think
that the only one that can is what you just
(30:40):
described is the left guard job. Because the defensive spots,
I really believe, you know, Devin Bush or Robert Splaine,
that's going to be a package thing, you know, based
on what the other team does, um, you know, and
what kind of defense you're playing at that particular time
of the game. I think that you know, Robert Spillane
(31:00):
is UM at this point, more of a run stuff
stuffing inside linebacker Lyndevin Bush. And so if you're playing,
you know a kind of team that likes to run
the ball, power running. I think you'll see more Spline
than Bush. If it's the other kind of team, you'll
see more of Bush than Splane. And then you know,
(31:21):
defensive backs to me, uh, you know who knows if
the Steelers go to a nickel? Yeah, Um, are we
going to assume that either Levi Wallace or a Kellor
a kell of Witherspoon will be on the bench and
Arthur Mallette will be in the game. Or might it
be Cam Sutton moves in to the nickel and Levi
(31:44):
Wallace and a Keller Witherspoon or in the game. Outside
cornerbacks is probably going to be the case. Well, yeah,
you know that that's the way I would lean right
now too. I'm not going to say that that's etched
in stone, but that's certainly what we saw, um last
year when it was you know, Joe Hayden and Witherspoon
at the outside corners or Joe Hayden and James Pierre
(32:08):
at the outside corners, and Camp Sutton moves inside because
he is so versatile. Um, so you know, we're just
gonna have to see. I think something has been having
a pretty good Camp so far as an outside corner.
Maybe this is the year that he just locks that down.
But um, I don't you know, if you're looking for
your best five, all due respect to Arthur Mallett, I
(32:30):
think your best five defensive backs would be Minka and
Edmonds at the safety's Wallace, Witherspoon and Sutton as the
three corners, and then you line. You know, you you
piece them in there however you want. But I think
those are your best five at this point. So you
mentioned that the really only uh significant position battle to
(32:52):
read into from this step chart would be that left
guard spot with Dotson and Kendra Green. I know that
they've only had a handful of padded practices to kind
really get a look at them, and maybe you do
learn a lot more about the offensive line when the
Seahawks come to town next week and you actually get
to play another opponent. But in your opinion, has either
one of those guys started to separate themselves yet or
have they been on pretty much even playing field so far?
(33:16):
I don't you know. I'm gonna have to be honest here,
I haven't had enough time to talk to Craig Wolfley
and Max Starts to answer your question. Yeah, I mean
that's that's always what I would do. Um. You know,
when it used to be touching Wolf, I would make
sure to get myself over to, you know, the individual,
(33:39):
you know, the when the offensive lineman and the defensive
lineman do one on ones during practice. I would always
watch that drill and when one of those guys was
standing over there, I'd go over to and uh, you know,
kind of have one eye on the drill and both
years tuned to what they were saying. And that's how
we I would learn because I don't know. I don't
(34:02):
know enough about the intricacies of the position to say
that's good hand usage or you know, it needs to
drop this butt more, or the hard position to analyze,
no question, Yeah, because you know, as we've said many times,
it's not a scope. Hey hey, well it could be
listening right now. It's close to him taken over, so
be careful. They don't do weekends, I don't think, okay,
(34:27):
so be careful. Sorry Wolf, that was Tom Hey, Um,
but anyway, so I can't speak to that. I think
that though, even if one of them had a slight edge, now, uh,
it could change instantly once the game start, you know,
because that's again that I think that that's a position
(34:48):
that really is uh in need of outside competition to
really tell. So, UM, yeah, I'm not. I'm not gonna
pick one because there's only two. So I got a
fifty chance of guessing right. But I am honest enough
with you and myself to know that it would be
(35:09):
nothing but a guess. Well. Steelers practice today again. Reminder
is at the South Side facility UPMC by the way, yep,
close to the public, So do not plan on going
down there and lining up and hoping to get in,
because you will not be let in. Uh. Practice will
resume again, we assume on Monday up at St. Vincent
College in Latrobe, but today over on the south Side
(35:30):
and we come back, we'll wrap up today's training camp report.
We'll talk about some camp standouts so far that LABS
has noticed in the ten days that they have practiced
up at St. Vincent for Steelers Training CAMPO. So that's
all on the way next right here on the Training
Camp Report on snry PC. Start Training Camp Report with
(35:53):
Tom Opperman and Bob Labriola on Steelers Nation Radio. Everybody
loves to identify standouts at training camp every single year.
I know Wolf always likes to do his camp darling,
and everybody just as hungry to find someone that was
off of everybody's radar that quickly becomes put in the
center of their radars based on a couple of good practices.
(36:15):
And you know, the one guy I wanted to start
with here Labs that I've heard a ton of the
past couple of days has been the running back Jalen Warren.
In fact, he found himself as the number four running
back on the depth chart, behind the guys that were
incumbent Benny Snell number two and Anthony McFarland number three.
So Jalen Warren, as an undrafted rookie free agent, has
certainly turned a lot of heads so far at camp,
(36:36):
and I think he's really right in the mix not
only to you know, make this roster, but to get
helmets on game days as well. Yeah, I think that, Um,
you know, Jalen Warren. The critical element for him right
now is the stay healthy so we can continue to practice,
because that's how you get better and you keep yourself
(36:58):
in the forefront of the coach's mind. Coaches, I mean
that plural coaches minds. And um, then you got to
uh have Danny Smith, fall in love with you. It's
pretty much the secret to being a backup in this
league because I don't think there's you know, any realistic
(37:20):
scenario in which Jalen Warren beats out Nausey Harris for
the starting job. Again, no disrespect, but I mean this
is this is just his reality uh today. You know,
in this league, as his career is, he's trying to
get his career off to a start. So um, yeah,
he has to he has to stay healthy, keep practicing, uh,
(37:43):
and make himself valuable on special teams. I don't think
what we've seen so far uh at practice, you know,
when they have the rotation through you know, catching kickoffs
or punts. He's not really a part of that yet anyway,
And so I think that, you know, Jalen Warren is
going to have to find a way, especially if he
(38:06):
wants a helmet, because you mentioned that. So if if
he wants a helmet, he's going to have to find
a way to be an asset on special excuse me,
special teams because the two guys ahead of him, you know,
Benny Snell is uh decent to good in coverage. He
will get down on kickoffs. He will make some tackles.
(38:28):
Anthony McFarland and Anthony McFarland is a guy who is
in the mix, uh in terms of kickoff returners. So
each of those guys has somewhat of a role on
special teams. Jalen Warren has yet to establish one, and
so you know, it would behoove him to show up
(38:49):
UM on a kickoff coverage team at a tackle or two,
or you know, break a kickoff return, you know something,
because I think that's gonna be his path. But as
you met mentioned, he is a guy who has flashed
and he has looked good in a lot of the
UM specific areas that you need to be UM productive
(39:11):
in or reliable in uh to be an NFL running back.
He can catch the ball. Okay, he's a good runner
and he's a willing blocker. So check check check for him.
Now I find something that you can do on special teams. Yeah,
I mean, I think that's the one thing that's really
I don't want to say holding him back, but you know,
keeping me from saying, yeah, he's a nailed on fifty
(39:32):
three man member of this roster is the fact that
you you have to be good at the special team
side of things. If you're going to play a skill
position and be second, third, fourth on the depth chart there,
So hopefully he gets more reps and special teams. Hopefully
he makes those reps count moving forward, and he continues
his upward trajectory that he started so far at camp.
Another group that has been standing out has been the
(39:53):
receiving Corps because a lot of guys are getting a
lot of opportunity due to Deontay's holding, which of course
came to an end on Thursday, Chase Claypool's injury. You know,
a lot of guys being thrown into the fire. Now.
George Pickens is right at the top of that list.
I mean, that guy seems to make uh the media
or people there, you know, ah, every single practice. He
(40:14):
just is that kind of guy. He's he's a dude,
you know, for lack of a better term, He's just
a dude. He's gonna be a really strong wide receiver
in the NFL, it seems. And then you know, guys
like Steven Sims behind him have been showing a lot
of good things. Anthony Miller has been showing good things.
So the receiving Corps in general stepping up for some injuries.
Slash holdings have been a pretty a pretty optimistic thing
so far. Yeah, you mentioned um um Anthony Miller too.
(40:40):
He's a guy that you know, he got a lot
of time with the first group when Deonte Johnson was
not taking part in the team drills. And uh, you
know that's one of the things that you know, we
were talking about why it was good for the team
and for Deonte Johnson to get his contract situation, you know,
(41:02):
straightened out and get back on the field because you know, again,
the quarterbacks, whoever it is, is going to be new
in terms of the starting a full time starter with
the Steelers, and you know, when the when the game
starts and the threat of violence returns. Quarterbacks you know,
(41:23):
they're they're human beings too, and so you know when
they're in the pocket and however many people wearing the
other colored jerseys are intent on doing him harm. Uh,
he needs to process that information and decide where he's
going to throw the football, you know, often in fewer
than three seconds. So you know, who does he trust,
(41:47):
who does he have a relationship with, Who is he
comfortable with in terms of where they're going to be
Those kinds of things, you know are all part of
that process that's going on in his head as the
clock has taken you know, one Mississippi to miss to
be so, um, not being there hurts you and being
there helps you. So you know, I often said that, UM,
(42:11):
people would always wonder why, like whenever Ben was hurt
Antonio Brown stats dropped well because well, because you know
it wasn't Ben. You know, Ben and him had a relationship.
And you know, if you're the backup, you don't get
a lot of reps with the first team, you know,
unless the starter is injured. And a lot of times
(42:34):
that injury that doesn't occur until in game, so you
don't have a long week of practice where you have
an opportunity, um, you know to work with those first
team guys. So you know that was that's that's part
of that UM. Even Terry excuse me, Terry Bradshaw, Um,
he had a early on Lynn Swan. You know, he
(42:56):
was slick about it too, and I give him credit
for this. He buttied up the brad Shore right away.
And so that's why, right, that's why early on in
that um triumvirt Bradshaws Wan and Stalwarts one got the
ball more. Uh so, uh, these are these are things
that are real, um, and you have to kind of
(43:17):
think about them as you're processing. You know, where the
ball is going to and why the ball is going there,
and uh, you know the importance of practice beyond just
how an individual can use it to improve himself. You know,
they're they're people out there doing it so uh, you know,
in their relationships and that's why you know all that significant.
(43:39):
And Anthony Miller was I thought, doing a nice job
of establishing a relationship with Mitch dr Bisky and Mason
Rudolph as you know, they were, you know, kind of
fighting it out at the top of the depth chart.
Um when camp opened, so that those two the those
That guy is another one. Uh. I'll tell you who
I've liked lately, Jay Sternberger. Jay Sternberger. Yeah, Now it
(44:05):
seems to me, you know that it's gonna be fiarmouth gentry.
And I really like Connor Hayward for the physical element
he brings to it. Actually on the depth chart that
where they released, so a little out of the ordinary, yes, yes, um.
And he's also a special teams guy. Uh he was
(44:26):
in college, let me say that. So but Sternberger has
made some place He's I don't know what kind of
blocker he is. Again, that's I'll fall back on what
I was saying about offensive lineman. Um, but he made
he makes some plays down the field. Uh, he has
body control, pretty decent hands. Um, he's a decent route runner.
(44:49):
And there's a lot of times where something happens and
I'll think it's a receiver and then I put my
binoculars on it and see where number eighty five and
so that's Sternburger. Okay, So you know, I think he's
going to be someone who is going to be heard
from here once the preseason games start. Um. On defense,
I think Cam Sutton has been having a very nice camp.
(45:10):
Miles Jack, We've talked about him, especially against the run. Um.
You know Trey Norwood has flashed what about is he
flashed a little bit of that outside linebacker spot. Yeah,
you know he's another guy that. Um, you see the
number and I go, who's that? You know, because he's
not familiar enough in terms of what his number is
(45:33):
for me to immediately know. You know his number fifty
and you know Ryan Shay's ears number. You know, that's
how that will that will be in my head for
a little bit longer. And speaking of linebackers, Ulysses Gilbert
is showing some especially in the past kind of coverage
drills you know, backs on backers pass. Ulysses Gilbert shows
(45:57):
a nice feel uh and a nice skill set for
those things. Certainly gonna want to keep our eyes on
all of those players we just mentioned as we work
our way through camp. But that's gonna do it for
us today here on the Steelers Training Camp Report. Always
appreciate you guys giving us a listen. Reminder, practice will
not be at St. Vincent College in Latrobe today. Instead,
they are conducting it at the U p MC Sports
Complex in the South Side at one pm and that
(46:21):
is closed to the public. So do not try to
go down to the South Side and get into the
facility because you will be turned away. Practice returns back
to St. Vincent on Monday if all things go according
to plan. Uh. Thanks to Bob Labriola. I'm Tom Operan. Uh.
This has been the Steelers Training Camp Report. Wolf and
Starks are in the locker room up next right here
on SNR
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