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The Pittsburgh Steelers have Monday off from practice, but Mike Tomlin certainly picked up the intensity in the team's practice on Sunday. With the Detroit Lions coming to town, not just for a preseason game Friday night at Heinz Field, but for two joint practices at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, it is no surprise the intensity was turned up.
After the hangover from the team's recent trip to Latrobe High School under the lights, several drills were laid out to prepare the players for what is about to ensue this week with a different opponent coming to town.
The most intense? The goal line drill.
There are few drills in the NFL which get the competitive juices flowing like the goal line drill. In the trenches players are doing whatever it takes to either score a touchdown, or to prevent the opposition from putting up 6-points. If that drill wasn't enough, the team also emphasized the two-minute drill for the second consecutive day. The starting offense, led by Landry Jones, was able to move down the field and score a touchdown as he hit Antonio Brown for the score.
While players like Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison are taken care of throughout training camp, the rest of the team will benefit from the intensity, as well as the joint practices on the horizon. The last time the Steelers held a joint practice was when the Buffalo Bills came to Latrobe in 2014. Practices were tough and physical, and even had a few scuffles along the way.
Things are starting to get interesting...
Family Day
Every year the Steelers pick a day at training camp and encourage all players to bring their families to practice. They not only get to see practice up-close-and-personal, but also get to spend time with those who they leave for about a month when they report to St. Vincent College. The Steelers are one of the few teams who still go away for training camp, which makes for a truly unique situation for fans, players and their families.
Injury Report
Bud Dupree and Artie Burns are both dealing with "minor" injuries, but both are being viewed as day-to-day injuries. Ben Roethlisberger was given the day off, and I don't think there will be any arguments about the team giving him as much time off as he needs as long as he is healthy throughout 2016.
Mike Tomlin Media Coverage
LIVE on #Periscope: Coach Tomlin addresses the media after #SteelersCamp practice. https://t.co/oPY8iofS7t
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 7, 2016
Pictures and Video
Ladarius Green running 40s at the start of a recent practice pic.twitter.com/aXyFb9vRJH
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 7, 2016
First-string TE Jesse James working the sled. pic.twitter.com/QPRi7hYuqf
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 7, 2016
Ben Roethlisberger and Markus Wheaton chatting before practice, perhaps about not practicing. pic.twitter.com/V3gDZPpjwp
— Mike Prisuta (@DVEMike) August 7, 2016
Alejandro Villanueva was back at LT with 1st-team O as rotation with Ryan Harris continued. Smart money's on Big Al. pic.twitter.com/YoTFMSQ1Ix
— Mike Prisuta (@DVEMike) August 7, 2016
DC Keith Butler signing for fans, and maybe stressing to them the importance of generating pressure with 4-man rush. pic.twitter.com/x91pbdyEgz
— Mike Prisuta (@DVEMike) August 7, 2016