Steelers Training Camp Nuggets: What you need to know from the 8/6 practice

Spirits were high and the weather was right for the first ever Steelers Family Fest event at Heinz Field. Prior to the beginning of practice, all the players were introduced out of the player tunnel; Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison came out sporting each other’s jerseys at the amusement of those in attendance, which included Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant. It was another eventful day, with a long list of non-participants and great individual efforts. Let’s begin.

Injury Report:

In addition to the players that were injured in yesterday’s session, the number of players who didn’t participate in today’s session grew to 14; James Conner (shoulder), Cameron Sutton (hamstring), Landry Jones (abdominal), Bud Dupree (unknown), Mike Mitchell (foot/ankle), Ryan Shazier (unknown), Sammie Coates (knee), Senquez Golson (hamstring), Artie Burns (leg), Farrington Huguenin, (concussion), Mike Matthews (leg), Stephon Tuitt (unknown), Maurkice Pouncey (unknown), Martavis Bryant (awaiting reinstatement).

Seven Shots Drill:

• Ben Roethlisberger starts this one off. From shotgun, tries to squeeze the ball between two defenders; ball is incomplete. Offense: 0, Defense 1:
• Next set, Roethlisberger is back in shotgun. Takes the snap, T.J. Watt bites on the pump fake, Roethlisberger throws a touchdown. Offense 1, Defense: 1
• Roethlisberger in the same formation, three receivers lined up. Roethlisberger hits tight end Jesse James over the middle. Offense 2, Defense 1
• Roethlisberger in a 4-wide receiver set. Throws touchdown to tight end Xavier Grimble. Offense 3, Defense 1
• Rookie quarterback Joshua Dobbs takes over. Handoff to running back Knile Davis (could be mistaken) fails, Davis falls down. Offense 3, Defense 2
• Offense in a 3-wide formation. Dobbs drops back, throws low and away from coverage; referee signals that the ball was caught, touchdown. Offense 4, Defense 2
• Dobbs tries to hit tight end Jake McGee, pass is incomplete as safety Jacob Hagen is able to break the pass. Offense 4, Defense 3

Notable Moment:

This came courtesy of the one and only Antonio Brown, as reported by ESPN Senior Writer Jeremy Fowler:

Notable Performers:

• Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Terrell “Nightmare” Watson. From all accounts, the 6’1” 240 lbs running back had three touchdowns in the goal line drill, broke a few big runs, and was given the alias “nightmare” from head coach Mike Tomlin after attending the same college as Christian “the Nigerian Nightmare” Okoye. He is definitely someone that all Steelers fans should watch during their first preseason game on Friday evening.
• Although we have not heard much of Chris Boswell, he had an impressive showing by making a large number of field goals, including field goals made from 47 and 52 yards.

• A player that was the subject of one of my film studies, linebacker Matt Galambos had a good showing today with a fumble recovery and forced a fumble; a few days ago he had an interception off a tight end screen pass. He’s rising a little.
• The duo of Tyler Matakevich and Vince Williams....LOOK OUT! From what I’ve read today, these two were wreaking havoc during the goal line drill. Williams really speaks for himself (view the clip below). I can tell you this much about Matakevich, you will be seeing a lot of him this season. He has a beautiful combination of high football acumen and physicality. Though he is not the greatest athlete, he is the type of linebacker that every team needs.

Free Martavis Counter: 11 Days