Steelers News: Benny Snell gets acclimated to the ‘backs-on-backers’ drill

The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to the gridiron this week when they reported back to training camp. With practices underway, the news surrounding the black-and-gold is just starting to heat up. As the team returns from their summer break, we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until training camp starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how rookie running back Benny Snell Jr. got indoctrinated to the ‘back-on-backers’ drill during the first padded practice at Steelers’ Training Camp.

Let’s get to the news:

• When most rookie running backs come into the NFL, the one area they lack the most is in pass protection. Not that they don’t do it in college, but how they don’t do it with the sophistication of the professional ranks. Benny Snell Jr. got his first taste of the ‘backs-on-backers’ drill during the team’s first padded practice Sunday.

Kevin Gorman: When Steelers’ ‘backs-on-‘backers’ became all about Benny Snell Football

By: Kevin Gorman, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

It’s known as “backs-on-‘backers” but Sunday’s edition might as well have been called Benny Snell Football.

That’s how the rookie running back refers to his rugged running style. Benny Snell often refers to himself in the third person, especially when talking about sprinting to the end zone as he did on one carry during team drills at Saint Vincent.

“That’s what Benny Snell does,” Benny Snell said. “He finishes runs.”

Mike Tomlin wanted to know whether Benny Snell finishes blocks. So, the Steelers coach called out the 5-foot-10, 224-pounder, a fourth-round draft pick from Kentucky, for the first matchup of the full-contact pass-protection drill.

“When you’re the young running back, you’re going to get called out a lot there,” Tomlin said. “Jaylen (Samuels) can relate from a year ago, just like James Conner the year before that. He’s just the back this year.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• JuJu Smith-Schuster has already been paving his way with the Steelers’ fan base, but one unique story certainly has caught the attention of many.

JuJu signs fan’s head, offers him ‘any tickets to any game’

By: Hunter Homistek, DKPittsburghSports

“Dude, I signed this dude’s head today,” Smith-Schuster said. “He had the Steelers logo, like, tattooed in his head. So he had a mohawk and was like, ‘Can you sign this next to my helmet?’ I’m like, ‘What helmet are you talking about?’ I signed his head. His actual head, like Sharpie, all that. I don’t think he’s taking a shower for the next week.”

After suggesting the man may in fact get the signature tattooed, Smith-Schuster went in with the offer.

”He might, honestly. If he does, that’s lit,” Smith-Schuster said. “If he gets that tattooed on his head, I’ll get him any tickets to any game.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Rookie WR Diontae Johnson had his conditioning questioned by special teams coach Danny Smith this offseason, and after having some hamstring issues during offseason workouts Johnson has impressed coaches so far through camp.

Roethlisberger impressed by rookie Johnson after test run: ‘He was barely breathing’

By: Hunter Homistek, DKPittsburghSports

“I think any young guy that comes in needs to always work on conditioning,” Roethlisberger was telling media today outside the locker room in Latrobe, Pa., for Day 1 of Steelers training camp. “No rookie ever comes in and is in great condition.”

But don’t tell that to rookie receiver Diontae Johnson. According to Roethlisberger, the Steelers’ third-round pick this season out of Toledo has already made some waves in camp.

”I saw him run his conditioning test yesterday, and I don’t even think he opened [his mouth], like, he was barely breathing,” Roethlisberger said. “So you could tell, and I heard that he was here a lot in the offseason working, so you can tell that he really took that to heart, that he needed to get in shape. I’ve seen that so far, even though it’s early.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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