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The Pittsburgh Steelers have had over a week of training camp practices under their belt now, and while there are times it is still considered “football in shorts”, the team has had plenty of news coming from these workouts.
Friday night saw the team heading over to Latrobe High School field for their annual Friday Night Lights practice. What does this always mean? Try the return of the ‘backs on backers’ drill, which is always a fan favorite.
How did it go? Well, let former Behind the Steel Curtain staff writer and friend of the site, Chris Carter, now of DKPittsburghSports.com, tell you:
Tomlin immediately calls out Samuels to face Williams on backs on backers. Samuels holds his own. #Steelers #dkps
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Snell vs Bush. Bush runs over Snell the first time drawing ooos. Snell rebounds and wins the next by forcing him around. #Steelers #dkps
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Gilbert loses his first rep against Malik Williams. Tomlin says “ULY! Not enough quickness. Be quicker.”
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Next rep Gilbert puts on a nice move and wins the matchup. #Steelers #dkps
Ola continues to dominate backs on backers. Puts on a sweet stutter step to work around Scotland Williamson. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Williams against Samuels again. Williams keeps winning but this is literally his drill. He lives for this. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Bush vs. Snell again. First is won by Bush with a nifty spin move and insanely quick feet. Snell holds him off the second time. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Grimble pancakes Spillane. Was told to be patient and he won his spot. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Scotland-Williamson is athletic and big, but it takes more than that to have the feet to be a good blocker. He’s engaging with his hands and not chopping his feet enough. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Ola wins 2 vs Trevor Wood. He’s good at mixing his power with a variety of quick moves. As soon as the blocker commits to his strength Ola swims or rips around. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Nix vs. Williams draws fireworks. Williams puts Nix on his back the first time, but Nix flips him over like a judo move. Then Nix holds him up the 2nd Time. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Snell vs Bush again. Bush winning with his quickness both times. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Last rep is another rematch between Snell vs Bush. This time Snell gets his feet chopping early and is ready for Bush’s move. Snell won and the drill ends. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Lets get to the other news from Training Camp...
Seven Shots
For those keeping score at home, the Steelers won their 7 Shots period, again. Ben Roethlisberger was given the day off, and won 4-3. Here is a breakdown of how it went down,
As for #Steelers 7 shots. No Ben but offense wins 4-3.
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Dobbs goes 2-4 with TD to Conner and a QB draw. Williams has a sack & Alualu tips a pass at line for a Bush 1-handed INT.
Rudolph goes 2-3 to Webb & Switzer in the flat for TDs. Illegal touching cancels last play. #dkps
Backup QB Update
With Roethlisberger given the day off, it was a chance to get a closer look at Mason Rudolph, Delvin Hodges and Joshua Dobbs. There was some good, and some bad.
Dobbs throws a perfect backshoulder 30 yard(ish) pass to Tevin Jones with the new CB Thomas in coverage and the safety coming. Best throw from Dobbs all camp. Great catch by Jones too. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Rudolph looking great in 11 on 11s. 4-4 on passes so far with underneath reads and well timed throws. Washington with an impressive sideline grab and a catch and run he took for 60. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Hodges throws pass behind Washington and it’s intercepted by Askew-Henry. @mattsunday was excited. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Dobbs threads the needle between 2 DBs for a TD on a slant to Washington. Then he breaks the pocket and finds Conner in the corner for a score. Having his best practice so far. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 3, 2019
Walking wounded update
For an update on those who were given the day off, as well as those who missed practice due to injury. The Steelers continue to give players time to heal before inserting them into the lineup. This early in the process it is never a bad thing to do.
Ben Roethlisberger, Al Villanueva, and Maurkice Pouncey are getting the night off. #FridayNightLights
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) August 2, 2019
Bud Dupree is practicing tonight. No Sutton Smith or Kam Canaday. Still no T.J. Watt.
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) August 2, 2019
Here we go again...
Is it just me, or does every training camp practice have a play being made by Devin Bush in coverage? This isn’t a bad thing, in fact it is a tremendous thing, but goodness this young man is making a name for himself early in the process. If you think he won’t be starting Week 1, you might be reading different reports than I am.
Good start to practice for Devin Bush. A pick off a tipped pass — Diontae Johnson forced him to fumble but the D recovered. Then had several impressive rushes in backs on backers working against — and thru — Snell #dkps #Steelers
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 3, 2019
VIDEOS
#LIVE: Coach Tomlin addresses the media following Friday Night Lights at Latrobe Memorial Stadium. https://t.co/XmWdvkFFN3
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 3, 2019
#LIVE: Missi, Bob & Charlie Batch take you to #SteelersCamp at Latrobe Memorial Stadium & talk about the history of ‘Friday Night Lights’. https://t.co/qDMbE1Kmzv
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 2, 2019
Thank you for making tonight AMAZING, #SteelersNation‼️@JamesConner_ | #SteelersCamp pic.twitter.com/3qg154QVQm
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 3, 2019
He'll take that @__bELIeve17 pic.twitter.com/yFoeav1Z2M
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 3, 2019
When the sun goes down, we shine. @joehaden23 | @Nelson_Island pic.twitter.com/ibnSoonAPw
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 3, 2019
.@TeamJuJu autograph session pic.twitter.com/Xo8BXUhRFz
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 2, 2019
PHOTOS
Steelers are back in Latrobe Memorial for some Friday night lights. T.J. Watt signs autographs for fans who showed up in the rain. pic.twitter.com/IPTebkT7B8
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 2, 2019
— Jacob Klinger (@Jacob_Klinger_) August 2, 2019