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It isn’t Saint Vincent College, but it hasn’t been Latrobe, PA since 2019. The Pittsburgh Steelers are taking in their 2021 Training Camp between Heinz Field and their UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the Southside of Pittsburgh.
What went down during the latest training camp practice? That is where this article comes in. Check out all that was said, as well as photos and videos from the day’s workouts.
Here we go...
It is extremely enticing for fans to want to draw conclusions to the Pittsburgh Steelers getting back on the field. Everyone wants to take something as simple as extra camp reps and make a mountain out of a molehill.
Don’t think Mike Tomlin doesn’t realize this, and wanted to make it very clear why he was doing what he has been doing.
Just like on Thursday, when Tomlin reminded fans why Kendrick Green was getting first team snaps in practice, the Steelers’ head coach reminded fans the players who are getting the most snaps at this juncture of training camp are the players who will be seeing the field more during the Hall of Fame game vs. the Dallas Cowboys.
During Friday’s practice, Ben Roethlisberger was given team repetitions off, and it was Dwayne Haskins who was getting the majority of the reps in his place. Again, expect to see more Haskins in the Hall of Fame game.
Tomlin explained more in detail after practice.
Mike Tomlin said after practice today Dwayne Haskins gets more reps on the days that Ben Roethlisberger doesn't participate as much, "and today was the first day that we dialed him back some."
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) July 23, 2021
Yes, it is Day 2.
But in all seriousness, Tomlin said of Dwayne Haskins he "likes his approach to business; it's been really positive." And that with guys like him who are expected to play in the Hall of Fame Game, they have less time to get ready for it and need more practice reps.
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) July 23, 2021
Haskins is an extremely polarizing player. It is difficult to find fans who just are taking a wait-and-see approach to the former Ohio State quarterback. Most want to see him succeed, and possibly be the successor to Ben Roethlisberger, or want to see him fail.
Nonetheless, the fact remains he is battling Joshua Dobbs, not Mason Rudolph, on the Steelers’ quarterback hierarchy. His first test comes in just a couple weeks.
Now let’s get to the other news which took place during Friday’s practice...
Why did Vince retire?
No one knows exactly why Vince Williams decided to retire. Yesterday it was suggested Williams didn’t tell the Steelers until Wednesday his decision to retire. When defensive coordinator Keith Butler spoke with media, he was asked why Williams retired, and his answer was telling. Not just in the reason, but also based on the fact is seems even the coaching staff is grasping for reasons why Williams retired.
This per Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Steelers DC Keith Butler says he thinks Vince Williams just felt like he wasn’t ready to play, his body wasn’t ready to play and that’s why he retired.
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) July 23, 2021
It’s all about the Hall of Fame...game
Just to reiterate, here is some video of Tomlin explaining why Dan Moore Jr., Kendrick Green and Dwayne Haskins are seeing increased practice reps in the early stages of training camp.
https://t.co/VFIOe3uo5B pic.twitter.com/igmuhCbtRg
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) July 23, 2021
Devin Bush Twitter update
One player who has made a lot of news, and waves, on social media is Devin Bush. While Bush didn’t answer questions in front of media Friday, Cam Heyward did, and he was asked about Bush’s Twitter craziness. His response was what most would expect. Bush acts like a kid sometimes, and if the Steelers/Heyward need to tell him to calm it down, they will.
Cam Heyward and Devin Bush had a couple Twitter exchanges this offseason, so I asked him about his *very* online teammate.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) July 23, 2021
“He can be a kid at times, but we’ll rein him back in when we have to.” pic.twitter.com/JMSpwK2cjC
Not the TB12 Diet
Tom Brady makes a lot of news for his TB12 diet. The highly restrictive diet is designed to decrease inflammation in the body to maximize performance. Let’s just say JuJu Smith-Schuster is not on the TB12 diet. In fact, he is following the Giannis Chick-Fil-A diet. It is safe to say this was said in jest.
JuJu Smith-Schuster:
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) July 23, 2021
"I’ve been eating Chick-Fil-A a lot lately. Chick-FIl-A, I got so much for love for that....and Giannis. So hopefully after the Super Bowl win, I’ll go and have the 50-pice."
BTSC Training Camp Recap Podcast
VIDEO
Coach Tomlin: "I like the attitude, I like the communication."
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 23, 2021
Full : https://t.co/r4HKun8C0e pic.twitter.com/KmLj2LpcW2
Here are a few seconds of Najee Harris getting ready for his next MMA fight. pic.twitter.com/6TxEO7VvOV
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) July 23, 2021
Mike Tomlin joined today’s media scrum to ask Cam Heyward a hard-hitting question. pic.twitter.com/6GcfoXWGs3
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) July 23, 2021
Najee Harris with a unique warmup before practice drills today. pic.twitter.com/ZUVLeLKgou
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) July 23, 2021
gonna be tough @highsmith34 pic.twitter.com/OFjnjuCjbK
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 23, 2021
PHOTOS
Media day vibes pic.twitter.com/TfWb0uuIzt
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 24, 2021
Some #SteelersCamp for the timeline @FedEx
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 23, 2021
Meeting of the minds before practice pic.twitter.com/YGC2RrA0TQ
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) July 23, 2021
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