Steelers 2021 Training Camp Recap, Day 16: Trying to decipher Joe Schobert’s role on the defense

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...

The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Joe Schobert from the Jacksonville Jaguars via trade, and as more details are released about the trade, it becomes even better for the Steelers.

However, the one thing everyone is asking is how Schobert fits into the Steelers’ scheme. Is he just quality depth? Is he there in case Devin Bush needs to be eased back into the lineup? Was he brought in to replace Robert Spillane?

A lot of questions, and no answers until the team took to the practice field at Heinz Field during a close session Sunday. The practice was earlier in the morning, and without pads, but it became evident the Steelers wanted to see what they had in Schobert early and often.

In fact, they threw him out there with the starters without hesitation.

But what is his expected role? We might not have that definitive answer until the regular season rolls around, but as of now it looks like they want Schobert to learn the mack and dime-backer role, and also to wear the green dot on his helmet to convey the defensive play calls to the defense.

After practice safety Terrell Edmunds said Schobert was calling plays on the field, and it was his first practice with the team.

Schobert isn’t a rookie, and likely knows the framework of the Steelers’ defense without doing anything but learning some new terminology. What they call a Jet Blitz, as an example, in Pittsburgh might be called a Dog Blitz in Jacksonville. Just a matter of learning the new terminology.

Schobert, and his role, is something to keep an eye on, especially as it pertains to Devin Bush. It would be expected Bush is the guy to never come off the field, but if Schobert is preparing for that role, it makes you wonder how the two will divide the labor at the inside linebacker position.

Now time for other news and notes from Sunday’s practice...

7 Shots

Just your regular update on the ‘7 Shots’ drill. This is the drill where the ball is placed at the two yard line and seven plays are run. See how it went on Sunday.

If there’s a scuffle, expect Big Dan

For some reason, Big Dan Moore Jr. loves to stir it up. Whenever there is dust up along the line of scrimmage, expect Moore to be a part of it. Shockingly, the Steelers don’t seem too upset about it, after all Adrian Klemm is preaching nothing but aggressiveness this year from his offensive line.

Zach Banner doing what?!

Read the below tweet as many times as necessary. Don’t be shocked if you see tackles going in motion in Matt Canada’s offense.

Buddy Johnson promotion

I was pleasantly surprised to see Buddy Johnson get a bump up on the depth chart. It seems Johnson is getting reps with the second string, meaning he is playing over the likes of Ulysees Gilbert III and Marcus Allen. To be honest, he deserves it.

OLine almost complete

Outside of Kendrick Green, the Steelers had most of their entire projected offensive line active for Sunday’s non-padded practice. The entire projected starting offensive line, from left to right, has yet to practice together once since training camp began.

2 minute drill

Unlike Saturday, the Steelers had two successful two-minute drills done Sunday. Dwayne Haskins was working with the starters, and Mason Rudolph was running with the backups. Both scored touchdowns.

Long and winding road

Joe Schobert has certainly been through a lot since entering the NFL. In fact, his six seasons had him in six different defensive schemes. Schobert likely has seen, and done, enough in six years to make this transition to Pittsburgh a smooth one.

“Hey Joe, we need to talk...”

Schobert told a story about the Steelers seeking him out and wanting him, while Mike Tomlin told a tale about the Jaguars was presented to him. In the end it doesn’t matter, Schobert is in town and should be an immediate improvement for the Steelers’ defense.

Getting a face lift

Heinz Field had a ton of slips on Saturday, and it is getting a bit of a face lift after practice Sunday. The turf is getting new sod in between the hash marks, and is in preparation for the Detroit Lions preseason game at Heinz Field this Saturday night.

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