Steelers Training Camp Notes: Monday, Aug. 17
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - While some players are getting healthier, others are nursing what Coach Mike Tomlin hopes are nagging injuries.
Three of Tomlin's front seven – Stephon Tuitt, Steve McLendon and Lawrence Timmons – plus backup LB Vince Williams, were sidelined. Timmons (toe) and McLendon (knee) and Williams (knee) have been out. Tuitt has "some little thing," according to Tomlin who hopes to get Tuitt back Wednesday.
On the plus side, NT Daniel McCullers, participated in some contact drills, albeit with the with backup units. McCullers did attract attention by blowing up a run play during the Red Zone period as Tomlin exclaimed, "I see you Big Dan, I see you!" Also, Mike Mitchell continued to get more reps.
As usual, the offense had its way with 2-Point PATs as Ben Roethlisberger hit Marcus Wheaton twice sandwiched around a pass to Antonio Brown. Oddly enough, a lineup made up mostly of backups caused Roethlisberger to throw his fourth attempt away and then stopped Landry Jones three straight times, with rookie LB Anthony Chickillo batting Jones' final try at the line of scrimmage.
The 11-on-11 run and pass periods were largely uneventful, although the defense seemed to play better against the run – despite the absence of the aforementioned starters.
The Red Zone period started with a Roethlisberger-Brown incompletion in the left corner of the end zone, but plays later they connected in the right corner despite solid coverage by Antwan Blake with Brown dragging his toes inbounds. The defense was not so good in this drill with Le'Veon Bell ripping off two nice runs and DeAngelo Willams making a nice cutback past LB Ryan Shazier which drew loud disapproval from Tomlin.
The highlight from the final 11-on-11 period was an outstanding catch by a diving Matt Spaeth who laid out to haul in Roethlisberger's throw down the numbers.
Tomlin loved the rather oppressive conditions – "hot and uncomfortable" – and while he wore lighter gold in yesterday's heat, he wore black today. "It was clean," Tomlin explained.
Players are off Tuesday then back at practice Wednesday at 2:55 p.m.