LATROBE, Pa. — Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense made essentially the most of a mulligan coach Mike Tomlin awarded them in the course of the second day of coaching camp.
Friday’s follow marked the season debut of Seven Pictures, a best-of-seven sequence between the offense and the protection from the 2-yard-line. On the sequence’ first play, middle Zach Frazier fired a low snap that led to an enormous lack of yards for the offense. However as an alternative of the protection taking a 1-0 lead, Tomlin determined to begin sequence over.
With a clear slate, Pittsburgh’s offense performed nicely and recorded a 4-3 win over the protection that included a pair of landing passes from Rodgers, who regarded considerably higher on Friday than he did the day prior to this.
Rodgers’ spectacular day began throughout Seven Pictures along with his landing cross to coaching camp suite mate DK Metcalf. The duo practically linked for one more rating moments later, however Rodgers’ cross was damaged up in the long run zone by Joey Porter Jr., who has been routinely matched up in opposition to Metcalf in the course of the first week of camp.
“That is what I anticipate,” Tomlin mentioned of the Rodgers-Metcalf landing. “I am not going to throw a pep rally. That is what I anticipate. That is what I envisioned all summer season.”
Each first-team items left Seven Pictures for the subsequent 4 performs earlier than coming again on the sector for the seventh and deciding play. Rodgers, in a scene that Steelers followers absolutely hope to see play out quite a few occasions when the 2025 common season begins, gave his facet the win after hitting tight Pat Freiermuth for the rating.
Tomlin was requested concerning the offense’s response after getting a do-over. He used the query to supply some perspective.
“It is gonna be ebb and movement. I do not journey the emotional curler coaster on Day 2, and, ahhh (pumps his fist),” Tomlin mentioned. “We’re gonna preserve snapping.”
Whereas he is not throwing a pep rally but, Tomlin needed to like what he noticed from Rodgers, who continued to play nicely for the rest of follow. Whereas most of his work consisted of quick passes to his operating backs, Rodgers introduced the gang to its toes when he rifled a cross downfield to receiver Calvin Austin III, who caught it in stride after getting behind the defenders.
As Tomlin harassed throughout his publish follow presser, the Steelers are within the early improvement levels of coaching camp, so it is vital to not look too deeply into the day-to-day performances of gamers and items. That being mentioned, how the offense — and Rodgers extra particularly — regarded on Friday is an efficient signal from each a tangible and intangible standpoint.
This is a have a look at what else transpired throughout and earlier than Friday’s follow.
Eight Seven Pictures recap
Whereas it was instantly dubbed “Eight Pictures” by the assembled media, Friday’s scrimmage will go down within the books as a typical Seven Pictures after Tomlin gave the offense a breakfast ball after Frazier’s low snap.
On the third play, Mason Rudolph discovered receiver Ke’Shawn Williams open behind the top zone, however Williams was unable to make the catch after the cross was tipped. The offense tied the rating, although, on the subsequent play as Rudolph hit Scotty Miller on a slant.
After rookie quarterback Will Howard accomplished his second cross of the scrimmage after firing incomplete on his first, Rodgers got here again on the sector earlier than delivering the successful strike to Metcalf.
Steelers add veteran security
Earlier than follow began, the Steelers signed veteran cornerback and former longtime Baltimore Ravens security Chuck Clark. Clark, who attended follow shortly after signing, is now a part of a rebuilt secondary that additionally consists of fellow newcomers Jalen Ramsey (who was acquired within the commerce that despatched Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami), fellow perennial Professional Bowler Darius Slay and fellow security Juan Thornhill.
Tomlin mentioned that what he sees throughout coaching camp will decide what function Clark will in the end fill within the secondary when the common season begins.
Watt on the transfer
As anticipated, TJ Watt is lining up at totally different spots throughout camp in an effort to assist him proceed to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Throughout consecutive performs throughout Seven Pictures, Watt lined up on the proper facet of the road as a pseudo defensive finish as an alternative of being in his customary spot on the left facet.
Whereas Tomlin downplayed it after follow, Watt lining up in several spots is certainly vital. Watt had simply two sacks in the course of the remaining 5 video games final season as offenses made it a degree to restrict his impression. That stretch of video games made it clear that Watt and the Steelers wanted to get artistic if the previous Defensive Participant of the 12 months needs to proceed to supply as such shifting ahead.
Based mostly on Friday’s follow, it is clear that Watt and the Steelers are exploring their choices so far as him lining up at totally different positions.
Climate cuts follow quick
The ultimate moments of follow regarded like the ultimate scene of the unique “Terminator” when Sarah Connor drove off the display and beneath an ominous sky. With storms threatening to engulf the world, followers had been instructed to exit Chuck Noll Subject roughly 30-40 minutes earlier than follow was anticipated to finish. The gamers shortly adopted swimsuit.
Tomlin initially held out hope that he would be capable to end follow earlier than deciding in opposition to it.
“Oftentimes in soccer, we’re confronted with adversity, sudden adjustments, if you’ll, notably because it pertains to climate,” Tomlin mentioned. “We had an enormous delay final 12 months after we performed the Cowboys, for instance.
“We do not run from days like right now. We simply work to attempt to take care of it to the perfect of our capability and get as a lot work achieved as we are able to whereas holding the group secure.”
What’s subsequent: Pittsburgh will host two practices over the weekend earlier than getting a time off on Monday. The Steelers may even announce their 2025 Corridor of Honor Class previous to the beginning of follow.
