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2015 Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp: Observations from 1st Padded Practice

Published by Bleacher Report on Thu, 30 Jul 2015


The crack of the pads signified the first padded practice at Saint Vincent College on Wednesday. It was the first taste of real football for the Pittsburgh Steelers this summer and a day that begins to instill physicality into the team.Good start today in our pads. Good energy. Ebb and flow. Wins and losses," head coach Mike Tomlin told the media after practice, viaSteelers.com. "Thats all part of it. I like the spirit in which they worked. I liked the professionalism in which they worked"As we get into the pads and infuse physicality into this, its important that we have mutual respect," Tomlin continued. "You can do that while still being competitive. I liked the beginnings of that today.Between the live tackling during 11-on-11 drills or the popular backs on backers, hitting was back, and it set the tone for the toughest practice of camp yet.With players in pads, it was also the first real opportunity to see how players would react to live action. Some were up to the task, while others struggled. It is all a part of the team-building process, but an important part, as first impressions will make a difference.There was a lot to learn Wednesday as we got our first glimpse of contact. Here are my observations from the first padded practice of training camp.Martavis Bryant Living Up to HypeWide receiver Martavis Bryant was a standout during his rookie training camp, and he looks like a future star in his second.Last year, Bryant made defensive backs look like fools in the red zone, where could take advantage of his height. He also impressed as a deep threat as few cornerbacks had the speed to run with him.As he enters his second year, Bryant is showing that he can be more than a role player in the offense. He has lived up to the hype he received during organized team activities and has the look of a legitimate No. 2 receiver.Bryant continued to demonstrate his evolution as a receiver during Wednesdays practice. He picked up another touchdown during 11-on-11 drills near the goal line and put his ability as a route-runner on display.When matched up in press coverage against B.W. Webb, Bryant used a stutter step to gain space and then his long frame to catch a high ball well out of reach of the cornerback. Through three practices, he continues to show improved body control and is doing a better job of using his body to create space.Bryant also dominated on intermediate routes over the middle of the field. Whether it was a designed play or looking for free space while Ben Roethlisberger moved around the pocket, he was able to get free on multiple occasions.Already equipped with Antonio Brown, the Steelers will have one of the top wideout duos in the league assuming Bryant continues to develop.Cortez Allen Looks to Bounce BackIt is early, but cornerbackCortez Allen looks like he has put last year behind him and will solidify a spot in the starting lineup.Allen hasnt looked like a shutdown cornerback throughout the early part of training camp, but he has shown improvement. This is good news for the Steelers, as the cornerbacks must perform better for the defense to improve.After having problems against Antonio Brown on a deep route duringthe opening day of practice, Allen hasnt had many problems defending the long ball. He is keeping the play in front of him, and that is a positive sign given the significant number of big plays the defense allowed last year.Allen is still giving up some receptions, but he also has to match up against Antonio Brown for a significant number of snaps. However, even when he gives up a reception, he is right there to make the stop and plays with a physical edge.The most impressive part about Allens play this camp, though, are the interceptions he's made. After stepping in front of Bryant for a pick Monday, he made one in front of Brown during Wednesday's practice.Although it was a poorly thrown ball by Roethlisberger, the idea that Allen was in position to make the play is what caught my attention. These are the types of plays that the Steelers need from their defensive backs.Allen has a long way to go to prove that he can be a full-time starter in the NFL, but he is off to a good start.Special Teams IntensityWhen Mike Tomlin looked for a new special teams coordinator in 2013, the job description must have required applicants to be intense and have a nonstop motor.It is easy to get tired just watching Danny Smith, let alone playing special teams for him. He and defensive assistant coach Jerry Olsavsky keep the players hustling not only as they complete the drills, but also when getting lined up again.Smith ran a punt-block drill where the players had to bat the ball down and then pick it up for a touchdown. Not missing anything, he called out tight end Rob Blanchflower for not finishing the drill, then praised cornerbackDoran Grant for his rep while instructing him on how to perform it properly.The attention to detail is necessary when working with young players. As Smith explained to Grant, he would not have made the play in a game. By having him run the drill again, Grant was able to correct his mistake.In the heat of the day and at a high pace, it is tough for players to stay focused, but Smith keeps their attention. It is this type of coaching that will have the special teams unit performing well once the season begins.Camp NotesThe Steelers donned pads for the first time this summer. Head coach Mike Tomlin wasted no time running the backs-on-backers drill.Tight end Michael Egnew had one of the best hits of the day when he leveled safety Isaiah Lewis on a reception down the seam. Lewis kept his feet, but the crack of the pads drew a loud reaction from the crowd.Not every drill allowed for contact, but that did not stop some players from laying a lick while still playing within the rules. Given the instructions two-hand touch for the seven-on-seven drills, contact was kept to a minimum, but linebacker Vince Williams still managed to put rookie Cameron Clear on the ground with two forearms.Clear is one player who has struggled with heat. He left practice Monday and looked gassed once again Wednesday. Fellow rookie B.J. Finney also left practice due to heat. Besides these individuals, a significant number of defenders had their hands on their hips as practice wore on.Rookie Reese Dismukes was involved in at least a half-dozen fumbled snap exchanges with the backup quarterbacks.Tajh Boydis doing his best to push Landry Jones for the No. 3 spot on the quarterback depth chart. He threw a beautiful touch pass to wideout C.J. Goodwin, but then bounced one to a wide-open Ross Scheuerman in the flat.Devin Gardner had an excellent catch along the sidelines Monday. Against tight coverage from Antwon Blake, Gardner adjusted his body for a back-shoulder throw and made the reception as he fell to the ground.Linebacker Jarvis Jones was asked to cover Markus Wheaton going across the middle of the field. It did not end well for the defense as Wheaton was easily able to run by Jones.Running back Josh Harris had some issues in the backs-on-backers drills, but demonstrated his burst as a runner with a long gain up the middle during 11-on-11 drills.The defense runs sprints as a unit at the conclusion of each practice. Antonio Brown and others worked with the JUGS machine, and Roethlisberger stayed after to work with several receivers. Dismukes practiced snaps with Boyd.Wednesday was the first practice of six in a row. The Steelers' next day off is Tuesday.Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are courtesy ofESPN.com, and roster information is courtesy ofSteelers.com. Follow @ChrisG_BR
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