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Football in shorts

antdrewjosh

antdrewjosh

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http://www.Invalid Link - Check SN ...elers-tuesday-ota-practice-extra-notes-media/


The Pittsburgh Steelers completed their first OTA practice on Tuesday and here are a few tidbits that aren’t likely to show up in print that were passed along by Trib Live Radio, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Steelers Nation Radio.

During the seven shots drill, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had scoring tosses to wide receiver Marcus Wheaton, running back DeAngelo Williams and tight end end Jesse James. He also was reportedly intercepted once by cornerback Ross Cockrell.

When Landry Jones took over, a completed pass to running back Daryl Richardson resulted in him getting drilled by linebacker Vince Williams. Anybody surprised by that? Williams loves football in shorts. Cornerback Artie Burns reportedly intercepted a pass in end zone and Jones connected with undrafted wide receiver Canaan Severin for a score.

Sitting out on Tuesday were tight end Ladarius Green (ankle), safety Mike Mitchell (shoulder), linebacker James Harrison (old age), kicker Shaun Suisham (knee) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (DWTS).

Robert Golden and Shamarko Thomas were the starting safeties on Tuesday while William Gay manned the right cornerback position opposite Senquez Golson. It appears as though Golson is going to be given every opportunity to win a starting spot outside. Burns backed up Gay on the right while Cockrell reportedly backed up Golson on the left.

Wheaton reportedly expects to play more on the outside in the short term, filling the role of suspended wide receiver Martavis Bryant. It also sounds like Sammie Coates might be pressed to play a lot of slot this year. We’ll see.

The big news Tuesday was that center Maurkice Pouncey and running back Le’Veon Bell were both actively practicing even though the latter was limited to individual work.
 
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Steelers Begin OTAs On Competitive Note

Steelers Training Camp Day 1-139
BY ALEX KOZORA MAY 25, 2016 AT 08:30 AM
In nearly every training camp practice last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers started the same way: a seven shots period. Ball on the two, seven snaps, only one winner.

Mike Tomlin took no issue in replicating that to kick off yesterday’s OTA practice. Speaking to the media, Ben Roethlisberger talked about the Steelers beginning the session with their seven shots.

“That’s Coach Tomlin’s new thing, that seven shots. We were a little surprised we were doing it but then we weren’t because it’s what he loves. He loves that little period. Anytime you compete ones-on-ones I think it just carries over.”

Based on my tallies from last season’s training camp, the Steelers’ defense “won” on 57 plays while the offense were victors on 55. The defense’s best day came during the eighth practice, stopping the offense six times. The offense’s best was perfect 7/7 output two days later.

The series has been given a ton of praise by coaches and players last season. Will Allen told Teresa Varley last season he “contribute it all to seven shots,” referring to the Steelers’ strong red zone defense and situational football. Keith Butler did the same a month later, noting it’s something the team busts out twice a week.

Given its success and competitive nature, it doesn’t figure to be something Tomlin plans to change. Hear it from Roethlisberger and he’ll tell you not much has.

“He’s the exact same (guy) as he was when he got here,” Big Ben quipped with a laugh.
 
I think most figured Golson would get the shot to start and if he couldn't, Cockrell, would fill in. Give Golson and the young guys as many 1st team reps as possible as we have no sure fire starters coming back from last year other than Gay.
 
antdrewjosh said:
Steelers Begin OTAs On Competitive Note

Steelers Training Camp Day 1-139
BY ALEX KOZORA MAY 25, 2016 AT 08:30 AM
In nearly every training camp practice last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers started the same way: a seven shots period. Ball on the two, seven snaps, only one winner.

Mike Tomlin took no issue in replicating that to kick off yesterday’s OTA practice. Speaking to the media, Ben Roethlisberger talked about the Steelers beginning the session with their seven shots.

“That’s Coach Tomlin’s new thing, that seven shots. We were a little surprised we were doing it but then we weren’t because it’s what he loves. He loves that little period. Anytime you compete ones-on-ones I think it just carries over.”

Based on my tallies from last season’s training camp, the Steelers’ defense “won” on 57 plays while the offense were victors on 55. The defense’s best day came during the eighth practice, stopping the offense six times. The offense’s best was perfect 7/7 output two days later.

The series has been given a ton of praise by coaches and players last season. Will Allen told Teresa Varley last season he “contribute it all to seven shots,” referring to the Steelers’ strong red zone defense and situational football. Keith Butler did the same a month later, noting it’s something the team busts out twice a week.

Given its success and competitive nature, it doesn’t figure to be something Tomlin plans to change. Hear it from Roethlisberger and he’ll tell you not much has.

“He’s the exact same (guy) as he was when he got here,” Big Ben quipped with a laugh.
Click to expand...

Nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!
 
TDX27 said:
I think most figured Golson would get the shot to start and if he couldn't, Cockrell, would fill in. Give Golson and the young guys as many 1st team reps as possible as we have no sure fire starters coming back from last year other than Gay.
Click to expand...

Agreed
 
did the steelers know that green needed ankle surgery when we signed him? i was surprised to read he was out because of the surgery. that won't help him learning the offense and getting in sync with ben early on.
 
jharrison92 said:
did the steelers know that green needed ankle surgery when we signed him? i was surprised to read he was out because of the surgery. that won't help him learning the offense and getting in sync with ben early on.
Click to expand...

How long is he out?

James will step up and do fine.
 
i read that the timetable is set for training camp, but that they aren't sure when he will be back.
 
Awesome, something other than having to read garbage stuff. Actual meaning in this.



Salute the nation
 
jharrison92 said:
i read that the timetable is set for training camp, but that they aren't sure when he will be back.
Click to expand...

May 25: Ladarius Green underwent offseason ankle surgery and won't participate in OTAs.
Green ended last season on I.R. with an ankle injury that apparently required some sort of operation/clean-up procedure, which is believed to have happened in January, according to Chargers beat writer Michael Gehlken. He hasn't participated in offseason workouts and is without a timetable for return, though it's likely the Steelers are just being cautious. Obviously, the Steelers felt comfortable enough with Green's ankle to give him a four-year, $20 million contract. Green's recovery is worth monitoring, but we tentatively expect him back for camp.
Source: ESPN.com
Click to expand...
http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nfl/7568/ladarius-green
 
Robert Golden and Shamarko Thomas were the starting safeties
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Wait..what ? Does this mean it's possible for them to give Thomas yet another shot at playing football other than ST's ? Or does this mean that Thomas has another shot at making the team...period ?
 
I think they'd have to give Thomas a chance to compete with the young guys. He has some experience and first hand knowledge of the defense. So he should be ahead of the young guys on the roster but I just don't know come August if he can maintain ahead of them.
 
FordFairLane said:
I think they'd have to give Thomas a chance to compete with the young guys. He has some experience and first hand knowledge of the defense. So he should be ahead of the young guys on the roster but I just don't know come August if he can maintain ahead of them.
Click to expand...

Agree. There is zero reason to not give him a chance. If he is, still, only a ST guy and can't beat out someone for S, I think Feeney takes the ST spot and they move on from Thomas.
 
Why move on? Still need special teamers and depth. Not like he can break the bank
 
I wonder if Shamarko didn't get some bad advice from Troy. Some of the things Troy did no one else can and that could be trouble for a young guy who wants to fill those shoes. I think for a situation safety he could find a niche in the NFL. But for an every day starter I just can't see it. He's too run stop oriented and today you need to be able to cover first and foremost.
 
I'm waiting for the thread, Steeler Cheerleaders in shorts.

One of these days...
 
Steelers news and notes: MRI for Golson

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Travis Feeney (41) and safety Sean Davis (28) stretch during NFL football practice, Wednesday, May 25, 2016 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Senquez Golson wasn’t at the Steelers’ OTA session today, which isn’t a big deal. Lots of guys miss the non-mandatory practices here and there.

But Golson was at the facility and then left. I learned that he was leaving to get an MRI.

While I don’t know what Golson is getting the MRI to check out, we do know that he had shoulder surgery last August, which caused him to miss the entire 2015 season.

I spoke with Golson Wednesday and he said he felt good, so perhaps he was getting a precautionary checkup to make sure he was OK after a couple of days of practice.

But that’s all we know right now.

• I spoke with Daniel McCullers today and as defensive line coach John Mitchell said at the draft, McCullers does seem extra motivated this season.

McCullers told me his plan is to get down to 340 pounds this season - he’s listed at 352.

He also said he understands the criticism that he has to be more consistent as a player and has taken that to heart.

McCullers like the added competition of rookie Javon Hargrove, but said he plans on being the Steelers starting nose tackle.

• Antonio Brown was at OTAs Thursday after missing the first two days because of TV commitments.

He got deep on one play behind rookie Artie Burns but Burns showed great recovery ability, leaping and tipping the ball away.

“He’s from Miami. He’s a hungry guy. He’s a competitor,” Brown said of Burns. “He has a lot of potential. He’s still out here on the field getting extra work. Those are things you want to see from guys coming into the NFL.”

• Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t at the workouts today. But that gave the other quarterbacks some extra work.

Landry Jones looked good, showing some nice touch on a number of passes.

And second-year QB Dustin Vaughan showed he has a really strong arm, zipping passes into some tight spaces. Vaughan, who previously spent time with the Cowboys, played collegiately at West Texas A&M.

He’s a big kid at 6-5, 240 pounds and doesn’t look overwhelmed by everything going on around him.

• I talked to Ross Cockrell today as well, reminding him he has the second-most experience on the team at cornerback.

“I was just talking with my dad about that the other day,” Cockrell said. “He reminded me of that. It’s crazy.”
 
PITTSBURGH -- Antonio Brown got back home to Pittsburgh at about 9 p.m. last night.

A little more than 12 hours later, he took the field at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex for Day 3 of Steelers organized team activities (OTAs). He missed the first two days after wrapping up his time on "Dancing With the Stars" in Los Angeles.

He tried to convince Ben Roethlisberger to be there with him, Brown said, but was instead left to demand the ball from Landry Jones while trying to torch first-round Draft pick Artie Burns.

"I was getting in Landry's head today, telling him I was outrunning his passes and I think one time he got really upset and just threw one and just threw it really far," Brown said. "But that's what it's about, getting in here, getting the guys going, bringing the positive energy, making practice fun, competing against guys, getting guys fired up.

"And that's what I'm ready to do."

In the Steelers' "seven shots" portion of practice, Brown matched up with Burns, Burns said. The rookie said he was anticipating a slant before Brown beat him over the top and outside.


Bell: Whole Bengals team tried to take me out

Afterward, Brown dropped one of the many dance moves he said he picked up on the competitive reality show.

Burns had never been danced on in the end zone by a dancer of Brown's newfound training, he said.

"Can't have it too many times," Burns said.


Antonio Brown returns for Pittsburgh Steelers OTAs
Antonio Brown came back to Pittsburgh for the Steelers' third day of OTAs and led his fellow wide receivers through practice.
Brown said the practice –€“ his first since suffering a concussion in the final minutes of the AFC Wild Card round –€“ was his first team training since recovering from the head injury. The session as a whole, for him, was about checking his fitness and simply getting back in the huddle.

He's in decent shape, he said, and just wants to finish better.

Said Brown: "Today was an OK day, still got to get my feet up under me, but it was great to come out and compete with the guys and get started on the right foot."
 
Artie Burns has welcome-to-NFL moment, courtesy of Antonio Brown
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4:55 PM ET
Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round cornerback Artie Burns was bound to cover Antonio Brown at some point in offseason workouts. He got his chance Thursday.

He went 1-for-2 on isolated matchups.

After Thursday's session, Burns detailed his work against Brown, including Brown's goal-line touchdown on a counter move and Burns' pass breakup on a deep ball attempt to Brown.

Burns showed his recovery speed on the deep ball. He saw Brown streaking, so "I had to open up and run" to cover the post. He dove into the passing lane to knock the ball away.

Early in practice, however, he wasn't so lucky.

"He got me," Burns said. "I had bit on the slant. He went back out. He scored on me."

Brown, who returned to Pittsburgh late this week after the Dancing with the Stars finale, had faked inside, then flared toward the corner of the end zone.

On the deep ball, Burns said he could have intercepted the pass and taken it the other way if he made a move earlier. Ben Roethlisberger missed Thursday's session, so backups Landry Jones and Bruce Gradkowski were throwing the ball most of the time. The ball was a little underthrown, but Burns made an aggressive play on it.

Burns said he had watched enough film to know Brown's speed was no joke, so he didn't underestimate it.

"You can't panic," Burns said about covering a top-flight receiver like Brown. "You always have to stay cool no matter what situation you're in. He came up on me fast. I just have to trust my eyes, trust my training. To be out here covering him, it helps my level of game rise up."

Burns, the 25th overall pick in last month's draft, played press man coverage at Miami to utilize his height (6-foot) and long arms. The Steelers can use him in press, but the construction of the defense requires him to play zone coverage and hold his backpedal longer downfield.

The style of play suits Burns, he said, adding the game isn't too fast for him.

"I'm getting adjusted to it," Burns said. "Now I'm learning technique, getting the scheme down, and now I have to master my craft."

Oh yeah, Burns wants to earn a starting job.

"I just want to be the best I can be," Burns said. "I want to start. That's what I'm working toward. I want to be the best in my class."
 
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