McCullers hopes for bigger role in second year
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Keith Srakocic/The AP
Steelers defensive linemen Daniel McCullers, right, said he has worked to keep his body right in the offseason. McCullers appeared in nine games, starting once, last season.
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By Chris Bradford and Kris Lancaster Times NFL Correspondents | Posted 5 hours ago
NOTEWORTHY
In year two, Daniel McCullers hopes to be a bigger part of the defense, and we mean big. There is nothing small about the 6-foot-7, 252-pound nose tackle who is the largest Steeler in camp. That's actually down about 12 pounds from last season. "Just keeping my body right for the season," he said Saturday. Last year, McCullers appeared in nine games with one start (at Tennessee) becoming the first rookie to start at nose tackle since Casey Hampton 13 years earlier. With his size, McCullers will always draw comparisons to Hampton but the latter was a five-time Pro Bowl selection while McCullers is still working on his craft on the second team. That could change, though, as Steve McLendon, the incumbent, enters the final year of his contract. When he stays low, uses his leverage and his hands, McCullers can be effective. A front of Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and McCullers is tantalizing, though when McLendon sat out Saturday's practice it was veteran Cam Thomas who practiced with the first team. That said, McCullers said he's far more confident in his ability than he was and is excited for his first season under new coordinator Keith Butler, who has vowed to utilize his defensive line to do more than hold up blocks. "The defense is going to get much pressure, get more penetration, open it up a little more," McCullers said. "I feel like we're going to get a lot more sacks than we did last season. "We can be a dominant line, one of the best in the league," he said.
Through the early days of camp, RB/WR Dri Archer has shown signs of becoming the player the Steelers thought they were getting last season when they used a third-round pick on him. As was evident in Friday night's practice, Archer can be a matchup nightmare. Lined up wide against Vince Williams, Archer cut twice and sped past the linebacker. The question is how does Archer fit in? Can he return kicks better than he did last season? Is he a running back (who can't run between the tackles)? Is he a sixth receiver? As RB Le'Veon Bell sees it, the Steelers need to find a way to get Archer's speed on the field. "He has that great speed that allows him to make plays, and he will make plays as he gains more confidence," Bell said. "He’s a great decoy, too, because the defense knows it has to respect his speed at all times.”
Regardless of his NCAA single-season record for interceptions, Gerod Holliman's future is tenuous as a seventh-round pick. Missing a practice, as Holliman did Friday night with a minor leg injury, can be more than a little frustrating. Holliman, who returned to practice Saturday, said he's still acclimating himself to the NFL."Just looking to work on my conditioning and work my way up on the depth chart," he said.
First-round draft pick Bud Dupree said he felt like he was still playing in high school when practicing under the lights at Latrobe Memorial Stadium on Friday night. One thing he didn't do at Wilkinson County High School or, for that matter, the University of Kentucky was a backs-on-backers drill. Until Friday. "It was pretty good," Dupree said. "I really didn't know what to expect. Once I got going, I was good." Dupree received the first rep of the drill against Bell, who has taken him under his wing. Dupree got the better of it. “He’s tough to block, that’s for sure," said Bell. "He’s so strong and so quick. He’s tough to handle. I’ve taken him off to the side and talked about some of the things you need to do at this level such as take care of your body -- get in the cold tub, get in the hot tub after practice and make sure you let your body heal.”
A day later, several Steelers were still feeling the effects of the night practice in downtown Latrobe. LBs Bud Dupree and Anthony Chickillo along with WR Sammie Coates sported ice packs to the cafeteria for lunch. None appeared serious.
INSIDE THE ROPES
The offense won the daily installment of seven shots to open practice by scoring five times in seven tries. Ben Roethlisberger and Landry Jones each threw two touchdowns passes, with receiver Eli Rogers scoring on an end around.
The highlight of the day came in the backs on backers coverage edition, as Le’Veon Bell took on Lawrence Timmons, as has been the norm so far in camp. The two went head to head six times in the drill, with Bell winning four of them, including a fade into the back corner of the end zone.
Dri Archer also impressed in the drill and in team drills, using his speed and agility to gain separation against Ryan Shazier on numerous occasions. Archer has looked more and more comfortable as camp has progressed.
Archer made a nice run and catch later in practice, by catching making a short catch and making a defender miss, before outracing the rest of the defense to the end zone.
Stephon Tuitt began team drills by shedding a block and dropping Josh Harris in the backfield for a loss. Cam Thomas also blew up a play in the backfield by running over rookie Reese Dismukes.
Tight End Cameron Clear made a juggling catch over the middle, then took a hard hit from Shamarko Thomas and held onto the football.
Running backs Ross Scheuerman and Cameron Stingley each broke off big runs on consecutive plays. Scheuerman took a big hit from Antwan Blake at the end of his run but popped right back up.
Chris Hubbard took reps with the first team offense at left guard with Ramon Foster getting the day off.
Tyler Murphy continues to get plenty of reps at quarterback. Murphy actually received more reps on Saturday than Tajh Boyd.
There were a few minor injuries Saturday that caused some players not to finish practice. They were Ryan Shazier (lower back), Jarvis Jones (bicep), Shamarko Thomas (shoulder), Josh Harris (shoulder), Ross Scheuerman (left achilles).
The one that hurts out of that group is Scheuerman, who has played well in camp and is fighting to make the roster. There is no word yet in regards to the significance of any of those injuries.
QUOTEWORTHY
"I'm schizophrenic. I'm not even going to pretend like there's some rhyme or reason to it. If they're working well and we have enough healthy guys at the position, from time to time, I'll throw them a bone. Not a bone with a lot of meat on it. Just the bone."
Mike Tomlin, coach, on decision on who to rest for practice