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Iron Sharpens Iron: Patrick Queen, Jaylen Warren Loving Backs-on-Backers Battle
One of the main backs-on-backers battles on Tuesday featured inside linebacker Patrick Queen against running back Jaylen Warren.
UNITY TWP., Pa. — With it being the first day in pads on Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers conducted their renowned backs-on-backers drills, and one of the main battles featured inside linebacker Patrick Queen against running back Jaylen Warren.
“I thought I was going up against Najee (Harris) at first, but then I saw E-Rob was in there. That was a good matchup (against Warren) because he’s a little bit of a shorter guy, and we don’t have many short guys in the NFL. So, yeah, that was a good matchup,” Queen said when asked if his matchup against Warren was predetermined.
Warren went 2-0 against Queen during backs-on-backers. Warren took him to the ground on the second rep. Queen and Warren both said they want another go at each other later in camp.
“Yeah, we did it in Baltimore when I was there. Not a huge difference,” Queen said when asked if the backs-on-backers drill was new to him. “Today was a little rough one. I got to come back and battle back and get better.”
As usual, Mike Tomlin added some fuel to the fire during the drill.
“Yeah, he tried to add a little because he knows how we will get down,” Queen said. “I think, at the end of the day, it’s just about bringing out the competitive side, the best for both players.”
The backs-on-backers drill is supposed to be an advantage for the defense, but Warren takes as much pride in his physicality as anyone out there.
“It’s you versus another man and if you lose, it’s on you,” Warren said. “You can’t blame anyone else. I love the physical part of it. I love everything about it.”
Tomlin has been impressed by what he’s seen from Queen so far.
“You know, we needed to acquire a defensive quarterback, and we did that in Patrick Queen,” Tomlin told Evan Washburn of CBS Sports at Saint Vincent College on Tuesday. “Man, he is a top-notch player. We’re highly familiar with his skill set and capabilities, obviously. He’s an all-situations linebacker. He’s been a really good communicator. He fits in. It’s been a beautiful experience, man. It’s been really enjoyable infusing him into this thing, and that’s what we’re really excited about.”
You probably haven’t seen the last of No. 6 and No. 30 clashing on the practice field this summer.
“I think we need a Day 2 to see what’s up for real,” Warren said.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Unity Twp.
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