Steelers Analysis Steelers Training Camp

Steelers Camp Takeaways: Fields Builds Connection, Young DBs Stand Out

Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp Takeaways: Justin Fields builds connection with top WRs, young defensive back stand out.

Alan Saunders |

Aug 3, 2024

UNITY TWP., Pa. — Justin Fields continues to play solid football, even if his Saturday practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers at St. Vincent College wasn’t quite as dynamic as his Friday Night Lights spectacular the night before.

More importantly than the results, he seems to be taking advantage of the additional reps he’s been getting with Russell Wilson sidelined with injury by developing his relationship with the first-team wide receivers.

SEVEN SHOTS

1) For the first time this training camp, Kyle Allen took a first team rep. It didn’t go well. He was pressured, scrambled and Mike Tomlin blew the whistle before he could even be sacked.

2) George Pickens aligned out of a trips formation to the right alongside Van Jefferson and Pat Freiermuth. He worked back to the middle of the field, and Justin Fields found him in the back of the end zone behind Elandon Roberts.

3) Fields rolled right and then threw back across his body to Pickens, who was working against DeShon Elliott, for another score.

4) Broderick Jones works some left tackle for the first time in a while. Fields throws to his right and it looked like it slipped out of his hand. It could have been batted down at the line, but honestly, I think it might have hit an offensive lineman. Either way, a win for the defense.

5) Kyle Allen tried to fit one into a tight window in the middle of the field, I believe looking for Dez Fitzpatrick in the back of the end zone. Instead, Thomas Graham came off his man for an easy interception.

6) Allen rolled right and inside linebacker Tyler Murray was all over him. I’d give Murray the sack. Allen heaved up a desperate throw all the way back across the field for Darnell Washington, and Anthony Averett broke that up.

7) DeMarvin Leal demolishes Anderson Hardy, and blows up the play as soon as it started.

The defense gets back in the win column with a 5-2 victory after Friday’s shutout.

1-ON-1 TACKLING

The Steelers run a drill where one defender must tackle the ballcarrier, in about a 10-yard wide corridor near the sideline. With no pads on, this was strictly a touch drill.

Some highlights:

Fields participated with the backs and receivers, winning one of three reps over Payton Wilson. … No one could touch Calvin Austin III. George Pickens also did very well. … Jaray Jenkins worked both sides of the ball nicely, as did Rodney Williams. Mike Tomlin said they’re looking for offensive players that can tackle for special teams. … Defensively, rookie Ryan Watts impressed with his technique. Watts has been playing much better lately and added a strong day on Saturday to an interception in the team scrimmage on Friday.

NOTES FROM STEELERS TEAM PERIODS

? Beanie Bishop was blitzing, sniffed out a screen, jumped and intercepted Fields, and then walked into the end zone. It was the best play so far for the promising rookie.

? I don’t think Dan Moore has been bad this training camp, but he got roughed up in the team period by Alex Highsmith. Nick Herbig was having his way with Broderick Jones on the other side. The edges came to play on Saturday.

? Fields had one of his best throws of training camp, hitting Van Jefferson on a deep out, putting the ball in between defenders and right on the sidelines. His level of comfort with Jefferson continues to increase, and No. 11 has elevated his game as a result. He’s the WR2 right now.

? George Pickens continues to see more work over the middle than down the outside. His route tree has significantly expanded from last season, and he looks just as good running over the middle as he did down the sidelines.

? Damontae Kazee had a flying pass break-up that was nearly an interception today. He’s had an uncharacteristically quiet training camp.

? Cam Sutton has been playing almost exclusively safety the last few days. He’s done it before, so they could want to get a look at him there. It could also just be a way to get him some reps while still evaluating Bishop.

? Cory Trice and Watts rotated as the dime backs, with Payton Wilson working as the dime linebacker. Both Trice and Watts looked solid. That’s the most team work Trice has had so far. Darius Rush played Dime DB last year, but he has mostly worked as the No. 3 outside cornerback so far.

? Patrick Queen got the day off, so Wilson worked with the first team in the base defense throughout the day, as well. Mark Robinson spelled Roberts, as well. They both had solid days.

? Willington Previlon might be a player. He looks the best of the third-team defensive linemen.

? Jonathan Ward scored twice in a team red zone period. The competition between him, Aaron Shampklin and LaMical Perine has been very even.

? Kyler McMichael did not have a great day, giving up touchdowns to Jefferson and Dez Fitzpatrick near the end of practice.

? Isaac Seumalo did not practice and Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick didn’t take 11-on-11 reps.

SUMMARY

The more the Steelers offense throws, the better the defense does. When the Steelers offense can be multi-dimensional, it uses its physicality to put the defense into some bad spots. When the pads aren’t on, and everyone knows they’re throwing, the results have not been as kind.

The good news is they play the games with pads. The bad news is that sometimes, you need your offense to mount a comeback. We’ll see if things change when Russell Wilson gets back out there.