Mike Tomlin brings 'competitive atmosphere' to 1st padded practice at Steelers' training camp

From one perspective, what the Pittsburgh Steelers did Monday resembled a training camp practice like so many of those that have taken place over the years at Saint Vincent.

Players gathered on the field, stretched and transitioned to individual blocking and catching drills. A seven-play 2-point simulation came next, and a spirited backs-on-‘backers blocking drill followed. The Steelers did 11-on-11, 7-on-7 and special teams work. They worked at a rapid pace and were sent off the field after less than 90 minutes.

“From a beginning standpoint,” coach Mike Tomlin said, “I liked the competitive atmosphere but also the awareness of how we need to work in this environment.”

Ah, the environment.

That was different. So was the silence.

Unlike those other occasions when the Steelers would put on pads for the first time, no fans were cheering every completed pass or praising every thudding hit. Forced from Westmoreland County to the North Shore because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Steelers amped up preparations for a season that starts in four weeks under relatively quiet conditions at Heinz Field.

Instead of thousands of fans seated on the hillside or in the bleachers at Chuck Noll Field, the Steelers took the field with a handful of reporters and scouts seated in the lower bowl of the 68,400-seat venue. No crowd noise or music was pumped in, and it was so muted in the stands that defensive captain Cameron Heyward playfully motioned to reporters in a failed plea to generate some sound.

“Working to create opportunities where guys get to show what they are capable of and creating a type of environment where it is energy charged that could kind of reflect some of the things that you get to glean from (preseason) participation is a challenge,” Tomlin said, “and one that I respect and one that we are working extremely hard to create.

“I think it is our responsibility to provide a platform where these guys sort themselves out, and I don’t take that responsibility lightly.”

For reporters permitted to view practice for the first time and for fans able to watch a live-streamed portion of the workout, it was a chance to see Ben Roethlisberger throw passes with the right arm that underwent elbow surgery 11 months ago. In the 2-point drill, he made a connection with rookie second-rounder Chase Claypool, who made a juggling catch in the corner of the end zone.

It also was a chance to watch Claypool and the rest of the rookie draft class compete against more experienced players. Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith and running back Anthony McFarland earned extra reps in the backs-on-‘backers competition that highlights the first padded practice.

The offensive line, which has competition at right tackle between Chuks Okorafor and Zach Banner, and a new left guard in Matt Feiler, took on a different look Monday. Center Maurkice Pouncey was absent for personal reasons, and guard David DeCastro stood on the sideline with a minor injury. This provided Tomlin a chance to look at other players on the interior.

Tomlin was coy when asked about how he will allocate first-team work between Okorafor and Banner.

“It will be thoughtful and based on drills of the day and things of that nature,” he said. “It will be fair, but I won’t necessarily rep count.”

Tomlin also offered little about the competition at nose tackle, where Tyson Alualu and Dan McCullers have been tasked with replacing Javon Hargrave in the base defense.

“I’m sure we are going to gain clarity in that regard,” he said. “Both guys showed up in great physical condition, and that’s what is important.”

During individual drills, Tomlin took a keen interest in how the tight ends, particularly free agent signee Eric Ebron, hit the blocking sled. Tomlin shouted words of encouragement as he watched.

“It’s building fundamentals, letting pet peeves be known, letting guys know what drills are part of the individual period that are important to us and me, so I’m routinely watching tight ends when they are getting sled work because I want to present that consistency to them,” he said.

The Steelers will have 13 more chances to practice in pads before the 80-man roster must be trimmed to 53 active players and a 16-man practice squad is established. How Tomlin handles those workouts while providing competition at some positions while preparing others for a 16-game schedule will be the challenge.

“I think we have to walk a fine line between that,” Heyward said. “I know we want to be physical, but we want to make sure we get guys into the games. … We have to show our physicality in ways. We have to show that we can be physical at the point of attack because once we get to September, things are going to get moving awfully fast. It’s going to hit us before we know it.”