Steelers camp preview: It's time to take the show on the road to Memorial Stadium
Each day of Steelers training camp, the Trib rounds up some things to pay attention to during practice:
WHAT TO WATCH
Friday night lights: The first departure from the norm at training camp comes in the form of the annual trip to Latrobe Memorial Stadium. Players will file onto school buses at Saint Vincent and make the trek through downtown Latrobe for the first night practice of training camp. The other is Sunday at Heinz Field. Friday Night Lights, which kicks off at 7 p.m., usually fills the stadium and represents one of the largest crowds for any camp practice. Players sign autographs along the railing prior to practice, and a fireworks display closes the evening. Pre-practice events run from noon-6 p.m.
Increase in intensity: Coach Mike Tomlin likes to give the fans at Friday Night Lights a bonus in the form of some specialized tackling drills. That could mean the second rendition of the popular “Backs-on-‘Backers” event or the first goal-line drill of camp.
Ball hogs: So far, defensive players have paid heed to the mandate to create more turnovers this year. Cameron Sutton has emerged as the interception leader, and he forced an interception that went to Jordan Dangerfield in the Seven Shots session Thursday. New cornerback Steve Nelson also chipped in with a nice pass breakup on a sideline toss to Trey Griffey.
Columnist Kevin Gorman chronicled Nelson’s contributions for the Steelers since his arrival in March.
Practice time: 7-9 p.m., Latrobe Memorial Stadium
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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