Young cornerbacks catching Patrick Peterson's eye as Steelers amp up offseason workouts

Patrick Peterson could be forgiven for thinking the calendar had taken a time jump two months ahead.

Instead of it reading June 1, it seemed like August for Peterson. Not just because of the sweltering heat and temperature that reached 90 degrees.

It also was because of the intensity he saw on the practice field during what was supposed to be a rudimentary organized team activity workout for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Although no helmets were worn and tackling was prohibited per NFL offseason rules, the practice in shorts had a training camp-like feel to it, said to the 13th-year veteran and eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback.

“I love the way practice is going so far,” Peterson said Thursday. “I can’t wait to see what training camp is going to be like because when the pads come on, you know the intensity goes to a whole another level. The guys are definitely enthused to be out here with one another and trying to get this thing down pat so when we get to Latrobe, we’ll be ready to roll.”

Competition typically amps up in the second part of each OTA workout when individual conditioning has ended, and the offense matches up against the defense in 11-on-11 scenarios. And it tends to get particularly spirited with young players competing for spots on the 53-man roster.

Such was the case Thursday with seventh-round cornerback Cory Trice, who made several plays in the final team period that drew the attention — and admiration — of his defensive teammates. Trice had one interception, potentially another and had a pass breakup that was negated when he was called for a disputed pass interference penalty, according to safety Damontae Kazee.

“Today was just like an eye-opener for everybody,” Kazee said of Trice, a 6-foot-3 corner from Purdue. “But I knew what he could do. I saw his highlights, all of them. But he showed it today: three PBUs and a pick. I don’t know about the pass interference, but that’s what they called. And the next play he got a pick, so he kept his head high.”

The way OTA practices are structured, cornerbacks are under a microscope because most plays are designed passes. And Peterson said coach Mike Tomlin hasn’t been afraid to take rookie corners such as Trice and second-round pick Joey Porter Jr. and allow them to work with the first, second and third teams.

“At this time of the year, you want to give them as many looks as you possibly can, so when the preseason games roll around, these guys can have all the looks they need to step into a game and play comfortably,” he said.

By nature of his lofty draft status as the No. 32 overall pick, Porter is being expected to contribute earlier than Trice, perhaps at the outset of the season.

“I think he’s doing a really good job of doing all the right things, being where he’s supposed to be,” Peterson said. “He’s getting all the reps and all the looks he needs. Coach is making sure he’s more than prepared for getting the looks he needs. … You can expect to see him on the field early and quite often.”

If Porter is ready to start at one outside cornerback spot, Peterson could move around the defense. He could play on the opposite side instead of Levi Wallace, or he can move inside and play nickel. Peterson said that experiment already is taking place.

“I’m loving it so far,” he said. “We want to see how far coach takes it.”

And if Trice keeps making plays the way he did during the team’s sixth OTA workout, he could be in line for a role in the defensive game plan.

“I know the coaches want to see how good I can move, see how I can retain information,” Trice said. “Go out there, have fun and make plays. I’m trying to keep doing that and keep building.”

Porter and Trice are of similar size and build. Because Porter wears No. 24 and Porter is No. 27, they have been mistaken for one another on the practice field, which is another positive for Trice.

“Honestly, on the interception that Cory got, I almost said ‘JP,’ ” Peterson said. “They look just alike. To have both of these young guys — as coach calls them, Avatar cornerbacks — it’s going to be special. These guys want to learn. They want to get as much knowledge as they need to be successful.”