Good Thursday to you Steelers fans.
You know it and I know it. This offensive line needs every rep it can get in Training Camp and in the preseason. That idea is off to a rough start. Wednesday was the first day in full pads and if you’re Mike Tomlin you couldn’t have been happy with your offensive line. It’s not that the guys who played didn’t give great effort, they did, it’s that three of the five projected starters weren’t available due to injury. Kevin Dotson didn’t participate and neither did tackles Chuks Okorafor and Zach Banner. If we want to put a positive spin on this we can say it was a great opportunity for guys like Joe Haeg, Rashawn Cowert and Aviante Collins. I could also say with a long season ahead there’s no reason to rush these guys along. None of their injuries are considered serious but these are wasted opportunities in my book. More to the point, it was a bad start for a unit that can’t afford any missteps.
The Podcast
Tonight we will be joined by Steelers’ Fan Hall of Famer Rick Holman. Rick is always kind enough to check in with us a few times each year and he’ll share his thoughts on what he’s seen through two days of practice at Heinz Field. Check it out. The SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc.
Tweet of the Day… DC4L just keeps on getting it done!!
I love coming home to packages. Thanks @DC4LCustomTees !!! @steelers 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/WEajYslyRW
— Bails🖤 (@baileynicolee13) July 29, 2021
Harris
All eyes were on first round pick Najee Harris yesterday and from everything we’ve been told it was a very solid debut. Most scored his go in “backs on backers” a success. According to Ray Fittapaldo of the Post-Gazette Harris was thumped on his first rep by Marcus Allen but he rebounded to beat Allen a couple of times and he got the best of Robert Spillane as well. In an early session of offense vs defense that featured 10 runs in 12 total plays Harris got off to a great start with an first down run but was stoned by the defense on three more reps. He also caught a TD pass from Ben Roethlisberger in “seven shots.”
Camp Rumblings
Mason Rudolph was two for two in “seven shots” with both going for scores… Zach Gentry, often maligned by us, has come into camp much stronger and made a nice catch over the middle today as well… The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly continues to have concerns about Trai Turner. “If he plays in a phone booth he’ll be great but if he’s asked to do a lot of pulling it won’t be good.” I’m going to assume the Steelers knew this when they signed him. If not, that’s concerning… Rave reviews for Alex Highsmith yesterday. While Tomlin was quick to point out he faced a lot of young guys he still had praise for him… Dwayne Haskins got a couple of opportunities in “seven shots.” I’m not reading a lot into it. They already know what Josh Dobbs can do… Numerous reports said yesterday that T.J. Watt is unlikely to start practicing until after the Hall of Fame Game.
Our Stuff
If you’d like to get some of our stuff you can visit DC4L for tees and hoodies and hats too and RedBubble for decals, stickers and even masks!!
Have a great day Steeler Nation!
QH is presented by