Made the trip out to Latrobe on Wednesday for practice. Started an hour earlier today to avoid some afternoon T-storms.
I've been there a number of times over the years, but this is the first time since the Chuck Noll stadium seats were built. It's a beautiful setting and I can't recommend it highly enough to those who haven't been. Training camp at St. Vincent's is a must-see event for Steeler fans.
Great crowd out there, especially for a Wednesday! Was super hot and humid all practice. Players had to be hating it but Tomlin was in rare form. Moving btwn the different groups of players, motivating them and even talking a little trash. "C'mon Big Mike! No linebackers in the backfield today! Choke their a$$es out!" -Tomlin to Mike Adams.
Lots of offense vs defense drills today. Not fully live tackling, but hitting without wrapping up. Tough to gauge RB's based on that. Dwyer was with the first team.
Antonio Brown was the most impressive "vet" out there today. Caught everything thrown his way, including a deep out and a long TD from #7.
I was super impressed with #11 rookie WR Markus Wheaton. Did NOT look like a rookie at all. Super crisp routes, great hands, really impressive.
No one, however, caught my eye more than #95, Jarvis Jones. He was EVERYWHERE today. He tipped/knocked down at least 3 passes in the offense vs. defense drills. One where he correctly read a screen pass and drifted back enough to jump up and tip the ball away. Once dropping into coverage and coming back on the ball to bat it down, and once covering a TE step for step.
He also had at least one sack in the drills (but didn't hit the QB, obviously).
If there is an IT, Jones has got it. Seems to have really, really good LB instincts. For a rookie LB to be reading the offense like he is at this stage is super impressive. Worilds might be the starter at this stage, but it's not gonna be long before #95 gets his chance.
Always love going out to Latrobe, and today was no exception.
if anyone has any questions about players or coaches today, feel free to ask. I'll be glad to reply if I can recall specifics.
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