Football is back! Rookie minicamp Friday 5-11-18 (Part 1 of 2)

**SanAntonioSteelerFan** · 05-10-2018, 07:26 PM

Football is back! Rookie minicamp Friday 5-11-18 (Part 2 of 2)

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/13636673-74/steelers-rookie-minicamp-roster-includes-baldwins-dorian-brown

Steelers rookie minicamp roster includes Baldwin's Dorian Brown

Joe Rutter (https://twitter.com/TribJoeRutter) | Thursday, May 10, 2018, 12:00 p.m.

...

First-year players on 90-man roster (15)
Joseph Cheek, OT, Texas A&M
Parker Collins, C, Appalachian State
Matt Galambos, LB, Pitt
Trey Griffey, WR, Arizona
Larson Graham, OT, Duquesne
Lavon Hooks, DE, Mississippi
Farrington Huguenin, LB, Kentucky
Tevin Jones, WR, Memphis
Keith Kelsey, LB, Louisville
Darnell Leslie, LB, Monmouth
Jake McGee, TE, Florida
Casey Sayles, DE, Ohio University
James Summers, RB, East Carolina
Justin Thomas, WR, Georgia Tech
Marcus Tucker, WR, Northern Michigan
Invited rookies on tryout basis (20)
Malik Boynton, CB, Austin Peay
Colin Boit, S, Dartmouth
Dorian Brown, RB, Ohio University
Zykiesis Cannon, S, Louisville
Jarred Craft, RB, Louisiana Tech
Mike Daniels, CB, West Virginia
Wendell Dunn, LB, Wake Forest
Brandon Hodges, G, Pitt
Courtney Love, LB, Kentucky
Mike Minter, DB, Middle Tennessee State
Hunter Niswander, P, Northwestern
Cameron Tarver, LB, Cal (Pa.)
Jeremy Taylor, S, North Carolina A&T
Alek Torgersen, QB, Penn
Shawun Lurry, CB, Northern Illinois
Tyler Palka, WR, Gannon
Damoun Patterson, WR, Youngstown State
Garrett Pougnet, LB, Grand Valley State
R.J. Prince, OT, North Carolina
Brett Thompson, TE, Tennessee-Martin

International exempt list (1)
Christian Scotland-Williamson, TE, Loughborough University
Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at jrutter@tribweb.com or via Twitter @tribjoerutter (https://twitter.com/tribjoerutter).

**SanAntonioSteelerFan** · 05-10-2018, 07:50 PM

Rookie minicamp primer: 5 things to watch when Steelers newcomers report

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/13637882-74/rookie-minicamp-primer-5-things-to-watch-when-steelers-newcomers-report

Joe Rutter (https://twitter.com/TribJoeRutter) jrutter@tribweb.com | Thursday, May 10, 2018, 5:12 p.m.

Football finally is returning to the South Side, albeit in the form of a rookie minicamp that will take place Friday through Sunday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

The veterans won't be around for offseason practices for a few more weeks, but this is a chance for the rookies and other invited players to get acclimated with the organization. It gives the coaching staff a chance to size up their draft picks and get a look at those who slipped through the cracks and are seeking work in the NFL.

Here are five things worth previewing for the rookie get-together:

1. It's the first chance for the draft class to take the field.
Sure, it's just the beginning of football in shorts for these NFL newcomers, but it's the first time the seven draftees will be together in a football setting.
The class is highlighted by first-rounder Terrell Edmunds, who could evolve as a contributor in the secondary this season after the departure of veteran safeties Mike Mitchell, J.J. Wilcox and Robert Golden.
One connection worth watching is the interaction between quarterback Mason Rudolph and wide receiver James Washington. They spent the past few seasons lighting up Big 12 scoreboards while playing at Oklahoma State. Washington could immediately replace Martavis Bryant in the lineup. Rudolph, though, will have to watch and learn behind Ben Roethlisberger.
Speaking of Roethlisberger, he wasn't happy the Steelers used a third-round pick on a quarterback. Rudolph likely will be asked for reaction to Roethlisberger's comments when he is made available to the media Friday.

2. Linebackers will get a chance to be noticed.
With the Steelers not selecting a linebacker � inside or outside � in the draft, it created an opportunity for an undrafted free agents or first-year players to win roster spots later this summer in training camp.
The Steelers signed two linebackers immediately after the draft: Toledo's Olasunkanmi Adeniyi and Florida State's Matthew Thomas. Returning from last year's practice squad are linebackers Farrington Huguenin and Keith Kelsey. Joining the team in the offseason was another undrafted free agent, Darnell Leslie.
And don't forget about former Pitt linebacker Matt Galambos, who was signed out of the 2017 rookie minicamp and spent last season on injured reserve.

3. Some familiar faces will be in attendance.
Pitt's Quadree Henderson took a big risk by declaring for the NFL Draft after his junior season. Henderson did not get selected and signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent, one of 13 on the roster.
Henderson will be trying to make the team as a return specialist after a successful college career bringing back kicks.
A former Pitt teammate, guard Gerald Hodges, received an invitation � as did West Virginia cornerback Mike Daniels. Former Penn State defensive tackle Parker Cothren also is among the undrafted free agents attending.
Also making his first appearance for the Steelers is former Duquesne center Larson Graham.
The WPIAL will be represented by former Baldwin star running back Dorian Brown. After completing his career at Ohio, Brown will be attending the minicamp on a tryout basis.

4. What's in a name?
Courtney Love, a Kentucky linebacker, is getting a tryout. Although he likes to makes big hits, he's not to be confused with another hit-maker � singer Courtney Love, spouse of the late Kurt Cobain and vocalist for the band Hole.
A quarterback attending the camp is Gannon's Tyler Palka. Given his last name, he probably gets confused with former Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko. That passer is retired. The one attending minicamp is an extra arm to take the wear and tear off Rudolph.
A wide receiver with a famous last name is Trey Griffey, the son of baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and grandson of Donora's Ken Griffey Sr.

5. Rookie minicamp will have an international flair.
Getting his first look at the type of football that isn't confined to the feet is tight end Christian Scotland-Williamson, a 24-year-old native of England.
Scotland-Williamson will spend the offseason workouts and training camp with the Steelers as part of the International Player Pathway program. He does not count against the 90-man offseason roster.
Scotland-Williamson is a former rugby player who didn't start playing American football until earlier this year.

**Steel Maniac** · 05-11-2018, 10:22 AM

It's all about the linebackers and what they do and how well they do it.

**NorthCoast** · 05-11-2018, 06:45 PM

Mason Rudolph appreciative of good-luck message from Ben Roethlisberger
ESPN | May 11 (https://www.prosportsdaily.com/articles/mason-rudolph-appreciative-of-goodluck-message-from-ben-roethlisberger-512603.html#)0 0

Looks like Mason Rudolph has a new friend -- the Steelers' star quarterback.

Before taking the field for rookie minicamp, Rudolph got a text from Ben Roethlisberger wishing him good luck.

"He reached out [Thursday] and said, 'Hey, good luck in rookie minicamp.' I was really appreciative of that," Rudolph said after his first practice Friday. "I just said, 'Hey, thanks, look forward to meeting you.' Wasn't a whole lot [of dialogue], but it meant a lot that he reached out."

A week earlier, Roethlisberger said on his radio show that he was surprised the Steelers selected Rudolph, the former Oklahoma State quarterback, in the third round instead of a player who can help now at a different position.

Questions swirled about how Roethlisberger and Rudolph would interact based on the comments. Asked on his show whether he would mentor Rudolph, Roethlisberger said he might have to point him to the playbook when asked a question since the rookie feels he doesn't need him. That was a response to Rudolph's comments on draft night that it's not Roethlisberger's job to teach him anything, but his job to learn.

Rudolph came to the defense of Roethlisberger on Friday.

**Steel Maniac** · 05-11-2018, 11:34 PM

Good to see Ben taking a higher road. Now let’s all bond over some sweat and pumping iron!! Lol

**NorthCoast** · 05-12-2018, 06:43 PM

I hope Rudolph will actually push Roethlisberger this season. Seems he always starts out slow and generally not ready for the season. With his favorite OC in the house, he should come out of the gate running.

**Steel Maniac** · 05-12-2018, 07:57 PM

I think you're expecting too much too soon from Rudolph.

**Ernie** · 05-13-2018, 06:56 AM

Originally posted by Steel Maniac

I think you're expecting too much too soon from Rudolph.

If Rudolph's presence can cause Ben to "Up his game" in terms of overall motivation and preparation... that's about all we can hope for for this year.

**NorthCoast** · 05-13-2018, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by Ernie

If Rudolph's presence can cause Ben to "Up his game" in terms of overall motivation and preparation... that's about all we can hope for for this year.

Thank you. That was my point.

**Ernie** · 05-13-2018, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by NorthCoast

Thank you. That was my point.

yes sir. and agreed.

**SanAntonioSteelerFan** · 05-13-2018, 04:54 PM

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/13646205-74/kevin-gormans-take-5-five-thoughts-on-steelers-rookie-minicamp

"

Kevin Gorman (https://twitter.com/KGorman_Trib) | Sunday, May 13, 2018, 3:21 p.m.

Updated 43 minutes ago

"
The first chance to see the Steelers' draft picks on a football field came this weekend, as they held their rookie minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side.
Here were my quick impressions:

1. A STORY TO TELL:

The safety from Virginia Tech was raised by his parents to be hard working and humble so he doesn't like to be labeled as the Steelers' top pick.

"I don't really look at myself as that first-round pick because if you have that mentality, somebody else is going to outwork you," Edmunds said. "I pride myself on my work ethic. I try to put on display how hard I work, how hard I go each and every play so that's the person I want to be looked at as. I don't want to be looked at as a first-round draft pick. I want to be looked at as a guy that puts his all out there every play."

Though his mother stole his thunder. She's the wife of a former NFL player (Ferrell) and the mother of three current NFL players, as Trey plays running back for the New Orleans Saints and Tremaine was the first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills, making Terrell and Tremaine the first brothers drafted in the first round of the same draft in NFL history.

"It's definitely a unique story," Terrell said. "I haven't (embraced it) because the story going on right now. So it's not like just because we got drafted in the same draft that the story's over. We never talked as if we were going to get to the league and that would be it. We talked about bigger and better things outside of the league so now we're building to that point. We're still working up the steps now. We got to the one level; not it's on to the next."

2 COWBOY CONNECTIONS:

Much was made of it the Steelers drafting Oklahoma State wide receiver James Washington in the second round and Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph in the third.

On Saturday, they showed why.

Rudolph connected with Washington – No. 2 to No. 13 – for a long touchdown pass along the right sideline not once but twice. If they made it look easy, it's because they were the best pass combination in the nation last fall.

Rudolph has a nice pocket presence, standing tall and looking downfield, and is known for his touch on deep passes. The bigger question is his throws on the intermediate routes.

He isn't known for his athleticism but made a nice pass on a rollout to his right, throwing on the run for a touchdown to Damoun Patterson of Youngstown State.

At 5-foot-11, 213 pounds, Washington is powerfully built and looks more like a running back than a receiver. He showed the speed to play on the outside and stretch the field but also made a nice stretching catch over the middle.

3. QUITE A REACH:

When the Steelers drafted Chukwuma Okorafor out of Western Michigan in the third round, it was considered a reach, a raw player with first-round talent but lower draft projections.

And that's the first thing I noticed – his reach.

At 6-6, 320, Okorafor is massive, making for a mismatch against most pass rushers. He continually used his long arms to keep edge rushers outside in pass protection.

But he showed that he could have trouble with the inside rush when he wrapped his right arm around the neck of outside linebacker Olasunkanmi Adeniyi of Toledo.

That such a tactic was used against a 6-1, 248-pound outside linebacker from a MAC school who was wearing No. 92 reminded me of someone who used to play for the Steelers.

(... cont'd)

"

**SanAntonioSteelerFan** · 05-13-2018, 04:56 PM

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/...ookie-minicamp (http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/13646205-74/kevin-gormans-take-5-five-thoughts-on-steelers-rookie-minicamp)

"

Kevin Gorman (https://twitter.com/KGorman_Trib) | Sunday, May 13, 2018, 3:21 p.m.

(continued from above)

"

4. GOOD RETURNS:

When the Steelers signed their undrafted free agents, the name who caught my attention was Quadree Henderson. Not just because he played at Pitt.

Henderson has something the Steelers seriously need, and showed it with a weaving after-the-catch run through the defense and all the way to the end zone that caught the attention of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who was wearing a camouflage hoodie.

"You look like a return man!" Tomlin shouted. "I like that."

Henderson was an All-American return specialist who had seven touchdowns – four on kickoffs and three on punts – in three seasons for the Panthers.

Problem is, he averaged almost as many yards on carries (9.1) as he did catches (10.5), so it will be interesting to see if he can not only make the team as a receiver and return specialist but be good enough for the Steelers to make him active on game days.

5. EXTRA YARDAGE:

I didn't get to see much of Edmunds, but liked his pursuit of an incomplete sideline pass and his attitude even better: "Go get that, 'Rell!"

Christian Scotland-Williamson is another massive body, as the former rugby player from London is 6-9, 275 pounds and playing tight end. He made a catch and quickly wrapped the ball with both hands, showing that he's still transitioning to American football. Through the International Player Pathway program, the Steelers can keep him as an extra player on their practice squad if they choose.

The rookie minicamp included some long shots with local ties, from Henderson to wide receiver Jesse Zubik of Avonworth and W&J, running back Dorian Brown of Baldwin and Ohio University, guard Brandon Hodges from Pitt, tackle Larson Graham from Duquesne, wide receiver Tyler Palka from Gannon and wide receiver Trey Griffey from Arizona, who is the grandson of Donora's Ken Griffey and son of Ken Griffey Jr. "

Kevin Gorman is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at kgorman@tribweb.com or via Twitter @KGorman_Trib.

**SanAntonioSteelerFan** · 05-13-2018, 04:58 PM

Duplicate, sorry.

**SanAntonioSteelerFan** · 05-13-2018, 10:21 PM

Just a dumb question ... I didn't see that we'd signed all the rookies, but they all participated in mini-camp?

I thought folks weren't allowed to do official Steeler activities till they'd signed? Or did I miss it that they all had already?

Thanks!

Football is back! Rookie minicamp Friday 5-11-18 (Part 1 of 2)

Football is back! Rookie minicamp Friday 5-11-18 (Part 1 of 2)

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment