The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to perform a drill at training camp known as "7 shots." It is exactly what it sounds like. The offense gets seven chances to score from the two-yard line and whichever unit, offense or defense, wins the majority of the plays, is declared the victor of the drill.
The Steelers 2022 version of the exercise has been mightily dominated by the defense which can be understood as Matt Canada's group on offense has a ton of unfamiliar faces. While the three quarterbacks almost led the unit to a win on Thursday, they came up short.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Mitch Trubisky (#10) throws a pass at training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA on July 28, 2022. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
Mitch Trubisky started the drill out positively for the offense. While he has had trouble finding the end zone during the exercise most of training camp, he was able to find George Pickens, who seems to be his new favorite target, on a quick slant off a pick route from Cody White. The offense started up 1-0, but most of it went downhill after the first play from scrimmage.
The very next play, Trubisky tried to find Connor Heyward, but missed high. It seemed as if he missed an open, newly extended, Diontae Johnson underneath that would have led to a score. The next sequence saw Trubisky trying to find Benny Snell Jr. on a pitch play, but it only went for a yard as Arthur Maulet made a nice stop to have the defense go up 2-1.
The current first string quarterback had one more play to attempt to get into the end zone, but as he was being blitzed by Gerard Avery, softly threw a pass intended for Anthony McFarland, but Cameron Sutton nearly intercepted it. Trubisky ended his sequence with another disappointing showing after scoring on his first pass. The defense led 3-1 after his four snaps.
After the failed attempt Trubisky swung his helmet towards the ground in frustration. The quarterback didn't let it come out of his hands, but the struggles may be getting to the normally calm quarterback.
Steelers Defense Wins The "7 Shots" Drill Thanks To James Pierre
Mason Rudolph's first play was a designed fade route that was intended for Miles Boykin. It was a solid throw, but Pierre was there to break it up and the offense dug themselves an even deeper hole after play #5 and the defense clinched the victory. Play went on, however, as Rudolph found a wide open Jace Sternberger in the back of the end zone for the unit's second score of the drill.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett came in for the seventh and final play. The play call was a play-action that worked to perfection. Pickett was able to find White in the back of the end zone who just barely got both feet in to score. The final two plays were positive for the offense, but the defense is consistently getting the best of them day in and day out during the "7 shots" drill.
The Steelers red zone percentage was 54.72% last season which was only 21st in the NFL. Field goals aren't going to cut it if the group wants to hang with some of the firepower that offenses in the AFC possess. There is still a lot of work to be done and these drills are reflective of that. It will be interesting to see if the reps change any time soon due to Trubisky's inconsistencies or if Mike Tomlin rides the new Steelers quarterback all throughout training camp and the preseason.
Are you concerned by the Steelers' offense and their poor performances in the "7 shots" drill? Or is the defense simply that dominant? Let us know in the comments below!
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