The first day of on-field practices for the Pittsburgh Steelers has now concluded and the buzz surrounding the black and gold is alive and well. The annual trip to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania is one many Steelers fans make each and every year so they can be some of the first to set their eyes on the new squad heading into the upcoming season.
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Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (right) and backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky (left) during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Most of the attention was on second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett as expected. Pickett is coming off a stellar second half of the season, leading the Steelers to multiple fourth quarter comebacks. All offseason long, Steelers fans have been hearing how Pickett is a true leader on and off the field and that we should expect a 'Trevor Lawrence-like' leap in 2023.
But one player, in particular, has been to Steelers training camp in the past, but never before in pads until this season. Steelers second-round draft pick Joey Porter Jr. is making his first appearance at Saint Vincent College as a participant. Porter's father Joey Porter Sr. was a member of the Steelers for eight seasons where he made the All-Pro team three of those years.
Kyle Nelson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers second-rounder Joey Porter Jr. already has big expectations in the town of Pittsburgh.
Porter Jr. celebrated his birthday on Wednesday and was granted the ultimate birthday gift of signing his first NFL contract with the Steelers which was a four-year deal worth up to $9.6 million. Porter met with reporters at practice on Thursday and touched on the fact that his experience with the Steelers has come 'full circle.'
"It's kind of crazy because I remember being here when I was a young kid, being a ball boy. Now it's full circle, my dad is going to watch me practice now. It's a great experience. It's a great feeling. I am just excited."
Porter Jr. also touched on what his style of play is going to look like playing in a secondary full of veterans such as Minkah Fitzpatrick, Levi Wallace, and Patrick Peterson.
"At the end of the day, they got me for being me. They know who I am. They know how I play. So I don’t have to really change anything about how I play or my style. So that’s what I’m walking in with, with just a lot of confidence.”
Porter Jr. Is In The Perfect Situation As A Rookie With The Steelers
It is without a doubt that Porter Jr. has a shot to be a Week 1 starter for the Steelers when they take on the San Francisco 49ers at Acrisure Stadium. Although the Steelers expect Porter Jr. to be a true lockdown cornerback in the future, the expectations can be tamed just a bit due to the personnel that will be in the secondary with him.
AP
Steelers veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson will play a large role in the maturation and growth process of rookie DBs Cory Trice Jr. and Joey Porter Jr.
Since the Steelers have veterans like Peterson and Wallace in the secondary, Porter Jr. will be able to ease into the role of being the team's number-one corner. Having that veteran leadership will hopefully provide tremendous dividends for the rookie and speed up the learning process for Porter Jr. in the NFL.
Peterson will be coming into his 12th season in the NFL where he has appeared in eight Pro Bowls and made the All-Pro First Team three times. Although Peterson had a stellar season in 2022 where he recorded five interceptions and 15 pass breakups, I would expect Peterson to take more of a mentorship role with the young stars in the Steelers' secondary.
Not only will Porter Jr. benefit from the leadership of Peterson, but also so will the Steelers' seventh-round pick Cory Trice Jr. Trice Jr. doesn't nearly have the same amount of eyes and pressure on him as Porter Jr., but the Steelers believe they got a steal in the seventh round of this year's draft. He may not see the field in the early stages of his rookie season, but eventually, I would expect to see the Steelers gradually increase his role throughout the season into 2024.
What do you think? Is Porter Jr. at an advantage due to his history roaming the ground at Saint Vincent College with the Steelers? Or do you believe the pressure may hurt the rookie heading into his first season in the NFL? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!
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