The Pittsburgh Steelers opened minicamp yesterday, along with 11 other NFL organizations. The season is inching closer and closer and will be here before we know it! Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin spoke to the media following Day 1 of Mini Camp and answered questions about the practice session.
Steelers quarterback, Mitch Trubisky (#10) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2022 Minicamp on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. (Abigail Dean/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
"A really good day for us. Not a lot different structurally than what we've done more eleven on eleven opportunity. The longer we're out here, we're in the week three now, kind of the spring, and so we get a chance to delve into more situational things in two minutes, pass under pressure and things like that. So just a lot to teach, a lot to learn, a lot of opportunities to teach and learn because of the snaps we're getting, and we're just appreciative of that. The weather works with this man. We don't complain about the weather, though. We'll take it however we get it. Actually, I was hoping it would rain a little bit because we play in all conditions and it's just an opportunity to educate and see skill sets in that regard. But I'm sure those days will present themselves. But all in all, I thought we had a productive day to day. I'll pause for questions."
Tomlin was asked about the 2-minute period and what he's looking for during that time:
"Just good communication. It's under the rest, obviously, but the giving and receiving of information at this stage on both sides of the ball, the formal communication play caller to signaler on both sides, but also the informal things after that formal discussion gets had formation recognition, Mike identification. From a protection standpoint, there's a lot of communication that has to happen in a tight amount of time and those drills provide opportunities for those guys to sharpen their skills in that area."
Steelers' RB Najee Harris makes a cut upfield in OTA's (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Tomlin was then asked about the muscle that Najee Harris has added this year and if he's at the weight he wants him playing at.
"I think he's exactly what he was last year. At the end of last year, I got no issues at all. So nothing really to add. No color."
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, George Pickens (#14) participates in the organized team activities (OTA’s), Thursday, June 2, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. | Karl Roser/ Pittsburgh Steelers
On Steelers' 2nd round pick, WR George Pickens
"Very much in development. He's got a lot of talent, but he's raw, but that's okay. That's why we have coaches. It's our job to help him grow and develop not only him, but all of them. He's got a lot of talent. We drafted him where we drafted him based on that talent. It's our job and his job to develop the skill that allows those talents to show regardless of circumstance. It's different for every person. And so experience has taught me that some guys learn very quickly, some guys don't. It'll be revealed through development."
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman James Daniels goes through a drill at an Organized Team Activities session Thursday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Signed as a free agent in the offseason, Daniels is only 24 years old but is the most experienced of the Steelers' offensive lineman. (Chaz Palla/Tribune Review)
On the chemistry of the offensive line and how they're gelling together, Tomlin said,
"Very early, to be quite honest with you, I like how they're working. I like how they're communicating, but not enough there to paint with a broad brush at this juncture."
Check out the media session in its entirety here!
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