The Pittsburgh Steelers did not invent the backs on backers drill. It has been a football practice drill for a very long time. In the early 1970's, the version of the drill was a little different than what you see today. Andy Russell once used the training camp opportunity to point out that Chuck Noll’s vision of a pass coverage linebacker was flawed after running the drill and he left the coach sputtering as he walked away. In his book Andy Russell: A Steeler Odyssey, he described the confrontation:
"I approached Chuck and knowing the answer to my question said, 'Coach, do you think Jack Ham is a good pass coverage linebacker?' After Noll replied 'Yes,' Russell responded with, 'Then why is it every time Jack tries your coverage technique, he gets beat?'"
SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 15: Linebackers Andy Russell #34 and Jack Ham #59 of the Pittsburgh Steelers talk to each other during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on December 15, 1973 in San Francisco, California. The Steelers defeated the Niners 37-14. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images)
Backs on backers has evolved over the years and under Mike Tomlin, it has led to many camp highlights. However, the annual event on the first day in pads in Latrobe, PA is one of the signals that it's close to the end of the summer. It signals that vacation is over and it is time to get back to the business of football. It excites the coaches, fans and especially the players looking to make a name for themselves.
Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (Twitter: JSKO_PHOTO)
The drill often reveals the participating player’s appetite for competition and whether they possess the ability to be physical enough to don the black and gold on game day. Some players can parlay the performance in this drill to a roster spot, while others use the drill to confirm stardom. This year’s drills helped identify undrafted free agent Jaylen Warren as a player to watch. The drill was supposed to expose the perceived weakness in his game, instead the newcomer managed to turn the tide, and protecting against edge rushers may turn out to be a strength. Josh Rowntree felt strongly enough to shout Warren on his Twitter account during the drill.
Rookie RB Jaylen Warren’s doing well in pass blocking.
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) August 1, 2022
Tomlin put him vs Spillane and told him it’s “varsity reps.” Warren won, twice. #Steelers @937theFan
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the NFL’s original franchises and have always had the reputation of being one of the league’s most physical teams. The NFL has changed a lot in the 21st century, and the days of beating an opponent into submission physically are probably gone forever. A jarring hit, whether it is executed perfectly or not, is much more likely to draw a penalty flag in the modern game than change the momentum for the defense.
In 2016, Ryan Shazier was entering his third year in the NFL. He had flashed during his first two seasons and even started 12 games during his sophomore campaign for the Steelers, but Pittsburgh and Keith Butler were looking for more from the freakishly gifted linebacker. The first day in pads at Saint Vincent College in his third training camp, he delivered. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler took to Twitter after watching the dominant performance.
Ryan Shazier just obliterated backs-on-backers drill. One spin move, two trucks. Barely broke a sweat
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 31, 2016
Shazier never started a full season for the Steelers as he was limited to 12 games in 2016 due to injury, but it was his breakout season. He made his first Pro Bowl and established himself as one of the premier coverage linebackers in the NFL defending nine passes and intercepting three more. 2017 would bring an even higher level of play until his career was tragically cut short on a freak play against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers were 10-2 at the time and the defense has not been quite the same since.
Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers LB LaMarr Woodley (56) in action, forcing a fumble vs Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner (13). Steelers recovered the ball in the final seconds. Tampa, FL 2/1/2009. | (Photo by Bill Frakes / Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
During the 2009 training camp at Saint Vincent College, the Steelers were coming off a Super Bowl victory against the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII and Willie Parker’s meteoric career was ending, he just did not know it yet. After a solid performance against James Farrior in the backs on backers drill, he gave way to the heir apparent, Rashard Mendenhall.
Mendenhall did a decent job on Keyaron Fox according to onlookers before Donovan Woods beat him soundly in the drill. LaMarr Woodley, who was watching from the sideline, began needling Mendenhall. He asked the second year player:
“What’s a matter 34, you don’t want any more of this?”“It’s easy to talk when you’re kneeling on the sideline,” Mendenhall replied.
“You should know,” Woodley shot back, “since the sideline is where you watched us play all last season.”
Mendenhall took over Parker during the 2009 season and put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Steelers. In retrospect, maybe the coaching staff should have recognized his tendency to shift blame and a lacking desire to compete when the chips were down. Mendenhall fumbled during the Steelers furious comeback in Super Bowl XLV against the Green Bay Packers when it appeared they were driving to take the lead. His career did not end after the fumble, but he was never the same.
Former Steelers running back, Rashard Mendenhall fumbles during Super Bowl XLV. | Photo via New York Times
The league has changed and it wants to protect quarterbacks and receivers to secure the fan interest that fantasy football and gambling generates for the NFL. It is more important to have high scoring games that end with the last team that touches the ball marching down the field in an almost inevitable fashion. Defenses are often rendered nearly helpless at the end of halves and games. The casual fan wants offense, but Steelers fans are not mere acquaintances to the game of football.
Protecting quarterbacks and receivers is just a nice bonus for the NFL, that is only rivaled by James Harrison's dividends from supplying the NFL with pillows. The backs on backers drill still reveals character, but the NFL is only looking for who can protect the TV ratings and to a lesser extent, the quarterbacks in 2022.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? What does the backs on backers drill mean to you as a fan? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
