Tomlin expects big-guy plays from Bryant

Steelers rookie receiver Martavis Bryant had his best day of training camp Saturday. He made several nice catches, including some acrobatics ones in traffic. The plan when the Steelers drafted Bryant was to use him in the red zone. Coach Mike Tomlin said Bryant will have a big say in how else he’ll be utilized.“I think that’s what he’s determining with his efforts,” Tomlin said. “Obviously, he made a few plays today, but he’s a big guy so we expect him to consistently make big-guy plays. I’m interested in him developing a complete game.”

*Heath Miller and Steve McLendon were given maintenance days Saturday as Tomlin continues to try to keep his players fresh. Tomlin said there is an added benefit to doing that.“We’re looking at 90 guys,” he said. “Sometimes I give guys a day off to see others. Heath didn’t work today and it gave me an opportunity to evaluate some of the other tight ends in short-yardage and goal line situations. We’re team-building here and it’s part of the process.”

*Saturday marked the fourth consecutive practice for the Steelers and the players are getting tired of facing each other in the same drills time and time again. The first six days of camp were calm, but there have been three fights in the past two days.Left tackle Kelvin Beachum and linebacker Chris Carter had a battle after a play in team drills. At the end of practice in a goal line drill, center Maurkice Pouncey and nose tackle Hebron Fangupo threw punches.With a fifth consecutive workout today fans coming out to Latrobe could be in for more fisticuffs.

*There was some speculation Marcus Gilbert would be challenged by Mike Adams for the right tackle job in camp. If the coaches were hoping for some legitimate competition there they are out of luck. Gilbert has looked very solid and Adams has not played well. This could be one reason there has been some dialogue between the Steelers and Gilbert’s agent about a contract extension. The Steelers could lose Gilbert to free agency after the season if he is not signed to a long-term deal. If that happens the Steelers would have to a.) use another high draft choice on a tackle; b.) sign a free agent; or c.) play Adams and hopes he improves by his fourth season. What the Steelers have to be wondering now is if the light hasn’t gone on in year 3 for Adams, why would it go on in year 4?

*Rookie offensive lineman Wesley Johnson looks like he could use a redshirt year in the weight room. Johnson continues to struggle in one-on-one pass rush drills when he routinely gets pushed backward. Johnson, a versatile lineman who played at Vanderbilt, has played tackle in recent days after spending some time at center early in camp. Johnson does better when working with a guard in combination drills. It is clear Johnson is smart and understands football concepts, but he has not held up from a physical standpoint thus far in camp.