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News and notes from Day 1 of camp

By Ray Fittipaldo 8 years ago

The first training camp of the summer did not look at whole lot different from any of the dozen or so practices the Steelers had this spring during OTAs and minicamp. In fact, it wasn’t different at all.

Since the newest collective bargaining agreement was ratified by the players in 2011 teams must put players through an acclimation period of two practices before graduating to padded practices. The Steelers will practice in shorts and helmets again tomorrow, will have a scheduled day off Tuesday before donning the pads for the first time on Wednesday.

“I just want to establish a good foundation of how we work,” head coach Mike Tomlin said. “We have to establish a good foundation of how we work, a level of expectation of what we’re looking for. I thought it was a good start.”

The Steelers picked up where they left off in the spring with an emphasis on the goal line offense and defense. Once again, there was a competitive period to begin practice that featured one touchdown pass to Heath Miller but also two interceptions from the defense.

“We realize on both sides of the ball that’s a significant space and a significant down,” Tomlin said. “It’s been good work. Hopefully, it’s competitive. The defense will win some, the offense will win some. I think the defense won the majority of them today.”

A couple of other notes from practice:

*It was only the first day of camp, but Cortez Allen had a hard time matching up against the Steelers’ top two receivers. Antonio Brown burned him on sideline route and Martavis Bryant turned a short pass into a long gain when he made a nice move on him. 

*Converted quarterbacks Devin Gardner and Tyler Murphy continued to take some snaps at quarterback. The former college quarterbacks switched to receiver in the spring but also took some snaps from center. Tomlin said that will continue during camp.

“We’re going to move those guys back and forth between quarterback and receiver,” he said. “We’ll find a rhythm there. We’ll give them an opportunity to show what they’re capable of at both spots.”

*In addition to the five players on the PUP list, Tomlin held out veterans James Harrison and Will Allen.

“I’m going to protect him from himself,” Tomlin said of Harrison, who is entering his 13th NFL season. “He and Will Allen are too old to be working right now.”

*After Ben Roethlisberger told Ed Bouchette on Sunday that the goal this season was to average 30 points per game, Tomlin was asked about it.

“I just want to see one more than our opponent,” he said. “So whatever that entails. I don’t worry about the style points. I’ll let you and Ben sort that out.”