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Night practice highlights

Ray Fittipaldo 8 years ago

The Steelers held their annual night practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium Friday night. Here are some of the nightlights:

*Landry Jones directed the first-team offense in the goal line drill. After an incomplete pass he threw consecutive touchdowns to Jesse James and Antonio Brown. The offense made it three scores in a row when DeAngelo Williams scored.

*In the backs on backers drill, fullback Roosevelt Nix, a converted defensive lineman, demonstrated impressive strength and blocking ability. Linebackers Vince Williams, Ryan Shazier and Anthony Chickillo also stood out.

*In one-on-one pass rush drills, Jarvis Jones had three opportunities to rush against offensive tackles and failed to win. Kelvin Beachum won twice and reserve Alejandro Villanueva beat him once.

*I wrote about Dri Archer and kickoff returns in today’s paper. Danny Smith tells me some interesting things might happen with the new PAT rules this year, too. The most intriguing aspect is the head coaches can change their minds about kicking or going for two after penalties are called. 

“Let’s say the ball is at 15 and we’re kicking PAT, and we grab the facemask of the edge rusher,” Smith said. “It’s a hands-to-the face, 15-yard penalty. Now we’re kicking a 48-yard extra point. Or let’s say they jump off sides. Now we can put it at the 10 and kick it, or take half the distance to the goal and put it at the 1, and run it in. There are things that are interesting about the rules.”

I also asked Smith about PAT personnel now that defenses can return blocked kicks for two points. Why not have smaller and faster players on the field for those situations?

Smith said they are practicing for different scenarios but said it’s important to make sure the opposing players are blocked first. That is easier with bigger (and slower) personnel because they take up more space and have a larger wing span, which helps in protection.

*NFL officials visited Steelers camp the past two days and met with players on rules changes. The one new rule that did not get much publicity over the offseason was this: officials will call a personal foul for aggressively pulling opposing players off piles. This happens most often when there is a fumble and a scrum for the ball. Officials said there were some fights that stemmed from these situations in years past, and they’re working to eliminate those fights.