August 7, 2024 • 44 mins
Tom Opferman hosts solo today. He recaps Tomlins presser, practice from yesterday. We hear from Zach Frazier, and are joined by Steelers Hall of Honor member Gerry "moon" Mullins.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
This is the Training Camp Report with Tom Opferman and
Bob Labriola on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Just Tom Opferman with you today on the Training Camp Report.
Labs is extremely busy. He's an extremely busy guy. And
it's really unfortunate too because in just a little bit,
we're gonna go over the first official depth chart that
was released by Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and
that's like Christmas Morning for Labs. It's his favorite thing
to do every year is to parse through this depth
chart like it's the Declaration of Independence. So I'll have
(00:35):
to do that without him in just a couple of minutes.
Mike Tomlin did just speak to the media, delivered his
press conference prior to the Steelers first preseason game against
the Houston Texans on Friday. If you miss that, we
carried it for you. Some things that you need to know.
There will be seven guys that will not be playing
in this preseason game. They are Russell Wilson, Minka Fitzpatrick, Patrick, Queen, TJ. Watt,
(01:00):
Isaac Ciamalu, Cam Hayward, and Alex Highsmith. I know Russell
Wilson in that calf has been of great concern for
a lot of Steelers fans, but none of these guys
are injury related. According to Mike Tomlin, They're just veterans
that don't really need the ramp up that other people
will need to be ready for the regular season. So
(01:22):
they get to wear baseball caps and shorts and sweatshirts
on the sideline on Friday night and maybe cause play
a little coaching, and some guys behind them on the
depth chart will get an opportunity in their place. As
far as the first team is concerned, that'll obviously be
headed up by Justin Fields at quarterback. Mike Tomlin's saying
(01:42):
that he expects them to get a couple of series,
so I maybe expect them to play a quarter don't
expect him to play much longer than that. Don't think
you'll see Justin Fields for a half of football or
anything to that nature. I'm gonna see a lot of
Kyle Allen, gonna see a lot of John Rees play
in this first preseason game. One thing that I'm really
(02:04):
looking forward to Tom and talked about it a little
bit there is seeing the new kickoff rule at the
NFL level up close and personal. We obviously have a
ton of film from the USFL. If you listen to
our training camp report in the past couple of days,
we played a clip from Tom and saying, yeah, even
ran some simulations on Madden to see how this new
kickoff rule is going to look. But now the Steelers
get to put actual film together for themselves to examine
(02:28):
and see where they're at with that. And you know,
I talked to Labs yesterday on the show about that
new kickoff rule and he's saying, you know, they're not
really practicing it as much as you might think they
would be. So I think, you know, these preseason games,
the joint practice that's coming up with the Buffalo Bills,
I bet those are the opportunities that the coaching staff
sees to really, you know, hammer down this new rule,
(02:52):
this new format, and try to make the best out
of it. A big factor in the Steelers side of
the new kickoff rule, too, is the health of Cordell
Patterson non injury related list to start the training camp.
Still not activated from that list, but you know, this
is a guy who might not be in the NFL
right now if it weren't for this new kickoff rule change.
Definitely towards the back nine of his round as an
(03:16):
NFL player. Has had a tremendous career as a kick
and punt returner, and I think with these new rules
in place, the Steelers were smart to go out get
an all time great at that one specific thing and
try to see if he can give it a go
for at least one more year for them and be
an effective kick returner. But haven't been able to see
(03:39):
that yet because, like I said, Cordell Patterson has been
dealing with a non football related injury to start camp.
Know Russell Wilson on Friday, you heard Mike Tomlin say that,
but you did get your first taste of Russell Wilson
with the first team offense at practice yesterday. Him and
Justin Fields split the first team reps and seven shots.
(04:00):
It was Russell Wilson's first for a into that drill.
They split the first four snaps of the drill and
Wilson handed the Balltonnajie Harris for a touchdown on his
first play, and he threw a pretty fade to George
Pickens for another score on his second. Then Justin Fields
came in for a couple plays. He was ruled who
(04:21):
have been stopped on a read option play, and then
his pass for Pickens was tipped and then intercepted by
safety Deshaun Elliott. So Russell Wilson having the better of
the day between those two and seven shots. Then Kyle
Allen came in to finish things up for the offense.
The defense was able to win four to two three
get another win under their belt. It's another second straight
(04:43):
win and second straight win with the Pads on so
defense hopefully turning a corner there when it comes to
the seven shots drill. Another big thing that Labs noted
in his practice report. Will we'll speak vicariously through his
practice report if Labs can't be here himself. Number one
pick Ty Fatanu had some snaps at right tackle with
the first team offense. Well, Dan Moore Junior and Broderick
(05:06):
Jones split the snaps at left tackle, So people were
maybe a little bit excited about that prospect. And you know,
we're starting to get ready for an actual game now
with the Texans coming to town on Friday, Sprinkling and
Fatano at that right side, Proderck Jones going to the left, Oh,
what's happening? Well, the depth chart did also come out
(05:27):
yesterday and there were no surprises. At least there shouldn't
be any surprises because aside from yesterday's work of Fatano
on the right side, we know who the starting five
are going to be, at least initially, and that's exactly
how the depth chart played out. You got Dan Moore
Junior at left tackle, Isaac Camalo at left guard, Nate
Herbig att center, James Daniels at right guard, and Broderick
(05:48):
Jones at right tackle. So expect that minus Isaac Camalo
to be your first team offensive line Friday night at
Akrosher Stadium, tom One mentioning he's giving Isaac Camalo that
kind of veterans day off, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson. Who
knows who's gonna slide in and be thrown into that
fire with the first team offense. Then you have to
(06:10):
wait to see Zach Fraser and Troy Fatanu jump in
with the second team. No surprises elsewhere either on the
depth chart. Russell Wilson in front of Justin Fields at
QB one. You heard Tomlin in the press conference asked
about is Russ still in pole position? That question following
(06:31):
Tomlin confirming that it is very much a competition, and
Tomlin referenced this depth chart saying it is very much real.
So Russell Wilson still QB one for the Steelers, justin
fields two Kyle All and three John Reyes Plumbley. Of
course at four your top three wide receivers, you got
George Pickens and Van Jefferson, with Calvin Austen the third
(06:52):
kind of in that slot receiver spot. Then one tick
below them on the depth charts Watkins and Dez Fitzpatrick
on the outside with Wilson in that slot position spot.
Roman Wilson no boot on him yesterday or in practice,
didn't have pads on, but that's a step in the
right direction for him. Hopefully that the rookie. Hopefully the
(07:13):
rookie can come back and contribute by week one. Defensively,
you know, no surprises again. Cameron Hayward, County Vet and Ogunjobi.
That's your d line TG Watt, Queen Roberts, Heismiths, your linebackers.
Joey Porter Junior, Mike Fitzpatrick, Deshaun Elliot and Dante Jackson
make up your secondary Beanie. Bishop Junior did slide in
(07:36):
to first team. Nickel corner ahead of Graylon Arnold. That's
a nice position battle to keep an eye on through camp.
And of course Cameron Sutton slot's in at third string
in the nickel cornerback spot. He'll be dealing with an
eight game suspension to start the season. So it's really
at least based on the roster they have now the
guys that they have now up to Beanie Bishop slash
(07:59):
Graylan Erald to take that spot and run with it
for the first half of the season. Coach Tomlin speaks
to the media following practice each and every single day.
Here are his thoughts following yesterday's practice.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
I really like the spirit that they brought to the
work today coming off of an off day, and that's
really kind of been a point of emphasis for us.
We can't waste time. The days are precious. We can't
waste time on the front end of off days. We
can't waste time on the back end of off days.
I like the attention and the urgency that they brought
on Sunday and it continued today, and so it's those
are good signs. We got a laundry list of training camp,
(08:34):
like you know, injuries and so forth. Tyler Murray's gotta growing,
Alex Hospice's gotta growing, Nate uh Nate Medal's got a
handy Leal had something happen. But it's that time of year,
it's the dog days of summer. We'll we'll get through it.
One man's misfortunes is another man's opportunity is gonna create
(08:56):
some short lines and instances and guys gonna really happen
opportunity to put their conditioning on display or work on it.
But it's a component of the process. We'll keep rolling
this ball out and growing. I'll pause and opening up
for questions, Mike.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
What did you want to Darl Russ's seven shots press today?
Speaker 3 (09:13):
You know, I thought he did a good job. I
thought they all did a good job. As I mentioned,
we didn't warm up to the action.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Mike. We've seen out of Justin Bing's you teen for
a few weeks.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
Now getting out of chievement.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
What's the biggest need to growing?
Speaker 3 (09:25):
You know, I think we're still writing that story. I
like the attention that he brings to the things that
we're trying to get done. He's really been focused on
his lower body in the pocket, for example, He's done
a nice job of that. But we got a lot
of ongoing projects, things that we're focused on in terms
of getting better, and he's doing a nice job of it.
Speaker 5 (09:40):
How about by a job, have you know that? Jack?
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Give me backing off, back and back.
Speaker 5 (09:51):
Until you.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Know, I think it just comes with the quarterback position particulation.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
You guys talking.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
You know, it's just we're getting close to stepping into
a stadium, and so you know, we got to get
more football like things, some transitions, if you will, And
so yeah, we did some of that today, transitioning from
offense and defense to special teams. We just don't want to,
you know, be a sloppy unit come Friday night, and
so we'll keep doing some of those things as we
pushed closer toward game time.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Mike, you mentioned the holding roughs out as long as
it was about creating short term misery for him, Gigaz
says he's less misserable getting more chi reps.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
I'll let him speak for himself in that regard. But again,
it was about just, you know, not taking steps backwards
as we move forward.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Coach Tomlin, speaking with the media following yesterday's practice at
Saint Vincent College. A couple of other notes slash observations
that LABS made that I want to share with you
from yesterday's practice. A couple of veterans who were signed
after rookie Mini Camp having some good camps. Running back
Jonathan Ward, LABS notes that he continues to show flashes
as part of the group at the position, competing behind
(10:57):
Harris and Jalen Warren, who are obviously one and two
at the running back spot. On one play during eleven
on eleven, Ward took the handoff and hit a seam
in the defense over right guard, and then when he
got into the second level, he ran away from the
pursuit and completed the play for a long touchdown. So
showing that breakaway speed is Jonathan Ward and then the
other guy, cornerback Anthony Averett, another veteran signed after attending
(11:19):
rookie Mini camp on a tryout basis. He made a
couple of plays in the secondary yesterday. Intercepted a pass
off a deflection by cornerback Corey Trice, and on the
second he was in tight coverage and got his hand
in to knock the ball away before the receiver could
secure it. LABS also did notes so when we talked
about Corderrell Patterson and how he is still not available
(11:40):
to the team yet with that non football related injury
hamstring issue. He did do a bit of running on
the side field yesterday part of some ongoing rehabilitation for
Corderyo Patterson, So hopefully you see him sooner rather than later.
Would really like to see him up to speed and
returning kicks in Atlanta Week one for the Steelers. I
(12:02):
think that is a X factor or has the potential
to be an X factor for this team. And you know,
I've seen just the Hall of Fame game so far
for an NFL example of the kickoff rule, but it
didn't look pretty. It didn't look like there was much
room to run, and I was curious if it was
going to be more open and you'll see bigger returns
(12:23):
or if you kind of just will have a bottleneck
happen and returns will be just as boring as they
kind of have been for the past couple of years.
But Cordell Patterson's a good person to take a shot
at and see if you can kind of have an
advantage that other teams don't by bringing in an all
time great at that position. Laundry list of camp injuries
(12:46):
that Tomlin went over. Tyler Murray has a groin, Alex
Heismith has a groin. HeiG Smith won't even play on
Friday against the Houston Texans. Nate Meters has a hamstring
and to Marvin Leal as Tomlin, Pudden had something happen
and dog days of summer though, like he said, it's
only natural and they've labs and I have noted this
a lot on the training camp report. They've been relatively
(13:08):
lucky when it comes to the injury front so far. Yeah,
I know. Russell Wilson got hurt during the conditioning test
on moven Day and he has been limited but starting
to get his toe in the water when it comes
to team activities just yesterday and expect that to continue today. Obviously,
his calf has been a thing, and Roman Wilson I think,
(13:29):
being the big one with his ankle injury. But as
I mentioned, the boot has come off from Roman Wilson.
No update from Tomlin yesterday about him, but we'll keep
an eye on him. Don't expect to see him playing
on Friday. But hey, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he is
in pads today, practices tomorrow and he's ready to go
for a Friday's game. And I hope that's the case
(13:49):
for him, because not only does he have an opportunity
here with there being some you know, less than stellar
options for the Steelers to put it kindly at that
wide receiver too, at that wide receiver three spot, Roman
Wilson has a chance to state claim to that. But
he's also a rookie in the NFL. You know, I know,
he played at Michigan. That's big time football. He won
(14:12):
a national championship last year. But it's still an increase
in the level of play that's pretty drastic going from
college to the pros. So I want to see him
get out there on the field against a different colored
uniform as fast as he possibly can. But if not,
it still looks like things are trending in the right
direction for Roman Wilson. When I come back, Labs and
(14:33):
I were joined by Will Allen yesterday. It was just
a great interview, so thought i'd play that back for
you to enjoy. We'll also hear from Zach Fraser a
little bit later on in the show, and Jerry Moonmullins
is expected to join us at around ten to fifteen.
That's all on the way on the Training Camp Report
on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
This SE's the Training Camp Report with Tom Opferman and
Bob Laber on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
Tom Offerman riding solo today, no labs, doing more important stuff,
hanging out with Mike Tomin. I'm extremely jealous, but that
means we don't get meteorologists labs, so I'll have to
put on the meteorology hat. Meteorologist hat. I don't know
how that works. It looks like a pretty good day
up at Saint Fancin College. I'll just leave it at that.
Seventy four degrees right now. By the time practice starts,
(15:27):
looks like it's just going to be like seventy six.
Won't break eighty until the Steelers are off the practice field.
Looks like there's a little bit of rain later on
this afternoon, of no concern to the Pittsburgh Steelers or
the patrons that are going up to Saint Fncent College
to witness practice today. They'll be four beers deep at
Sharky's by the time the rain is supposed to hit.
So good news on the weather front. If you're headed
(15:49):
up to chuck Nolefield to witness practice today, keep on
going and enjoy yourself. It'll be a great day and
a little bit more mild temperature wise than it has
been in recent days, so perfect early morning into afternoon
to be spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yesterday, Will Allen
(16:10):
spent a few minutes with LABS and myself. We've really
loved having Steelers alumni join us on the training camp
report throughout training camp and Will was just outstanding, so
I thought we would play back in case you missed it.
What Will Ellen had to say on yesterday's program, Well, well,
like I said, we really appreciate you giving us the
time today. You know, just what your thoughts being back
(16:32):
on campus for training camp, you know, taking it in. Yeah,
you know, I'm sure you had a great experience as
a player, but what's it like coming back as an alumni.
Speaker 6 (16:41):
It's fantastic to be around all the fans, to get
the love from them, don't recalling the play that you
had and the teams you were on, and just those
magical moments. And then you know, coming out during the
middle of the week, you know, with their kids and
their families, just to you know, be a part of
Steeler name. And it's just fantastic to be out. You
(17:03):
got to always just be grateful for that. And you know,
and I'm excited to see the guys like I haven't
seen them up close in physical and training camp is
where the rubber meets the road, so you know, seeing
who's competing for those roster spots, especially with limited limited
preseason games, you got to earn your keep in these
(17:23):
dog days. And you know, you're in a thicker camp
right now. When guys are a little tired, you get
a couple of injuries, you know, your legs are kind
of numb. You know, it'd be interesting to see now
who's separating themselves and who's being consistent and who's performing
at a high level. So it's a lot of fun
and I'm excited to go see it and watch.
Speaker 4 (17:43):
Well.
Speaker 7 (17:43):
For all but one of your seasons with the Steelers
as a safety, tick Lebo was the defensive coordinator, and
on July twenty seventh, the first week of this training camp,
he was announced that he was elected to the Steelers
Hall of Honor as part of the Class of twenty
twenty four. Or tell us a little bit about your
experience playing for Dick Lebo.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
Well.
Speaker 6 (18:05):
First, he's a buck guy, you know, and he's a
national champion. He's a national champion buck guy as well.
But man, he you know, playing for him, you know,
I didn't. I didn't get the privilege uh to win
a super Bowl with him, but I did get the
privilege of being coached under him. And I mean he
was He loved you. He told you straight up how
(18:26):
you needed to get better. And every day he came
in with a positive attitude, which was contagious amongst the
defense and amongst the team. You knew he was gonna
work as hard as he could and to put you
in the best position and give you the best information
to excel on the field. And he genuinely cared about you.
And and that's what you want out of a coach,
(18:46):
you know, one one that's gonna care about you, one
is going to really take take his responsibility as a
defensive coordinator, UH to hard and do what's best for
the team. And he he lived it every day and
he just taught me a lot. I would just walk
into his office and we would talk about schemes, we
would talk about, you know, ways to get better. We
(19:07):
would just talk about old Buckeye stories, growing up in Ohio. So, uh,
he was a personable guy, you know, a guy who
you can always rely on, but also with you know,
shoot it to you straight. So yeah, it's exciting to
see him going to the you know, the Hall of
Fame here for the Steelers, and I'm excited and to
(19:27):
see him do it, and he deserves it. And he's
one of the greats, the greats ever to coach the
game and also to play in the game. So you know,
you can't forget he almost got sixty interceptions, I think,
or did he get more than sixty somewhere around.
Speaker 4 (19:39):
That sixty two sixty two.
Speaker 6 (19:41):
Yeah, he got sixty two interceptions. Man, he got sixty
two interceptions when they were running the ball a lot.
So that tells you a lot about his skills and
his athletic ability. So, you know, Dick Lebo is one
of the one of the best and greatest of all time.
Speaker 7 (19:55):
You know, it's funny that you mentioned right off the
thought that he's a buck Eye, because Dick Lebo was
very proud of that, and he was willing to tell
you that he was a buck guy, whether you were
a Buck Eye fan or sometimes.
Speaker 4 (20:06):
He enjoyed telling you that he was a buck guy if.
Speaker 7 (20:08):
You were not a Buck Eye fan, but one of
the traditions associated with him a long long time. With
the Steelers, he always recited, uh, twas the night before
Christmas to the team, What was it like being in
there for that?
Speaker 6 (20:25):
It was magical and you had to be there. You know,
It's one of those things where uh he told the
story with such you know, such just prestige better than
you could hear it on a TV or radio or
your parents could tell you. But you know, the way
the way that he described it, he didn't miss a beat,
(20:45):
and you know, he just it just was a great
moment for the guys every year, and you never get
tired of it. And you know, I could, I could
hear him do it right now if he did it
in the middle of the summer, still be It's still
be great.
Speaker 7 (20:59):
You know, during your in a whole career, you played
for three teams, Tampa, Dallas and then the Steelers. Was
playing for the Steelers different than it was for those
other two franchises?
Speaker 4 (21:10):
And if it was, how was it different?
Speaker 6 (21:13):
Yeah? I think every franchise is different, to be honest
with you. You know, every chance franchise has his own
culture and belief system, and you know, hopefully that's driven
by the players. But I played with some Hall of
Fame guys down in Tampa, Hall of Fame coaches, uh,
you know, Mike Tomlin being one of them. He was
my secondary coach and got to meet some fantastic people
(21:34):
that you know, helped me in my career. We obviously
had our ups and downs of having losing seasons, but
you know, that was the groundwork for me to have
a twelve year career, to build the foundation on how
to be a good ball player in this NFL, uh,
you know, and and and established myself. So you know,
it was some good that came out of Tampa. Obviously,
(21:57):
I was I was very blessed to come here to
the Steelers, and you know, I think being at the
Steelers was just it was a different level of connection,
a different level of mentality and play all around on
a consistent basis that I just really just drew to.
It just was attracted to and connected with. And I
(22:17):
think it started with ownership, you know, being able to
talk to mister Rooney, you know, and and and have
a relationship with him, and you know, and have a
relationship with Mike Tomlin and you know, every and all
the players. It just makes this place very special for
the Pittsburgh Steelers. And uh, you know, I enjoy and
that's why I'm back here a training camp and willing
(22:38):
to do what I can to support the organization. And
and Pittsburgh is now home for me. So you know,
every every place has this pros and cons. Nothing is perfect,
but may not thoroughly enjoyed my time being a Pittsburgh Steeler.
Speaker 4 (22:51):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (22:51):
While you were still a player, you created the Will
Allen Foundation, and that foundation has a stated goal of
inspiring youth and underresourced communities to succeed by providing necessary tools.
How did you come about starting your foundation and why
did you choose that as the focus of it.
Speaker 6 (23:14):
That's a really good question, and thank you for asking that.
You know, I was, I was. I got drafted in
NFL and didn't know how to buy a house. You know,
I didn't know how to manage my finances. I didn't
know a lot about being an adult. And I think
a lot of adults don't know how to be adults.
They just have that title and age associated with it.
(23:34):
And so I said, well, what's the problem here? Like,
you know, if I'm going through high school, I go
through college, I get my first job or I get
my second job, and I'm about twenty five years old, Like,
how am I going to start my life? I need
some tools, I need some resources, I need some support.
I need to be able to draw and experiences to
help me in moments in life. And so I thought
(23:56):
that was critically important to start early to create career paths,
the ways for young people to help them think differently.
And again, what tools do you have in your toolbox?
Let's let's get some tools for them to utilize when
the moment comes, they can they can they can draw from.
So that was the whole premise early on in Tampa
in two thousand and six, you know, working at you know,
(24:18):
three different high schools, and one of my former teammates,
Dereck Derren Brooks, who.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
I love dearly.
Speaker 6 (24:22):
You know, he started a school, Brooks, the Barlow Academy,
and you know, we working in his school, were working
at King High School, and now you know, we're working
in schools in Pittsburgh. So at one point we're at
we're in three states, and now we're working primarily in
southwestern Pennsylvania, you know, collaboratively with business, the business community
and the nonprofit community. And you know, people can find
(24:44):
out more I Will Alanfoundation dot org or you can
go to my Twitter, you know, Will Allen w AF
or my Instagram and it have a bunch of information
on how you can support or even you know, if
you want to just learn more about what we're doing.
But you know, the whole thing is how do we
get younger people to start thinking more about in their
(25:05):
futures and how to you know, and giving them tools
and resources so they can be ready and prepared. And
I think that's that's the big mission and big premise
about it and how we you know, look at the
communities that we serve and continue to help people. And
it's been a lot of fun. You know, we've been
doing this since two thousand and six, and you know,
Pittsburgh has embraced us and we were going to continue
(25:26):
to do the work.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Great stuff from former Steelers defensive back Will Allen when
he joined Labs and myself on this show yesterday, looking
forward to Jerry Muonmullins, Steelers Hall of Honor member joining
me a little bit later on today around ten fifteen
before we get to break though. You know, the defensive backs,
the secondary, you know, that's a point of intrigue for
the Steelers this year as well. New faces on that
(25:49):
in that unit that are going to be playing a
significant role. The top two guys are the same, Mika
Fitzpatrick and Joey Porter Junior, but Dante Jackson who the
Steelers got in return for Deontay Johnson in that trade
in the off season, and Deshaun Elliott free agent signing
by the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'm excited to see how those
two kind of stick in. Deshaun Elliott, you know, hopefully heal,
(26:12):
and not only Deshaun Elliott in the secondary, Patrick Queen
at Landon Roberts, Peyton Wilson. Those guys kind of allow
Mica Fitzpatrick the freedom to play that Menca ball that
you've heard him talk about throughout this offseason, getting back
to Meca ball again. Hopefully health is okay for Maca too.
That was a big problem with him last year. But
(26:33):
I'm excited to see how those new pieces stick in
when it comes to the secondary. You'll see them outside
of Meca Fitzpatrick on Friday against the Houston Texans. Minco
will not be playing, but you'll see Joey, you'll see
Donta Jackson, you'll see Deshaun Elliott. So really excited to
get our first look at Elliott in the Steelers uniform,
(26:54):
Donta Jackson in the Steelers uniform. And how could you
not be excited about the potential of Joey Porter Junior
and him hopefully taking that next giant leap into superstardom
in this his second year of the NFL. He already
proved last year as a rookie that he's the type
of corner that can cover other team's top wide receivers.
He can follow the premier talents no matter where they
(27:17):
line up on the field and take them out of
the game, so valuable in today's NFL such a pass
heavy league. Wide receivers are better than they ever have been, stronger,
more physical, faster, and Joey Porter Junior is a very physical, tall,
fast corner himself. So really excited to see the second
year progress made by Joey Porter Junior. And we'll get
(27:41):
our first glimpse of that on Friday night against the
Houston Texans when we come back. Zach Fraser caught up
with the media following practice yesterday. We'll hear from the Steelers'
second round pick center out of West Virginia and talk
a little bit about the offensive line before we welcome
Jerry Mullins onto the program. That's all the Way on
the Training Camp Report on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
This SE's the Training Camp Report with Tom Opperman and
Bob Labriola on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
No labs today on the Training Camp Report. Just an
extra helping of Tom. You know, the offensive line and
the rookies have obviously been a big topic up discussion
throughout this offseason, and Steelers used a first round pick
last year on Roger Jones, and then in this year's
draft they use a first round pick on Troy Fotanu,
second round pick on Zach Frasier. So they are committing
(28:38):
draft capital and premier draft picks to rebuilding that offensive line,
and I'm all for it. You know, that's where you
win these games in the trenches, just ask Wolf Starks
or anybody. But you want to also see them play
right away, I think is what a lot of the
fans were hoping for, and last year you didn't see
(29:00):
with Broderick Jones, he eventually does work himself on the field,
so planning troops of corps for taken over that right
tackle spot, he was great. I don't think that I'm
you know, being a little too high in my praise
by saying he's great. He did a great job for
a rookie last year when he was tesked to be
(29:20):
that right tackle and running the ball on the right
side of the line paid off big time for the
Pittsburgh Steelers once Jones was inserted. You know, this year,
I think people saw that Fraser and faltonou have a
lot more college starting experience than Jones did when he
came out of Georgia last year, and there was a
lot of hope that they wouldn't take as long to
(29:42):
crack into the starting lineup. And I'm guilty of thinking
that Fraser might even just crack into the starting lineup
right away. And that has not been the case. And
we really should not be surprised by it, because this
is kind of the way that the Steelers have operated
in the past. But Nate Herbig is your center on
the first team and Dan Moore Junior is your left
(30:02):
tackle on the first team as of right now, that's
according to the first official depth chart that was released
by Mike Tomlin and the Steelers yesterday. Now is the
timeline for Fraser to get in over her Big, for
Tondo to get in over more, or for Proderick Jones
to slide to the left side and Fatna to start
it right? Is the timeline going to be shorter than
(30:23):
it was for waiting for Proderick Jones to get in.
I think that still has a pretty good chance. You
heard coach Tomlin in his press conference today say that
you know, the things that you can find out in
a stadium, he weighs more than the things that you've
been finding out in practices outside of a stadium. You
can't really simulate that game experience until you're actually within
(30:44):
a game. So maybe those two Fatano and Fraser can
make some big strides on Friday at Akroscher Stadium. But
I really wouldn't hold your breath right now to have
either one of those two guys in the starting line
up come Week one against Atlanta. It looks like they're
comfortable with her Big. I can't imagine they keep giving
(31:05):
him first team reps. Now, what a week and a
half into training camp, were approaching day twelve of training
camp practice in just about twenty six minutes. Here. Can't
imagine he'd still be getting a lot of run with
the first team if it was solely just in a
make the rookie earn it kind of way. There's something
there that they like. Tomlin was asked about her big
in his press conference and his starting experience at the position,
(31:29):
and he said, you know, he thinks that he has
adequate starting experience at center on other teams, more so
than Fraser does at the NFL level. So that was
kind of the one that I looked at, kind of
turned my head to the side, you know, like the
confused dog like whoo, and wondered why they were doing it.
I initially thought it was just performance are to say
(31:54):
the least, and just a way of making Fraser think, Hey,
just because you're the same and round Pick, you're the
West Virginia boy, you come right up the road to
the Pittsburgh Steelers. You're you're not starting center day one.
You have to earn it. And I'm all for that,
you know, even if it is just a performance. But
I if that's the way that Tomlin goes about his business,
(32:15):
if that's the way that he finds that he can
get the best out of young players is by presenting
them with that competition. Then who am I to question it?
And he knows more about football than I'll ever dream
of knowing, so you know that. But to me, that
was the only one that was a little bit surprising.
And again it's apparent to me that her BIG's play
(32:37):
is also the reason why he still finds himself with
the first team at the center position. But Zach Frasier
hopefully cracking into that lineup sooner than later for himself,
spoke to the media following practice on Tuesday. Here's what
the Steelers second round pick for West Virginia had to say.
It's kind of funny. You finished college, you graduate, you
(32:58):
go to the pros.
Speaker 6 (32:59):
Now you're back doors.
Speaker 8 (33:01):
Yeah, yeah, it's a it's definitely a different experience. Like
in college. I never we never went anywhere for camp,
but uh, I've actually enjoyed it. It's pretty cool. You know,
when you're here, it's just football. That's all you have
to think about. You don't have anything else to worry about.
So I really like that part of it.
Speaker 5 (33:19):
Lined up.
Speaker 8 (33:19):
What's that?
Speaker 5 (33:23):
What's that? Oh?
Speaker 8 (33:24):
No, it just happened. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that was Zach.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
How much you've been thinking about Friday and that first
opportunity and it's a stadium for the Steelers.
Speaker 8 (33:36):
Yeah, I mean that's it's everything you dream about, you know.
I just can't wait for that dream to become reality.
And I can't wait to hit someone different too. So
just looking forward to Friday.
Speaker 9 (33:50):
What's your comfort level with the offense?
Speaker 8 (33:52):
I feel pretty comfortable. Like I said earlier, I just
feel like every day I get out here, I feel
more and more comfortable, more and more in command. I
just feel better every day i'm out here. So it's
just about getting reps from me. Has your family been
able to come up, Yeah, they came up a good bit.
It's an easy drive for the YEP.
Speaker 4 (34:11):
What are you looking to prove on product?
Speaker 8 (34:13):
What's that?
Speaker 4 (34:13):
What are you looking to prove on product?
Speaker 8 (34:15):
Play as hard as I can. That's all that's all
I can do. So, Yeah, you pay attention to all
the witch group you're working with, whether it's two's mostly,
whether you can move up in the ones, does that
matter to you?
Speaker 5 (34:24):
Do that you get?
Speaker 8 (34:25):
I just do my job, Yeah, Let just do my
job and play as hard as I can, and everything
will take care of itself.
Speaker 9 (34:31):
Seen you pull a little bit, put a couple of
guys in the ground. Is that is that the the
kind of highlight reel?
Speaker 3 (34:36):
Like?
Speaker 9 (34:36):
Is that is that the one you go back and
maybe watch two or three times instead of just once
the next day?
Speaker 5 (34:41):
Get one?
Speaker 8 (34:42):
I don't know. I just I don't know. I like
pull in. I did it a good bit in college.
So any chance I get to, you know, run in space,
I like to. Yeah, so what I can do?
Speaker 5 (34:52):
So, rookie, are.
Speaker 9 (34:53):
You like, are you happier with the highs or are
you more frustrated with the mistakes?
Speaker 4 (34:58):
Like?
Speaker 9 (34:58):
How do you kind of found?
Speaker 3 (35:00):
I don't.
Speaker 8 (35:00):
I don't really. I don't really look at like good
plays really. I just try to try to fix the
bad ones and try to be really critical of of
myself and just try to improve as much as I can.
What areas do you feel like you have improved for
the last couple of weeks? I would say just feeding control,
get in control of the huddle, knowing what everyone has
(35:22):
to do, like just being more comfortable and office. That's
what I say.
Speaker 9 (35:25):
Yeah, Zach, you guys at what's Uginia?
Speaker 8 (35:27):
We're together for so long on the line. What's it
like having to kind of reacquaint yourself with with all
new guys? You know, it's uh, I don't know. It's
just different coming coming from college to the NFL, so
definitely different. But everyone's been great. They're great to work
with and like I said earlier, we're together all day,
(35:48):
so you get to know each other pretty quick.
Speaker 4 (35:52):
Have you been for your feeling pride?
Speaker 8 (35:53):
Zach can imagine this moment you know means a lot
to Yeah, I mean I can't wait to, you know,
put on the uniform and go out there and play
and represent the Steelers. So I can't I can't wait.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
Yeah, I'm sure it's an exciting day for Zach Fraser
on Friday, getting to run out of that tunnel and
getting to be a Pittsburgh Steeler officially for the first time.
Great stuff from him there. It looks saying all the
right things. He's ready to accept whatever role he has
and he'll just look on getting better at each and
every day.
Speaker 4 (36:24):
You know.
Speaker 2 (36:24):
That's kind of the guy that he was out of
West Virginia. That's what all the scouts said that you're
going to get a hard worker, You're going to get
a no nonsense attitude kind of guy, and so far
that has been on display from young Zach Fraser. When
we come back, we're going to be joined by Steelers'
Hall of Honor member Jerry Moon Mallins, former offensive lineman,
four time Super Bowl champion. Excited to chat with him
(36:45):
to wrap up today's training camp report on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 1 (36:52):
This SE's no training camp report with Tom Opperman and
Bob Labriola on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 4 (37:00):
Today.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
So I'm riding solo, but I'm very pleased to be
joined now by Steelers Hall of Honor member former offensive
lineman Jerry Moon mall And Jerry, thank you so much
for giving me some time. Really appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (37:11):
Thank you, Tom.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Well, you know you're up at camp now.
Speaker 4 (37:15):
Jerry.
Speaker 2 (37:16):
I'm sure that brings back a lot of memories from
your playing days. Can you just kind of speak about
your experiences at Saint Vincent College when you were playing
in the seventies.
Speaker 5 (37:24):
I had mostly nightmares to remember Saints because in my
era it was pretty spartan existence up here, and it
was always hot and humid, and we had two day
practices two and a half three hours each and full
speed and pads, and we weren't a lot of fond memories, to.
Speaker 2 (37:48):
Be honest with you. So you're saying this, Steelers players
today got it just a little bit easier than you
guys did.
Speaker 3 (37:54):
Just a chat.
Speaker 2 (37:56):
Well, you know the Steelers this year, Jerry, they're gonna
want to run the ball a lot. And that's something
you guys in the seventies were used to a lot.
You helped pave the way for Franco Harris, for Rocky Blier.
How fun is that for an offensive lineman. Do you
guys prefer run blocking as opposed to pass blocking?
Speaker 5 (38:13):
Yeah? I think you know, if you can run the ball,
that makes the passing game a lot easier. If you're
forced to pass, it gives the advantage of the defensive line.
So obviously the number one priorities to run the ball.
And you know a lot of bad things can happen
when you throw out, like interceptions and things like that.
(38:36):
So yeah, we took a lot of pride in trying
to run the football.
Speaker 2 (38:42):
Now, you played at different positions on the offensive line.
You know, you play guard, play a little tackle, both
guards left and right side. How hard is that? At
the NFL level? To kind of switch positions along that line.
Speaker 5 (38:56):
It's a little bit difficult because you know, obviously you
have to do different sets on past protection. You have
to have a conscious awareness of what position you're playing.
If you're in a guard, you have somebody on either
(39:16):
side of you, whereas if you're a tackle or you know,
you have no help on your outside. I was a
right to ack, so I had no help on the
right and it's a challenge. But you know, when I
came to the Steelers for some reason, you know, the
playbook came easy for me, So it wasn't really hard
(39:37):
to play different positions. Some people have a lot more difficulty,
you know, with the learning curve than I did, and
I was fortunate in that respect.
Speaker 2 (39:48):
Well, kind of expanding on that, Jerry, why do you
think that was Why do you think you had less
of a learning curve the coaching that you received even
before you got to the Steelers, or just kind of
the way that you were wired individually.
Speaker 5 (40:01):
It could have just been our system here, I don't know,
for whatever reason. You know, when I was a rookie,
you know, all the rookies were like staying around the dorms,
you know, studying their playbook. I was out with the veterans,
you know, drinking beer after practice because I didn't have
to worry about learning to play. They just came naturally
for some reason. I don't really have an answer to
(40:24):
give you, Tomas as to why, but it was a
really blessing for me.
Speaker 1 (40:30):
Now.
Speaker 2 (40:30):
I don't know how much you've been following, Jerry, so
I don't mean to put you on the spot here,
but do you have any thoughts on this new class
of lineman Zach Frasier, Troy Fatano, even Broderick Jones from
last year you might have seen a little bit of
him play, or is today gonna kind of be your
first real look at those guys?
Speaker 5 (40:47):
Today's gonna be my first real look. I know that
there are a lot of talented people on paper, and
I think you know one thing about an offensive lineman, Tom.
Speaker 4 (40:58):
You know you have to have.
Speaker 5 (41:02):
Time to work with your fellow offensive lineman. You know,
it's it's not an individual position, it's a team position,
and it's gonna take a little bit of time to
work that out. But I'm confident that with good coaching,
you know, the talent is there. I'm looking for a
(41:23):
big improvement in the offensive line this season.
Speaker 2 (41:27):
Yeah, I think we all are. And and finally, Jerry,
you know there we mentioned this a little bit earlier
in the interview. They're going to run the ball a
lot this year. A strong offensive line is conducive in
helping that. But today's NFL, you know, it's a lot
about passing the football. Do you think a kind of
throwback team like the Steelers aspire to be can be
successful running the football and getting a lot of wins.
Speaker 5 (41:48):
If they're successful at running, they'll win a lot of games.
Mobile quarterbacks they have now with Wilson, so I think,
you know, they've got great running backs. If they if
they you know, improve it all on the offensive line,
(42:11):
that's that's gonna be a big plus because, like we
talked about earlier, if you run the football, that makes
the passing game open up a lot easier and you're
not forced to throw. It makes it very difficult if
you if you have to throw the ball and the
defense knows you have to throw the ball. So first down,
(42:34):
no game, second down, no game, third down long, you know,
that's a tough game to be successful at. You know,
you have to get four or five yards first down,
three or four yards second down, then you get third
and short. Gives you a lot of options and the
defense can't like kee up on you.
Speaker 2 (42:54):
You know what I'm saying, No, exactly, I completely agree
with you too, Jerry, Thank you so much for a
giving a some time today. Enjoy your day up at
training camp.
Speaker 5 (43:03):
Okay, top, thanks Amelia for having me there.
Speaker 2 (43:05):
He goes Jerry Moon Mall and Steelers' Hall of Honor member,
four time Super Bowl champion on the offensive line for
the Steelers. Good stuff from him there. Yeah, I mean
it's funny, you know, ask him about you switching positions
on the offensive line, and you know how difficult that
can be. Oh, it just came easy to me, you know.
I just go out and drink beers with people and
show up and play football. How hard can it be?
(43:29):
Hopefully it's as easy for Broderick Jones and Troy Fotanu.
If Jones gets bumped over to the left side and
Fotani throws on is thrown in at right tackle this year,
hopefully they pick up that change pretty smoothly. That's gonna
do it for us today on the show, We're gonna
hand it off to training Camp Live. Steelers practice is
about seven minutes from getting underway. Day twelve of practice
(43:52):
at Saint Vincent College. Starting to turn their eye towards
the Houston Texans, can expect tomorrow's practice to be pad
lists as they have a game on Friday. No Russ Wilson,
no Minka Fitzpatrick, no Patrick Queen, no t J. Watt,
no Isaac Cmalu, no Cam Hayward, and no Alex high
Smith for that first preseason game. Tomlan shared that with
(44:14):
us at his press conference earlier today, and expect to
see a couple of series with the first team units.
Expect justin fields to get a couple of series at
first team quarterback Mike Persuda and Max Starks will take
over from here. Training Camp Live following Steelers practice today
(44:36):
at Saint Vincent College. It's on the way next on
Steelers Nation Radio
This is the Training Camp Report with Tom Opferman and
Bob Labriola on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Just Tom Opferman with you today on the Training Camp Report.
Labs is extremely busy. He's an extremely busy guy. And
it's really unfortunate too because in just a little bit,
we're gonna go over the first official depth chart that
was released by Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and
that's like Christmas Morning for Labs. It's his favorite thing
to do every year is to parse through this depth
chart like it's the Declaration of Independence. So I'll have
(00:35):
to do that without him in just a couple of minutes.
Mike Tomlin did just speak to the media, delivered his
press conference prior to the Steelers first preseason game against
the Houston Texans on Friday. If you miss that, we
carried it for you. Some things that you need to know.
There will be seven guys that will not be playing
in this preseason game. They are Russell Wilson, Minka Fitzpatrick, Patrick, Queen, TJ. Watt,
(01:00):
Isaac Ciamalu, Cam Hayward, and Alex Highsmith. I know Russell
Wilson in that calf has been of great concern for
a lot of Steelers fans, but none of these guys
are injury related. According to Mike Tomlin, They're just veterans
that don't really need the ramp up that other people
will need to be ready for the regular season. So
(01:22):
they get to wear baseball caps and shorts and sweatshirts
on the sideline on Friday night and maybe cause play
a little coaching, and some guys behind them on the
depth chart will get an opportunity in their place. As
far as the first team is concerned, that'll obviously be
headed up by Justin Fields at quarterback. Mike Tomlin's saying
(01:42):
that he expects them to get a couple of series,
so I maybe expect them to play a quarter don't
expect him to play much longer than that. Don't think
you'll see Justin Fields for a half of football or
anything to that nature. I'm gonna see a lot of
Kyle Allen, gonna see a lot of John Rees play
in this first preseason game. One thing that I'm really
(02:04):
looking forward to Tom and talked about it a little
bit there is seeing the new kickoff rule at the
NFL level up close and personal. We obviously have a
ton of film from the USFL. If you listen to
our training camp report in the past couple of days,
we played a clip from Tom and saying, yeah, even
ran some simulations on Madden to see how this new
kickoff rule is going to look. But now the Steelers
get to put actual film together for themselves to examine
(02:28):
and see where they're at with that. And you know,
I talked to Labs yesterday on the show about that
new kickoff rule and he's saying, you know, they're not
really practicing it as much as you might think they
would be. So I think, you know, these preseason games,
the joint practice that's coming up with the Buffalo Bills,
I bet those are the opportunities that the coaching staff
sees to really, you know, hammer down this new rule,
(02:52):
this new format, and try to make the best out
of it. A big factor in the Steelers side of
the new kickoff rule, too, is the health of Cordell
Patterson non injury related list to start the training camp.
Still not activated from that list, but you know, this
is a guy who might not be in the NFL
right now if it weren't for this new kickoff rule change.
Definitely towards the back nine of his round as an
(03:16):
NFL player. Has had a tremendous career as a kick
and punt returner, and I think with these new rules
in place, the Steelers were smart to go out get
an all time great at that one specific thing and
try to see if he can give it a go
for at least one more year for them and be
an effective kick returner. But haven't been able to see
(03:39):
that yet because, like I said, Cordell Patterson has been
dealing with a non football related injury to start camp.
Know Russell Wilson on Friday, you heard Mike Tomlin say that,
but you did get your first taste of Russell Wilson
with the first team offense at practice yesterday. Him and
Justin Fields split the first team reps and seven shots.
(04:00):
It was Russell Wilson's first for a into that drill.
They split the first four snaps of the drill and
Wilson handed the Balltonnajie Harris for a touchdown on his
first play, and he threw a pretty fade to George
Pickens for another score on his second. Then Justin Fields
came in for a couple plays. He was ruled who
(04:21):
have been stopped on a read option play, and then
his pass for Pickens was tipped and then intercepted by
safety Deshaun Elliott. So Russell Wilson having the better of
the day between those two and seven shots. Then Kyle
Allen came in to finish things up for the offense.
The defense was able to win four to two three
get another win under their belt. It's another second straight
(04:43):
win and second straight win with the Pads on so
defense hopefully turning a corner there when it comes to
the seven shots drill. Another big thing that Labs noted
in his practice report. Will we'll speak vicariously through his
practice report if Labs can't be here himself. Number one
pick Ty Fatanu had some snaps at right tackle with
the first team offense. Well, Dan Moore Junior and Broderick
(05:06):
Jones split the snaps at left tackle, So people were
maybe a little bit excited about that prospect. And you know,
we're starting to get ready for an actual game now
with the Texans coming to town on Friday, Sprinkling and
Fatano at that right side, Proderck Jones going to the left, Oh,
what's happening? Well, the depth chart did also come out
(05:27):
yesterday and there were no surprises. At least there shouldn't
be any surprises because aside from yesterday's work of Fatano
on the right side, we know who the starting five
are going to be, at least initially, and that's exactly
how the depth chart played out. You got Dan Moore
Junior at left tackle, Isaac Camalo at left guard, Nate
Herbig att center, James Daniels at right guard, and Broderick
(05:48):
Jones at right tackle. So expect that minus Isaac Camalo
to be your first team offensive line Friday night at
Akrosher Stadium, tom One mentioning he's giving Isaac Camalo that
kind of veterans day off, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson. Who
knows who's gonna slide in and be thrown into that
fire with the first team offense. Then you have to
(06:10):
wait to see Zach Fraser and Troy Fatanu jump in
with the second team. No surprises elsewhere either on the
depth chart. Russell Wilson in front of Justin Fields at
QB one. You heard Tomlin in the press conference asked
about is Russ still in pole position? That question following
(06:31):
Tomlin confirming that it is very much a competition, and
Tomlin referenced this depth chart saying it is very much real.
So Russell Wilson still QB one for the Steelers, justin
fields two Kyle All and three John Reyes Plumbley. Of
course at four your top three wide receivers, you got
George Pickens and Van Jefferson, with Calvin Austen the third
(06:52):
kind of in that slot receiver spot. Then one tick
below them on the depth charts Watkins and Dez Fitzpatrick
on the outside with Wilson in that slot position spot.
Roman Wilson no boot on him yesterday or in practice,
didn't have pads on, but that's a step in the
right direction for him. Hopefully that the rookie. Hopefully the
(07:13):
rookie can come back and contribute by week one. Defensively,
you know, no surprises again. Cameron Hayward, County Vet and Ogunjobi.
That's your d line TG Watt, Queen Roberts, Heismiths, your linebackers.
Joey Porter Junior, Mike Fitzpatrick, Deshaun Elliot and Dante Jackson
make up your secondary Beanie. Bishop Junior did slide in
(07:36):
to first team. Nickel corner ahead of Graylon Arnold. That's
a nice position battle to keep an eye on through camp.
And of course Cameron Sutton slot's in at third string
in the nickel cornerback spot. He'll be dealing with an
eight game suspension to start the season. So it's really
at least based on the roster they have now the
guys that they have now up to Beanie Bishop slash
(07:59):
Graylan Erald to take that spot and run with it
for the first half of the season. Coach Tomlin speaks
to the media following practice each and every single day.
Here are his thoughts following yesterday's practice.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
I really like the spirit that they brought to the
work today coming off of an off day, and that's
really kind of been a point of emphasis for us.
We can't waste time. The days are precious. We can't
waste time on the front end of off days. We
can't waste time on the back end of off days.
I like the attention and the urgency that they brought
on Sunday and it continued today, and so it's those
are good signs. We got a laundry list of training camp,
(08:34):
like you know, injuries and so forth. Tyler Murray's gotta growing,
Alex Hospice's gotta growing, Nate uh Nate Medal's got a
handy Leal had something happen. But it's that time of year,
it's the dog days of summer. We'll we'll get through it.
One man's misfortunes is another man's opportunity is gonna create
(08:56):
some short lines and instances and guys gonna really happen
opportunity to put their conditioning on display or work on it.
But it's a component of the process. We'll keep rolling
this ball out and growing. I'll pause and opening up
for questions, Mike.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
What did you want to Darl Russ's seven shots press today?
Speaker 3 (09:13):
You know, I thought he did a good job. I
thought they all did a good job. As I mentioned,
we didn't warm up to the action.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Mike. We've seen out of Justin Bing's you teen for
a few weeks.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
Now getting out of chievement.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
What's the biggest need to growing?
Speaker 3 (09:25):
You know, I think we're still writing that story. I
like the attention that he brings to the things that
we're trying to get done. He's really been focused on
his lower body in the pocket, for example, He's done
a nice job of that. But we got a lot
of ongoing projects, things that we're focused on in terms
of getting better, and he's doing a nice job of it.
Speaker 5 (09:40):
How about by a job, have you know that? Jack?
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Give me backing off, back and back.
Speaker 5 (09:51):
Until you.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Know, I think it just comes with the quarterback position particulation.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
You guys talking.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
You know, it's just we're getting close to stepping into
a stadium, and so you know, we got to get
more football like things, some transitions, if you will, And
so yeah, we did some of that today, transitioning from
offense and defense to special teams. We just don't want to,
you know, be a sloppy unit come Friday night, and
so we'll keep doing some of those things as we
pushed closer toward game time.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Mike, you mentioned the holding roughs out as long as
it was about creating short term misery for him, Gigaz
says he's less misserable getting more chi reps.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
I'll let him speak for himself in that regard. But again,
it was about just, you know, not taking steps backwards
as we move forward.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
Coach Tomlin, speaking with the media following yesterday's practice at
Saint Vincent College. A couple of other notes slash observations
that LABS made that I want to share with you
from yesterday's practice. A couple of veterans who were signed
after rookie Mini Camp having some good camps. Running back
Jonathan Ward, LABS notes that he continues to show flashes
as part of the group at the position, competing behind
(10:57):
Harris and Jalen Warren, who are obviously one and two
at the running back spot. On one play during eleven
on eleven, Ward took the handoff and hit a seam
in the defense over right guard, and then when he
got into the second level, he ran away from the
pursuit and completed the play for a long touchdown. So
showing that breakaway speed is Jonathan Ward and then the
other guy, cornerback Anthony Averett, another veteran signed after attending
(11:19):
rookie Mini camp on a tryout basis. He made a
couple of plays in the secondary yesterday. Intercepted a pass
off a deflection by cornerback Corey Trice, and on the
second he was in tight coverage and got his hand
in to knock the ball away before the receiver could
secure it. LABS also did notes so when we talked
about Corderrell Patterson and how he is still not available
(11:40):
to the team yet with that non football related injury
hamstring issue. He did do a bit of running on
the side field yesterday part of some ongoing rehabilitation for
Corderyo Patterson, So hopefully you see him sooner rather than later.
Would really like to see him up to speed and
returning kicks in Atlanta Week one for the Steelers. I
(12:02):
think that is a X factor or has the potential
to be an X factor for this team. And you know,
I've seen just the Hall of Fame game so far
for an NFL example of the kickoff rule, but it
didn't look pretty. It didn't look like there was much
room to run, and I was curious if it was
going to be more open and you'll see bigger returns
(12:23):
or if you kind of just will have a bottleneck
happen and returns will be just as boring as they
kind of have been for the past couple of years.
But Cordell Patterson's a good person to take a shot
at and see if you can kind of have an
advantage that other teams don't by bringing in an all
time great at that position. Laundry list of camp injuries
(12:46):
that Tomlin went over. Tyler Murray has a groin, Alex
Heismith has a groin. HeiG Smith won't even play on
Friday against the Houston Texans. Nate Meters has a hamstring
and to Marvin Leal as Tomlin, Pudden had something happen
and dog days of summer though, like he said, it's
only natural and they've labs and I have noted this
a lot on the training camp report. They've been relatively
(13:08):
lucky when it comes to the injury front so far. Yeah,
I know. Russell Wilson got hurt during the conditioning test
on moven Day and he has been limited but starting
to get his toe in the water when it comes
to team activities just yesterday and expect that to continue today. Obviously,
his calf has been a thing, and Roman Wilson I think,
(13:29):
being the big one with his ankle injury. But as
I mentioned, the boot has come off from Roman Wilson.
No update from Tomlin yesterday about him, but we'll keep
an eye on him. Don't expect to see him playing
on Friday. But hey, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he is
in pads today, practices tomorrow and he's ready to go
for a Friday's game. And I hope that's the case
(13:49):
for him, because not only does he have an opportunity
here with there being some you know, less than stellar
options for the Steelers to put it kindly at that
wide receiver too, at that wide receiver three spot, Roman
Wilson has a chance to state claim to that. But
he's also a rookie in the NFL. You know, I know,
he played at Michigan. That's big time football. He won
(14:12):
a national championship last year. But it's still an increase
in the level of play that's pretty drastic going from
college to the pros. So I want to see him
get out there on the field against a different colored
uniform as fast as he possibly can. But if not,
it still looks like things are trending in the right
direction for Roman Wilson. When I come back, Labs and
(14:33):
I were joined by Will Allen yesterday. It was just
a great interview, so thought i'd play that back for
you to enjoy. We'll also hear from Zach Fraser a
little bit later on in the show, and Jerry Moonmullins
is expected to join us at around ten to fifteen.
That's all on the way on the Training Camp Report
on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
This SE's the Training Camp Report with Tom Opferman and
Bob Laber on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
Tom Offerman riding solo today, no labs, doing more important stuff,
hanging out with Mike Tomin. I'm extremely jealous, but that
means we don't get meteorologists labs, so I'll have to
put on the meteorology hat. Meteorologist hat. I don't know
how that works. It looks like a pretty good day
up at Saint Fancin College. I'll just leave it at that.
Seventy four degrees right now. By the time practice starts,
(15:27):
looks like it's just going to be like seventy six.
Won't break eighty until the Steelers are off the practice field.
Looks like there's a little bit of rain later on
this afternoon, of no concern to the Pittsburgh Steelers or
the patrons that are going up to Saint Fncent College
to witness practice today. They'll be four beers deep at
Sharky's by the time the rain is supposed to hit.
So good news on the weather front. If you're headed
(15:49):
up to chuck Nolefield to witness practice today, keep on
going and enjoy yourself. It'll be a great day and
a little bit more mild temperature wise than it has
been in recent days, so perfect early morning into afternoon
to be spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yesterday, Will Allen
(16:10):
spent a few minutes with LABS and myself. We've really
loved having Steelers alumni join us on the training camp
report throughout training camp and Will was just outstanding, so
I thought we would play back in case you missed it.
What Will Ellen had to say on yesterday's program, Well, well,
like I said, we really appreciate you giving us the
time today. You know, just what your thoughts being back
(16:32):
on campus for training camp, you know, taking it in. Yeah,
you know, I'm sure you had a great experience as
a player, but what's it like coming back as an alumni.
Speaker 6 (16:41):
It's fantastic to be around all the fans, to get
the love from them, don't recalling the play that you
had and the teams you were on, and just those
magical moments. And then you know, coming out during the
middle of the week, you know, with their kids and
their families, just to you know, be a part of
Steeler name. And it's just fantastic to be out. You
(17:03):
got to always just be grateful for that. And you know,
and I'm excited to see the guys like I haven't
seen them up close in physical and training camp is
where the rubber meets the road, so you know, seeing
who's competing for those roster spots, especially with limited limited
preseason games, you got to earn your keep in these
(17:23):
dog days. And you know, you're in a thicker camp
right now. When guys are a little tired, you get
a couple of injuries, you know, your legs are kind
of numb. You know, it'd be interesting to see now
who's separating themselves and who's being consistent and who's performing
at a high level. So it's a lot of fun
and I'm excited to go see it and watch.
Speaker 4 (17:43):
Well.
Speaker 7 (17:43):
For all but one of your seasons with the Steelers
as a safety, tick Lebo was the defensive coordinator, and
on July twenty seventh, the first week of this training camp,
he was announced that he was elected to the Steelers
Hall of Honor as part of the Class of twenty
twenty four. Or tell us a little bit about your
experience playing for Dick Lebo.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
Well.
Speaker 6 (18:05):
First, he's a buck guy, you know, and he's a
national champion. He's a national champion buck guy as well.
But man, he you know, playing for him, you know,
I didn't. I didn't get the privilege uh to win
a super Bowl with him, but I did get the
privilege of being coached under him. And I mean he
was He loved you. He told you straight up how
(18:26):
you needed to get better. And every day he came
in with a positive attitude, which was contagious amongst the
defense and amongst the team. You knew he was gonna
work as hard as he could and to put you
in the best position and give you the best information
to excel on the field. And he genuinely cared about you.
And and that's what you want out of a coach,
(18:46):
you know, one one that's gonna care about you, one
is going to really take take his responsibility as a
defensive coordinator, UH to hard and do what's best for
the team. And he he lived it every day and
he just taught me a lot. I would just walk
into his office and we would talk about schemes, we
would talk about, you know, ways to get better. We
(19:07):
would just talk about old Buckeye stories, growing up in Ohio. So, uh,
he was a personable guy, you know, a guy who
you can always rely on, but also with you know,
shoot it to you straight. So yeah, it's exciting to
see him going to the you know, the Hall of
Fame here for the Steelers, and I'm excited and to
(19:27):
see him do it, and he deserves it. And he's
one of the greats, the greats ever to coach the
game and also to play in the game. So you know,
you can't forget he almost got sixty interceptions, I think,
or did he get more than sixty somewhere around.
Speaker 4 (19:39):
That sixty two sixty two.
Speaker 6 (19:41):
Yeah, he got sixty two interceptions. Man, he got sixty
two interceptions when they were running the ball a lot.
So that tells you a lot about his skills and
his athletic ability. So, you know, Dick Lebo is one
of the one of the best and greatest of all time.
Speaker 7 (19:55):
You know, it's funny that you mentioned right off the
thought that he's a buck Eye, because Dick Lebo was
very proud of that, and he was willing to tell
you that he was a buck guy, whether you were
a Buck Eye fan or sometimes.
Speaker 4 (20:06):
He enjoyed telling you that he was a buck guy if.
Speaker 7 (20:08):
You were not a Buck Eye fan, but one of
the traditions associated with him a long long time. With
the Steelers, he always recited, uh, twas the night before
Christmas to the team, What was it like being in
there for that?
Speaker 6 (20:25):
It was magical and you had to be there. You know,
It's one of those things where uh he told the
story with such you know, such just prestige better than
you could hear it on a TV or radio or
your parents could tell you. But you know, the way
the way that he described it, he didn't miss a beat,
(20:45):
and you know, he just it just was a great
moment for the guys every year, and you never get
tired of it. And you know, I could, I could
hear him do it right now if he did it
in the middle of the summer, still be It's still
be great.
Speaker 7 (20:59):
You know, during your in a whole career, you played
for three teams, Tampa, Dallas and then the Steelers. Was
playing for the Steelers different than it was for those
other two franchises?
Speaker 4 (21:10):
And if it was, how was it different?
Speaker 6 (21:13):
Yeah? I think every franchise is different, to be honest
with you. You know, every chance franchise has his own
culture and belief system, and you know, hopefully that's driven
by the players. But I played with some Hall of
Fame guys down in Tampa, Hall of Fame coaches, uh,
you know, Mike Tomlin being one of them. He was
my secondary coach and got to meet some fantastic people
(21:34):
that you know, helped me in my career. We obviously
had our ups and downs of having losing seasons, but
you know, that was the groundwork for me to have
a twelve year career, to build the foundation on how
to be a good ball player in this NFL, uh,
you know, and and and established myself. So you know,
it was some good that came out of Tampa. Obviously,
(21:57):
I was I was very blessed to come here to
the Steelers, and you know, I think being at the
Steelers was just it was a different level of connection,
a different level of mentality and play all around on
a consistent basis that I just really just drew to.
It just was attracted to and connected with. And I
(22:17):
think it started with ownership, you know, being able to
talk to mister Rooney, you know, and and and have
a relationship with him, and you know, and have a
relationship with Mike Tomlin and you know, every and all
the players. It just makes this place very special for
the Pittsburgh Steelers. And uh, you know, I enjoy and
that's why I'm back here a training camp and willing
(22:38):
to do what I can to support the organization. And
and Pittsburgh is now home for me. So you know,
every every place has this pros and cons. Nothing is perfect,
but may not thoroughly enjoyed my time being a Pittsburgh Steeler.
Speaker 4 (22:51):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (22:51):
While you were still a player, you created the Will
Allen Foundation, and that foundation has a stated goal of
inspiring youth and underresourced communities to succeed by providing necessary tools.
How did you come about starting your foundation and why
did you choose that as the focus of it.
Speaker 6 (23:14):
That's a really good question, and thank you for asking that.
You know, I was, I was. I got drafted in
NFL and didn't know how to buy a house. You know,
I didn't know how to manage my finances. I didn't
know a lot about being an adult. And I think
a lot of adults don't know how to be adults.
They just have that title and age associated with it.
(23:34):
And so I said, well, what's the problem here? Like,
you know, if I'm going through high school, I go
through college, I get my first job or I get
my second job, and I'm about twenty five years old, Like,
how am I going to start my life? I need
some tools, I need some resources, I need some support.
I need to be able to draw and experiences to
help me in moments in life. And so I thought
(23:56):
that was critically important to start early to create career paths,
the ways for young people to help them think differently.
And again, what tools do you have in your toolbox?
Let's let's get some tools for them to utilize when
the moment comes, they can they can they can draw from.
So that was the whole premise early on in Tampa
in two thousand and six, you know, working at you know,
(24:18):
three different high schools, and one of my former teammates,
Dereck Derren Brooks, who.
Speaker 4 (24:21):
I love dearly.
Speaker 6 (24:22):
You know, he started a school, Brooks, the Barlow Academy,
and you know, we working in his school, were working
at King High School, and now you know, we're working
in schools in Pittsburgh. So at one point we're at
we're in three states, and now we're working primarily in
southwestern Pennsylvania, you know, collaboratively with business, the business community
and the nonprofit community. And you know, people can find
(24:44):
out more I Will Alanfoundation dot org or you can
go to my Twitter, you know, Will Allen w AF
or my Instagram and it have a bunch of information
on how you can support or even you know, if
you want to just learn more about what we're doing.
But you know, the whole thing is how do we
get younger people to start thinking more about in their
(25:05):
futures and how to you know, and giving them tools
and resources so they can be ready and prepared. And
I think that's that's the big mission and big premise
about it and how we you know, look at the
communities that we serve and continue to help people. And
it's been a lot of fun. You know, we've been
doing this since two thousand and six, and you know,
Pittsburgh has embraced us and we were going to continue
(25:26):
to do the work.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
Great stuff from former Steelers defensive back Will Allen when
he joined Labs and myself on this show yesterday, looking
forward to Jerry Muonmullins, Steelers Hall of Honor member joining
me a little bit later on today around ten fifteen
before we get to break though. You know, the defensive backs,
the secondary, you know, that's a point of intrigue for
the Steelers this year as well. New faces on that
(25:49):
in that unit that are going to be playing a
significant role. The top two guys are the same, Mika
Fitzpatrick and Joey Porter Junior, but Dante Jackson who the
Steelers got in return for Deontay Johnson in that trade
in the off season, and Deshaun Elliott free agent signing
by the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'm excited to see how those
two kind of stick in. Deshaun Elliott, you know, hopefully heal,
(26:12):
and not only Deshaun Elliott in the secondary, Patrick Queen
at Landon Roberts, Peyton Wilson. Those guys kind of allow
Mica Fitzpatrick the freedom to play that Menca ball that
you've heard him talk about throughout this offseason, getting back
to Meca ball again. Hopefully health is okay for Maca too.
That was a big problem with him last year. But
(26:33):
I'm excited to see how those new pieces stick in
when it comes to the secondary. You'll see them outside
of Meca Fitzpatrick on Friday against the Houston Texans. Minco
will not be playing, but you'll see Joey, you'll see
Donta Jackson, you'll see Deshaun Elliott. So really excited to
get our first look at Elliott in the Steelers uniform,
(26:54):
Donta Jackson in the Steelers uniform. And how could you
not be excited about the potential of Joey Porter Junior
and him hopefully taking that next giant leap into superstardom
in this his second year of the NFL. He already
proved last year as a rookie that he's the type
of corner that can cover other team's top wide receivers.
He can follow the premier talents no matter where they
(27:17):
line up on the field and take them out of
the game, so valuable in today's NFL such a pass
heavy league. Wide receivers are better than they ever have been, stronger,
more physical, faster, and Joey Porter Junior is a very physical, tall,
fast corner himself. So really excited to see the second
year progress made by Joey Porter Junior. And we'll get
(27:41):
our first glimpse of that on Friday night against the
Houston Texans when we come back. Zach Fraser caught up
with the media following practice yesterday. We'll hear from the Steelers'
second round pick center out of West Virginia and talk
a little bit about the offensive line before we welcome
Jerry Mullins onto the program. That's all the Way on
the Training Camp Report on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
This SE's the Training Camp Report with Tom Opperman and
Bob Labriola on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
No labs today on the Training Camp Report. Just an
extra helping of Tom. You know, the offensive line and
the rookies have obviously been a big topic up discussion
throughout this offseason, and Steelers used a first round pick
last year on Roger Jones, and then in this year's
draft they use a first round pick on Troy Fotanu,
second round pick on Zach Frasier. So they are committing
(28:38):
draft capital and premier draft picks to rebuilding that offensive line,
and I'm all for it. You know, that's where you
win these games in the trenches, just ask Wolf Starks
or anybody. But you want to also see them play
right away, I think is what a lot of the
fans were hoping for, and last year you didn't see
(29:00):
with Broderick Jones, he eventually does work himself on the field,
so planning troops of corps for taken over that right
tackle spot, he was great. I don't think that I'm
you know, being a little too high in my praise
by saying he's great. He did a great job for
a rookie last year when he was tesked to be
(29:20):
that right tackle and running the ball on the right
side of the line paid off big time for the
Pittsburgh Steelers once Jones was inserted. You know, this year,
I think people saw that Fraser and faltonou have a
lot more college starting experience than Jones did when he
came out of Georgia last year, and there was a
lot of hope that they wouldn't take as long to
(29:42):
crack into the starting lineup. And I'm guilty of thinking
that Fraser might even just crack into the starting lineup
right away. And that has not been the case. And
we really should not be surprised by it, because this
is kind of the way that the Steelers have operated
in the past. But Nate Herbig is your center on
the first team and Dan Moore Junior is your left
(30:02):
tackle on the first team as of right now, that's
according to the first official depth chart that was released
by Mike Tomlin and the Steelers yesterday. Now is the
timeline for Fraser to get in over her Big, for
Tondo to get in over more, or for Proderick Jones
to slide to the left side and Fatna to start
it right? Is the timeline going to be shorter than
(30:23):
it was for waiting for Proderick Jones to get in.
I think that still has a pretty good chance. You
heard coach Tomlin in his press conference today say that
you know, the things that you can find out in
a stadium, he weighs more than the things that you've
been finding out in practices outside of a stadium. You
can't really simulate that game experience until you're actually within
(30:44):
a game. So maybe those two Fatano and Fraser can
make some big strides on Friday at Akroscher Stadium. But
I really wouldn't hold your breath right now to have
either one of those two guys in the starting line
up come Week one against Atlanta. It looks like they're
comfortable with her Big. I can't imagine they keep giving
(31:05):
him first team reps. Now, what a week and a
half into training camp, were approaching day twelve of training
camp practice in just about twenty six minutes. Here. Can't
imagine he'd still be getting a lot of run with
the first team if it was solely just in a
make the rookie earn it kind of way. There's something
there that they like. Tomlin was asked about her big
in his press conference and his starting experience at the position,
(31:29):
and he said, you know, he thinks that he has
adequate starting experience at center on other teams, more so
than Fraser does at the NFL level. So that was
kind of the one that I looked at, kind of
turned my head to the side, you know, like the
confused dog like whoo, and wondered why they were doing it.
I initially thought it was just performance are to say
(31:54):
the least, and just a way of making Fraser think, Hey,
just because you're the same and round Pick, you're the
West Virginia boy, you come right up the road to
the Pittsburgh Steelers. You're you're not starting center day one.
You have to earn it. And I'm all for that,
you know, even if it is just a performance. But
I if that's the way that Tomlin goes about his business,
(32:15):
if that's the way that he finds that he can
get the best out of young players is by presenting
them with that competition. Then who am I to question it?
And he knows more about football than I'll ever dream
of knowing, so you know that. But to me, that
was the only one that was a little bit surprising.
And again it's apparent to me that her BIG's play
(32:37):
is also the reason why he still finds himself with
the first team at the center position. But Zach Frasier
hopefully cracking into that lineup sooner than later for himself,
spoke to the media following practice on Tuesday. Here's what
the Steelers second round pick for West Virginia had to say.
It's kind of funny. You finished college, you graduate, you
(32:58):
go to the pros.
Speaker 6 (32:59):
Now you're back doors.
Speaker 8 (33:01):
Yeah, yeah, it's a it's definitely a different experience. Like
in college. I never we never went anywhere for camp,
but uh, I've actually enjoyed it. It's pretty cool. You know,
when you're here, it's just football. That's all you have
to think about. You don't have anything else to worry about.
So I really like that part of it.
Speaker 5 (33:19):
Lined up.
Speaker 8 (33:19):
What's that?
Speaker 5 (33:23):
What's that? Oh?
Speaker 8 (33:24):
No, it just happened. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that was Zach.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
How much you've been thinking about Friday and that first
opportunity and it's a stadium for the Steelers.
Speaker 8 (33:36):
Yeah, I mean that's it's everything you dream about, you know.
I just can't wait for that dream to become reality.
And I can't wait to hit someone different too. So
just looking forward to Friday.
Speaker 9 (33:50):
What's your comfort level with the offense?
Speaker 8 (33:52):
I feel pretty comfortable. Like I said earlier, I just
feel like every day I get out here, I feel
more and more comfortable, more and more in command. I
just feel better every day i'm out here. So it's
just about getting reps from me. Has your family been
able to come up, Yeah, they came up a good bit.
It's an easy drive for the YEP.
Speaker 4 (34:11):
What are you looking to prove on product?
Speaker 8 (34:13):
What's that?
Speaker 4 (34:13):
What are you looking to prove on product?
Speaker 8 (34:15):
Play as hard as I can. That's all that's all
I can do. So, Yeah, you pay attention to all
the witch group you're working with, whether it's two's mostly,
whether you can move up in the ones, does that
matter to you?
Speaker 5 (34:24):
Do that you get?
Speaker 8 (34:25):
I just do my job, Yeah, Let just do my
job and play as hard as I can, and everything
will take care of itself.
Speaker 9 (34:31):
Seen you pull a little bit, put a couple of
guys in the ground. Is that is that the the
kind of highlight reel?
Speaker 3 (34:36):
Like?
Speaker 9 (34:36):
Is that is that the one you go back and
maybe watch two or three times instead of just once
the next day?
Speaker 5 (34:41):
Get one?
Speaker 8 (34:42):
I don't know. I just I don't know. I like
pull in. I did it a good bit in college.
So any chance I get to, you know, run in space,
I like to. Yeah, so what I can do?
Speaker 5 (34:52):
So, rookie, are.
Speaker 9 (34:53):
You like, are you happier with the highs or are
you more frustrated with the mistakes?
Speaker 4 (34:58):
Like?
Speaker 9 (34:58):
How do you kind of found?
Speaker 3 (35:00):
I don't.
Speaker 8 (35:00):
I don't really. I don't really look at like good
plays really. I just try to try to fix the
bad ones and try to be really critical of of
myself and just try to improve as much as I can.
What areas do you feel like you have improved for
the last couple of weeks? I would say just feeding control,
get in control of the huddle, knowing what everyone has
(35:22):
to do, like just being more comfortable and office. That's
what I say.
Speaker 9 (35:25):
Yeah, Zach, you guys at what's Uginia?
Speaker 8 (35:27):
We're together for so long on the line. What's it
like having to kind of reacquaint yourself with with all
new guys? You know, it's uh, I don't know. It's
just different coming coming from college to the NFL, so
definitely different. But everyone's been great. They're great to work
with and like I said earlier, we're together all day,
(35:48):
so you get to know each other pretty quick.
Speaker 4 (35:52):
Have you been for your feeling pride?
Speaker 8 (35:53):
Zach can imagine this moment you know means a lot
to Yeah, I mean I can't wait to, you know,
put on the uniform and go out there and play
and represent the Steelers. So I can't I can't wait.
Speaker 2 (36:06):
Yeah, I'm sure it's an exciting day for Zach Fraser
on Friday, getting to run out of that tunnel and
getting to be a Pittsburgh Steeler officially for the first time.
Great stuff from him there. It looks saying all the
right things. He's ready to accept whatever role he has
and he'll just look on getting better at each and
every day.
Speaker 4 (36:24):
You know.
Speaker 2 (36:24):
That's kind of the guy that he was out of
West Virginia. That's what all the scouts said that you're
going to get a hard worker, You're going to get
a no nonsense attitude kind of guy, and so far
that has been on display from young Zach Fraser. When
we come back, we're going to be joined by Steelers'
Hall of Honor member Jerry Moon Mallins, former offensive lineman,
four time Super Bowl champion. Excited to chat with him
(36:45):
to wrap up today's training camp report on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 1 (36:52):
This SE's no training camp report with Tom Opperman and
Bob Labriola on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 4 (37:00):
Today.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
So I'm riding solo, but I'm very pleased to be
joined now by Steelers Hall of Honor member former offensive
lineman Jerry Moon mall And Jerry, thank you so much
for giving me some time. Really appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (37:11):
Thank you, Tom.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Well, you know you're up at camp now.
Speaker 4 (37:15):
Jerry.
Speaker 2 (37:16):
I'm sure that brings back a lot of memories from
your playing days. Can you just kind of speak about
your experiences at Saint Vincent College when you were playing
in the seventies.
Speaker 5 (37:24):
I had mostly nightmares to remember Saints because in my
era it was pretty spartan existence up here, and it
was always hot and humid, and we had two day
practices two and a half three hours each and full
speed and pads, and we weren't a lot of fond memories, to.
Speaker 2 (37:48):
Be honest with you. So you're saying this, Steelers players
today got it just a little bit easier than you
guys did.
Speaker 3 (37:54):
Just a chat.
Speaker 2 (37:56):
Well, you know the Steelers this year, Jerry, they're gonna
want to run the ball a lot. And that's something
you guys in the seventies were used to a lot.
You helped pave the way for Franco Harris, for Rocky Blier.
How fun is that for an offensive lineman. Do you
guys prefer run blocking as opposed to pass blocking?
Speaker 5 (38:13):
Yeah? I think you know, if you can run the ball,
that makes the passing game a lot easier. If you're
forced to pass, it gives the advantage of the defensive line.
So obviously the number one priorities to run the ball.
And you know a lot of bad things can happen
when you throw out, like interceptions and things like that.
(38:36):
So yeah, we took a lot of pride in trying
to run the football.
Speaker 2 (38:42):
Now, you played at different positions on the offensive line.
You know, you play guard, play a little tackle, both
guards left and right side. How hard is that? At
the NFL level? To kind of switch positions along that line.
Speaker 5 (38:56):
It's a little bit difficult because you know, obviously you
have to do different sets on past protection. You have
to have a conscious awareness of what position you're playing.
If you're in a guard, you have somebody on either
(39:16):
side of you, whereas if you're a tackle or you know,
you have no help on your outside. I was a
right to ack, so I had no help on the
right and it's a challenge. But you know, when I
came to the Steelers for some reason, you know, the
playbook came easy for me, So it wasn't really hard
(39:37):
to play different positions. Some people have a lot more difficulty,
you know, with the learning curve than I did, and
I was fortunate in that respect.
Speaker 2 (39:48):
Well, kind of expanding on that, Jerry, why do you
think that was Why do you think you had less
of a learning curve the coaching that you received even
before you got to the Steelers, or just kind of
the way that you were wired individually.
Speaker 5 (40:01):
It could have just been our system here, I don't know,
for whatever reason. You know, when I was a rookie,
you know, all the rookies were like staying around the dorms,
you know, studying their playbook. I was out with the veterans,
you know, drinking beer after practice because I didn't have
to worry about learning to play. They just came naturally
for some reason. I don't really have an answer to
(40:24):
give you, Tomas as to why, but it was a
really blessing for me.
Speaker 1 (40:30):
Now.
Speaker 2 (40:30):
I don't know how much you've been following, Jerry, so
I don't mean to put you on the spot here,
but do you have any thoughts on this new class
of lineman Zach Frasier, Troy Fatano, even Broderick Jones from
last year you might have seen a little bit of
him play, or is today gonna kind of be your
first real look at those guys?
Speaker 5 (40:47):
Today's gonna be my first real look. I know that
there are a lot of talented people on paper, and
I think you know one thing about an offensive lineman, Tom.
Speaker 4 (40:58):
You know you have to have.
Speaker 5 (41:02):
Time to work with your fellow offensive lineman. You know,
it's it's not an individual position, it's a team position,
and it's gonna take a little bit of time to
work that out. But I'm confident that with good coaching,
you know, the talent is there. I'm looking for a
(41:23):
big improvement in the offensive line this season.
Speaker 2 (41:27):
Yeah, I think we all are. And and finally, Jerry,
you know there we mentioned this a little bit earlier
in the interview. They're going to run the ball a
lot this year. A strong offensive line is conducive in
helping that. But today's NFL, you know, it's a lot
about passing the football. Do you think a kind of
throwback team like the Steelers aspire to be can be
successful running the football and getting a lot of wins.
Speaker 5 (41:48):
If they're successful at running, they'll win a lot of games.
Mobile quarterbacks they have now with Wilson, so I think,
you know, they've got great running backs. If they if
they you know, improve it all on the offensive line,
(42:11):
that's that's gonna be a big plus because, like we
talked about earlier, if you run the football, that makes
the passing game open up a lot easier and you're
not forced to throw. It makes it very difficult if
you if you have to throw the ball and the
defense knows you have to throw the ball. So first down,
(42:34):
no game, second down, no game, third down long, you know,
that's a tough game to be successful at. You know,
you have to get four or five yards first down,
three or four yards second down, then you get third
and short. Gives you a lot of options and the
defense can't like kee up on you.
Speaker 2 (42:54):
You know what I'm saying, No, exactly, I completely agree
with you too, Jerry, Thank you so much for a
giving a some time today. Enjoy your day up at
training camp.
Speaker 5 (43:03):
Okay, top, thanks Amelia for having me there.
Speaker 2 (43:05):
He goes Jerry Moon Mall and Steelers' Hall of Honor member,
four time Super Bowl champion on the offensive line for
the Steelers. Good stuff from him there. Yeah, I mean
it's funny, you know, ask him about you switching positions
on the offensive line, and you know how difficult that
can be. Oh, it just came easy to me, you know.
I just go out and drink beers with people and
show up and play football. How hard can it be?
(43:29):
Hopefully it's as easy for Broderick Jones and Troy Fotanu.
If Jones gets bumped over to the left side and
Fotani throws on is thrown in at right tackle this year,
hopefully they pick up that change pretty smoothly. That's gonna
do it for us today on the show, We're gonna
hand it off to training Camp Live. Steelers practice is
about seven minutes from getting underway. Day twelve of practice
(43:52):
at Saint Vincent College. Starting to turn their eye towards
the Houston Texans, can expect tomorrow's practice to be pad
lists as they have a game on Friday. No Russ Wilson,
no Minka Fitzpatrick, no Patrick Queen, no t J. Watt,
no Isaac Cmalu, no Cam Hayward, and no Alex high
Smith for that first preseason game. Tomlan shared that with
(44:14):
us at his press conference earlier today, and expect to
see a couple of series with the first team units.
Expect justin fields to get a couple of series at
first team quarterback Mike Persuda and Max Starks will take
over from here. Training Camp Live following Steelers practice today
(44:36):
at Saint Vincent College. It's on the way next on
Steelers Nation Radio
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