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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

OTA final thoughts

With Bruce Gradkowski sidelined with what we learned today is a shoulder injury, the Steelers were forced to use Landry Jones Tajh Boyd and Devin Gardner at QB - a lot.

The results have not been great, though the defense has been getting a lot of interception practice.

That's bad news for Jones - or maybe not.

With none of the young quarterbacks - and Gardner is still working at wide receiver as well - standing out, Jones, who has the most experience of that group, might have the inside track at making the roster once again.

Of course, the Steelers will have a full month at training camp and five preseason games for that to sort itself out.

@ Todd Haley said today that the team will treat Le'Veon Bell at training camp as if he's going to be available in the first three games. And who knows, he still might be since the NFL has not yet heard Bell's appeal.

But it is doubtful that he'll be available in at least the first two games.

That's probably the right tactic to take since the Steelers will need to get Bell his work so he can hit the ground running - no pun intended - when his suspension is completed.

@ The Steelers continue to work extremely hard on their red zone offense and for good reason.

The team was very good at quick-strike scores in 2014. But they were just 19th in scoring touchdowns inside the red zone.

And the defense can always get better in that area.

@ If you're planning on visiting training camp this year, the team is off Tuesday July 28, Aug. 4 and Aug. 18  and Monday, Aug. 10.

The team's night practice at Latrobe High School Stadium will be Friday, July 31.

Mike Tomlin has to be on Cloud 9 knowing that he's going to have the players sequestered for a month at Saint Vincent College. He lives for that kind of thing.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Steelers struggle in the redzone because Ben still holds the ball too long. He need to anticipate and trust more.

emac2 said...

I think we've all given up on Landry developing as a QB.

Does he have any value in practice during the season? Should they find someone else or just have the third QB on the practice squad instead of the active roster

I'm hoping all those interceptions are as much about some new players and a new style of play in the defensive backfield as it is about marginal QB play.

Anonymous said...

I heard Vince Young is available..

Mfinn said...

Dale, I love you, man, but the word is "tack" not "tact." A sailing term.

datruth4life said...

Dale, give us something to chew on until training camp. How about doing a projected 53? Love the 5 preseason games this year. This D needs that.

Dale Lolley said...

Guessing the 53 at this point would be just that, guessing.

Will know more coming out of mini-camp next week, but really, not much more. You have to see them hit.

Last year at this time, Dri Archer looked like a superstar.

adamg said...

Surprised Gardner got snaps at qb, but not the other kid, Murphy.

datruth4life said...

Dale, one player to keep an eye on and file this one away - QB/WR Tyler Murphy. I know you mentioned C.J. Goodwin as a player to keep an eye in training camp, but unless he shows he's a beast on special teams, I see Goodwin landing another year on the practice squad spot at best, notwithstanding injuries. The reason why I am high on Murphy because he has the look of a dynamite big-bodied slot WR. His run skills are top-notch, though I don't know a lot about his hands thus far. You would have to think he is pretty smart having played QB (insert the Kordell Stewart joke here) but just looking at his tape and running skills reminded me of a bigger Randle-El. I know he ran a 4.6 40 at his pro day but he plays a lot faster and you don't see DB's running him down from behind. Nice wiggle at 6'2, 215 lbs. And also, his 10-yard split in the 40 was 1.51 with a 38-inch vertical. That tells me that Murphy is very explosive in short areas and can go up and get the ball. I'd like to see where he stands after a year on the practice squad learning the position. BTW, he's a much better QB and WR prospect than Gardner. When he shows something, remember the Datruth was on it first.

Patrick said...

Murphy won't make the roster and likely not even the ps