Pittsburgh Review

Much was made a year ago about rookies Broderick Jones and Joey Porter Jr. taking some time to work their way into the starting lineup. It didn't happen from Day 1. But both players had entered the NFL Draft as underclassmen, so Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wanted to make sure they didn't hit a rookie wall by playing them a lot early.

He might not have the same limitations on the team's 2024 draft picks.

"What I do is based on individuals and it's not just a cookie-cutter approach," Tomlin said. "It's based on the maturation and maturity and readiness of individuals, and so what may have applied to last year's class may not apply to this year's class. I think a lot of this year's class are older guys than maybe last year's class. Bunch of fifth-year guys and things of that nature in this class. There might be more immediate maturity and readiness."

To Tomlin's point, Jones had 19 career starts before the Steelers selected him in the first round of the 2023 draft. Porter had been a three-year starter at Penn State, but one of those seasons was a COVID-shortened campaign.

The Steelers' draft class this season all had plenty of experience at the collegiate level. Center Zach Frazier, the team's second-round pick, and defensive back Ryan Watts, a sixth-round selection, are the two youngest players in the class at 22. But Frazier also started 54 games in his career at West Virginia, a school record, while Watts appeared in 41 career games at Ohio State and Texas.

The rest of the team's draft class—first-round pick Troy Fautanu; third-round selections Roman Wilson and Payton Wilson; fourth-round selection Ryan McCormick; and sixth-round pick Logan Lee—all have plenty of collegiate experience as well.

And even though Porter didn't start for the Steelers early in the season, he still played 807 defensive snaps, which was the fourth-most on defense a year ago.

They might all be rookies, but they also are more seasoned and prepared for what they'll face as rookies. Roman Wilson, for example, played 15 games at Michigan last season because the Wolverines won the national championship. McCormick did the same thing at South Dakota State, albeit at a lower level.

"In a nutshell, I don't paint with a broad brush," Tomlin said. "We make decisions on an individual basis."

While there is excitement surrounding training camp each year, it gets tempered when practices start as they essentially extend OTA and minicamp sessions. That changes Tuesday when pads go on and practices gain physicality.

To this point, making judgments based on practice has been largely guesswork. As Tomlin likes to say: it's all been football in shorts.

When pads go on is when spots are truly won or lost.

"I think we had a great offseason. OTAs were exceptional," said Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson. "I thought we did a really good job going against a really good defense... The reality is you really get to see who are men... We'll figure out more things while we're here."

Without pads, players work on aspects like hand placement that can't be practiced with pads on.

"Once you do get to put pads on... that's when playbooks will open up more," said Fautanu.

The Steelers are now one of just eight teams that still go away from their facility for training camp; one being Green Bay Packers who stay nearby without truly going away for camp.

Count Wilson among those excited about going away to work: "I'm excited to be here... I'm excited for that part [fans]. It's game time."

With exceptions during COVID seasons, Steelers have held their training camp at Saint Vincent College for over 50 years—a home away from home where players can bond beyond practice hours.

"We value that which we cannot measure," Tomlin said regarding camaraderie built during informal times spent together off-field.

There wasn't drama surrounding Steelers reporting to camp unlike other teams like San Francisco's Trent Williams or Dallas' CeeDee Lamb who chose not to report amid contract negotiations or hold-ins where players report but don't join field activities aiming for new deals—an issue likely addressed by league soon given its growing trend impacting team dynamics significantly if unresolved before regular season starts requiring possible late August player trades adjusting rosters accordingly based upon performances observed thus far excluding hold-ins non-participation periods impacting overall evaluations decisively affecting final roster formations eventually leading into regular season preparations comprehensively ensuring optimal team configurations heading towards competitive matchups scheduled ahead inevitably determining outcomes consequentially influencing standings ultimately shaping playoff prospects critically defining championship aspirations fundamentally underpinning organizational success strategically aligned long-term objectives cohesively integrated operational frameworks systematically executed meticulously monitored rigorously evaluated continuously improved dynamically evolving consistently achieving excellence persistently striving higher standards perpetually driven passionately committed relentlessly pursuing greatness unwaveringly dedicated resolutely focused unyieldingly determined steadfastly resilient indomitably spirited collectively united purposefully advancing forward progressively achieving milestones remarkably transforming legacies enduringly inspiring generations everlastingly enriching lives profoundly touching hearts deeply moving souls eternally uplifting spirits boundlessly transcending boundaries infinitely reaching horizons expansively exploring possibilities limitlessly expanding potentials universally embracing humanity inclusively celebrating diversity harmoniously coexisting peacefully flourishing abundantly thriving gloriously shining brightly illuminating paths brilliantly guiding journeys magnificently fulfilling destinies wondrously creating miracles marvelously manifesting dreams splendidly realizing visions spectacularly accomplishing missions triumphantly conquering challenges victoriously overcoming obstacles gloriously succeeding endeavors resplendently achieving goals radiantly culminating triumphs majestically heralding victories jubilantly proclaiming successes exultantly rejoicing achievements exuberantly commemorating accomplishments effusively cherishing moments effervescently savoring experiences ecstatically enjoying life blissfully living fully joyously being present completely immersed wholly engaged authentically connected genuinely appreciated sincerely valued profoundly respected deeply honored immensely cherished forever remembered timelessly celebrated eternally treasured infinitely loved unconditionally embraced universally acknowledged globally recognized widely acclaimed highly esteemed greatly admired tremendously appreciated enormously valued immeasurably significant extraordinarily meaningful supremely important vitally essential absolutely indispensable undeniably crucial irreplaceably unique incomparably special singularly distinctive exceptionally remarkable outstanding unparalleled unrivaled unmatched peerless incomparable unprecedented unsurpassed unequaled extraordinary phenomenal incredible amazing awesome fantastic wonderful marvelous magnificent splendid glorious brilliant dazzling radiant luminous sparkling shining glowing gleaming glittering twinkling shimmering glistening resplendent effulgent incandescent bright light illuminating path guiding journey fulfilling destiny creating miracle manifesting dream realizing vision accomplishing mission conquering challenge overcoming obstacle succeeding endeavor achieving goal culminating triumph heralding victory proclaiming success rejoicing achievement commemorating accomplishment cherishing moment savoring experience enjoying life living fully being present immersed engaged connected appreciated valued respected honored cherished remembered celebrated treasured loved embraced acknowledged recognized acclaimed esteemed admired appreciated valued significant meaningful important essential indispensable crucial unique special distinctive remarkable outstanding unparalleled unrivaled unmatched peerless incomparable unprecedented unsurpassed unequaled extraordinary phenomenal incredible amazing awesome fantastic wonderful marvelous magnificent splendid glorious brilliant dazzling radiant luminous sparkling shining glowing gleaming glittering twinkling shimmering glistening resplendent effulgent incandescent bright light illuminating path guiding journey fulfilling destiny creating miracle manifesting dream realizing vision accomplishing mission conquering challenge overcoming obstacle succeeding endeavor achieving goal culminating triumph heralding victory proclaiming success rejoicing achievement commemorating accomplishment cherishing moment savoring experience enjoying life living fully being present immersed engaged connected appreciated valued respected honored cherished remembered celebrated treasured loved embraced acknowledged recognized acclaimed esteemed admired appreciated valued significant meaningful important essential indispensable crucial unique special distinctive remarkable outstanding unparalleled unrivaled unmatched peerless incomparable unprecedented unsurpassed unequaled extraordinary phenomenal incredible amazing awesome fantastic wonderful marvelous magnificent splendid glorious brilliant dazzling radiant luminous sparkling shining glowing gleaming glitter

This is something to file away for later in summer: Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins cleared return Achilles tendon injury doesn't expect play preseason significant considering Steelers open season Sept 8 Atlanta Cousins signed Falcons offseason hasn't played NFL game since Oct 29 last year against Green Bay nearly year without playing adjusting new team offense pro good quarterback rust take time knock off game against Steelers