Pittsburgh Review

LATROBE, Pa. - What we learned during Week One at Saint Vincent College:

Among the most compelling questions of training camp are whether Broderick Jones will play right tackle or left tackle, whether No. 1 pick Troy Fautanu will play right tackle if Jones ends up at left tackle, and whether No. 2 pick Zach Frazier will be capable of starting at center as a rookie.

It's similar to the scenario at the outset of camp last summer when there was great speculation and anticipation regarding how long it would be before Jones, the Steelers' No. 1 pick in 2023, and cornerback Joey Porter Jr., the 32nd-overall selection, would wind up in the starting lineup.

Jones eventually made his first NFL start on Oct. 8 against Baltimore, the Steelers' fifth game of last season, as a replacement for injured left tackle Dan Moore Jr. Jones' next start occurred on Nov. 2 against Tennessee, the first of 11 consecutive starts he would make at right tackle (including the playoff loss at Buffalo).

"I feel like I started at the right time," Jones assessed. "I feel like I needed a couple weeks to actually just sit and watch and just learn and listen and take everything in before I was just able to go out there and just do what I can. I feel like me being able to sit down those first couple weeks really helped me. I really feel like it helped me hone in on my skills."

"At the end of the day I feel like it worked out for the best."

Porter started for the first time last season on Oct. 29 against Jacksonville, his seventh NFL game. He's been in the starting lineup ever since.

"I feel like I was always ready," Porter remembered. "Just that confidence I had coming in, I always thought I was ready but it worked out best how they did it."

"You know, it's a long season. It's way different from college. Just getting that as a rookie and understanding that, I feel like it was probably the best decision."

Head coach Mike Tomlin emphasized at the outset of camp there's no philosophy in place that's annually applied as to whether to slow bake high-end draft selections or place them in the microwave.

"It's not just a cookie cutter approach," Tomlin explained. "It's based on the maturation and maturity and readiness of individuals. And so what may have applied to last year's (draft) 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."

Stay tuned.

Jones insisted he would be capable of switching sides from one week to the next in-season if asked.

"Without a doubt," he announced.

Jones worked two reps at left tackle and the rest on the right side during the first practice of camp on Thursday.

During "Seven Shots" on Friday, Jones got three reps at right tackle and one at left (Fautanu was the right tackle when Jones switched sides). That might not seem like much, but to Jones such a division of labor adds up.

"Think about it, me doing one or two reps every day for five, six days a week, that's 10-12 extra reps (per week) that I'm getting," he said. "I feel like it helps me a lot. I feel like it's a big help."

To Jones, that's enough preparation for a move that's likely coming at some point.

The question is when?

"I never know," Jones continued." Coaches really probably still don't know."

General Manager Omar Khan doesn't know either.

When Khan met with media at Saint Vincent he doubled-down on his contention Jones was drafted to be a left tackle but added an asterisk.

"I'm not gonna tell you when that's gonna happen," Khan said." I'm not gonna predict when or what year."

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's reputation for favoring tight ends two or more at a time preceded him to Saint Vincent.The first practice of camp confirmed Smith arrived as advertised.

"I think majority of it was 12-,13-(personnel; two- and three-tight ends sets)," tight end Pat Freiermuth assessed." It was great to utilize all us."

One of safety DeShon Elliott's stated goals during his first training camp with Steelers is "talkin' smack to guys on offense.”

"I feel like on defense that's something they were lacking,a little bit more rowdy guy,the guy who brings that table lot,” Elliott contended." It'll be fun.”

Inside linebacker Patrick Queen who played with Elliott Baltimore in 2020 &2021 had previously announced upon signing with Steelers intended play role “villain” which presumably includes plenty talking trash.Defensive tackle Cam Heyward countered Steelers already have covered defense but added there's time place such approach

"We just wait pads,” Heyward maintained.” DeShon Pat,I don't know if they're bringing(steelers).I think they're gonna surprised when get.When you get(outside linebacker)T.J.(Watt)chirping,(free safety)Minkah(Fitzpatrick)chirping others,rowdy bunch.(Elliott)just hasn't seen because only seen OTAs far.He's not ready for that”

"There's big turn up when pads come"