5 Things We Learned from the Pittsburgh Steelers' OTAs
Phase 3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers' organized team activities began this week, kicking off a 10-practice stint that precedes the team's upcoming mandatory minicamp in June.
Though we're only halfway through the 10 practices, there have already been notable takeaways for the Steelers. Here are five things we've learned from Pittsburgh's OTAs thus far.
Wide Receiver Antonio Brown Is Present
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There were some offseason rumblings that Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown may choose to hold out from OTAs this year in hopes of getting a more lucrative contract. But if Brown isn't happy with his payday, he's not letting it keep him from working with his teammates. He was present and participating in the Steelers' OTAs this week.
Brown was asked by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo about his contract on Tuesday. Brown said, "It's not my business to discuss. It's singularly up to my agent. Right now, I'm trying to better my game and prepare for 2015. ... This organization has been nothing but first class to me, believing in my skills since I got here. I'm ready to pay them back with my work ethic."
Fittipaldo noted that Brown worked overtime on Tuesday with linebacker Sean Spence, so clearly Brown is not just talking the talk, but also walking the walk. Brown received a six-year, $43 million contract in 2012. Though it's clear he'd like to make even more money, he's not letting that distract him from the job at hand.
Steelers May Be More Aggressive When It Comes to 2-Point Conversions
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Surprisingly enough, the first drill of the Steelers' OTAs this week was a red-zone drill—one in which the offense was expected to score a two-point conversion.
This came as a surprise to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who said to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Mark Kaboly, "It was a little surprising knowing that we haven't put in red zone yet and they haven't put in red-zone defense yet. That's going to be a big part of the game now: teams consciously going for two or at least debating it."
Tomlin appeared to prefer that element of surprise, saying to the team prior to the drill that, "We are not going to talk about it. We are just going to do it."
Going for two may be a bigger part of the Steelers' offensive repertoire this year, with the NFL's competition committee agreeing earlier this month to move extra-point kicks to the 15-yard line, making them slightly more difficult to convert. Because it's a longer kick, teams like the Steelers may be more inclined to try for two-point conversions.
Under Tomlin, the Steelers have been successful on 10 of their 13 two-point attempts and were good on all four in 2014. The team also has the highest two-point success rate in the league dating back to 2001. Now, with even greater incentive to attempt conversions, the Steelers are clearly trying to get that part of their red-zone package installed early this year.
Antwon Blake Playing All over the Field
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Though the Steelers are likely open to giving cornerback Cortez Allen a second chance to prove himself as a starter this year, Antwon Blake looks like the team's most versatile player at the position. But he does have a preference as to where he's lined up.
Speaking with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Mark Kaboly and Chris Adamski on Wednesday, Blake said, "For the most part, I am an outside corner. I have been known to move around, but I feel like I am an outside corner, and that's what I like to do." Kaboly and Adamski noted that Blake was moved to left outside corner when the team is in the nickel package, with William Gay moving inside to the slot.
But Blake also acknowledged his versatility to Adamski, saying he feels like he's "pretty much a hybrid DB," adding that he can and will play on the outside, in the slot and sometimes as a safety, depending on the defensive package.
Blake, who was re-signed by the Steelers this offseason, looks like he will be one of the team's most intriguing defensive backs to watch this year.
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Rookie Linebacker Bud Dupree Quickly Getting Comfortable
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The Steelers selected outside linebacker Bud Dupree in Round 1 of the 2015 draft in order to boost a pass rush that totaled only 33 sacks last year. And it appears he's a quick study, which is good news for the Steelers.
Dupree discussed his OTAs experience with Steelers.com's Teresa Varley on Thursday: "The first day was kind of fast for me and the rest of the rookies, but I feel like we are adjusting well and learning the plays on the go. I think I am adjusting fast to the playbook. I know a lot of it right now, but I want to keep on learning."
Right now, Dupree is focusing on "[a]ll the fundamental things you need to learn playing football and learning the plays more precise so you don’t have to think about it while you are on the field. Just small things like that." He's also keeping a close eye on his veteran teammates.
Dupree said, "Watching guys like Deebo [James Harrison] and Jarvis [Jones] and [Arthur] Moats. All the older guys in the outside linebacker room and on the defensive line as well. It's a great experience to see how they practice, handle themselves, and me follow them."
He's also learning a lot from linebackers coach and former Steelers player Joey Porter: "Coach Joey is a great guy. He helps us a lot. He knows what it takes to be great on the field. He knows the essence of playing football. He knows when we mess up, why we messed up because he did before too. Everything we did, he already has done. That's why he can relate to us so well."
Dupree is clearly off to a good start as a rookie, though he does have a lot of work ahead of him to crack the team's starting lineup in 2015.
Shamarko Thomas Considers Troy Polamalu a Mentor
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2013 fourth-round draft pick Shamarko Thomas is the first man in line to take over for the retired Troy Polamalu's starting strong safety job. And while he knows that he is not the same as Polamalu, he frequently turns to him for help, both for his football technique and for his life outside of the game.
Thomas, who spoke with Steelers.com's Teresa Varley on Wednesday, said, "Troy taught me always do extra and have expectations higher than what others have for you. That is my mentality, come out here and do more and set myself up."
He added that Polamalu "was a father figure, a big brother and I even called him uncle. I learned a lot from him, how to be a Godly man, a family man, everything you want to be in life."
Thomas was on the field well after practice ended on Wednesday, first "running gassers," then practicing catching passes with a JUGS machine and finally heading to the locker room after everyone else.
Thomas does not want to squander his chance to start this year, saying, "I have been waiting three years for this opportunity. I am going to seize every moment and come out here and work hard with my teammates and just develop myself as a player."
Picking up work habits from Polamalu is a good move for Thomas, who played only two defensive snaps in 2014. He needs to prove that he's not just a capable player but worthy of a starting job. It's clear that he will do whatever it takes to prove that, beginning with this week's OTAs.
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