Steelers: Najee Harris' latest actions will cost Pittsburgh an arm & a leg
The Pittsburgh Steelers were back in full pads on Wednesday, doubling down on a physical start to the week in Latrobe. A terrific battle between the running backs and linebackers, a dido catch from Dionate Johnson, and an area of Najee's game foreign to Steelers fans were highlights of today's practice. So let's discuss that […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers were back in full pads on Wednesday, doubling down on a physical start to the week in Latrobe.
A terrific battle between the running backs and linebackers, a dido catch from Dionate Johnson, and an area of Najee's game foreign to Steelers fans were highlights of today's practice.
So let's discuss that and much more in today's Steelers Traning Camp post-practice report:
Najee Goes Deep
Najee Harris has been vocal regarding the contract scenarios that have plagued running backs across the league this offseason. Only approaching his third year with the Steelers, Pittsburgh will have a major decision this upcoming spring when it comes to whether or not they pick up Najee's fifth-year option.
The best backs in the league (or at least the highest-paid ones) are multiple-faceted weapons. As good as McCaffrey and Kamara have been on the ground, they are arguably even better through the air.
This rep has Najee taking a page out of their book, and if he keeps it up into the regular season, he'll be taking more than a few dollars out of Pittsburgh's pocketbook.
Linebackers Come To Hit
While the running backs may have gone to work on the linebackers in the passing game, the same can't be said on the ground. This rep was from inside backer Nick Kwiatkoski, who may be at the bottom of the depth chart, but atop the list of hardest hitters in camp.
And he's not in the minority, with Elandon Roberts, Kwon Alexander, and others in the Lb corps also showing off their brawn over the past 48 hours.
Anthony McFarland May be Here to Stay
McFarland is the clear number three at running back behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, but his agility, and as of late, utility in the passing game is going to make him hard to let go come cut time.
We already highlighted Matt Canada's persistence to run gimmicky concepts like the jet sweep or formations like "Pony Personnel" but if they involve McFarland, I may come around to the "High school Harry" wrinkles in the playbook.
Diontae Johnson Says Don’t Forget About Me
George Pickens may have gone viral and placed the NFL world upside down when he made a spectacular grab yesterday, but DJ's catch from today wasn't far behind. Displaying excellent hand-eye awareness, body control, and spatial awareness…
These two going back and forth in receiving contests is something I'm all the way here for.
Calvin Austin III is Finally Hitting his Stride
While it's good to see any player return from injury and excel, there's something sweeter about seeing Austin III run past defenders or take crossing routes to the house like he did this afternoon.
Nearly a full year from the foot injury that cost him his rookie season, I expect Austin to have a profound impact on Pittsburgh's passing game in 2023.
And that's a wrap on day six in Latrobe. Wednesday didn't disappoint, serving as an encore to yesterday's first day of pads. The actual football has begun, and more importantly, the most crucial stretch of the Steelers' preseason is upon us.
The rest of this week and into the weekend will set up Pittsburgh for the next five to six months, making every day of practice more crucial than the latter.
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Featured image via: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
