LATROBE, Pa. -- The Steelers were supposed to get a lively practice two days before their preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, but the weather pushed them indoors and forced them to do it without pads. Even so, the message around camp stayed the same: clean up the details, sharpen the operation, and get ready for Thursday.
That first preseason game is going to matter for more than just the scoreboard. Pittsburgh still hasn’t settled exactly how it will split up playing time, but the staff wants to use the matchup to show what this team is supposed to look like - and, just as importantly, to cut down on the pre-snap penalties and communication issues that have shown up too often so far.
Head coach Mike McCarthy made clear that the biggest frustration has been the mistakes.
“I don’t like where we are as far as the number of missed assignments we’ve had. They’re a little higher than normal.
They’re not totally out of bounds. So, you look at all those things and then at the end of the day, you set a plan and go with it,” McCarthy said.
He pointed to the sheer amount of information the Steelers have been asked to absorb during camp as a big reason things have been a little messy at times. The volume, he said, can make players think instead of reacting.
“I attribute mainly to the high volume of what we’re asking these guys to do, which is a challenge, which they need to go through. So that that’s part of it. We concept teach in the spring to make sure they have a strong foundation, but to get everything in seven, the volume of scheme that they’ve absorbed in seven installations is impressive,” McCarthy said.
Thursday will be the first real in-stadium football game for the Steelers, and that stage gives them a chance to show they can clean up the mental errors that have been hanging around camp.
One of the players under the microscope is rookie Germie Bernard. With Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf banged-up, the Steelers have been leaning on Bernard for reps next to Roman Wilson. Aaron Rodgers said Brandon Smith also got work, but Bernard was the rookie he singled out as someone who needs to take a step.
Rodgers said the path for young receivers is pretty simple: learn it, own it, and then play without hesitation. That’s what he wants from Bernard next.
“Germie just needs to learn the offense inside and out. And when he does that, he has a lot of great physical traits.
You know, he can get his feet in the ground quickly. He’s very sudden.
He’s got natural hands. He’s a great kid.
I mean, I think he’s got a really bright future because his attitude, his approach, his practice habits are phenomenal. We just got to get him where he just feels super confident in the playbook and plays as fast as he can,” Rodgers said.
Bernard has had some good moments in camp, but his overall summer has been quieter than some expected. Rodgers’ read is that the rookie may simply be thinking too much instead of letting it rip. Thursday gives Bernard a real chance to change that.
A few other names also stood out. Yahya Black, who usually doesn’t say much to the media, was more open in his first session of the summer.
His bond with defensive line coach Domata Peko stands out, and it makes sense why: Peko played 15 years in the NFL at nose tackle, and Black is now moving into that role full time. He’s getting direct teaching on pad level and strength from someone who lived it for a long time.
And then there’s Lew Nichols, who looks like one of the camp sleepers with a chance to make some noise. Nichols has been rolling in practice, including a strong backs-on-backers drill Monday and a physical style running behind his pads. He was a preseason standout last year, and if he puts together another strong showing, he could create some real roster buzz.
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