Steelers camp primer: Ben Roethlisberger likely gets a full day, but which veterans sit?
Each day of Steelers training camp, the Trib rounds up some things to pay attention to during practice at Saint Vincent:
WHAT TO WATCH
Ben is back: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is settling into his usual camp routine of full day/half day/day off. Well, Monday is practice No. 4, which means the cycle starts over again. Roethlisberger has seemingly been more vocal so far in this camp, both when he’s participating in practice and when he’s an observer. Roethlisberger, for example, gave himself a front-row seat for “backs-on-backers” Sunday, offering words of encouragement or guidance to the blockers. With a bevy of new receivers to break in and with the early-camp struggles of Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph, Roethlisberger in pads and jersey is surely a welcome sight for the Steelers.
Who else is out there? Who’s in street clothes?: Coach Mike Tomlin was open about rotating through veterans to give them full (or partial) days of rest at camp. This isn’t too much of a departure from usual under Tomlin, but with some combination of guards Ramon Foster or David DeCastro, tight end Vance McDonald, linebacker Vince Williams and others being strong candidates for an idle day, that opens up more opportunities for their younger backups to show what they can do. For example, intriguing 6-7 rookie Fred Johnson potentially could get more reps if DeCastro and/or Foster sits. Or perhaps fifth-round pick Zach Gentry gets more of a look if McDonald does not practice, or sixth-rounder Ulysees Gilbert has a better chance to show what he can do if Williams is out.
Go all out?: Monday’s practice is the final one before the first collective bargaining agreement-mandated full squad off day Tuesday. Unlike the past two years – when rain plagued several practices, forcing many to be moved – the Steelers have been blessed by good weather in 2019. From reporting day through practice No. 3, the sun has shined throughout. Though more cloud cover is in the forecast, another dry day is predicted for Monday.
Practice time: 2:55-5 p.m., Chuck Noll Field
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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