Steelers inside the ropes: Defense dominates when backed up protecting its end zone

If Sunday’s fully-padded practice is any indication, expect plenty of Pittsburgh Steelers drives to stall once they get close to the end zone this season.

On both sides of the field.

The Steelers opened and closed the team portions of practice with a virtual “best of seven,” each featuring plays within 2 yards of the goal line. The defense made stops on 12 of the 14 snaps, going 6-1 during the “seven shots” 2-point conversion simulation and in a “goal-line” drill that capped the final weekend day practice of camp at Saint Vincent.

The Aaron Rodgers-led first-team offense was shut out in three “seven shots” snaps but provided the lone score in goal-line work: Darnell Washington hauling in a fade while towering over Miles Killebrew in the left side of the end zone.

While the only “seven shots” touchdown was Evan Hull burrowing up the middle against the third-team defense, overall on run plays the defense made four stops: on a Trey Sermon toss at the start of practice, on Jaylen Warren up the middle to open up session-ending goal-line, soon thereafter on a Kaleb Johnson inside run and when Lew Nichols had no chance to turn the corner and was brought down by safety Sebastian Castro.

• The defense also created pressure, four times forcing “throwaways.” Included were when Malik Harrison got into the backfield on Mason Rudolph in “seven shots,” and once when Will Howard essentially threw it out of the back right of the end zone (though Roc Taylor was close, albeit covered by Cameron McCutcheon) and once when Rodgers threw high as tight end DJ Thomas-Jones ran along the back of the end zone.

• Also with plays by the defense in these 11-on-11 team drills near the end zone: Chuck Clark had a pass breakup on a throw from Howard to rookie tight end JJ Galbreath in goal-line. During the first snap of “seven shots,” Jalen Ramsey was hand-fighting with Jonnu Smith (no flag was thrown by any of the officials working the practice). Darius Slay broke up a pass from Rodgers to Ben Skowronek on the second snap.

• Scotty Miller was the star receiver of the day. During a drill that matched two wide receivers and two defensive backs lined up on the same side of the field running routes, Miller had a 35-yard “touchdown” catch from Rudolph after he beat Clark. On his next rep, he made a catch after beating McCutcheon. Later in practice, he had a long reception in 11-on-11 play.

• In an rare opportunity to throw to DK Metcalf in a team drill, QB4 Sylar Thompson connected with him on a deep pass after he had beaten McCutcheon with ease.

• Metcalf later “scored” a 40-yard touchdown when back receiving passes from Rodgers.

• Even in plays snapped more toward the middle of the field, the run offense struggled. Often it was defensive backs making plays. Cornerback Beanie Bishop and Clark made stops in the backfield on Kenneth Gainwell. Safety DeShon Elliott had a nice open-field tackle.

• A handoff exchange between Howard and Nichols was not clean and resulted in a fumble during one team drill.

• Rookie safety Sebastian Castro had an interception of Howard during one team drill. Later on, Castro was victimized by some bad luck when a Howard pass deflected off the fingers of Thomas-Jones and appeared to graze Castro before it was caught by a waiting Max Hurleman for a long gain.

• A pair of passes in quick succession in 11-on-11 intended for Taylor were broken up by defensive backs Juan Thornhill and McCutcheon.

• Receiver Brandon Johnson is usually good for a nice reception at least once per practice. Sunday, it was in 7-on-7 while running through the middle of the defense catching a pass from Rudolph.

• Robert Woods had a similar catch from Rodgers in 11-on-11, beating zone defense when the offensive line gave good protection.