Steelers inside the ropes: Offense goes ‘jumbo’ to win goal-line drill to punctuate practice

The ever-popular goal-line drill always hits big with Pittsburgh Steelers fans at training camp. Tuesday at Saint Vincent, it was the offense that was hitting big and with some very big bodies.

The Steelers deployed four tight ends for most of their seven snaps taken from the 1 yard-line at the end of practice. They again used offensive lineman Kendrick Green as an “eligible,” and the only wide receiver to see the field throughout the drill was Cody White for one snap.

The offense scored five times, punctuated by some trickery when tight end Connor Heyward received a handoff as he came in motion from the left side of the formation. As defenders converged on Heyward as he made it to the right end, he raised his right arm for a pass to a wide-open Pat Freiermuth in the end zone.

The play was set up by one run two snaps earlier when Heyward was tackled on what appeared to be the same play. The defense’s other stop was on a more traditional run play up the middle.

The Steelers first-team offense scored on three running plays — once while Green was the lead blocker from the backfield — and on a pass from Mitch Trubisky to Zach Gentry.

• The Steelers earlier in practice ran a short-yardage drill from midfield, mocking third-and-1 plays. Green took the ball on a fullback dive on the first snap (he picked up the first down) and on another snap came across after lining up as a tight end on the left side as if he was “pulling.” Green successfully sealed off Mark Robinson to aid Jaylen Warren to a 4-yard gain.

• At other points during 11-on-11 practice, Green lined up in a jumbo backfield with Heyward as a “tailback.” He also took reps as the second-team center and was deployed at other H-back, fullback and tight end spots. It has become clear that the Green experiment is no light-hearted camp gimmick and is something the Steelers are seriously investigating as a possible wrinkle for their offense.

• Another highlight of the short-yardage drill was Anthony McFarland showing speed and agility in making a big gain on a screen pass to the right side. It was one of a handful of plays McFarland made during team drills Tuesday, continuing a trend in which the fourth-year running back has been one of the stars of camp.

• McFarland, too, popped in a one-on-one tackling/elusiveness drill that was staged early in practice. He beat veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander so bad with a juke on one rep that coach Mike Tomlin called for a rematch, which McFarland again won with ease by blowing right past Alexander.

• Tomlin relished the drill, which took place at midfield near the sideline in front of the bleachers, leading to an enthusiastic atmosphere with fans. As it ended after a split of two reps between linebacker Robinson and running back Darius Hagans (Tomlin had given Robinson the honor of the final snap and even gave him his choice of combatant), Tomlin clapped his hands and yelled, “Good job!” as the crowd cheered. Players from offense and defense shook each other’s hands.

• Alexander atoned for his showing in that drill by batting down a pass while blitzing in 11-on-11. His momentum carried him back into were Tomlin was standing, and Alexander playfully mimicked boosting himself up on to Tomlin’s shoulders in celebration.

• Cornerback Luq Barcoo had an interception of Mason Rudolph during a team drill.

• The offense prevailed on six of the 2-point conversion simulation seven shots snaps, including all three with the second-teamers: Trubisky had scoring throws to tight ends Rodney Williams and Darnell Washington as well as receiver Miles Boykin. Washington’s was on a fade on which he kept his feet in bounds, and Boykin’s was with him positioned in front of Joey Porter Jr. at the goal line.

• Kenny Pickett had scoring throws to Freiermuth (off a scramble) and George Pickens (on a quick swing pass) but once had a pass intended for Pickens broken up by Patrick Peterson. The first snap of seven shots was a Najee Harris sweep for a touchdown.

• Former Steelers safety and ESPN commentator Ryan Clark was a guest practice, and he made his presence known through lots of talking. Clark was vocal with players, assistant coaches and in yelling up to the fans in the bleachers.

• For their final practice before opening preseason play Friday, the Steelers are scheduled for a 1:55 p.m. sessiom Wednesday at Saint Vincent.

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