Steelers inside the ropes: 2nd-teamers, officials steal show for big crowd

With several high-profile Pittsburgh Steelers taking the day off and/or nursing minor injuries, it was a handful of second-teamers and some actual NFL officials who drew plenty of attention from one of the biggest crowds at Saint Vincent College in recent memory.

With Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and T.J. Watt among seven of the 11 players who have the highest salary-cap hits on the team not taking part in practice (or at least any significant part of it) Saturday, not only were Will Howard, Darnell Washington and James Pierre making notable plays — the men in stripes played a prominent role, too.

In Unity Township as part of their tour of teams to relay information about and discuss rule changes and modifications, a handful of officials were making calls during Saturday’s practice. They were throwing flags even during one-on-one drills.

The most conspicuous of these was when Washington — the 300ish pound tight end — was flagged for pushing off on safety Quindell Johnson. Since this was in the open field and fans had began to cheer for the catch by Washington, the flag drew boos from the several thousand on hand at Chuck Noll Field. Johnson, conversely, clapped enthusiastically after the call, motioning with his palms up and clapping.

A few minutes later to the left on the main field, cornerback D’Shawn Jamison was flagged on a play in which he and receiver Ke’Shawn Williams were fighting for a thrown ball. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. — who was in street clothes — extended his arms with palms faced in the air incredulously. “C’mon, man,” he said to an official, then went over to plead his teammate’s case.

In a drill in which the offense was given a first down at the opponents’ 15-yard line that ended practice, a Brandon Johnson reception was wiped out by an ineligible man downfield penalty.

At one point, the competitiveness in which was displayed during some drills during a practice was evident by how a handful coaches motioned to a group of assembled defensive backs to “step back” and stop badgering the officials about a particular call (on Jamison in one-on-ones when in coverage on Roman Wilson).

• Pierre had himself a day, making two interceptions — one each off of Mason Rudolph and Howard — while in coverage on Johnson and Robert Woods, respectively. Pierre had a pass breakup of a Rudolph throw to Scotty Miller on the first team snap of the day (in the “seven shots” 2-point conversion drill). Pierre added another pass breakup later on in a team drill.

• Highlighted by a pretty catch in the back corner of the end zone on a throw from Rudolph in “seven shots,” Washington made plays in the receiving game all practice long. One of his better reps was leaving DeMarvin Leal in the dust on a catch in 7-on-7 play near the left end zone pylon.

• The popular third-string rookie, Howard, engineered the only other “seven shots” scoring play when he threaded the needle to hit Johnson on a slant. Johnson maintained the contested catch as Cameron McCutcheon tried to jar it loose.

• Howard at other points during practice made plays. He connected on a long pass in a rare opportunity to throw to Pat Freiermuth, and later while executing a read option took advantage of open field and showed some speed in running 25-plus yards.

• A week after proclaiming himself the best in the world at coverage as a linebacker, Payton Wilson did not have the best day. Freiermuth beat him on the aforementioned play, and on another rep Wilson was flagged for interference after running back Kenneth Gainwell got a step on him.

• Slot cornerback Beanie Bishop was as noticeable as he’s been all camp. He broke up passed intended for Ben Skowronek in “seven shots” and one-on-ones, then knocked down a Rudolph throw to Max Hurleman in a team drill.

• Defense prevailed 5-2 in “seven shots.” Two attempts by No. 4 quarterback Skylar Thompson (intended for tight end Kevin Foelsch and Hurleman, respectively) were broken up by rookie safety Sebastian Castro. Linebacker Cole Holcomb was in coverage on Freiermuth during Rudolph’s final throw of that period.

• Center Zach Frazier had yet another snap go awry, this time when working with Howard.

• Rookie tight end JJ Galbreath lined up at fullback for a full-team rep.

• Attempting shorter-range field goals, rookie Ben Sauls missed three of eight tries, including two from inside 40 yards. None of his attempts were from farther out than 42 yards.