The Steelers kicked off their 2014 rookie minicamp today, and many of the participants had their first taste of a NFL practice.
“The information is flying at you,” Ryan Shazier told the Steelers team website. “You just learned a little bit of it not too long ago and now you are going out there trying to digest it and play. It’s kind of fast, but it’s going to help us.
“It’s good to have this time. The veterans know what they are doing. We are out here trying to learn and get a little grasp of everything before we are out there with the older guys.”
It’s the first step of many for the dynamic linebacker, who will almost certainly see significant playing time this season. For some strange reason a reporter asked Shazier about his play calling duties today, and as you’d expect on the first day of rookie minicamp, he didn’t really have any. “They didn’t give me that much responsibility. All of us as a whole, we all did the same amount. I don’t feel they put too much on my plate,” Shazier said according to Scout.com writer Jim Wexell.
Joey Porter was on hand today to take part in instructing the young linebackers and by one account, he appeared to be enjoying himself. The value of what Porter has to offer these guys is immeasurable.
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/467330334615302144
NT Daniel McCullers, who the team selected with their 6th round comp pick, said that the first day went well overall. “It was a good first day out here on the field working with the guys,” said the mountain of a man. “We try to work through the plays, get through the plays and get into the rhythm of the game. It was a pretty good first practice, but we’ve got a lot of room for improvement.” One of McCuller’s biggest challenges is showing coaches that he has the mobility to compliment his massive size. “Run to the ball. That’s what they’ve wanted me to do from the moment they brought me here,” said the 6’7″ defensive lineman.
I thought rookie wide receiver Martavis Bryant looked a little rough around the edges in the brief moments he was on film during practice. Apparently it wasn’t just me, as a couple reporters made comments about it.
https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib/status/467356183658254337
https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib/status/467356700660736000
According to Wexell, he dropped a short pass over the middle today, and displayed a lack of body control while sinking into his cuts.
“I was just trying to work, get used to it,” said Bryant. “It was a first-time experience for me. It went pretty well. I just need to go and watch film and work on getting better.” Obviously Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t there today, but Byrant said the QB was there on Tuesday. “We were working on routes, and he came out here Tuesday and threw to us,” Bryant told the Tribune.
The 173 lb RB/WR Dri Archer gave his feedback on the day as well. “It’s a whole new playbook. You have to learn different terminology, different rules. I feel like I am picking up a lot.
“We all have been waiting for this day for a long time through the draft process. We all have to show what we can do today.” According to Archer, an ankle injury kept him from being used in the punt return game last year. We’ll all have to wait and see if he’ll be able to contribute in that regard this year. The Steelers resume rookie activities on Saturday, and conclude on Sunday.