Steelers inside the ropes: ‘Backs on backers’ doesn’t disappoint

Coach Mike Tomlin was beaming as he always does during this particular day that typically falls on the first practice day of the second week of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp.

“Let’s go!” he boomed, to no one in particular but loud enough for all to hear.

It was time for “backs on backers.”

The much-ballyhooed drill — probably the most anticipated each year by Tomlin, players, fans and media — falls on the first day during which players wear full pads.

It matches running backs or tight ends against linebackers in a one-on-one format while the latter is aspiring to reach a “quarterback.”

The former is doing all he can to hold him off.

Members of the offense and defense allow themselves to get competitive in cheering on unit mates. Position coaches take it personal. Players, at times, call out certain members of the opposite unit for a duel.

Tomlin on occasion will match particular players against each other. Sometimes, if he is overly impressed (or disappointed) by a particular battle or believes one combatant needs a shot at redemption, Tomlin will call for an immediate rematch.

All was on display Tuesday in the familiar far right corner of the end zone of the field closest to the bleachers at Chuck Noll Field at Saint Vincent.

It’s time for Backs on Backers pic.twitter.com/MlACbzVIuZ

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) July 30, 2024

• Anecdotally, the winner of Tuesday’s “Backs on backers” was Darnell Washington. The massive tight end was like an impenetrable wall to first-year outside linebacker David Perales during a rep early in the drill. The 6-foot-7, 264-pound Washington later on easily stood up skilled pass-rusher Nick Herbig. That compelled Tomlin to call out outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin. “Come on, Denzel, coach your guys up! They should be beating tight ends!” During a Tomlin-requested rematch, Herbig acquitted himself much better.

• A featured attraction was starting running back Najee Harris against veteran inside linebacker Elandon Roberts. Tomlin called for the matchup as the practice period was winding down. Harris gave a strong effort in holding Roberts off, but the nine-year veteran did not want to go out that way. He waved his index finger in a circle in the air as he walked back to his position, indicating he wanted to “run it back.” At this point, running backs coach Eddie Faulkner already had lined up a “grand finale” of Jaylen Warren against rookie Payton Wilson, and those two were lined up ready to go while other areas of the fields had other position groups dispersing to move on to the next drills. Tomlin, though, relented to Roberts. “We’ve got time.” Given the rematch, Roberts did much better in using a bullrush to go through Harris.

• Wilson followed by using a nifty reversal move to get past Warren. They met again to end the drill, and this time Warren held his ground. That set off a wild display of hooting and hollering around Warren with the offense gathering.

• Earlier, German-born and raised outside linebacker Julius Welschof was needled by Tomlin and former Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (currently on a coaching internship with the team) after Welschof was stoned on a rep. Tomlin said, “American football is pretty fast, isn’t it?” Added Shazier: “Football is played different in America.”

• Subjected to similar good-natured derisiveness was a player signed hours earlier, tight end Matt Sokol. After watching Sokol get beaten during a rep, Tomlin was compelled to remark, “Welcome to Pittsburgh.” At least Sokol fared better than a player signed the day of “backs on backers” last year: John Lovett was beaten so badly he suffered an injury and never practiced again before being released.

• Earlier on in “backs on backers,” Warren stood up $41 million free-agent linebacker Patrick Queen, much to Tomlin’s delight.

• Winter acquisition Jeremiah Moon at one point ran four reps in quick succession. A 6-foot-5 outside linebacker, Moon redeemed himself for a “loss” to tight end Pat Freiermuth. Then against Harris, he used a swim move to get past him before Harris prevailed in holding him off in a final rep.

• After a rep featured running back Aaron Shampklin yanking Wilson to the ground, Tomlin demanded a rematch. “Run it back, and this time, don’t tackle.” Free from illegal moves, Wilson won.