Steelers Offense Shines Under Friday Night Lights
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
On Friday, the Steelers took part in their annual Friday Night Lights practice in Latrobe, PA. This was their first Friday Night Lights practice since 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic stalled the tradition until 2021, and a rainout prevented the event from happening last season.
The event took place in front of a record-breaking crowd of nearly 14,000 people. It was a night of offensive highlights, big plays, and fans coming back together. Here’s what we learned from:
All levels of the offense came up with huge plays during the 7 Shots drill
For those who are unaware, the 7 Shots drill is essentially a two-point conversion drill. The offense and defense line up on the two-yard line for seven plays and battle it out.
The offense prevailed in the series, 5-2.
Kenny Pickett was under center for four attempts and scored three times. On his successful attempts, he threw TDs to Allen Robinson and Diontae Johnson, and he took one in on his own.
It wasn’t just the starters. Mitch Trubisky connected on huge touchdown plays to Gunner Olszewski and speedy 2022 draft pick Calvin Austin III.
The defense prevailed on only two plays. On one play, George Pickens caught a pass out of bounds. The other play was where a pass was broken up by Madre Harper.
Kendrick Green put his versatility at the forefront
The Steelers’ third-round draft pick from 2021 thrust himself into the spotlight with massive plays on the offensive line.
Kendrick Green just blew up a #Steelers OLB on a monster block at Friday Night Lights Practice! 💪#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/PFr0lhQb8L
— Steelers Update (@SteelersUpdate1) August 5, 2023
It didn’t stop there. The center even got some practice reps at fullback and brought out his truck stick, much to the delight of the crowd.
Kendrick Green becoming a fullback and making plays in training camp, including a catch and a huge hit on Toby Ndukwe pic.twitter.com/6Rp6xwMQgg
— Carson (@CAWafflez) August 5, 2023
Though he wasn’t in attendance on Friday, Mike Tomlin had high praise for the offensive lineman out of Illinois:
“We really discovered it late last season in preparation for Baltimore when he was representing that big fullback for them. [Ricard] is a unique guy, so we asked KG to provide a quality look for us, and he really did. So we just kinda put that in our hip pocket.”
It remains to be seen if this is simply trick play fodder or if the Steelers will actually utilize the look, but for the time being it is very fun.
Both fans and players were pumped before, during, and after
Based on the attendance from Friday, it was clear that fans missed their annual pilgrimage to Latrobe. The attendance of 13,957 all watched as the Steelers took part in the tradition at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.
Players who had never experienced the tradition before, like Trubisky, were excited.
“It was always fun playing under the lights on Fridays. It gives you that high school feel. It’s something that takes me back. It will be fun for us, fun for the fans.”
Diontae Johnson, who has been a member of the Steelers since 2019, knows how special and unique the spectacle is.
“I love it. Seeing all the fans, the kids. It gives me a home-game feeling. Makes you practice harder. Being able to do that, show the fans how hard we are working, let them see the new players, what they bring to the table.”
After the practice, rookie Broderick Jones thought of the event as a nice change of pace.
“I liked it, man, it was good. Different scenery, there were a lot of different elements that played a factor into last night. The grass, the stadium. So I feel like it was a good changeup to step outside the comfort zone and have everybody on the same course, because you know it’s going to change each and every week.”
Darnell Washington is Him.
Anytime you have a 6’7” tight end on your roster, it spells trouble for a defense. When that tight end is opposite of Pat Freiermuth, look out.
Darnell Washington has been a cheat code and a mismatch nightmare so far in training camp. He fell to the Steelers in the third round of this year’s draft, and all he’s done is be an absolute monster.
Darnell Washington catches a TD during 7-on-7 drills at #Steelers training camp! 🙌
Friday Night Lights Practice! pic.twitter.com/sTTjxL8O7P
— Steelers Update (@SteelersUpdate1) August 5, 2023
Mike Tomlin had high praise for the rookie from Georgia. “You’d think sometimes that because of his stature and reputation you’d think he’s one-dimensional, but you’d be wrong.”
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