LATROBE – It was a chippy day of practice on Thursday as we saw receiver Ben Skowronek get into it with linebackers Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen. Later in practice, it was running back Lew Nichols and D’Shawn Jamison in a scuffle on the ground who had to be separated. After all of the fighting and play on the field, it’s time for our daily look at who performed well and who had a rough go on an eventful seventh day of training camp practice.
Stock Up
QB Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers was operating on a different level today. What
was most impressive were the layered throws over defenders in the middle of the field. Rodgers was peppering DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson with targets all practice long. The veteran was feeling himself today, and could be seen hitting some of his signature fist pump emotes after some throws.
EDGE Jack Sawyer
We had not seen a lot from Sawyer up to this point, but he certainly put together a strong practice today. Sawyer had some wins on reps during run plays and seemed to be getting into the backfield at a solid rate today. He capped it off with what would have been a sack in a game situation in which Sawyer came screaming off the edge and had Mason Rudolph dead to rights. Sawyer seems like someone who will only get better with increased opportunities, and we saw some of that today.
DL Derrick Harmon
It was a big day for the defensive line, and Harmon is a big reason for that. The Steelers’ run defense was significantly better when Harmon was healthy last season, and today was another glaring example of why. Harmon was wrecking the first-team offense when they were trying to run the ball today. Whether they ran to the inside or outside, the defensive lineman always seemed to be the first one there making contact. Harmon is a seriously gifted run defender who has a chance to become a household name this season.
Stock Down
QB Drew Allar
It was not a day to remember for the Steelers’ third-round quarterback. The accuracy on short throws was very spotty, and the timing seemed to be off over the middle. Allar led the lone two-minute drill at the end of practice, and his only completion was called back for offensive pass interference. However, the blame can’t fall solely on his shoulders, as he hit Kaden Wetjen twice in the hands and he wasn’t able to bring it in. This type of practice is exactly what the Steelers knew they were getting into when selecting Allar. He is a work in progress that can make otherworldly throws and plays, but needs serious polishing on the simple stuff and mechanics.
S Jaquan Brisker
Brisker is someone who I cannot wait to see play this season. He should form one of the better safety duos in the entire league with DeShon Elliott. However, this now marks the third practice in which Brisker has dropped what should have been an easy interception. As good as Rodgers was today, he got a bit wild throwing a cross-body post route to Roman Wilson, which was thrown well short. Brisker was the defender that should have had the interception, but it just bounced off his hands. Stuff like this happens, but it is worth noting that this is the third day in a row in which the safety has not been able to come down with an interception after being in prime position for one. It’s no reason to be overly concerned, in fact, you can look at it as a good thing that he is so often around the ball in favorable positions that by the time the season rolls around, fans can count on him for a splash play or two when the defense needs it.
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