Latest news with #DariusSlay
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
DB's Steelers Friday Night Lights Takeaways
Per usual, the Pittsburgh Steelers Friday Night Lights practice was electric, with fireworks buzzing throughout another padded session. We saw a hotly contested backs-on-backers session and the league's highest-paid defense living up to their billing by definitively winning the night overall. With the first preseason game now a week away, we're getting close to seeing this group square off against someone else other than their teammates. But first, here are a couple notable observations worth sharing from Latrobe Memorial Stadium. Big Play Slay The Steelers offseason has been so eventful to the point that it feels like the signing of Darius Slay, a six-time Pro Bowler, has been merely a footnote. Maybe it's his age that has fans holding their breath in an effort to temper down some of the expectations after the Patrick Peterson experiment a few seasons ago. With that being said, the 34-year-old was excellent on Friday night and has stacked a couple of quality days together now. He broke up two passes in seven shots, undercutting a whip route intended for Metcalf and then playing through the hands of Pat Freiermuth near the back pylon to deny another touchdown. We all know that one-on-ones between receivers and cornerbacks are hardly a fair fight, but he had one of the best reps that I saw in the drill, clamping down on a curl route from Wilson from a press coverage alignment. Slay's vibrant personality is showing up on and off the field. One of the first plays of the team period was in his direction with the offense leaving him unblocked, but the veteran set the tone with an aggressive form tackle to bring the running back to the turf. Of course, Jalen Ramsey is the physical freak known for his physicality, but Slay's far from soft and a reliable tackler himself. After the 1s headed to the sideline, his teammates were elated over the stick, giving him kudos for setting the tone in the drill. DK Metcalf's Deployment Earlier this offseason, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith quipped that the Steelers didn't acquire Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf to run the wishbone. The connection between the two is in the early stages of development, but they're working diligently to get on the same page. The first play of seven shots featured Metcalf isolated on the backside, tasked with running a whip route to the front pylon. Beyond what could perhaps evolve into a more expansive route tree, he was moved around the formation a good bit, aligning at the foot of stacks and even as the #3 in empty formations. Once the team period began, he was the first read on a couple of consecutive quick game throws underneath. Rodgers' best throw of the night was an uncorked hole shot down the left sideline that unfortunately hit the receiver's hands before falling incomplete. It's still a work in progress. Whether by design or out of necessity (likely both), Metcalf looks like he's in line for the biggest target share of his NFL career. Notably, Robert Woods had a really rough practice, putting the ball on the ground and committing a pre-snap penalty, and Roman Wilson's quiet start to camp continued as there were an abnormal amount of 'coverage sacks' that resulted in faux scramble drills on Friday night. The tight ends will help shoulder the load in the passing game, but Pittsburgh's betting big on their $132M investment continuing to level up his game. Watt's Hidden Value Luckily for everyone involved, Watt's brief holdout reached a predictable conclusion with him becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in the sport. Unlike other organizations dealing with unnecessary drama, the Steelers get to reap the benefits of having a superstar playing on the practice field. As a proven commodity with a gold jacket caliber resume, he doesn't need as many reps as others, and his best plays are mostly shrugged off as things we expect. But his presence around the team provides hidden value that cannot be calculated in the form of numbers. After Troy Fautanu got the better of him on a couple of pass sets, the former Defensive Player of the Year headed back to the sideline for a brief water break with Jack Sawyer, his replacement. As soon as the fourth-round draft pick came back to the sideline, a lengthy conversation began between the two, with the team captain demonstrating different moves and giving the youngster some valuable pointers. The Ohio State product was soaking up all of the knowledge, something that could prove invaluable down the line. Later in the night, Watt matched up with Fautanu once again in one-on-ones, with the first rep being a slow win with a power move, which he followed up with a pretty sweet speed rush around the corner. Shortly after, the two were seen talking shop, with the second-year pro intently listening to the elder statesman. Iron sharpens iron is a popular phrase around these parts, and Fautanu is facing a gauntlet of talented rushers during camp, which should pay significant dividends once the regular season comes around. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: DB's Steelers Friday Night Lights Takeaways Related Headlines Massive Steelers TE Darnell Washington 'Open-Minded' to Playing Offensive Tackle Steelers Cut Ties with Rising Outside Linebacker Daily News & Links: Steelers Legends Reunion; T.J. Watt Takes Great Pride in Being a Steeler New Steelers DL Sheds Weight In Pursuit of Roster Spot
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers Get Good News on Joey Porter Jr.
UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is in full pads after missing the last three practices with a hand injury. The Steelers have been dealing with a number of injuries at the cornerback position, with Porter, Cory Trice (hamstring) and Donte Kent (ankle/foot) all missing the team's practice session on Sunday. Trice and Kent remain out. The Steelers signed former Buffalo Bills and Miami Hurricanes defensive back Daryl Porter Jr., following a successful workout. The workout also included former first-round pick C.J. Henderson. Last season, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was the most penalized cornerback in the league, but having a Super Bowl champion to learn from in Darius Slay could be beneficial. Slay revealed in an interview with Mina Kimes of ESPN this offseason that he wants to not only help fix Porter's issues with penalties, but also improve his game in the interceptions department. Porter has only two INTs through his first two seasons. 'They say he can't catch, but we're gonna fix that,' Slay told Kimes. 'We're gonna catch the rock this year.' Slay has recorded 28 interceptions in his decorated career. The 34-year-old cornerback is a Super Bowl champion, eight-time Pro Bowler and has a first-team All-Pro selection (2017) under his belt. Slay hopes to give Porter and the Steelers young cornerbacks he same wisdom that he passed down to Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell last season during their Super Bowl title run. 'I have a good resume with younger guys, trying to help build them,' Slay said. 'That's my job. I'm just here to help him, do everything I can to make sure he succeeds at what he does. And try to get him to be one of the best in the game.' Porter will also have All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey as a mentor in 2025. Both Slay and Ramsey are two very different cornerbacks from a stylistic standpoint, further proving that there's more than one way to get the job done effectively. But there are elements from each of their games that Porter would be wise to try and emulate. Porter revealed that the addition of Slay will have lasting effects on him past just the 2025 season. 'I told him I used to watch his tape growing up,' Porter said. 'I know a lot of guys don't like when I say that because they feel old, but he's been in this league for a long time. He's a great vet. I've had some great vets before him. I'm just happy to have him in the building and keep learning from him.' Alan Saunders provided reporting from St. Vincent College. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Get Good News on Joey Porter Jr. Related Headlines Steelers Daily News & Links: ESPN to Acquire NFL Media Assets; The Terrible Trolley Has Been Restored Steelers QB to Miss Out on Valuable Preseason Opportunities Steelers Camp Takeaways: Yes, The Steelers Defense Really Is That Good Steelers Wide Receiver Target Reunites with Former Team
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers predicted to cut ties with 2 draft picks, notable veteran at crowded position groups
Thanks to the signing of Darius Slay and the trade for Jalen Ramsey, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a positive but crowded situation at cornerback. However, that situation could be bad news for one of the Steelers' 2025 draft picks, Donte Kent, who was selected in the seventh round. Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly put out a 53-man roster projection on Sunday and has Kent missing the cut. Kaboly estimates the Steelers will keep seven cornerbacks on the initial 53-man roster: Ramsey, Slay, Joey Porter Jr., James Pierre, Cory Trice, Beanie Bishop and Brandon Eichols. At linebacker, Kaboly projects rookie Carson Bruener and veteran Cole Holcomb to get bumped at final cuts. The Steelers reporter has Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Malik Harrison and Mark Robinson all getting the nod. Despite both getting cut in Kaboly's projection, he does consider the two rookies "tough" cuts. Here's Kaboly's explanation for cutting Holcomb. "Based on his special team play alone, Robinson makes the team over Cole Holcomb," Kaboly write. "Holcomb carries a $3.64 million cap hit. That's significant and might get him fired." Kent and Bruener have definitely had their fair share of issues in training camp, but they've also made some good plays. The problem is that there just isn't enough space in either room. All that said, Kent and Bruener are both candidates to grab spots on the practice squad if they don't make the final cut. Meanwhile, Holcomb has a chance to get snatched up off waivers by another team. Even if he passes through because of his contract, there will almost certainly be a team looking to sign him for less money. MORE PITTSBURGH STEELERS NEWS Will Howard camp update: Steelers rookie QB continues to impress Steelers predicted to cut ties with Super Bowl champion, recent draft pick Steelers listed among favorites to land Micah Parsons in trade with Cowboys Pittsburgh Steelers' DK Metcalf admits to being 'salty' over Aaron Rodgers
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers defense dominates Aaron Rodgers-led offense at Friday Night Lights Practice
The action couldn't be hotter at the Steelers annual Friday Night Lights Practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium — but the offense looked ice cold during the seven-shots drill of the day, courtesy of a fiery Pittsburgh defense. On the first attempt of the drill, Aaron Rodgers attempted a pass to DK Metcalf but Darius Slay was there in coverage to cause the play to backfire — defense moved up 1-0. Rookie RB Kaleb Johnson attempted a run from shotgun on the next attempt, but was held up by LB Payton Wilson — putting the defense ahead 2-0. On the third play, Rodgers threw a pass towards Pat Freiermuth, but Slay broke up the pass — resulting in the defense furthering their lead to 3-0. Mason Rudolph would take over at quarterback and attempt a pass to Scotty Miller — but the wideout couldn't get his feet down and it resulted in a defensive win of 4-0. The drill continued despite the strong defensive statement, resulting in three straight offensive scores: one from Johnson and two from QB Will Howard to RB Kenneth Gainwell and TE Kevin Folesch. The damage was already done, however, as the defense was up 4-3 at the conclusion of seven-shots. Fans should take the offensive struggles over the past few practices with a grain of salt — as many of these issues will (hopefully) be ironed out by the regular season, while the defense should be commended for its strong performances in Latrobe. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers defense dominates offense at Friday Night Lights Practice
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers DBs Make Matchup Nightmare
Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's the Pittsburgh defensive backfield, which looks like it will be a matchup nightmare for opponents in 2025. With Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, and Joey Porter Jr. the Steelers have three top-tier cornerbacks, and two of them in Slay and Ramsey can move all around the formation to make figuring out what the Steelers are tryin g to do nearly impossibly for opposing offenses. Alan breaks it down.#steelers #herewego #nfl CONNECT WITH STEELERS NOW: Steelers Now: SN on Twitter: SN on FB: SN on Insta:
