Ladarius Green's introduction to Pittsburgh has been a lot like his transition to the Steelers:

He has to figure out how to navigate his new surroundings before he can really get anywhere.

"I'm actually getting better," Green maintained during OTAs. "I got lost a couple times, but that's how you find your way around, you get lost a couple times."

Green hopes he'll be able to make the right turns in Latrobe, when he anticipates being on the field for the first time with his new team in training camp.

Off-season ankle surgery prevented him from participating in the offseason program as anything but an observer.

And the mental reps he took proved challenging for the former Chargers tight end who spent his time trying to absorb a new playbook and, more significantly, new terminology as his ankle mended.

"A play we ran (in San Diego) has a different name here," Green said. "It's fighting the urge to remember.

"I just have to learn the offense and work my way in. You can't go full speed when you're out there guessing, so that's going to be the main point."

Even though he has jet to run his first route for Ben Roethlisberger, Green has already gotten himself up to speed regarding the players who comprise the Steelers' offense.

"I know all the guys," he said. "Everybody knows the Steelers' offense. All of them are fast. All of them are great players.

"It's a high-speed offense. I love the team, great guys, great coaching. It's winning football."

Green has also already gleaned an appreciation for the way the Steelers go about their business, which should make things a little easier at St. Vincent College.

Easier, certainly, than trying to get around in a town recognized for its bridges, tunnels and road construction.

"They come to win, you can see it in practice," he said. "You can just tell how they approach every day, they're so competitive, they go at each other.

"In the locker room they all love each other but on the field they're going at it, I love it. They're just so competitive here."