Practice vs. Bills a good change of pace

Aug 15, 2024 at 04:44 PM

Teresa Varley

Steelers.com

The Steelers held a joint practice against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium, and for quarterback Justin Fields, it was a nice change of pace.

"It's kind of cool going up against other guys, a different defense than we've seen for the past few weeks," said Fields. "A different skillset. So, it's always fun.

"It felt good. I think the offense had a pretty good day. We executed pretty well. There's always room to improve, but overall, a good day."

While Russell Wilson will start at quarterback on Saturday night against the Bills at Acrisure Stadium in the team's second preseason game, Fields is also expectedPR to see playing time and wants to make continued progress.

"Just continue to get better," said Fields. "Put points up on the board and really just clean play. Of course, last game we had a few mishaps with the C-QB exchange. But the biggest thing is ball security, pre-snap cleanliness, and putting points up on the board at the end of day, no matter how we do it."

Fields said they continue to put emphasis on the quarterback-center exchange, something that was an issue in the loss to the Houston Texans in the preseason opener. But working on it is nothing new.

"We work on it before every practice," said Fields. "You just got to know the different tendencies between each center. Know when they're going right, when they're going left, what they tend to do and stuff like that. That's pretty much what we talk about and what we work on."

Rookie center Zach Frazier, the Steelers second round draft pick this year, worked with the first team offense, getting extended reps. Fields liked what he saw from him today, and all through camp.

"Zach's a hard worker," said Fields. "He's humble, doesn't say much, but boy he works. So glad to have him on the line. He's strong. He's smart too. It's great to see a rookie, that young, that smart, controlling where the protections are going. Seeing that from him, knowing how smart he is, is definitely a good thing to see."

The joint practice basically put a bow on Steelers training camp, a time Fields thought was extremely valuable, especially for a newcomer to the roster like him.

"I think it was a great experience for me personally," said Fields. "You build relationships with guys on the team that I think I'm closer with now than I would have been if we would have done camp here and everybody would've went back home. So, I'm definitely glad we did that.

"I definitely feel like the team is closer with each other. I think we got better each and every day, but of course, we still have things we need to work on. I think overall we had a good camp."

From a personal standpoint, Fields said the biggest thing he came out of camp with was a better understanding and comfort level with an offense that is completely new to him, and the whole team under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

"The biggest thing for me coming in was learning the new offense and stuff like that," said Fields. "Of course, everybody has to learn the offense. So really just getting detailed with that and improving mechanics is always a big thing.

"But the biggest thing was coming in and learning the ins and outs of the offense."

First team reps: Rookie center Zach Frazier saw extensive action with the first-team offense during Thursday's joint practice with the Bills, and it was something he welcomed.

"I found out yesterday," said Frazier of when he learned he would get the reps. "It was just nice to be out there. It was nice to get all those reps and take advantage of that opportunity."

There was no better time for Frazier to get those reps than going against another team, giving him a true gauge of where he is.

"I liked it. It's a nice change up," said Frazier. "It's fun to hit someone new instead of just going against the Steelers every day. That part made practice fun.

"It didn't feel like practice, I'd say closer to the game.

"Just going against another team's ones, that's a great test for me. Again, just thankful for the opportunity. And I just tried to give it everything I can."

When asked if he feels like he is ready to step into the starting center job, his answer was just what it should be.

"I am just going to do my job," said Frazier.

One thing that has been a point of emphasis has been the center-quarterback exchange, something Frazier wants to have down pat every time he steps on the field.

And he is willing to put in whatever work is necessary to make sure it all goes smoothly.

"The C-Q exchange, it's just all about cadence, knowing the cadence," said Frazier. "And it's just all about reps too. We work C-Q exchange first thing every practice. I'd say just building that chemistry, getting a lot of reps and just locking into the cadence."

A successful camp: Tight end Connor Heyward has seen extended work through training camp under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, something he welcomes.

Heyward would like nothing more than to add to his stats from his first two years, when he tallied 35 receptions for 318 yards and one touchdown.

Coming off training camp, that included the joint practice with the Bills at Acrisure Stadium, Heyward feels like it was a success.

"It was good," said Heyward. "Obviously, the ups and downs of camp. But, for the most part, I feel like it went very well for myself and the tight end room. There was a lot on us, and we knew that. There's even more room for us to grow in.

"Even though we've broke camp, it's still not over. I am trying to get better each day."

Finishing 'camp' off with the joint practice against the Bills is something that Heyward welcomed, an opportunity to see how they stack up against another opponent in a setting other than a preseason game.

"It was my first joint practice. I think for a lot of guys, it was their first time for a joint practice," said Heyward. "It was nice to go out there, do things that we want to do in the game and see if it works on other people, but stuff that you might not want to show in the preseason.

"Obviously, another good AFC team. I feel like it was a good chance to see where we stack up in practice and next in the game."

The practice was the icing on the cake for what was a physical training camp for the Steelers, one that they hope the physicality translates when the regular season kicks off.

"Every time we step out here, it's intense for us," said Heyward. "It only went up a level today.

"Our entire camp was intense. Mentally. Physically. Just every way. The playbook is different. Having a new offense coordinator. It's nice to have the same position coach. Being able to flush the old stuff out and adjust to the new playbook.

"A lot of guys will say this was one of the most physical Steelers camps. We were hitting every day, having live periods. Coach (Mike Tomlin) always talks about two points. He doesn't want to be saying, 'Did he get in,' second guessing himself. Every time you are able to come out and put the ball down live, there's not a lot of assuming. It's either a touchdown, or it's not."

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Aaron Shampklin (33) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Daijun Edwards (31) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Steelers hold a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Aaron Shampklin (33) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Steelers hold a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Steelers hold a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Steelers hold a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Matthew Wright (8) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Steelers hold a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Steelers hold a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Steelers hold a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Jaray Jenkins (21) during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday August 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)