LATROBE, Pa. – It's back to work for the Steelers today when they take the field for the first time during training camp at Saint Vincent College and the players are ready to go.
Maybe nobody more so than cornerback Senquez Golson.
Golson, the second-year cornerback, missed his entire rookie season after undergoing surgery last August for a shoulder injury. He didn't participate in camp at all last year, but was with his teammates watching and taking it all in. This year, it's a lot different.
"It's been a while. I am excited to get out there," said Golson. "I am in great shape ready to go. It's been a crazy year for me. I am anxious to be back out there. I am ready to go.
"Just being out put an extra emphasis on every day. I am just taking advantage of every day."
He isn't the only one feeling the energy. Rookie safety Sean Davis is anxious for practices to kick in.
"I am ready to roll," said Davis. "We have been home for five weeks and I am glad to get back with everybody, put everything together. Finally have my real tryout."
Linebacker Bud Dupree has a year under his belt, and the second-year linebacker now knows what to expect when the team takes the field.
"I am ready to get out here and get my second season under my belt and work on getting number seven here," said Dupree. "I know what I have to do, I just have to make it happen.
"Going through it last year, I feel like I am way ahead of last year and knowing what to expect. I know how things go, conditioning-wise, playbook-wise. I feel like I am way ahead just knowing those things."
Dupree came into camp 20 pounds lighter than he was last year, something he expects will be a benefit.
"That will help out," said Dupree. "I just feel like I wanted to be lighter, from a conditioning aspect, so I can play more plays."
Hello Steelers Nation:The first practice means fans were lining up early waiting for the parking lots to open, and it also means there will be plenty of energy when the team does take the field. That is something that isn't lost on the players.
"I didn't get it that much at Maryland," said Davis. "The great fan base, for them to be out here supporting us even in practice, I am looking forward to it."
There is plenty for fans to do while at camp, but the players love it when they settle in and watch them go to work.
"It's humbling, but it's exciting at the same time," said wide receiver Eli Rogers. "You are coming out here every day in front of all of these fans that are coming to the games. It's pretty exciting. It gives you the balance of having fans out there but still be in the right space to perform right."
