LATROBE, Pa. - During the course of training camp days like this are going to happen. They are ones marred by dropped passes, missed opportunities on interceptions, and pre-snap penalties.
Wednesday was one of those days for the Steelers. But, if Coach Mike Tomlin has his way, things will be different at Thursday's practice.
"Our work was not as good today as it had been other days, a little sloppy –some pre-snap penalties on defense, some dropped balls on offense," said Tomlin. "I acknowledge from time to time that you're going to have those days, but you can't like it and you can't stack them one after another. So we're going to challenge this group to come back out and have a more productive day tomorrow."
Tomlin said he didn't know what caused the down day, not pointing to the prior day being an off day as a reason. It was just a bad day all around, one that even had veteran Ike Taylor doing pushups after a dropped interception, and Tomlin will see to it that tomorrow will be a better day.
"I don't care about what created it," said Tomlin. "The issue is for us is to not stack those types of days but to make sure we come out here every day with the mentality that we're going to thrive and not survive. I think we had too many survivors today, guys looking to get through it, as opposed to improving within."
Take a look at photos of the Pittsburgh Steeler's 10th day of Training Camp.
One of the bright spots during practice was the work Sean Spence did at inside linebacker, working with the first team while Ryan Shazier remains out with what Tomlin has called a "boo-boo." Spence looked strong and said the first team reps definitely are a boost for him.
"It felt good," said Spence. "There are some things I need to get better on. We are going to evaluate the film and make the corrections.
"It feels good for anybody to be out there running with the first team. It definitely boosts the confidence. It felt good working next to Lawrence Timmons. To be out there on the field with him felt really good."
Tomlin said that nose tackle Steve McLendon has missed practice because he has been dealing with a concussion.
The Steelers practice on Thursday at 2:55 p.m. at Saint Vincent College. It's the final practice before the team plays the New York Giants in the preseason opener at MetLife Stadium on Saturday night. The Steelers will return to Saint Vincent College on Monday, Aug. 11 for a 2:55 p.m. practice.
