Training camp heating up for Steelers, coach McCarthy despite no live tackling

LATROBE, Pa. — The heat is on in Latrobe as head coach Mike McCarthy ramps things up for the Steelers.

While coach McCarthy said there would be no live tackling at camp, that doesn’t mean things aren’t getting physical.

On top of that, we’re getting new insight into McCarthy’s preparation process for the season, starting with what the Steelers did Wednesday when there were no fans or cameras.

“Yesterday was our mock game format and then recharge program for the players to give them a chance to get their bodies recovered and all the things that go into that,” McCarthy said.

And with that, the team was back on the field at St. Vincent College, installing more of McCarthy’s plan.

He has what he calls eight “installs” to be done before the Steelers’ second pre-season game, and that means ramping up everything.

“It’s a chance to get up to two and a half hours of practice,” McCarthy said. “We’ll do that today and use the whole time and do install five today, six tomorrow and review it downtown in Latrobe Saturday night. So, it’s a big three-day segment for them.”

Over the last few days, the heat and facing the same people every day is making things a little more tense at times.

At the end, everyone knows they’re on the same team.

“It’s fall camp; we’re getting into the dog days of camp,” linebacker Payton Wilson said. “People are tired, people are sore. We love each other. Brothers fight all the time, so someone messes up, we get into it a little bit, but we’ll be in here eating lunch in 30 minutes together.”

Another big challenge is the no live tackling.

“It’s a little different when you’re facing backs like Jalen and Rico; they’re so downhill they run the ball so hard,” Wilson said.

But the defense is adjusting.

“If you just hit them, they’ll run right through you,” Wilson said. “Derrick Harmon taught me, just pick them up and walk with them.”

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