Steelers RB Jaylen Warren Not Impressed With First Padded Practice: "Not What We're Used To"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are undergoing some massive changes as training camp kicks off. The first week in Latrobe, PA was without full pads and was strictly walkthroughs and getting some of the schemes and language down pat. However, August 3rd brought the team's first padded practice under Head Coach Mike McCarthy. This new coaching staff has already made massive changes, and now tackling is being removed from training camp to prevent injury. This change completely contradicts that of the previous regime.

A physical style of football is something that the Steelers and fans are accustomed to. Big hits and tough drills are what draw many to Latrobe to watch camp, but most teams have gone away from tackling during camp. Pittsburgh hasn't necessarily been a great tackling team in recent seasons anyway, so this shouldn't change things completely. Of course, many have grown to love the tackling aspects of camp, but this could be better in the long run for the health and safety of the team. 

There are naturally injuries in every camp; it's a physical game. However, the Black and Gold cannot afford to have any major injuries this season. These practices are now underway with pads, but no taking players to the ground, and there have been some reviews from players and pundits alike. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac reported that running back Jaylen Warren had a mixed reaction to these new conditions. 

Clearly this is a huge change, and coincidentally, Warren made the roster initially showing his physicality in a backs-on-backers drill that caught coaches' and fans' attention. This change doesn't necessarily flip the script though. The NFL is a contact sport, and the players are professional. The fundamentals are there, and players will still wrap up, but not take others to the ground. This will be even more important for such a veteran-led roster that is trying to stay healthy come September. 

This is seemingly, overall, just another step in the right direction for the Steelers, but they’re proving they're willing to evolve — along with the change. This all comes with McCarthy taking the job, and he's shown that he's going to take the team in a new direction. Pittsburgh has switched what it typically does and hired an offensive-minded head coach, and the veteran has proved that he is with the times. 

This change is huge for players in physically demanding positions, like running back, but these practices have still proven to be physical at times. The Steelers will start slow and ease into things, however. A new scheme, new coaches, and plenty of new faces are what are forcing things to be taken one step at a time. Things will surely ramp up as camp progresses, and hopefully this will pay off with a healthier team when the regular season starts. 

The Steelers Are Headed In A New Direction

Not only is there a new head coach, which hasn't happened in nearly two decades, but McCarthy will be calling the plays on offense. This will be another huge switch from years past. McCarthy's change in practice times, including more analytics, and the no-tackling in camp are some ginormous aspects that can keep players on their toes. This is a positive because of the popular narrative that Pittsburgh has been stuck in its ways for quite some time. 

This veteran team has a youth movement along with the cornerstones of the roster. This mixture will put everyone on the same page, as everyone is learning new plays and routines. Players should be more focused than ever, which will only help the team in their efforts of winning a Lombardi Trophy. 

Thoughts on Warren’s comments and the first day of full pads? Follow us for more news!

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