The most anticipated training camp practice has just concluded, and in front of over 12,000 fans at Latrobe Memorial Stadium, the team lived up to its reputation as an energetic and physical workout. Of course, I am talking about the annual tradition of Friday Night Lights. Attract fans In every region of the country, the highlight of the night is always the back-on-backer drill, which pits running backs against linebackers in one-on-one blitz situations. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are the stars of the show.
“I can’t say enough about our two top backs, Naj and Jaylen,” Tomlin said in a post-practice news conference. Video posted on the Steelers website. “They set the tone for training, man. That’s the good part about training. [to the] Linebacker is a given. But when you have a strong-willed runner, it makes the competition fierce. And those two guys in particular don’t run from a fight. They run to the fight. I respect that.”
Take a look at what these two contributors have posted. Kilonte in XI can feel the energy in that stadium, and I’m 500 miles from Latrobe.
These were against Ellandon Roberts and Patrick Queen, both of whom are physical, athletic, and have bad attitudes. Harris and Warren were able to match or even surpass their competitive spirit in this play.
A lot is riding on that duo in the 2024 season. The Steelers have built virtually the entire offseason around being a physical offense that wins at the point of attack. They brought in Arthur Smith, a run-first coordinator. They also signed two mobile quarterbacks and drafted three offensive linemen with their first five picks. Everyone in the NFL knows they’re going to run it. They’re going to be ready to block it with stacked boxes and other methods.
Mike Tomlin wants to “roll” them anyway.
This could be the last season Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris will be together in the Steelers’ backfield. Harris’ fifth-year option was declined. The Steelers can sign him to a long-term contract from now until March of next year, but this could be the last. It’s time to make the most of it and restore the identity of this offense.
