Patrick Queen provides valuable advice for Steelers younger players

When you consider what life is like for players leaving college football and entering the NFL, things can be hectic. Think about it, a player ends his college career, prepares for the combine, gets drafted, and goes straight into offseason workouts.

Not much time off.

So, when Mandatory Minicamp ends, these players are going to get their first taste of rest and relaxation in a very long time.

But as Patrick Queen told the rookies, and even the younger players on the roster, now is not the time to get complacent. In fact, he provided valuable advice to the young players before they report to training camp.

“I think the biggest thing is just being in shape and that comes into play when you’re mentally tired,” said Queen. “Everybody could be sharp and know what they’re doing in the first quarter or first few reps of practice. But once you get to that late practice, or late in the game, and your body is tired, your legs are tired and you are breathing hard, that’s when you need that. It becomes a struggle of trying to remember your job and stuff and being on top of that and on top of your technique and fundamentals.

“That’s the biggest thing, being in shape that way so when you get late in the season, game or practice or whatever it may be, that you’re still sharp on IQ and fundamentals.”

Young players might not grasp these concepts at this point of their careers, but Queen is will to show them the way.

“I will show them what do, not by telling them, but maybe saying, I need to do this or that better,” said Queen. “I remember with Coach Mike T(omlin), I ran out onto the field, and he said you look like you’re in shape. I said, no, I’m getting there though.

“I don’t really want to press them about things because I know they deal with a lot. I feel like if they see me busting my tail and trying to get to the ball or whatever it may be, that’ll click.

“You see that when you watch film with Payton (Wilson). Payton gets to the ball every single play. And it’s hard to do. So, stuff like that motivates me to go even harder and try to get to the ball.

“So, I feel like it’s always a lead by example thing. But as far as if you see somebody not running to the ball, then it’s like, hey, you should do that better.”

Queen still remembers when Payton Wilson came into the organization a year ago, and his desire to be great. Wilson, like Queen, is now being a lead-by-example type player for the Steelers.

“It’s crazy because he came in and he’s the same way he is when he came in,” said Queen. “He just asks a thousand questions. He tries to be the best at everything that he does. He’s eager to try new things and put himself out there making new plays, new techniques and doing new jobs.

“The sky’s the limit for him, especially the way he’s playing right now. Just in minicamp, and OTAs, I could tell how freaking good he’s going to be this season so I can’t wait to see that.”

The hopes are high for all the Steelers young players, not just rookies, to show up to training camp in great shape and with a desire to be great. It can be the difference between success and failure when the games start.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they get ready for training camp.