Steelers veterans know the value of OTA practices

Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are underway for the entire NFL, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, but these activities have been going on for months now. What we are entering into now is Phase 3 of OTAs which is when these activities become football-like. The earlier phases are more focused on strength and conditioning, but now teams are permitted to do 7v7, 9v7 and 11v11 drills to ramp up to Mandatory Minicamp.

OTAs are far from being worthy of headlines of the earth-shattering variety, but who is in attendance is always worthwhile information. These workouts are strictly voluntary, but as several Steelers players admitted Tuesday there is value in veterans being at these workouts.

“I think it’s really important to get to meet new teammates, new players in new positions, new calls, new schemes, new things that you’re putting in right now,” said inside linebacker Patrick Queen. “So, I think it is important to be here if you can be here. A lot of people are dealing with a lot of stuff that we might not know about or stuff that we do know about, and they’ve just got to take care of it. So, I think it’s important in all facets to be here, but also focus on yourself at the same time.”

Queen is welcoming being comfortable in his black-and-gold uniform, and his own skin, as he enters the second year with the Steelers. But not everything is the same for the former Ravens linebacker.

“I’m actually looking forward to going throughout this offseason without this being all brand new,” said Queen. “Being able to have some familiarity while you go through this entire team development process, it’s a little bit better this time.

“I’ve still I got a new coach. A few new people on defense, nothing crazy. But still just getting comfortable with the new stuff that we’re doing right now, just getting comfortable with the coach, how he wants things done, the way he wants us to play. It’s just mostly the same fundamentals, but new little nuances here and there. So just getting used to all that stuff right now.”

Even for the most elder of statesmen for the Steelers, talking Cam Heyward, realizes the importance of getting out and being on the grass with his teammates.

“It’s not anything crazy. I wanted to get out here. I’ll get back to the offseason stuff, what I’ve been doing and training, but it’s fun to mix it up.”

Heyward knows he has some young players joining the ranks along the defensive line, and getting them acclimated to the system, and playing alongside him, will be paramount for the success of the unit this season.

“It’s early in the process, but I think it comes down to communicating the right way, getting on good footing, seeing what their questions are and then going from there,” said Heyward. “I think learning from those guys before me, one, you’ve got to be receptive to it. I think Derrick, Yahya, they’ve all been receptive. It’s the first day, but that’s half the battle. And then questions will come around, just being a resource for them early on in their careers, trying to get them ready for the season.”

While it is great to see people like Heyward, Queen and many other leaders in attendance, it wasn’t as if all veterans were there for these workouts. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt and the team’s big trade acquisition DK Metcalf both missed the first day of OTAs. Again, these workouts are voluntary, but the fact Watt is looking for a new contract and Metcalf is the highest paid player on the offense, it raises eyebrows.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes as the team presses on through Phase III of OTAs, Mandatory Minicamp and eventually training camp.