Steelers OTA Takeaways: Will Gay isn’t going anywhere, yet
Kevin Lorenzi/Calkins Media
Linebacker Ryan Shazier stretches during organized team activities for the Steelers on at the UPMC Rooney 缅北禁地 Complex.
Steelers cornerback William Gay tackles Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills in the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers' wild-card playoff game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
Linebacker T.J. Watt, the Steelers' No. 1 draft pick, at rookie camp at the UPMC Rooney 缅北禁地 Complex in Pittsburgh.
A pass slips through the grasp of wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) during organized team activities for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday at the UPMC Rooney 缅北禁地 Complex.
Running back James Conner runs with the ball during the first day of Steelers rookie minicamp on Friday at the UPMC Rooney 缅北禁地 Complex in Pittsburgh.
PITTSBURGH 鈥� A season of great expectation for the Steelers began last week with the first three days of spring practice at the UPMC Rooney 缅北禁地 Complex.
Five months removed from their AFC title game loss to New England, the Steelers seem well aware of how good they can be and aren鈥檛 running from their status as one of the favorites in the AFC in 2017.
Organized team activities (OTAs) are voluntary, but there were no major no-shows to report, save for star running back Le鈥橵eon Bell, who is just over two months post-op for a groin injury. Even though his wrist is in a cast, Stephon Tuitt has been watching practice from the sideline looking eager to get back on the field.
Though training camp and the regular season are still months away, OTAs are just the start of what the Steelers hope will be a run at the organization鈥檚 seventh Lombardi Trophy.
Times Steelers writer Chris Bradford gives you some observations after the first week of OTAs:
WHERE THERE鈥橲 A WILL 鈥�
There had been rampant speculation that Will Gay could be moved to safety. There was even rumor that the 10-year veteran could be released in the off-season. Theoretically, both could still happen at some point, but, for now, Gay is where he finished last season and that鈥檚 been manning the slot with Artie Burns and Ross Cockrell on the outside. In spite of Gay鈥檚 many critics, particularly after a rough outing against New England in the AFC championship, that鈥檚 exactly where the 32-year-old belongs, at least at this point.
In a perfect scenario, either Senquez Golson or rookie Cameron Sutton overtakes Gay on the depth chart. The same could be said with fifth-rounder Brian Allen moving past Cockrell.
But the reality is, if any of those things are to happen, it won鈥檛 be anytime soon, maybe mid-season at the very earliest.
Keep in mind that the Steelers were good enough to get to within a win of the Super Bowl with Gay and Cockrell last season.
Gay, a highly respected leader on a young defense, played 80.7 percent of defensive snaps and contributed one INT last season. Cockrell, who did yeoman鈥檚 work against A.J. Green and Brandon Marshall last season, should never be underestimated.
WATT鈥橲 UP?
Much like rookie mini-camp, T.J. Watt鈥檚 raw athleticism continues to show through.
Watt has looked particularly strong while dropping back into coverage and the former college tight end has even made a few spectacular one-handed grabs in individual drills.
But let鈥檚 keep a few things in mind:
Namely, James Harrison is still firmly entrenched as the Steelers鈥� starting right outside linebacker. While Watt has been taking first-team reps, Harrison has been watching from the sidelines. Look for that to continue in Latrobe and in the preseason as it would be shocking if the 39-year-old Harrison takes many reps between now and Week 1 at Cleveland.
Also, there is no live tackling in OTAs. Watt鈥檚 true test will come when the pads come on at St. Vincent, not in these glorified two-hand touch sessions on the South Side.
Lastly, when Watt does get to Latrobe, he鈥檒l probably still need to pack on a few pounds of muscle. Watt is physically impressive at 6-foot-4, 252 pounds, but the 22-year-old will need to get stronger to set the edge, let alone overpower NFL left tackles.
The hope is that Watt will one day succeed Harrison but there is no expectation for the Steelers鈥� first-round pick to start right away.
THE 10 SPOT
After 15 months in exile, Martavis Bryant made his much-anticipated return to the Steelers in what is easily the biggest story of the off-season. In his first public comments to Pittsburgh reporters on Tuesday following his conditional reinstatement, Bryant was extremely impressive even to the most cynical observer.
The 25-year-old showed a sincerity and humility that had been lacking in his past interactions with the media.
From a football standpoint, a clean and sober Bryant could be the difference between a Super Bowl or not. Bryant seems keenly aware that all eyes will be on him and he seems to be up for the challenge. He reported to spring practice in outstanding condition, adding 10 pounds of muscle, most of which appears to be in his arms. Bryant still has the breakaway speed but he doesn鈥檛 appear nearly as lanky as he did in the past.
Bryant鈥檚 importance to the Steelers鈥� offense can鈥檛 be understated enough, particularly after the release of tight end Ladarius Green last week. So, it should come as no surprise that when the first-team offense lines up, it鈥檚 Bryant split wide opposite Antonio Brown.
If the Steelers鈥� 鈥淜iller B鈥檚鈥� 鈥� Ben Roethlisberger, Le鈥橵eon Bell, Brown and Bell 鈥� can stay on the field, the offense has the chance to put up some historical numbers.
RUNNING IN PLACE
After beating cancer, overcoming a hamstring injury shouldn鈥檛 be a problem for James Conner.
The former Pitt star might be the most popular Steeler to have never actually played for the Steelers and, technically, he still hasn鈥檛 practiced.
The third-round pick, who figures to be Bell鈥檚 backup, has been sidelined with a tender hamstring, though he was seen doing sprints on a side field on Wednesday and could return for next week鈥檚 session.
The Steelers have seven running backs currently on the roster, including Rushel Shell. The Hopewell Township native did not partake in drills on Thursday.