The idiom “a knee jerk reaction” means that you respond to something in an equally unthinking way. That’s something as sports fans that we typically do, and if it’s in an unthinking way then I definitely qualify. This is especially if you are a full blood Yinzer, or even just a part Yinzer, who am I fooling it’s more like if you are a Steeler fan in general. As is the custom, I compile my knee-jerk thoughts and publish them immediately after each Steelers game (my son Kyle might have a few things to say as well). It’s my version of running my mouth first and apologizing later. So with that being said, I’ve decided to take a stab at this since Kyle and I made the trip to St. Vincent College in Latrobe to check out Steelers Training Camp. Let’s get this going, HERE……WE……GO!!!

• Beautiful day in Latrobe. Partly cloudy, light breeze, high in the low ’80s; should be a good day for football.
• Waiting for the players to start trickling in for warmups. We are guessing Cam Heyward will be one of the early big names on the field as usual.
• Joey Porter Jr. first to the practice field, followed three or four minutes later by Gunner Olszewski. And then Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Damontae Kazee.
• Cam was carrying some cones and an agility ladder. He didn’t even make a rookie carry that stuff to the field for him.
• Got quite loud out here for Kenny Pickett.
• Larry Ogunjobi and Cam doing some serious warm up work. Agility drills, followed by some tandem rush/stunt drills.
• Loud for Pickett, but even more for T.J. Watt.
• Darnell “Mount” Washington is a large man.
• The first couple sessions are really just warm up and nothing all that exciting. Pretty much like warm-ups on game day.
• Kendrick Green’s working out with the running backs. Looked a little winded at the end of that drill.
• Kenny missed Washington on the first play of seven shots.
• Second Play was batted down by Kwon Alexander. 2-0 Defense.
• And then there is George Pickens doing George Pickens things. 2-1
• Allen Robinson for the catch in the back of the end zone. Tied at two.
• Second team in, first play Calvin Austin III juggled, no good ruled by Coach Tomlin in the back of the end zone. Happened right in front of Coach T. so I trust the call.
• Pierre with a nice breakup on Mount Washington. 4-2 defense.
• Dez Fitzpatrick catches the slant from Mitch Trubisky. Final score of seven shots: Defense 4, Offense 3.
• Kenny with a nice throw on the run
• T.J. is dominant!!!
• Nice run and cutback by Jaylen Warren.
• Another nice Jaylen Warren run.
• There are so many fans that are here just walking around and not paying any attention to what’s happening on the field. To me, I wonder what in the world they’re doing here.
• In the punting game there hasn’t been much difference in the two punters. Nothing that exciting.
• Nice catch and turn back to the inside by Allen Robinson.
• Bad snaps ruin everything.
• Pickett a Pickens! Pickett a Pickens! PICKETT A PICKENS!!!!
• Rock to the NAJ!
• Rodney Williams with the catch in the end zone off a double deflection. Good concentration while falling to the ground to come up with that.
• Tight window to Washington for the touchdown. For a big guy, he does a good job of going down and getting the football
• Williams again for the TD. Nice route running on that one.
• That’s the final whistle/horn.

Bring on the Bucs Friday night. I’ll be back for my knee-jerk reactions following the game. Can’t wait!