McCullers eyes big push
Second-year defensive tackle Daniel McCullers had no problems being a disruptive force in the limited playing time he had in his 2014 rookie season. It was not an uncommon sight for McCullers to push an opposing center or guard deep into the backfield.
The problem was once he was in position to make a play, he never really did. McCullers played 82 snaps in his rookie season, but did not register a tackle.
“That’s the next step,” said McCullers, a 6-foot-7, 355-pounder who played mostly at nose tackle.
“I got a lot of good push last year, but I didn’t make a lot of plays. My plan is to attack more, make a lot more plays.”
Under new defensive coordinator Keith Butler the Steelers are allowing their defensive linemen to be more aggressive and attack the line of scrimmage. In seasons past, the defensive linemen were asked to eat up blocks, which allowed the linebackers to make more plays.
“This defense is much improved,” McCullers said. “We have more chances to get push and get pressure on the quarterback.”
This is a big season for McCullers. Starting nose tackle Steve McLendon is not signed beyond this season. A starting job could be in his future, but he must prove this season that he is capable of handling a bigger load.
“This year, I have a good feel for the defense,” he said. “I’m playing faster since I know all the plays. I can go full speed.”
Under the lights
The Steelers will hold their annual night practice at 7 p.m. today at Latrobe Memorial Stadium. If it’s anything like a year ago the fans in attendance will be in for a real treat.
Last year, during a backs-on-backers drill, Vince Williams and Le’Veon Bell got into a fight after Williams took Bell to the turf. It escalated into mayhem when running back LeGarrette Blount, who was not practicing, jumped into the fray and started throwing punches. At one point, Blount and assistant coach Joey Porter almost fought.
“It’s good to get out in front of the fans,” veteran tight end Heath Miller said. “It’s a good atmosphere. Guys are ready to play. Ultimately, it’s another day of practice for us, but a change of venue is nice.”
Injury update
Safety Mike Mitchell and cornerback Cortez Allen did not practice with unspecified minor injuries. Allen is expected to practice tonight and Mitchell will be monitored for another day or two, coach Mike Tomlin said.
Center Maurkice Pouncey, on the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list with a foot injury, is close to being cleared for practice.
“He’s probably the closest of anyone in the group,” Tomlin said the five players on the PUP list.
He did not disclose updates on the other players.
Quick hits
• Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was a limited participant in practice, which opened the door for Landry Jones to work with the first-team offense for an extended period in practice.
“I thought he had a good day today,” Tomlin said. “I thought he did some nice things with the extra snaps we gave him. That’s all you’re looking for. When you take the time to give a guy an extra snap or two, you like to see him take advantage of it with execution and I thought he did.”
• Right tackle Marcus Gilbert continued a good first week of camp. In a runblocking drill, Gilbert took second-year defensive end Stephon Tuitt to the turf.