Training Camp Primer
Location: Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania
To Attend
Fans can attend any practices that are open to the public and the campus opens at 1:30 for 2:55 practices. There is no admission charge for practices at St. Vincent, but there is a small admission fee for practice at the high school field. Video cameras, pets, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Park Here
There are designated parking areas near the practice fields. The parking lot opens at noon.
Camp is Open
The Steelers open camp on July 30 and practice will be open to the public the next day. Practices are open to the public on the following dates:
- July 31 - Aug. 5: 2:55 p.m.
- Aug. 6: 7 p.m. (Latrobe Stadium)
- Aug. 7: TBD
- Aug. 8-12: 2:55 p.m.
- Aug 16-18: 2:55 p.m.
- Practices generally run from 2:55 to 5 p.m.
Steelers Experience
The Steelers Experience offers kids the opportunity to participate in interactive football skills games, such as running, passing, and kicking and is set up adjacent to the baseball field. It runs from 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. on the days the Steelers have 2:55 practice, but doesn't run during night practices. The traveling Coca-Cola Great Hall will also be set up near the practice fields.
Steelers Merchandise
The Steelers merchandise tent is open whenever the Steelers have practice at St. Vincent College. The tent is located near the entrance to campus, across from the parking lots.
Autographs
The best time to obtain autographs from the players is after practice and it's at the players' discretion as to whether or not they sign on a particular day. There are areas designated for fans to stand to obtain the autographs. There is no formal setting for player autographs on a daily basis.
Restrictions
There is no videotaping of practice permitted. Video cameras should not be brought on campus. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on campus. Bags and coolers will be searched by security. No pets are permitted on campus.
Position Battles To Watch
The most talked about position battle is at quarterback, where Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon or Charlie Batch will start while Ben Roethlisberger serves his suspension. Head coach Mike Tomlin said there will be a defined pecking order by the time training camp begins and Leftwich seems to be at the top of the depth chart after taking the most snaps with the starters this spring.
Last season, Trai Essex and Ramon Foster both started at right guard. This year, they'll have to battle each other, as well as rookie Maurkice Pouncey and last season's third round selection, Kraig Urbik, for the starting job.
There will also be an interesting battle at inside linebacker, where James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons and Larry Foote will challenge for two spots. Timmons currently starts at mack linebacker, Foote's position before the Steelers released him a year ago.
Old Faces
There are plenty of familiar faces returning to the Steelers this season. Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, cornerback Bryant McFadden, Leftwich and Foote all returned to Pittsburgh after spending time with different teams. Randle El, McFadden and Foote should all play prominent roles this season, with Leftwich in line to start while Roethlisberger is suspended.
New Faces
The Steelers selected Pouncey, a center out of Florida, 17th overall in this year's draft. Pouncey was arguably the best center in college football and should make an instant impact on the Steelers this season, perhaps earning a starting job on the offensive line.
Rookie running back Jonathan Dwyer out of Georgia Tech also has the potential to play a role this season. Dwyer, drafted in the sixth round, was a first-team All-ACC selection his final two seasons and could find time in the Steelers' offensive backfield as he develops.
Impact Player
Running back Rashard Mendenhall had 1,108 rushing yards and 261 receiving yards last season. With the Steelers looking to put a greater emphasis on the running game this year, especially in Roethisberger's absence, look for Mendenhall to play a major role in the offense.
Compiled by Lauren Kirschman
