I'll kick it off I guess with a Wexell freebie... Steelers day 3 notebook Meet Hakeem Butler, who impressed fans with a couple of deep touchdown catches Saturday, and so much more from Latrobe Jim Wexell Come in here, dear boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go far. You're gonna fly high, you're never gonna die. You're gonna make it in this town, they're gonna love you. -- Pink Floyd LATROBE -- That's the song Hakeem Butler was singing when he left Iowa State in 2019. His 6-5 3/8 frame and 227 pounds crossed the NFL Combine 40-yard finish line in 4.48 seconds. And after catching a career-high 60 passes for a career-high 1,318 yards and a career-high 9 touchdowns, Butler was ready to fly high. But surprisingly - at least to media and fans - Butler lasted until the fourth round. Fans in Arizona thought they got a steal, but Butler missed his rookie 2019 season with a broken hand and was waived a year later. Bounced to, and from, the Carolina practice squad, he played tight end with Philadelphia and was waived a month later. He drifted to Canada and was cut twice in 2022 by two CFL teams. He then messaged XFL coach Anthony Becht for a job last spring and bounced back with the receiving line of 51-599-8. That's when the Steelers stepped in and signed a guy they've tracked since college. Yesterday, Butler flew high with a couple of deep touchdowns and a handful of back-shoulder catches that he caught as if he were catching everything at Iowa State from then-freshman QB Brock Purdy in 2018. "My boy Brock," Butler said as he smiled at the memory. "He used to throw it high up over. I used to tell him to get me the ball and I'll figure it out once it's in the air." That's exactly what Butler did in practice yesterday. His most impressive moment was a deep, juggling touchdown catch from Mitch Trubisky as cornerback Madre Harper batted the ball once or twice. Butler caught another deep sideline pass on a back-shoulder throw from Mason Rudolph. Is Butler's confidence back? "I probably got that back two and a half years ago," he said. "Early on, rookie year, I got hurt, had no confidence. Year after that, came back a little bit. Did a lot of self-evaluation, lot of growth. I've been back, I'm just on a bigger stage now." Although Butler couldn't pinpoint a low point, getting cut from the CFL, twice, has to rank as one. "Was better than everybody there," he said. "I'm not a cocky guy. I say that very humbly. Coaches didn't really give me a chance because I was American. I came back home and I was like, 'I know I'm the guy, I know I can play.' I can live with knowing that and be OK with life, so I wouldn't really call it a low point. But it was just the point where I was, like, I'm not waiting around for people who are not looking for me." On advice from his personal trainer, Butler DM'd St. Louis' XFL coach Becht. He follows Butler on Instagram because Becht's son plays at Iowa State. The DM paid off. Becht gave him a chance and Butler put up spectacular numbers. The XFL gave a big, strong, fast wide receiver for one more try. "Oh yeah," Butler said. "Just proving to myself that I can still do it. A lot of people gave up on me. Almost gave up on myself. Almost gave up on the game, but kept fighting, kept my head down. Just another chance to prove I'm still that guy, can be that guy. I feel that in myself." Just in case he finds himself in a numbers battle, Butler was asked if he can play special teams. "These are tough questions to ask on day three," he said with a laugh. "Yeah, I was a great gunner when I was in Philadelphia for a couple games. A lot of coaches came up to me after the games we played them and told me how tough it was to stop me at gunner. My size, my speed, and my mentality is not something you find in too many people out here. I know what I can do." LEAL LEAVES AGAIN Promising second-year defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal left practice for a second consecutive day after trainers examined his chest as he was having trouble breathing. The Steelers don't believe it's serious. At least they hope not. Leal and rookie defensive tackle Keeanu Benton are two promising reserves behind Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi, and Leal also has a few niche roles on game days. "I've been outside and 3-tech," he said. But the Steelers have yet to practice a 4-man front with Leal playing DE the way he did at Texas A&M. "No, just regular outside backer," he said. But it's not as if he'll be isolated on beep-beep speedster Calvin Austin deep on a wheel route out of a jet sweep, the way ILB Cole Holcomb was Friday. "I'm definitely an outside rusher," Leal said, "not somebody that's supposed to be covering guys like Calvin." Primarily, Leal's job, like Benton's, is to play inside in the 4-man nickel front (with two OLBs at ends). How's Benton doing in his rookie camp? "He's doing good, and he's just learning," Leal said. "He's trying to figure out where he fits and where exactly to use his God-given gifts. From there, he's just trying to get good relationships with everybody and build chemistry on the field as well, because there are going to be times where me and him are in together, him and Cam are in together, me and Larry - there are so many combinations that you can have. Just building chemistry right now." What does he expect while playing with Benton? "It's going to be fun. It's going to be good," Leal said. "Because it's not only just for this year, it's going to be for many years to come. That chemistry is just starting." PRACTICE NOTES Minkah Fitzpatrick missed practice again to deal with personal issues. In his place, Damontae Kazee moved over to play free safety while Keanu Neal played the strong side. Kazee intercepted a pass deflected by Neal at an unspecified WR's highpoint. On the previous play, Kazee had hit 6-8 TE Zach Gentry in the face to break up a pass over the middle. ... Patrick Peterson ran with the first team at FS during the final team scrimmage period. More on Peterson Sunday. ... ILB coach Aaron Curry installed a new look to play against 12 personnel (1 RB/2 TE) when he put reserve Mark Robinson on the field with Holcomb and Elandon Roberts for three ILBs. ... Elijah Riley was the first-team slot CB in nickel. On the first play of 7 Shots, Riley covered George Pickens to the back of the end zone. Pickens had a step but dropped Kenny Pickett's pass. ... Pickett's only TD in his four reps in 7 Shots occurred on the fourth, when he improvised and rolled right to find Gentry. ... Connor Heyward dove at the front pylon to catch the only other TD by the offense. Trubisky threw the pass. ... Butler wasn't the only receiver tasked with consistently running deep. Austin did more of that today. But on one short crosser, Austin was manhandled by "Avatar" cornerback Cory Trice, the impressive rookie seventh-rounder. ... On a designed rollout, Pickett pivoted out of the shotgun snap and hit rookie TE Darnell Washington for a chunk gain. It's obvious the Steelers are working on deeper passes and more passes over the middle. ... Of course, the pads don't come on until Tuesday, so flag football rules right now. ... Anthony McFarland continues to dazzle with his speed and pass-catching. On back-to-back snaps, McFarland took a jet handoff and quickly cut up for a big gain. On the next, he darted through a hole in the middle of the line for a chunk gain. ... Holcomb has been isolated in coverage with several wide receivers and has shown he has the speed to stay close with them. ... Heyward caught a deep pass down the middle from Trubisky late in practice. ... In the scant 3-4 alignment reps, Montravius Adams played the nose with the first team. ... Inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor yesterday were Aaron Smith, James Harrison, Moon Mullins, and Ray Mansfield. More on that Sunday. ... Mike Tomlin's injury report: "Leal was taken off the field evaluated; he had a little difficulty breathing, we don't think it's significant. Kazee had an ankle injury of some description, He's been evaluated as well, maybe a day or two. Alfonzo Graham appeared to have a shoulder injury when he fell and hit the ground, and he's also being evaluated. Non injury related man, I excused Minkah for a few days. He's dealing with a personal matter. He is being excused and he has my support." ... And Tomlin on Butler: "We were interested in his big playability when he came out of Iowa State a number of years ago. It was a guy with somewhat of a short football resume, more of a basketball guy growing up and we saw upside in that. He was a big time one on one playmaker. You know, we’ve kind of followed him and tracked him. He did similar things in the spring league this year, and we had an opportunity to sign him. Time will tell in terms of the rep span."
I heard about the sellout. The band could be fantastic that is really what I think. Oh, by the the way which one is pink.
Tomlin to miss the Friday night lights scrimmage to honor Rhondey Barbers HOF induction. I’m not sure if he is giving his introduction or just there to hold his hand. Barber says Tomlin set him on the right path to becoming a HOF. Us Steelers fans are so spoiled it’s hard for us to see how good of a coach we have. The biggest problem with the Steelers is that us fans want to score points like the high powered offenses in the league and our defense to pitch a shutout every game. The organization wants to play football like it was in the 70’s. I’d say the organization has a point, because you can count the number of losing seasons we have had since the merger on your fingers. Tomlin is a big part of that because he has never contributed to the finger counting. I think we can win SBs with this style of play as long as we keep finding defenders that can play like they are protecting their families from intruders.
I like our depth on OL, ILB, WR, TE, DL, and OLB much better this August. I guess Matt Canada gets one more chance but man if they suck in the red zone again Tomlin needs to cut the cord.
I read daily camp summaries on Depot. The one that came from left field is Kendrick Greene at FB. Cody White Will probably beat out Butler if he can be a reliable PR, which Austin III could also bump Oshitsky
Darnell The Big 0 Washington is impressing Patrick Peterson. Patrick Peterson: Darnell Washington Will Be 'Red Zone Killer' - Steelers Depot
The offense won seven shots 6-1. Either the offense has really improved or the defense sucked that day.
Mason Rudolf knows he’s #3 on the depth chart and his apathy is rising . So he’s throwing picks more than TD’s. One guy to watch is Luc Barcoo he’s a playmaker and I predict he makes the 53
Faker Mayfart is starting for the Tampon Bay Sucs on Friday. Hope they drive him into the ground like the Pacific Railroad golden spike
Kozora: 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers Pre-First Preseason Game 53-Man Roster Predictions - Steelers Depot Depot roster predictions. 7 DL that’s different
Steelers up 14-7. Darnell Washington burried some poor dude. James Pierre is stinking up the secondary, Kwon Alexander is a heat seeking missle and making plays. 2023 Preseason Game 1 Steelers Vs Buccaneers Live Update And Discussion Thread
I was on the side of Pickett being a bad pick and a possible bust but he looked good last year at end of season and looked really good tonight on only drive. What say you?
I thought this preseason game went well, no major injuries! Kenny came in commanded the huddle, was very accurate and led the offense to an opening scoring drive, must do more of that this year. Trubinsky didn’t seem like he was on today, bad INT but rallied to lead the team to a scoring drive. Rudolph had a pretty deep ball on the Austin TD. He still holds on to the ball too long, and gets him in trouble a lot. Overall I say a pretty good game.
Have to say little disappointed in Golden from what I saw. Looked a little lethargic to me on a few plays. Excited about Herbig, wasn’t completely sold on him draft night, but looks like he’s got something there. 1.5 sacks off the edge. Washington looked good as a blocker. Hope to see JPJ in the next game
