Hit on Fields ignites first fight at camp
The unwritten rule of football practice is the quarterback should never be touched — let alone tackled.
That code was violated Wednesday during the second padded practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it led to the first full-scale fight of training camp.
In the final team period of the workout, quarterback Justin Fields cut upfield on a read-option run and was met by slot cornerback Beanie Bishop and inside linebacker Elandon Roberts. Each player chipped Fields, who fell to the ground.
That sparked the hostilities — punches were thrown by multiple players — much to coach Mike Tomlin’s disappointment.
“We got a little bit less than professional and chippy today,” Tomlin said. “It’s an opportunity to teach and learn. It’s part of this process, and as much as we hate it, we’ll learn and grow.”
The lick that Roberts placed on Fields sparked the ire of rookie tackle Troy Fautanu, who shoved Roberts in the back. Much like the third man in a hockey fight, rookie guard Mason McCormick jumped in and went after Roberts, which escalated the brawl.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. threw punches toward McCormick. Fautanu engaged with inside linebacker Patrick Queen, and both participants were prepared to throw a punch before offensive lineman Ryan McCollum delivered a hit that sent Queen sprawling.
“It got a little feisty, but that’s camp,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “We’ve got to learn we want to be aggressive. We want to be physical, but you’ve got to keep your cool. You do that stuff in a game, you’re out of the game, and it hurts our team.
“It’s a good teaching moment for us. I like the competitiveness, I like the fire, but we have to understand we can’t fight.”
Roberts admitted to giving Fields a “little love tap.” He wasn’t surprised — or even upset — that the offensive linemen came after him in retaliation.
“They did what they are supposed to do,” he said. “You’re always supposed to protect your quarterback. I think it was a good thing. You see the mentality of your offense protecting the quarterback. I’m going to stay away from the quarterback.”
While the coaching staff wasn’t pleased with the histrionics that took place, former NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt was encouraged by the display of aggression.
“As long as there is good meaning behind it,” said Watt, who had the day off and watched the fight develop from afar. “Sometimes you need to stoke the fire to see what we are about as a team. That is all today was about. We don’t want it to continue and mess up practice.”
Center Nate Herbig appreciated the two rookie linemen — Fautanu was taken in the first round, Mc-Cormick in the fourth — for sticking up for Fields.
“Nobody is going to hit our quarterback — a cheap shot — and get away with it,” he said. “That is a big emphasis for us as a unit. It’s nothing personal.”
The Roberts-McCormick tussle was the main event on a day when Herbig and Queen served as the opening act. A few plays before the brawl, Herbig and Queen squared off, with the 334-pound center’s helmet getting yanked off his head.
“It wasn’t on tight enough,” Herbig said with a smile.
Before practice concluded, a third encounter took place. Tight end Pat Freiermuth and rookie inside linebacker Payton Wilson exchanged words and had to be separated by Porter.
“We’ll coach off that,” Austin said. “You don’t want this stuff happening again and again, and it gets out of control.”
Considering that one day earlier players donned pads for the first time since last season, it perhaps was inevitable that a fight or two would commence.
“We put the pads on, it gets warmer, testosterone starts to build up, and guys want to start to fight,” Bishop said. “It gets (heated), but this stuff doesn’t leave the field.”
Added Herbig: “We go against each other every day. We hit each other more than you hit anyone else in the NFL. We’re grown men. Tempers flare.”
