During his first training camp press conference of the 2014 season, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear that the hitting will begin Monday when the team is finally allowed to put the pads on for the first time. According to new running back LeGarrette Blount, he’s ready for the intensity to be ratcheted up a notch or two.
“Oh yeah, we’re teammates, but at the same time its a whole bunch of guys out there and everybody wants to compete for a job,” Blount told Teresa Varley of steelers.com. “So it’s going to be pretty intense, I’m pretty sure about it.”
One of the several highlights during training camp is the backs on backers drill and even though he’s an established veteran, Blount said he’s more than willing to throw around that big body of his against any player that wants to line up against him.
“I like them all,” said Blount about the upcoming drills. “None of it matters to me. I’m going to go out there, and if we go backers against d-tackles, I’m going to go out there and do it. I just like contact and that’s a big part of my game.”
Blount accepts the role that he will play this year with the Steelers which will likely include him spelling starter Le’Veon Bell and according to him, he’s already established a good bond with the second-year running back.
“We get along real well,” said Blount of Bell. “The relationship between us is we are close friends and help each other. I am excited about it.”
While Bell has been helping Blount get acquainted with the Steelers offense, the veteran has been busy imparting some his wisdom on the young running back as well.
“As a runner he has helped me out with pointers and things to look at, pre-snap reads and whatever,” said Bell. “He has been in the league a long time. He knows what to expect.”
As for the Steelers linebackers, they can likely expect to have a few extra bruises on their bodies starting Monday.
