Citação de ymakerpi8d em 08/03/2024, 04:02

LATROBE, Pa. -- In many ways, the ' training camp practice was a metaphor for pro football career. Amid a torrential downpour, the former XFL star weathered the storm and made the day's biggest play while showing why the Steelers picked him up this past spring.Late in practice, Butler screamed down the near sideline while catching the Kyle Hendricks Jersey attention of . Trubisky decided to give Butler a chance, and he rewarded his quarterback by catching Trubisky's deep ball after wresting it away from the defender. While it was one of several impre sive plays made on the day by Butler, he's keeping it all in perspective."It's only Day 3," Butler told reporters after practice. "Just trying to show I know the offense and can make plays."Just two days earlier, Butler had struggled to hang on to several catchable pa ses. But facing and responding to adversity is nothing new for him. A formerfourth-round pick, the 6-foot-5, 227-pound Butler's career was initially derailed by an injury that was sustained during his rookie camp. After short stints in Carolina and Philadelphia, Butler failed to get onto the field with both of his Canadian Football League teams.Butler's luck finally began to change this past spring. As a member of the XFL's St. Louis BattleHawks, Butler caught 51 pa ses for 599 yards and eight touchdowns. His succe s in the XFL led to himon May 16."Just proving to myself that I can still do it," Butler said of his XFL experience. "A lot of people gave up on me. Almost gave up on myself truthfully, almost gave up on the game. But kept fighting, kept my head up. This is just another chance to prove that I'm still that guy, can be that guy. I feel that in myself." Butler's breakout season in college took place in 2018, his final season at Iowa State. His quarterback that season was , who burst onto the scene last year with the . Butler is surely hoping to mimic the succe s Purdy has found in San Francisco. If nothing Joe Maddon Jersey else, Butler is giving himself a chance to earn a role on a after nearly giving up on his dream."I would definitely say (I have) confidence in myself," Butler said. "But I wouldn't say it's back now. I probably got it back like two-and-a-half years ago. Early on, rookie year, got hurt, had no confidence. Year after that, came back a little bit. Did a lot of self evaluation, a lot of growth."I've been back, just on a bigger stage now."Here's a rundown of what else went down during what Greg Maddux Jersey started as a sunny but later turned into a rainy practice from Latrobe. Day 3 of camp. BryanDeArdo (@BryanDeArdo) A day after losing Seven Shots by a 5-2 count, Pittsburgh's defense won the drill, 5-2.The unit got some help on the first play when failed to hang on to slant pa s in the end zone. The offense quickly fell into an 0-3 hole after an incomplete pa s to and a deflected pa s by Cam Heyward. The Steelers' first-team offense saved face when tight end made an impre sive catch against linebacker to cut the deficit to 3-1.Things temporarily got interesting when the second-team units took the field. made a diving catch over Joey Porter Jr.to make it a 3-2 score in the defense's favor. But the offense's comeback died when Trubisky and were unable to connect on a fade route on the following play. On the next play, rookie cornerback Jr. put an exclamation point on the win when he tackled a yard short of the end zone. The offense's shortcomings in Seven Shots carried over to the next phase of practice. Pickett was forced to scoop up several low snaps during third-down drills. He was able to recover the first low snap before hitting on a short cro sing route. Pickett wasn't as fortunate a few plays later, however. After picking up another low snap, Pickett was nearly picked off by defensive back on a pa s intended for .Along with low snaps, Pickett also had to endure and applying significant pre sure on nearly every play. While it made Pickett's Saturday tougher Kris Bryant Jersey , he surely won't mind watching Watt and Highsmith do the same thing against opposing quarterbacks this fall.Similarly to the previous day, the offense eventually got on track. , one of the stars of Friday's practice, had another solid outing. Ditto Connor Heyward, as it appears that the second-year tight end will have a bigger role in the offense this season. Pickens bounced back from his drop during Seven Shots by taking a slant pa s to the house to the delight of the fans who braved the le s than ideal weather. Watt also received a hand from the crowd as he tried in vein to catch Pickens from behind. The running game also continues to show signs of promise. made an impre sive catch before receiving a cheer after scoring on a run to the outside.In the end, however, the defense made more plays. Heyward batted down a second pa s during the second half of practice. Shortly after that, safety was the recipient of an intercepted pa s off of a deflection.Yes, the weather surely aided the defense. But that doesn't take away its performance on Saturday while reinforcing the fact that the Steelers' better unit is still on that side of the ball. Following practice, coach Mike Tomlin informed the media that Kazee suffered an ankle injury during Anthony Rizzo Jersey that practice that may keep him sidelined for a few days. Defensive end , who mi sed parts of Friday's practice with heat-related i sues, was carted off the field following Seven Shots. He did not return to practice after being evaluated. Tomlin said the team will monitor Leal's situation.Finally, running back left practice for good after suffering a shoulder injury during 7-on-7 drills.Mi sing during Saturday's practice was safety , who was excused for personal reasons. Fitzpatrick has yet to take part in a training camp practice but was an observer during the first two practices. The Steelers will practice for a fourth consecutive day on Sunday before getting Monday off. Sunday will be the final helmet-only practice; Pittsburgh will bring out the pads on Tuesday.