Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth walked off the practice field side by side on the fifth day of the Steelers’ OTAs Wednesday on the South Side, just as they’ve done hundreds of times before. They’ve been together, on and off, for a long time as the Steelers’ top two tight ends.
That doesn’t figure to change this season, but change will come.
Miller will be 33 in October, though he said he’s feeling healthy. Spaeth will be 32 in November. The truth is, while they remain a formidable duo, they’re reaching the end of their respective careers and the Steelers haven’t exactly gone out of their way to put a premium on the tight end position in recent drafts.
Still, the duo sees plenty of hope.
“I really like some of these young guys we’ve got here right now,” Miller said. “I’ve noticed that they are quick learners. That’s important for us.”
The Steelers drafted South Allegheny’s Jesse James out of Penn State in the fifth round. He’s received a good chunk of work during OTAs.
“It’s early,” James said. “But I’m feeling comfortable so far.”
James will receive plenty of competition for playing time.
Rob Blanchflower, a seventh-round pick in 2014, has struggled to stay healthy but remains a player the Steelers would like to receive a good look at this summer.
The Steelers signed Cam Clear as an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M earlier this spring. Clear is listed at 6-5, 277, and some NFL teams project him more as a tackle. But Clear is practicing with the tight ends.
Character issues were a concern entering the draft because of Clear’s dismissal from the University of Tennessee in 2012. Clear was charged with felony theft and later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.
The Steelers sound happy to have his enormous size, and he sounds happy for the opportunity:
Miller said this is a wonderful time to be a tight end for this team: “We have some major weapons at running back and wide receiver on this team. Major weapons. Defenses are going to do everything they can to take those guys away. I don’t know if they’ll be able to pull that off or not. But because of all the attention those guys are going to receive, it should make things easier for us.”
It will make things easier for the aging veterans if young players are able to provide stable backup behind them. Or, better yet, add something to the group.
“It’s good for the team if we can get these young guys in here and get them all on the same page right now,” Miller said. “I like what I see. There is talent and they’ve already got an understand of this offense. It’s a good thing and I think it has a chance to work out really well.”
The Steelers will wrap up this week’s OTAs on Thursday.
In a rather jarring visual Wednesday, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi and Penn State coach James Franklin watched practice together, standing side by side and speaking throughout. Mike Tomlin posed for a selfie with them during practice.
As a Texas A&M season ticket holder last season, I'd be surprised if Clear ended up a viable option at TE, I suppose as a project at tackle he might be worth considering seeing as we have him in at the moment.
@Andrew...GIG'EM!!! Fellow Ag here. You are right about Clear. When he came to A&M via the JUCO route, his JUCO coaches had said his best position eventually would be as a Tackle. He is definitely a project.
Not really. Tough to read anything before pads come in. But I will say this: Martavis Bryant looks far more impressive and polished than last season. Said half jokingly that he knows the playbook now. I could envision a huge year from him.
Josh, do you think that AB and Bryant have the talent potential to be the best WR-tandem in team history? I know I'm getting WAY ahead of myself, but they could be better than Hines and Plaxico were together.
When I visited training camp last summer, Blanchflower stood out in the blocking drills against OLBs. Coincidentally, he also got hurt during that set of drills. I hope he gets healthy - I think he could be an above average TE.
Matt Spaeth, right, watches the younger tight ends take on the blocking sled. -- DAVE DiCELLO
June 3, 2015
Coverage: Heath, Spaeth … and who’s next?
by Josh Yohe • Coverage • Steelers
BY JOSH YOHE
Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth walked off the practice field side by side on the fifth day of the Steelers’ OTAs Wednesday on the South Side, just as they’ve done hundreds of times before. They’ve been together, on and off, for a long time as the Steelers’ top two tight ends.
That doesn’t figure to change this season, but change will come.
Miller will be 33 in October, though he said he’s feeling healthy. Spaeth will be 32 in November. The truth is, while they remain a formidable duo, they’re reaching the end of their respective careers and the Steelers haven’t exactly gone out of their way to put a premium on the tight end position in recent drafts.
Still, the duo sees plenty of hope.
“I really like some of these young guys we’ve got here right now,” Miller said. “I’ve noticed that they are quick learners. That’s important for us.”
The Steelers drafted South Allegheny’s Jesse James out of Penn State in the fifth round. He’s received a good chunk of work during OTAs.
“It’s early,” James said. “But I’m feeling comfortable so far.”
James will receive plenty of competition for playing time.
Rob Blanchflower, a seventh-round pick in 2014, has struggled to stay healthy but remains a player the Steelers would like to receive a good look at this summer.
The Steelers signed Cam Clear as an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M earlier this spring. Clear is listed at 6-5, 277, and some NFL teams project him more as a tackle. But Clear is practicing with the tight ends.
Character issues were a concern entering the draft because of Clear’s dismissal from the University of Tennessee in 2012. Clear was charged with felony theft and later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.
The Steelers sound happy to have his enormous size, and he sounds happy for the opportunity:
Miller said this is a wonderful time to be a tight end for this team: “We have some major weapons at running back and wide receiver on this team. Major weapons. Defenses are going to do everything they can to take those guys away. I don’t know if they’ll be able to pull that off or not. But because of all the attention those guys are going to receive, it should make things easier for us.”
It will make things easier for the aging veterans if young players are able to provide stable backup behind them. Or, better yet, add something to the group.
“It’s good for the team if we can get these young guys in here and get them all on the same page right now,” Miller said. “I like what I see. There is talent and they’ve already got an understand of this offense. It’s a good thing and I think it has a chance to work out really well.”
The Steelers will wrap up this week’s OTAs on Thursday.
In a rather jarring visual Wednesday, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi and Penn State coach James Franklin watched practice together, standing side by side and speaking throughout. Mike Tomlin posed for a selfie with them during practice.