LATROBE, Pa. – If numbers are your thing, the temperature was at 87, but it's also accurate to call it the hottest day of this training camp. The afternoon practice was just about to enter its final 30 minutes, but those minutes were reserved for team drills, and it's the team drills that include all of the hitting.

Coach Mike Tomlin gathered the team around him and laid it out for them. There was one more field goal attempt left in the special teams period, and then it would be time for 30 minutes of banging heads … but … if Jeff Reed made the final field goal of special teams period – 42 yards out with the ball on the left hash – practice would be over. Miss it, and the team drills would start with the no-huddle. Oh, and Reed had just missed on his previous attempt.

"The hardest thing in practice is trying to create game-like situations," said special teams coach Bob Ligashesky. "That was pretty much as close to a game situation as you could get right there."

This special teams period had begun with Connor Hughes kicking field goals, and when he was finished, Reed stepped up for his turn. By then, Tomlin had told Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward what was coming, because they started yelling to the kicker, "Take us home, Reed. Take us home."

Reed made his first couple of kicks, and then hooked one. That's when Tomlin called the team together and gave everybody the news. There was a lot of expectant chatter at the prospect of 30 minutes cut off an afternoon practice as Reed went through his normal pre-kick routine.

"At this time of year, the guys are a little leg weary," said Tomlin. "I told Jeff last night the possibilities of it, and I asked him to keep it to himself so he could sleep on it a little bit. He wore it well, and he delivered for his teammates. And really, that's what training camp is about. We're pitting these guys against each other and coming out here and competing here every day. We want to make sure we're providing that same opportunity for Jeff."

Reed knew what was on the line, even if it wasn't going to show up in the standings.

"Coach Tomlin mentioned it to me and told me to keep my mouth shut, and not tell anybody else. Actually, it was worse that he did mention it, because I thought about it all night last night," said Reed. "I didn't want to let my team down. I'm glad it worked out for the best, and actually the one before that I mis-hit. It was good that it all wasn't riding on that one."

There are several themes emerging as Tomlin's first training camp continues to unfold, and among those are an emphasis on special teams, and the reality that while there is going to be hard work, there are rewards for working hard.

"I was finished after that period anyway, so if anything, it helps those guys," said Reed about the significance of his kick. "At this point, we're pretty tired anyway, and we're fighting through camp. Team drills was coming up, and if there are any hits that occur, that's the period when they occur, so I saved them a few bruises."

INJURY REPORT: Rookie Darnell Stapleton hyperextended his knee. "I don't think it's anything major, but he might require a day or two before he can get back out there," said Tomlin … Willie Parker, Chris Hoke and Travis Kirschke were given the afternoon off. "It's training camp, and there are bumps and bruises along the way," said Tomlin. "We try to take care of a few guys like Willie Parker, Chris Hoke, Travis Kirschke. Yesterday, we took a little bit off Verron Haynes. We want to make sure we keep our horses up and running."