Anthony McFarland was fantasy football star of practice on day two of Steelers training camp
Published July 29th, 9:45 EDT
by Bo Marchionte
Latrobe, PA – On the 30th of August last year, Anthony McFarland was waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers and signed to the practice squad the next day. It was a jolt for the second year running back who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft after two stellar seasons at Maryland.
“Absolutely it hit me,” McFarland said, working with Jaylen Warren (his best friend) late after practices wrapped up on the second day of training camp. “I’m glad I actually kind of saw that and it hit me on what it’s all about and made me more detailed in my work.”
The change in the way he approaches the game was evident on the second day of training camp. Kenny Pickett found McFarland darting out of the backfield during the teams Seven Shots session for the score. The overall day was productive for McFarland who was lined up all over the field accumilating touches. If training camp fantasy football is possible, then McFarland would have been the stud of choice at Steelers camp on day two. His reps resulted in touches and touches resulted in production.
“I’m just trying to put my head down and grind man,” McFarland said without acknowledging the splendid afternoon he put together on Chuck Noll Field. “Trying to get into the space where I just become a better player. Just show my versatility not only on offense but more importantly special teams. In the return game or kickoff just anything.”
That is where McFarland is going to make the most. Special teams are going to be his meal ticket to remaining active on the roster and securing the position of third on the depth chart at running back. GM Omar Khan was questioned on the inexperience of the unit behind both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren during his training camp press conference. Khan was quick to defend the group and even called the third year running back out by name.
“Yeah, you know, I don’t really agree with that,” Khan replied to the notion of inexperience. “We have Anthony McFarland; he’s been here for a couple years. We’ve got (Jason) Huntley is here, and we’ve got some young guys and we have confidence in those guys. If we didn’t have confidence in those guys, we would address it differently.”
In hindsight, Khan was simply naming a couple of running backs with some league experience underneath their belt. However, to quickly downplay the notion they aren’t capable of success, especially in the case of McFarland, I feel it’s a bit premature to dismiss his potential. The moment when McFarland was caught off guard and put on the practice squad was an epiphany to understanding how to approach the game like a professional.
“Learning, you can’t rely just on your talent and skill at this level no matter how good you are,” McFarland said was his biggest take away from being waived last summer. “It’s the little things that matter. So, I really started to understand that after being cut and being on the practice squad and actually just watching the game. Literally just watching the game and was like this is what it’s about.”
The execution of film study and diving back into the intricacies of playing the position went hand in hand for McFarland to realize and hopefully in his case, capitalize on remaining on the 53-man roster when the announcement of final cuts arrives on August 29th.
McFarland was one of the last players on the field Friday, which wasn’t exactly the best thing for me since I was waiting for him to exit the field to and to piece together this story. A security guard was near me, and we began chit chatting about the day and ironically, he said, “you know what running back you should keep your eye on.”
He mentions McFarland – What are the odds?
The security officer had no idea who I was waiting to speak to; it was just a random comment that coincided with exactly who I wanted to speak with. Working at the team facility day in and day out the officer said he could tell a noticeable difference in McFarland because the evidence was in the extra time in the weight room.
The third-year pro learned the talent gets you to the next level but remaining takes the mindset of a professional. The 4.44 he ran at the NFL Combine and accolades earned with the Terrapins are ancient history. Living in the here and now requires him to take everything up ten notches.
“It comes down to the little things,” McFarland said. “For example, on a running play and knowing how those blocking schemes work. Instead of getting the ball and just running. You know what I’m saying.
“A lot of guys won’t admit that but that’s what a lot of guys do. I was one of those guys. I’d just rely on my instinct and not my ability to know the game and understand the game and how it works.
So, just little things like that. From the running game to the passing game. Protections and know what defenses do and their tendencies. What they’re lined-up in. My perspective has definitely changed since my rookie year. The biggest thing I’ve learned is just how to really become a professional.”
The residue of his rookie season is being washed away by a more diligent young man with a professional attitude. Maybe that is why he received so many touches on day two of training camp practices.
It’s possible the Steelers are recognizing “the little things” as well.
