PITTSBURGH — Beanie Bishop and Ryan Watts had very different experiences for their first weekends with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Bishop, an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia, was there every step of the way for rookie minicamp last month and even won a 3-point shooting contest with his fellow newcomers at Petersen Events Center, the Univeristy of Pittsburgh basketball court, scoring a win for the Mountaineers.

"I still got it," laughed Bishop, who played hoops until his senior year at Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Louisville, Ky.

Meanwhile, Watts was in a cap and gown walking across the stage to receive his diploma at the University of Texas. He had to miss the first session of rookie camp Friday and, after a delayed flight, he landed in Pittsburgh around 2 a.m. Saturday, got to his hotel at 3:30 and then reported to the Steelers facility at about 5:30 to get situated.

"It was crazy getting out here, but I was definitely grateful," Watts said. "I appreciate them for allowing me to have an opportunity [to attend graduation] because it's once in a lifetime, for real. I'm the first of my generation, too, so it meant a lot."

Watts actually offered to arrive early in Pittsburgh and then fly back in time for his ceremony, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told him to stay in Austin and enjoy the moment. You can't blame Watts for wanting to make every second count as a sixth-round pick who's being asked to learn a new position.

In that sense, Bishop and Watts are on similar tracks. Both played outside cornerback last season in the Big 12, but Bishop is transitioning to slot corner and Watts to safety. Versatility is key for any rookie, particularly late-rounders and eighth-rounders, as the undrafted fraternity likes to say.

"Those guys are adapting well," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, a secondary coach by nature. "But like everything, I don't get too excited about what we see out here. I lay the groundwork and then hope that things carry on once we put on pads. Because sometimes, you put on pads, and guys disappear."

Neither Bishop nor Watts intend on vanishing come training camp. Bishop is undersized but feisty at 5-foot-9, 180 pounds. He knew a move inside was likely for him in the NFL, despite holding his own against bigger wideouts with four interceptions, 20 pass breakups and 67 tackles in his lone season in Morgantown, W. Va.

Bishop used OTAs to adjust to the speed of the pro game, stacking himself against smaller, quicker receivers such as Calvin Austin, Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson and picking the brains of veterans from safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to cornerback Donte Jackson. His main point of emphasis has been trying to time his blitzes as the nickel, inspired by a former Steeler who often executed it perfectly.

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