Steelers' offense continues to have too much icing and not enough cake
The Pittsburgh Steelers were off today, completing the initial portion of camp before the pads come on tomorrow. So before stuff get's "real" it's best to take a look back. Here are the storylines from a busy week one in Latrobe: Matt Canada’s Offense Yet to Show More Substance Now, as I discussed when Calvin […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers were off today, completing the initial portion of camp before the pads come on tomorrow.
So before stuff get's "real" it's best to take a look back.
Here are the storylines from a busy week one in Latrobe:
Matt Canada’s Offense Yet to Show More Substance
Now, as I discussed when Calvin Austin stole the show during Friday's practice, I'm all for Jet motion, just not the actual sweep part (the handoff) which is seemingly still a staple in Canada's offense.
Pair that with a growing trend of the Steelers' "Pony Personnel" (two running backs on the field, often with one in QB alignment), and there's still a little too much of a gimmicky feel to the offense.
There were a few big plays over the weekend, but those felt more like an appetizer than a main course when it comes to offensive philosophy.
From an optimistic point of view, Pittsburgh hasn't even reached day five yet, so hopefully there's a lot more to Canada's play design.
Rookie Class Has Been Up & Down
The 2023 Steelers draft class is one of the main talking points after the weekend, with positive reps from players like Joey Porter Jr and Cory Trice, but a first-team debut that Broderick Jones will use as a learning experience.
In fairness to Jones, not only is that Alex Highsmith he's working against, but the lack of pads makes it difficult to truly assess his play. This rep is a little different seeing as Highsmith wins with pure speed and a "Ghost Move", but this week will be huge for Jones and give us a good idea who will be the starting left tackle on opening day.
Year Two Playmakers Shine
One of the brightest spots of the Steelers' start to camp has been the chemistry between Kenny Pickett and his second-year receivers Calvin Austin III and George Pickens:
Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson are known commodities at this point, but the ceiling of the offense largely hinges on the play of the three aforementioned sophomores.
There is no reason to believe that the offense will struggle the way they did in 2022, but if they are to exceed expectations, the trio of Pickett, Pickens, and Austin will have to take second-year leaps.
The Secondary Is Going to be Multiple
If you could take any storyline from the start of camp and bet on the likelihood it carries over to the season, it's that the defense, and more specifically the secondary, will be versatile in 2023.
Damontae Kazee, Elijah Riley, Joey Porter Jr., and Patrick Peterson have taken snaps all over the defense. Whether that be field safety, boundary safety, slot/nickel, and outside corner, you name it, they've aligned there.
Now, how well that translates to turnovers and ultimately wins and losses is to be determined.
Scouts define versatility or the capacity to play multiple positions as an omen to a player's football intelligence.
So it's a tricky balance of getting the most out of your players, but also not putting too much on their plate, something that will be interesting to follow throughout the rest of camp and into the season.
The Pass Rush Should be Special
We already highlighted the start to camp that Alex Highsmith has had, but Watt and Heyward have been right behind him. Watt is looking to redeem himself after an injury-plagued 2022, and Heyward may be in his mid 30's now, but he has shown no signs of slowing down.
That leads me to believe this trio will be special this year, and I don't mean for the Steelers, I mean in comparison to the league.
The 2022 Philadelphia Eagles lead the league in sacks with a total of 70. And while their depth was and is notable, arguably their best pass rusher (Haason Reddick) would be Pittsbugh's fourth best behind this trio.
It all comes down to health for the group but with a fired-up Watt, hungry Heyward, and Highsmith just starting his prime, the sky is the limit.
And that's a wrap on the first four days of training camp. Tomorrow (August 1) starts the second week of camp and the Steelers' first full week in Latrobe. But more importantly, it marks the beginning of padded practice, something everyone with a rooting interest in the Pittsburgh Steelers is anxiously awaiting.
The offense has shown signs of verticality but is still a little "high school harry" at this point. Defensively, the front seven looks big, fast, and hungry, while the backend is displaying versatility and reason for optimism.
But the Steelers' hopes to exceed expectations ultimately hinge on how far their second-year players leap offensively. Week one showed that Pickett, Austin and Pickens are all capable of said jump, with just how high still to be determined.
Steelers: Alex Highsmith just put a target on Pittsburgh’s back
Call it confidence, not cockiness
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