LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – There are always things for a team to work on, even when you march down the field and score in the only series with your first-team offense. Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada says the group just continues to work and flies somewhat under the radar, at least nationally.
“I think we can be really good,” Canada said Sunday. “We are going to keep quietly moving forward and doing one thing at a time, consistently getting better.”
Canada said they planned to spread the ball around as Kenny Pickett threw a trio of passes to Diontae Johnson, a six-yarder to Pat Freiermuth, Najee Harris in the flat, Jaylen Warren had a 10-yard run and of course the touchdown to George Pickens on third-and-eight.
He said what you saw on Friday night wasn’t a different plan from 2022.
“We did all the things we did last year in that game, but it looked, with our ones, it was clean, good, sharp, our execution was better,” Canada said from training camp. “That’s the same thing we’ve been talking about for a long time. I’m really excited about where we are at and where we are headed.”
There is the preface that needs to go with any preseason game and Canada did point out that you have to take these results for what they are. There were times they had an agenda to try certain plays or get different players looks. But overall, they got done what they needed to accomplish.
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“We are happy with the steps we’ve taken, we are not anywhere complete to where we want to get to, but I think it’s always good to see it in those settings,” Canada said. “In a game-like environment with everyone out watching.”
It was the first game-like environment for receiver Calvin Austin, injured right before the first preseason game last year and never played. Austin had a 67-yard touchdown hook-up with Mason Rudolph along with a 17-yard jet sweep. He also drew a pass interference penalty.
“I thought Calvin had a good night,” Canada said. “Most of you are here every day and you see Calvin. We know what his skill-set is, but it’s very, very crucial to get Calvin on the field in game situations because he didn’t have that last year.”
“We need Calvin to play like a second-year player who didn’t have a first year. That’s a challenging situation he has to answer the bell for. We are happy with the way he did that.”
Canada said it was similar vibes with fourth-year tailback Anthony McFarland. He had a 14-yard touchdown run in the few snaps he played.
“Ant has just had some situations whether it’s injury, guys in front or all of those things,” Canada said of his lack of full opportunity. “He’s done a good job getting better-filling out, doing some things. You have seen him in practice, we felt like he had earned the right to see what he could do in those situations.”
“We were pleased with where he was in game one of the preseason and making some plays and runs. Will continue to watch him grow, we are happy where he is at this moment.”
After Dan Moore left with the first team at left tackle, the snaps went to Broderick Jones. He got a lot of them, as other players came and went, Jones was still at left tackle Friday night at Tampa Bay.
“We wanted to see him do that,” Canada said of all the snaps for the first-round pick. “We have some really good guys on the edge he has to go against every day. He went against someone different-different moves, rush tactics, everyone’s run defense is different.”
“We wanted to speed up that clock as fast as we can without in the framework being silly. We wanted to give him a lot of reps.”
Canada said he thought Jones 'did well'.
Other Canada Notes
· Likes Spencer Anderson’s versatility, he is happy with what he’s learned and comprehended saying it’s not an easy challenge but the 7th rounder is trying to find a way on the roster
· Please with George Pickens’ progress from year one to year two
· ‘Very pleased’ with Darnell Washington after the first game, noting he still has a lot of steps to take
· We have quite a bit of time and all focus is on the opener against the 49ers