LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Every year it seems to cause upheaval among Steeler Nation. How many snaps are the starters going to play in a preseason game?
There used to be a rhythm to it when the NFL had four preseason games. Now with three, fans are getting used to the division of labor. Coaches are also experimenting with the best way to work it.
Almost always leaning on the side of being aggressive, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin promised to play all healthy players in the second preseason game Saturday against Buffalo and the starters for 'a longer time' than the first exhibition matchup. It creates an on-line firestorm of those fearful of injury to a star player. Not as much with the younger stars, but understandably worried about the veterans. Why does TJ Watt or Cam Heyward have to play in a game that doesn't count?
Heyward says he wants a chance to play in a game before the season begins. The 34 year-old says he/we need to knock off some rust.
"I like it in a game," Heyward said. "You get a real feel for it. Communicating in and out of plays, in a game it flows faster (than practice). You have to deal with hurry-up. It happens faster. We have to be able to communication on and off the field faster."
"There is only so much guys can do if they are not on the field."
"Especially for us as a first group, this will be our first test this year," said linebacker Alex Highsmith. "To be able to come out and have a strong start is important to us. It will give us that confidence and set the tone for the year."
For those bashing Tomlin for the decision, it's consistent with what he's done in the past and if you look at the last two season openers, at Buffalo and at Cincinnati, the Steelers were big underdogs in both and not only won both, but were clearly the sharper and more physical team. Steelers likely to be an underdog again in this year's opener hosting one of the preseason NFC favorites, San Francisco.
Even for those opposed to using starters, most can understand why safety Minkah Fitzpatrick needs some action. Gone is long-time partner Terrell Edmunds and slot and outside corner Cam Sutton.
"I definitely want to get some reps in, practice is practice, but a game is a game," Fitzpatrick said. "It's another team, a different color. We've been going against this offense for a month now-different colors, different schemes. I think it will be good for us."
Safety Damontae Kazee missed the first preseason game due to injury. He's back to practice and anxious to be out there. He wants to see how guys respond to different looks, not just from the opponent, but from their own defense.
"It's always good to be out there with the guys," Kazee said. "There are new pieces out there with the linebackers. I got to play with Minkah last year, but the timing is good for us."
Keanu Neal is the other new safety, he said with all of the interchangeable pieces, it's hard to even distinguish positions in the Steelers secondary. Neal is in his first year with the team, also missed last Friday due to injury and has a reputation as one of the hardest hitters at the position.
Then there is Patrick Peterson, while he's seen a lot over his 13 years in the NFL, he's playing positions he never has in the past. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has him working, not only outside, but inside in the slot.
"It's coming along pretty well," Peterson said. "I continue to get my feet wet in different positions. I feel very comfortable, now it's about getting those reps in a game, against another opponent. It's very interesting, but I'm having the time of my life because this is the first time in my career I've been able to move all over the field."
They want to work on the communication that will be key to making any defense work-from the exotic to the basic.
"I think there is still a lot of work to be done," Heyward said. "Continue to keep getting better at the little things, whether it's tackling or whatever. We got to continue to work on communication. We've only had one game to really work on that communication front, trying to get better at that."
"We have an idea where we need to be," Fitzpatrick said. "We've all played ball for a long time. Now it's about creating a system where we can play to our strengths. I think the more reps we get at it, the better we will be."
Even though the first team offense marched down the field in the preseason opener scoring a touchdown on a third-down pass, they want the opportunity to compete against the Bills starters. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said he will play his first team a quarter-and-a-half Saturday night on KDKA-TV.
"I thought it was good," guard James Daniels said of the first game. "We did some different things. It's always good to get game reps but it wasn't their starters. We shouldn't look too much into it."
He thinks they need more work and against better competition, like one of the AFC favorites at Acrisure Stadium Saturday.
"I think it's going to be good," Highsmith said. "Just getting out there, getting our feet wet in the first game with three plays. I think it will be good to get some reps in."
"I'm excited. We will be home. I can't wait."
