PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Six games into the season, here are six observations about the 2021 Pittsburgh Steelers.
More O-line Patience
We are not a patient society. Patience is what Steelers fan will continue to need with the offensive line. They are what most young groups are at any position. Inconsistent.
Below average for most of the first three games with some improvement coming against Green Bay. Then a pretty good game against Denver, followed by breakdowns and escaping with a win against a bad Seahawks defense.
Working his way back, Zach Banner will be in the mix to return as a starting tackle, which could bring a new dynamic to the line. Options there for the coaching staff with four tackles for two spots, assuming Dan Moore, Junior's hip heals.
The guards have been fairly consistent and the effort is superb from center Kendrick Green, even if at times he's still learning how to deal with lineman 50 pounds and five inches bigger than him.
Thanks for Paying
As it turns out, the Steelers couldn't have picked two more important players to give big-money, long-term contracts to than Cam Heyward and TJ Watt. Those two scheduled to make $177 million over eight seasons.
They are not only the Steelers two best players, but two NFL All-Pro defenders. Watt won the Steelers the game against Seattle with a strip sack. He is again averaging around a sack a game. Heyward has kept the defensive line and defense as a whole together and graded as the top defender in the league by Pro Football Focus.
Inside Linebacker Ew
While Joe Schobert is second on the team in tackles and Devin Bush is sixth, the numbers don't tell the story of the disappointment. GM Kevin Colbert traded up to get Devin Bush, believing he would be the replacement for Ryan Shazier.
Bush is inconsistent, at times appearing out-of-position and losing his job as the defensive signal-caller to Schobert who has been with the team for just weeks. Returning from knee injury and dealing with a groin injury likely has affected his season, but when will the 10th overall pick become a consistent impact player.
Schobert's mental game is on. He's learned the defense quickly, but hasn't been as good as he has previously in his career against the pass. He and Bush struggled against the pass and run, the team is bringing in undrafted Robert Spillane to play in the middle on key run downs.
Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler said it's credit to Spillane. That's great, but how is a 10th overall pick and 27-year-old signed to a five-year, $53.75 million contract riding the bench during the money downs?
Rookie Hope
Some of it is out of necessity and early injuries, but this Steelers 2021 rookie class, from top to bottom, is making as big an impact as any in recent memory.
Najee Harris-the starter from draft day played every snap during his first NFL game. He's had a 100-yard receiving and rushing game and is humble enough to know he still has work to do.
Pat Freiermuth-limited in his impact early in the season, the tight end from Penn State caught seven balls for 58 yards against Seattle. His role is likely to increase with JuJu Smith-Schuster out.
Green-mentioned earlier, the third-round pick won the starting center job early in camp and plays with an energy and aggressiveness that could make him a future leader.
Moore-most thought it would be a redshirt year for the fourth round pick from Texas A&M. Moore thrust into a starting tackle role from the first game due to Zach Banner's injury. He continues to improve as the line does.
Isaiahh Loudermilk-another player who could benefit from practice time, the fifth-round pick defensive end is learning on the job due to injuries on the defensive line.
Tre Norwood-Mike Tomlin seemed genuinely thrilled when they found the 'Swiss army knife' safety in the seventh round. He was on the field for the first play of the season and has 14 solo tackles in the slot.
Pressley Harvin-the seventh round punter from Georgia Tech had to fight off a strong camp from incumbent Jordan Berry. Harvin has struggled with a few pressure kicks, but the average is up to 44.7 yards and he's seventh in the league in punts inside the 20.
Injury Issues
Every team has them and while the Steelers don't have as many as a few teams, some key players are out. Not only missing games, but valuable practice time.
DE Stephon Tuitt (2nd on team in sacks in 2020)-hasn't practiced a snap
DT Tyson Alualu-broke his ankle early in the week 2 loss to the Raiders, will miss significant time
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (team's active receiving leader)-out for the year after shoulder surgery
OT Zach Banner-activated October 16 after a setback in recovery from a week 1 ACL tear in 2020
WR Chase Claypool, WR Diontae Johnson, WR James Washington, LB Devin Bush, LB Robert Spillane, CB Joe Haden, CB Cam Sutton—all missed a least a game and practice time due to injury.
Ben/Canada
We put these two together as there have been equally bad moments of quarterback play and play-calling through the first six games.
A couple of fourth down calls on laterals to Harris seemed failed from the start. There were also questions early about commitment to the run.
Roethlisberger struggled with a couple of picks against the Bengals and was the worst performer on offense against the Packers. He played pretty well against Denver and for most of the Seattle game.
The quicker the offense improves around Roethlisberger, most notably the run game. The better this team can be as long as the 18-year veteran accepts his new role as a game manager instead of the game-changing Hall of Famer he was earlier in his career.
