PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pat Freiermuth was not excited the team released his teammate of three years Zach Gentry, but it’s still a tight end group the Steelers expect a lot from this year.
Rookie Darnell Washington has moved from fourth string at the start of camp to being the second-team TE with the chance of starting in the opener against the 49ers on Sunday.
“I feel pretty comfortable, 9.5 out of 10,” Washington said of the offense. “I’m a comfortable guy. (However) I’m anxious, don’t want to mess up.”
The 6’7” rookie said the University of Georgia has prepared him well for the NFL. He’s said their practices were tougher, in terms of they are allowed to do more hitting than NFL rules will allow. Plus, he’s learning how to manage his own time. He’s got a lot more of it as a professional without classes and schoolwork.
“He’s grown a lot, all parts of his game,” Freiermuth said. “He’s asking a lot of questions and being accountable to himself. He’s been awesome so far.”
Now Freiermuth and Washington will be working together in two-tight end sets. A really good blocker in his own right, Gentry now on the Bengals practice squad and Connor Heyward listed as the fullback, although he’s likely to take reps at tight end as well. Freiermuth said the communication across the offense has improved.
“We are feeling comfortable with each other, another year,” Freiermuth said Wednesday. “We are together and I think we are all excited for Week One and getting out there and letting it loose.”
Keeping up with the execution is what Freiermuth said is key to show some of the preseason results in the regular season. He said they have a lot to prove still as an offensive unit, but he’s excited opening against the challenge of one of the NFC favorites, San Francisco.
“They were the number one defense in the league last year,” Freiermuth said. “What better opportunity to showcase what we have than against the best. We are excited to go do that.”
Freiermuth said Niners star linebacker Fred Warner will be a huge test for him. He said Warner is one of the best, if not the best, LB in the game. He knows it’s a big test, but wants to go attack it.
“It has sunk in a little bit,” Washington said. “I wouldn’t say it’s fully sunken in. I still sit back at the house and say ‘I got a game this week’. Football is back and seeing all the memes online.”
“It’s not preseason. Now it’s the regular season, Week 1, going against the best of the best each week.”
What kind of vertical threat both are this year, while maintaining blocking responsibilities, will help determine how much more explosive this offense can be.