It's Coordinator Thursday — when Steelers' offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner and defensive coordinator Keith Butler meet with the media to discuss the day.
Here's some of what they had to say, followed by my thoughts.
Randy Fichtner on the disappearing jet sweeps: "I definitely believe that is probably (due to) shorter weeks, shorter practice time. I do believe that back on regular scheduling and a chance to practice three times this week [that] we can kind of get back to what we want to be."
Me: I'll believe it when I see it.
Plus, QB1 will only practice two times a week.
But that beats the recent alternative of no practices and only a walkthrough, which leads us to…
Fichtner on the drops epidemic: "We all know it's a skillful group capable of making a lot of plays. It's probably concentration more than anything. They catch plenty of ball off the JUGS (machine), but there's something to getting back to Ben throwing to those receivers."
Me: I can't argue with the run-before-catch part of it, since both James Washington and JuJu Smith-Schuster (who are nonoffenders) said just that.
You'd think catching a football is catching a football is catching a football, but since Ben Roethlisberger said his timing needs to better, a little practice can't hurt.
Fichtner on recent goal line issues: "There comes a time when that physicality has to be matched. I know I probably have to be more committed to the run, maybe run it all (five) times from the one instead of trying to fool 'em (with two passes, one batted down at the line and another to a tackle who was short of the end zone anyway). Sometimes it's one (blocker), sometimes it's the runner, and that's been a point of emphasis the last week and a half."
Me: Sounds good.
And we love "Pittsburgh tough," but they've tried two extra linemen and against Washington, even used the fullback to no avail.
I am willing to see them give it at least one more try with Pouncey and Conner back, but it may come down to spreading the field, even at the one-yard line.
Keith Butler on this being more of a normal week: "Well... I don't know how normal it is playing three daggum games in 12 days... So, big deal. I mean, everybody's got their problems. Nobody wants to hear about your problems, or they don't care about them."
Me: ...especially when your team is 11-1, although injuries on his side of the ball are mounting.
Really, nothing to analyze here.
But any time Butler says "daggum" I am going to include it.
Butler on defending Bills QB Josh Allen: "They make you account for the quarterback by running him in certain situations. You know, I'm not going to sit here and pretend to tell you what situations he's going to run in because I don't want him to know what I know."
Me: Makes sense.
Because if Allen knows what Butler knows, then he'll know that he'll have to mix it up, which Butler already knows he's going to do, which Allen knows anyway — or something like that.
But figure that Avery Williamson, Alex Highsmith or Marcus Allen will have to keep a close eye on Josh Allen pretty much every play.
Butler on Bills RBs as pass-catchers: "They do a good job of going out for passes, trying to get mismatches on linebackers, so we're going to try to, as much as we can, keep 'em from doing that."
Me: That was a major problem against Washington after Joe Haden suffered a concussion early in the fourth quarter, and nobody covered J.D. McKissic.
The Steelers lost a 17-10 lead.
They'll have three practices plus a walkthrough to figure it out, but they might not have Haden on Sunday night.
Dagummit.
___
Listen to 93.7 The Fan on the RADIO.COM App
Tell your smart speaker to "play Ninety Three Seven The Fan"
Receive email updates from 93.7 The Fan
Follow 93.7 The Fan: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
