PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said he's been involved with teams winless in the preseason and those that won every game. It's not that the exhibition games don't matter, he mainly believes they are a little 'off track' offensively.
"That's not our standard," Smith said on Tuesday. "That's not acceptable. At the same time, you'd rather go through that now than have that happen Week One. We've had a really good camp, but the reality is when we've gotten in the lights, this is taking nothing away from the defense, we have to get out of our own way. Those are things we have to clean up."
Smith said you don't get too cute and don't game plan much in the preseason, but that doesn't excuse the concern. The new Steelers offensive coordinator talked about the 'hype machine' of the preseason. What he seemed to be eluding to is a sloppiness that has manifested itself now in games.
"There are things internally we clearly have to clean up including execution," Smith said. "You get into these practices, the quarterback is not live, sometimes you get away with things. We may not blow the whistle and you think you are good. You get into stadiums, the positive is, while you don't like the result, it clearly defines some things you have to fix."
Those things to fix vary from player to player. Sometimes it's spacing, getting beat early in a play, especially on pass protection. Sometimes it's not being in tune with the quarterback or technique issues. The coaches have seen the problems and it's on tape for the players to see. He said there is more urgency and all recognize it.
Obviously tackle Broderick Jones struggled giving up a couple of sacks against Buffalo on Saturday. It's also noticeable that he's had a brace on his left elbow. Smith said once you get through the first practice, everyone is dealing with some type of soreness or injury. He said Jones has been cleared to practice and play.
"Whatever position, whatever scheme, if you get beat early that's an issue," Smith said. "We can all see in the stands if you get beat early and inside, clearly that's a one-on-one. He's out there, going against a good player."
"I have a lot of confidence in Broderick. He's a young player, because of our issues at potentially swing tackle. We got another rookie tackle. There is a lot of moving going on."
Smith said he was impressed with how Jones started at right tackle on a short week last year having never played that side and had success. He said he loves Jones' mindset, that he doesn't run away from the fight and wants to improve.
Improve is the word. The offense has one game left to do it before it counts. Smith said there is nowhere to hide for any player after learning some tough lessons. Now it's time for the fixes and the last preseason test Saturday in Detroit.
