PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner believes in his group and thinks points will come if they continue with the same focus. A few other notes from his second ever media gathering on Thursday.
400 yards was a start, but they only scored one touchdown Sunday in Cincinnati. Faulkner said he’s aware, he loves the play-calling from QB coach Mike Sullivan against the Bengals and thinks points are going to come.
“We just keep on hammering away,” Faulkner said. “I think I spoke last week about the details and ironing those out. I think it will come with that. I think the guys were all-in on understanding. I know the points weren’t where we want, but the success we had really gave me a good stage to be able to coach and sink the hook in and get the guys to buy in. It made this week easier in the process of preparation.”
The interim offensive coordinator said there is just too much going positive for them right now. There is something to that.
“I love the energy,” Faulkner said. “I don’t think they could fake it that good for it not to feel real. It feels real. We are going to take that momentum and keep rolling with it.”
Always calm
Players talk of his energy and passion in meetings, on the outside, with only one game of games fixated on him, Faulkner looked pretty calm. He said that’s pretty much him even when things get extremely good or bad.
“I’m going to always stay 10 toes down,” Faulkner said. “Nothing is ever going to get me off my rocker. I’m going to be solid.”
A-Rob, team guy
He only has 48 receiving yards in the last six games, but receiver Allen Robinson was singled out for his work in a meeting this week. Faulkner said they put up an appreciation post for the job he does blocking.
“Here is a guy who’s had an unbelievable career,” Faulkner said. “He’s caught 600-some balls, made a lot of money. He does all the dirty work on a regular basis and is excited to do it. Whenever we are trying to make an example of the consummate professional, it’s 11. He stays solid. He’s been good for the group.”
Conner reunion
Earlier in the week, Arizona running back James Conner said he liked his time with Faulkner when he was his running backs coach with the Steelers and wished him well as offensive coordinator. The two still stay in touch.
“I love that guy,” Faulkner said. “How can you not. I love his story. I love how he comes to work every day, he’s a competitor, he’s tough. I love JC.”
Picture update
Last week, the Steelers interim OC told us how national media stories had used defensive coordinator Teryl Austin’s picture confusing it for him. He said their wives joked about it. Even though he got that out there, it hasn’t cleared everything up just yet.
He said the day after he mentioned it in his first news conference the next article he saw was about him making that mention. That story used a photo of Austin instead of Faulkner. And not ironically.
“I’m just letting it go at this point,” Faulkner said.