PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers went unbeaten in the preseason last year and they ended up in the playoffs, but again without a playoff win. This year, the Steelers finish 0-3 after a 24-17 loss at Detroit. Takeaways from the final exhibition game.
First team offense overcomes adversity
It wasn't without its challenges, but for the first time this preseason the Steelers first-team offense scored a touchdown. They had to work for it as quarterback Russell Wilson faced a third and 11, got time in the pocket with good blocking along the line, was able to go through his progressions and find George Pickens for a 32-yard gain.
A second play for loss in a five-play drive was followed by perfectly executed blocking by Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier and Dan Moore, Junior popping Cordarrelle Patterson, who showed some burst in a 31-yard TD run.
"Well, I thought we did a really good job as a collective effort on offense," Russell Wilson said. "I thought our guys – the ones did a really good job of getting up and down the field, which is what we wanted, and we knew that we were able to do that. We've had a really great training camp and OTAs and all that, so we finally put it on the field under the lights."
Fields also scored
Justin Fields got work with the first team line and converted a third-and-short keeping it on a read option after a Justin Herbig turnover. He then threw a dime to MyCole Pruitt over the middle on a play-action pass and caught Pruitt in stride for 22 yards. Fields was just 3-4 for 40 yards, rushing just twice for four yards, his second run was a quarterback keeper and just short of the goal line.
"They both moved the ball," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "They won possession downs. They were able to put the ball in the end zone, things that we hadn't done to this point, sufficiently enough for the preseason."
Herbig again
Nick Herbig has never played in a preseason game where he didn't have a sack. The second-year outside linebacker had a sack and a sack-forced-fumble in the first series of the game to continue his dominance in exhibition action. It was against many of the Lions backups, but Herbig continues to star in trying to make a case for more opportunities.
"You know he's behaving like a guy that's been a lap around on the track, really, we want to see significant growth in all those second-year players," Tomlin said. "I think really he's an example of that, but he's not alone, we've like what we've seen from guys like (Steelers OL) Spencer Anderson as well. He's just taking the jump, and he's been there before. He's finally in this footing. He wants to be impactful and obviously we're going to find a role for guy like that, whether he is quote unquote a starter or not, when he's got the opportunity to be significant, and he showing that, not only in stadium but in the team development work."
Careful with numbers
Of the six leading tacklers in the final preseason game last year, only Jalen Elliott is with the team this year. Elliott was signed into camp. The leading tacklers against Detroit
· Zyon Gilbert and Mark Robinson, 8
· Kiondre Thomas, Jalen Elliott and Jacob Slade, 5
· Luquay Washington and Jacoby Windmon with 4
While those players had big numbers, defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal had only one tackle and a half a sack, but was much more noticeable and impactful than that. Montravius Adams is the unsung defensive lineman with three tackles. It was a big game for Isaiahh Loudermilk and he was active.
Slot
Health and suspension an issue as the Steelers try and figure out who will start at slot corner. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin joked it might come down to whoever is healthy. Undrafted nickel Beanie Bishop returned after missing the Buffalo game to finish with three tackles playing about a half. Tomlin said he hadn't earned more reps. Thomas Graham, who made several splash plays at camp, had a pair of tackles. The veteran in the group, Cam Sutton, will miss the first eight games due to suspension, but did have an interception Saturday in returning to Detroit.
Notes
· Starting offensive line, left to right, Dan Moore, Junior, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, James Daniels, Broderick Jones
· Steelers rushed for only 78 yards with Patterson leading the way with 31 yards. Aaron Shampkin 7 carries for 13 yards, La'Mical Perine 6 for 16 yards and a touchdown
· Corner Cory Trice had a pair of solo tackles and blew up a screen but left with a groin injury
· Rookie OLB Julius Welschof had a pair of sacks, but left with a knee injury
· Rookie defensive back Ryan Watts suffered a stinger
· CB Joey Porter (undisclosed), LB Payton Wilson (cleared concussion protocol, but Tomlin held him out), OLB TJ Watt, DT Cam Heyward, OLB Alex Highsmith (injury) all did not play
Steelers must move from 90 players to 53 by 4p on Tuesday.
