PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Some of the best quotes after the Steelers 18-10 win in Atlanta on Sunday. Plus, a notable injury, a noticeable player not named Watt or Boswell and Pat Freiermuth on the impact of his contract.
Bad for Johnston
While so much to discuss and watch during training camp, one of the noticeable changes for the 2024 season was at punter. Going from Pressley Harvin to Cameron Johnston was like going from an amateur to a pro. Johnston had a great preseason, was having a solid first game until he was injured as an Atlanta player rolled into his kicking leg.
Mike Tomlin said after the game Johnston ‘appears to have a serious injury’.
“This guy has been spectacular through team development,” Tomlin said Sunday. “He’s an absolute stud, not only in his talents, but in his approach to business. My heart goes out to him.”
Stats
· Justin Fields 17-23, 156 yards, 91.9 rating, 14-57 yards rushing
· Najee Harris 20-70 yards with a long of 20 yards
· George Pickens 6 catches for 85 yards
· Minkah Fitzpatrick 7 tackles (6 solo)
· Alex Highsmith 5 tackles
· TJ Watt 4 tackles, sack, forced fumble
· DeShon Elliott 4 tackles, interception
· Cam Heyward 4 tackles
· 3rd down conversions-Steelers 47%, Falcons 22%
· Rushing-Steelers 137 yards, Falcons 89
· Held Atlanta to 1 passing yard in second half
· Steelers plus 3 in turnovers
Silent player
Not among the statistical leaders, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi finished with three tackles and a pair of quarterback hurries. Cam Heyward acknowledged his impact.
“I thought the unsung hero, Larry Ogunjobi had a lot of great pressures that were critical to turnovers,” Heyward said. “To have that balance on the front and back end created some turnovers.”
Freiermuth deal
Signing his four-year, $48.4 million contract extension after practice on Friday and then leaving for Atlanta on Saturday, not much time for tight end Pat Freiermuth to celebrate his deal. The tight end and some teammates did briefly Friday afternoon after Freiermuth attended and went full in every practice and off-season voluntary activity.
“It was a little stress relief,” Freiermuth said of having the deal done. “It was obviously very exciting to get the long-term extension in Pittsburgh. With it happening Friday, couldn’t really do much to celebrate. I will be able to celebrate tonight.”
Quotes of the Day
“We didn’t win this game, Boz won this game.”
Steelers safety DeShon Elliott
“It just sucks when you study so hard and find a nugget, a golden nugget, and you get it and it gets taken away from you.”
TJ Watt on being called offsides negating strip sack
“I don’t have any hesitation to send him out there, as a matter of fact, I look forward to sending him out there because I know he relishes it.”
Mike Tomlin on Chris Boswell
“It wasn’t good enough, but we got a win on the road.”
Linebacker Alex Highsmith
“The ball finds good players. I know what I am and I know to trust the game plan and play within the scheme. I knew he would come back at me, that’s what he did.”
Cornerback Donte Jackson
“He’s TJ Watt. There is nothing else to say when you are TJ Watt.”
Safety DeShon Elliott
“Really all I told him was wherever you put it down, don’t move it. Don’t touch it. I’ll figure out how to put it in.”
Chris Boswell on working with back-up holder Scotty Miller on the last FG
“It gets us to 1-0 with the chance to go 2-0. There is a lot we can build on and a lot we can learn from but it’s better to be learning while you are winning.”
Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward