PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A handful of times on Thursday morning Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada answered questions with ‘it’s my fault’.
Only the Jets and Patriots, both with rookie quarterbacks, have scored fewer touchdowns than the Steelers seven. The offense is dead last in rushing yards, middle of the pack in passing yards and third down efficiency. A minus 2 in turnovers.
There have also been some plays, especially on fourth down that have been epically terrible. Whether it’s the call. The execution. Or just both.
“Ben and I are always trying to get ourselves on the right play through communication, through what we see,” Canada said. “But it all falls on me and at this point, we’ve lost three games. It’s not going well enough.”
Is it a matter of still limiting plays due to the number of rookies in the lineup? Now that they’ve played a few more games, can you expand the playbook?
“We are able to do as much as we want to do,” Canada said. “I’ve got to do a better job of calling it at the right time and we have to find a way to win.”
Canada is in unison with his quarterback and head coach that the offensive line play improved against the Packers. The first-year NFL offensive coordinator thought they were more efficient with the run game with few negative plays.
“It think we are improving,” Canada said. “I think all our guys. I thought back-up tackle Joe (Haig) did a really, really good job last week. Played really hard, was very physical.”
Now an outside chance they could add to that line with their projected starting right tackle. Zach Banner is in his second week of practicing after being put on injured reserve to start the season as he continues to recover from last September’s ACL surgery.
“I think Zach’s talents are what they are,” Canada said. “His leadership is what it is. When and if he is able to get going, he will add all of those things to it. I think Joe did a really good job being physical last week. We are excited to get everybody healthy and then put the best combination out there we can.”
Denver
Broncos’ linebacker Von Miller once again is one of the NFL leaders in sacks with 4.5. The 32-year-old has 110.5 in his career, second among active players. Miller has three sacks and five quarterback hits in three career games against the Steelers.
“Obviously you guys see it all and know it all,” Canada said. “You have to know where he is all the time. He’s a tremendous talent that creates havoc. There are certain teams we play in the league that have those guys. He’s a generational player.”
“He causes you to know where he is all the time. They have a lot of other good players, if you only focus on him, they can hurt you.”
Among them are a pair of special safeties. Kareem Jackson is a 12-year NFL veteran from Alabama and already has an interception this year. He’s had a pick every year in his career except one.
Justin Simmons didn’t get a lot of attention on some bad Boston College teams. The 27-year-old has 17 career interceptions and 40 passes defended in 68 starts with the Broncos.
“Maybe one or two of the best in the league,” Canada said. “They cover. They are certainly run stop guys. They are where they are supposed to be.”
“They don’t give up big plays. They don’t get out of position and someone is running wide open. On the back end, they are very talented in all four spots, but their safeties to a great job of not letting the top come off the coverage put also being very involved in the run game.”
It doesn’t get any easier for Canada as he works to be a reason they won instead of being at fault for another loss.