PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Taking over as the offensive coordinator, Steelers Eddie Faulkner said they’ve been chipping away every day over the course of the season to improve. While not implementing massive game planning changes, he believes little details can get them what they want.
Faulkner said a tweak in a meeting, or in a blocking scheme can find small, easily fixable areas where they could show quick improvement. They are in the middle of the season, throwing out what they’ve done and starting over is not an option.
“We are just trying to get really, really detailed,” Faulker said Thursday. “Keep the guys together, let them talk to each other about what they are seeing. Then trust what we see and execute.”
“When I talked to the guys the other day, one of the first things I said is good teamwork is communication. I don’t care if you are talking about within your family. You have to communicate. That’s player to player, coach to player, coach to coach.”
He feels like while they may not have reached their potential, he is around a bunch of good men who know what they are doing. It’s his job to empower them to allow them to perform at a high level, from players to coaches. Faulkner says he needs to empower them to do their job. If he can do that with the improved communication, they will produce a better product.
Working with Sully
Mike Tomlin laid out how it will go with Faulkner running everything, but quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan calling the plays.
“He and I are going to work hard to be in lock step with each other,” Faulkner said. “I know on game day any play caller wants to be able to be narrowly focused on what he needs to do and I’m not going to interfere with that.”
“At the same time, we are going to have enough conversations and tee ourselves up as well as we can so when we go into that game atmosphere that we are all on the same page when the chips fall as they will.”
Working with Kenny
They know each other, had conversations, but it’s different now. Faulkner isn’t the assistant coach at another position, he’s Kenny Pickett’s boss.
“We have a good relationship,” Faulkner said. “The dynamics have changed because of the role that I am in. I don’t plan on doing anything crazy, like all of a sudden now, ‘you listen to me’.”
“Kenny and Sully have a great relationship. The will continue that relationship and then obviously in decision-making types of decisions I will be involved in that because that’s my job title now.”
RB change?
It’s the position he coaches, are there any plans to use the running backs differently or change the rotation?
“We need both of those guys to win,” Faulkner said. “It’s really that simple to me. That’s what we will continue to do.”
Already avoiding a question like a seasoned offensive coordinator.