PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – New coaching staff, but same plan for when the Steelers leave, and how they go about preparing for a one-time game in Europe. This time it’s a Sunday morning in Paris.
Just like they did to play in Dublin last year, the Steelers will practice in Pittsburgh for most of the week, leaving after the Thursday workout and flying that night on a charter to France. The team will practice on Friday and a closed workout on Saturday before the 9:30a kickoff Sunday.
First-year Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said he factors everything into it, much like he would for a short week or a Monday night game or any long trip. What he wants to do is just keep it as simple as possible for the players.
“The reality of it is I've always just tried to stick to the basics, the hydration, the sleep,” McCarthy said. “And just to make sure you give the men the best opportunity to prepare, to perform, and then ultimately stay in as normal a flow of preparation as you can.”
McCarthy said they considered going over after the Tampa Bay game, much like the Saints did, but felt leaving on Thursday was the best option.
Steelers offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio had to make multiple trips to Europe with the Vikings last year. He hopes he never has to do that again, but said he’s confident it will be as close to normal as possible.
“The NFL does a great job with the trips in Europe and the scheduling and the hotels and the hospitality and the people,” Angelichio said. “I mean, you have everything you need and they do a really good job of making it as comfortable. As much like home as they can.”
Angelichio said with Minnesota they also left both times on a Thursday and it wasn’t an issue.
“It’s really not that big of a deal.” Angelichio said.
Steelers aware of Paris riots, focusing on football
Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham admits his schedule is a little ahead of a typical week, but like Angelichio, he tries to keep it as normal as possible, or at least fake it so the players stay as on-schedule as they can.
“My role as the coordinator is to have them ready mentally,” Graham said. “They got to take care of their bodies and the emotion, I try to build it up. I don't think it's gonna be too different. That's my role, it really doesn't change and then just me looking forward to it.”
It’s Graham’s fourth game overseas, he thinks it will be pretty cool to play an NFL game in Paris. He calls himself a fortunate kid from Waterbury, Connecticut that gets to take part in this as a member of the Steelers.
As for any concerns with the riots in France?
“Got a game on Sunday,” Graham said.
Why leaving later in the week & how they try to make it normal
Why leaving later in the week & how they try to make it normal
