For Mike Tomlin, don’t take a look at the field rating to know the way properly the Pittsburgh Steelers broad receivers not named George Pickens are doing. Despite their paltry manufacturing, Tomlin is pleased with the receivers group of Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, and Scotty Miller. In his weekly interview with Steelers.com’s Bob Labriola, Tomlin talked up the group whereas explaining away the numbers.
“I like the work that they’ve done,” Tomlin advised Labriola through the crew web site. “I don’t know the statistics reflect it, but people oftentimes don’t know our intentions in-game…We have run the ball in terms of attempts more than anybody in the NFL over the course of two weeks, and so that’s going to produce numbers that lead you to ask that question.”
Through two weeks, broad receivers past Pickens have simply 5 receptions, 28 yards, and one first down. There’s been a lot of empty routes, particularly from Jefferson, who has logged extra snaps than Pickens this season. In equity, Jefferson drew a protracted cross interference name in Week 2’s win over the Denver Broncos, and as Tomlin identified, Pittsburgh has run the ball at will. Their 77 dashing makes an attempt lead the league, they've among the many highest first-down run charges in soccer, they usually basically haven’t trailed for the final six quarters save for a number of opening third-quarter minutes towards the Atlanta Falcons.
All of that provides as much as few alternatives within the passing recreation. Despite Pickens drawing two powerful matchups towards CBs AJ Terrell and Patrick Surtain II, the Steelers have largely discovered methods to get him the ball. Or no less than attempt. His 11 targets are simply probably the most on the crew and account for greater than 1 / 4 of the crew’s passing makes an attempt. That doesn’t even account for the three targets worn out by penalty.
In basic Tomlin phrasing, he thinks the narrative will change.
“I’m pleased with the work of those guys, and I just think that is going to continually be revealed once we get a larger sample size when we get at-home venues and things of that nature…it’s a small sample size. Keep watching.”
Throughout the offseason, the entrance workplace talked up the broad receiver room whilst they actively engaged in commerce talks for San Francisco 49ers broad receiver Brandon Aiyuk. After shedding out, the crew had little selection however to embrace the group they've. So far, the outcomes have been minimal, even because the crew hasn’t wanted a lot out of them. And rookie Roman Wilson might gown for the primary time after injuring his ankle in coaching camp, doubtlessly offering a small enhance to the passing recreation.
But till somebody steps up, the broad receiver room will really feel just like the crew’s weakest hyperlink for a unit that should put up factors.
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