The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense improved a lot last season, especially in the run game. Head Coach Mike Tomlin made the decision to operate a bit of what he called "running back by committee" type plays. This had first-round pick from 2021, Najee Harris, and undrafted running back, Jaylen Warren both carrying the ball.
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Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (8) congratulates Najee Harris (22) after his first touchdown pass on Sunday against the Buccaneers.
Now, Steelers reporter Dejan Kovacevic and former Steelers offensive guard Ramon Foster discuss a comment made by Harris at OTAs recently on Foster's podcast. The show, called The Ramon Foster Show, airs on DK Pittsburgh Sports and is co-hosted by Kovacevic. According to Kovacevic, Harris only spoke with reporters once and when he did, he brought up that the Steelers improved their run game from last season. He said that he felt the team could capitalize upon that success by hitting the edges more this season. It isn't a matter of if they were or weren't good at using the edges, they just weren't doing it.
"That tells me that Matt Canada, Mike Tomlin everybody looked at the people they had and said, 'Uh oh.' So now if you look at who's there now, whether that's Dan Moore or Broderick Jones at left tackle, or Darnell Washington on that left side, can you see something? As Naj himself referenced, he believes they are going to be trying to hit the edge," said Kovacevic.
Does The Steelers Offense Have What It Takes To Run To The Outside?
He continues on to ask Foster if he thinks they are capable. Foster does think they are more than able, saying that one reason his team struggled in college is that you cannot change the DNA of the offense if you do not have the pieces in place to make it work. He said his college team tried to run plays that they could not support. Foster feels the Steelers now have the pieces in place.
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The Steelers were able to reunite college teammates Darnell Washington and Broderick Jones in moves to continue to get better in the trenches.
"Love having Darnell Washington over there, we got a super blocker out there in Pat Freiermuth. One thing I knew about Chuks [Chukwuma Okorafor] was this: Chuks can play in anybody's zone, so for the people that don't want Chuks in next year, he can go play in the power zone, he can go play in the outside zone. You get a guy like James Daniels that can play power and also move side to side."
When Foster was on the Steelers, the offensive line was more linear, and he tended to stay in place a bit more. This would limit what they could do play-wise. He continues to say that you can see the direction the front office is trying to go in, and how important building the run is.
"Right now they have the pieces in play. If they play Broderick Jones as the starter at left tackle, guess what? We've upgraded. And I'll even say this too, Dan Moore is a capable outside-zone threat, but then we got a guard that's capable of doing it from Philly in Isaac Seumalo. You have a center that can move lateral left-right."
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The Steelers' Isaac Seumalo (#73) takes part in drills during the team's OTA sessions in Pittsburgh, PA.
This is encouraging according to Kovacevic and Foster. They feel this gives the team that flexibility, especially considering we saw the original group perform really well last season. Foster says they can run any style of offense that they want now. There are some limitations with some lines when the quarterback insists on being in shotgun.
"If they are speaking about doing this type of stuff, that at least honestly, gives me some encouraging moments about what Matt Canada has up his sleeve. Having a guy on center that can get out and hand the ball to the outside zone running back, that can be dangerous."
It is more than just the blocking from the line that is necessary, it is also from the other players such as wide receivers. Foster points out that they are lucky to have George Pickens, who is a good blocker, as well as Allen Robinson. They reference excellent outside runners such as Arian Foster and Chris Johnson and say how it isn't "difficult science," it is just a matter of everyone doing what they are supposed to and the "bigs," meaning the offensive linemen, being able to run their block. This gives them both hope that the Steelers are planning to get the ball to the outside more and take that already improved run game up a level in 2023.
What do you make of Harris' comment? Does this give you more faith in Canada? The offensive line? Click to comment below!
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