Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris scored seven rushing touchdowns in 2022 and all came in the red zone. Overall, though, the team struggled mightily when the field got shorter. Center, Mason Cole thinks the revamped offensive line will play a big part in helping the squad remedy their 2022 scoring woes in 2023.
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Steelers Najee Harris breaks tackles against the Indianapolis Colts during a Monday night game in 2022.
Cole joined longtime Pittsburgh lineman, Craig Wolfley and veteran journalist, Mike Prisuta after practice on Wednesday on the Steelers Training Camp Wrap-Up show. He said that the first two plays during the fan-favorite seven shots drill on the first day in pads offered a blueprint for one area where the team is looking for significant improvement. Harris found the end zone twice.
"Our defense doesn't want guys running it in like that," Cole said. "We feel like if we are on the two-yard line, we should be able to run it in against anyone."
The offense in 2022 left a lot of points on board. They converted on only 51.9% of their trips to the red zone, which ranked 23rd league-wide per Pro Football Reference. Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada addressed the team's issue of 'stopping themselves' too much before the 2022 season finale against the Cleveland Browns.
While Cole is correct that the offensive line needs to get the right amount of push for Harris or Jaylen Warren to sneak into the end zone from 20 yards or less, Canada designing the right plays to put players in position to score will be critical. His most innovative way to score in 2022 came in Week 8 when Pittsburgh got blowout by the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Steelers Derek Watt celebrates his touchdown catch against the Philadelphia Eagles with tight end Pat Freiermuth.
On the second drive, quarterback, Kenny Pickett and the offense drove from their own 25-yard line to the Eagles' two-yard line. After an incomplete pass to Diontae Johnson on 3rd and goal, Canada got creative. Going for it on fourth down, Pickett handed the ball off to Chase Claypool and the receiver ran a jet sweep motion before he lofted a pass to wide-open fullback, Derek Watt in the end zone.
Steelers' Cole A Leader Of The Line in 2023 But Doesn't Do It Himself
Cole has been touted as a leader amongst the offensive line group by Pickett and former offensive lineman, Ramon Foster. He told Wolfley and Prusita that he has had plenty of support, particularly from newcomer Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels, who is entering his second year on the team.
"We have got a really smart group upfront," he said. "It’s not always just me doing all the thinking. James [Daniels] and Isaac [Seumalo] have been really good playing next to me. We're really learning how to play with each other and the ways that others think."
Cole expanded on the presence that Seumalo brings to the team. The 2017 Super Bowl champion has started in 60 games in his career, but has had some bumps abd bruises when it comes to injuries.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers center Mason Cole joined the post-practice wrap-up show to talk about the new additions and visions for the unit in 2023.
The 29-year-old played a major role in helping the Eagles reach the Super Bowl in 2022 and Cole said he's been great so far during his start to his tenure in Pittsburgh. He added that anyone in the league playing offensive line is aware of what Seumalo can do for a team after watching him play at such a high level since he entered the league in 2016.
"He's been great for our room energy-wise and mentality-wise," he said. "He has provided little tidbits here and there about what other great offense lines have done in the past. It's been great to work with."
He said the line was happy about the progress they made as a group, especially in the second half of 2022, but this is a new year with a new group and new challenges. He emphasized there's still a lot of work to be done as the season approaches.
Do you think the team will be able to execute Cole's red zone promise? How confident are you in the line going into 2023? Comment below!
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