First how real is the QB battle between Wilson and Fields from your perspective?
I think it’s a real battle but the Steelers have made it clear that Russell Wilson is in the pole position. If he has the edge or if it’s even a tie coming out of OTAs and camp he will be the starter. But Fields has made it clear he’s here to compete and push Wilson too.
On Thursday Fields looked good. You take the OTAs with a grain of salt but he was showing patience and letting things develop. His throws and reads looked good. He is being very competitive but the tie goes to Wilson. The Steelers know what they have in both and know the upside Fields provides – a mid-20’s player with lots of potential.
What receivers are falling back and stepping up on the team besides the obvious guys like Pickens?
I still think they bring in someone else. There were murmurs of Michael Thomas but I think they’ll want to bring in someone like Courtland Sutton – I was told they reached out to trade for him before and during the draft. He still wants a new deal and is holding out in Denver so maybe they’ll be much more open to move him.
Darius Slayton and Traylon Burks are other guys I think they can go get. They’re being patient and will wait for the June first deadline. I know they are teasing bigger names but I’m not banking on that. So I think the number two wide receiver is just not on the roster yet.
Are there current roster guys we should be keeping our eyes on?
Marquez Callaway is one to keep your eye on – he had a nice year a few years back in New Orleans. He’s been making some plays – when you see some nice plays in OTAs and say “Who was that?” sometime that’s been Callaway.
Scotty Miller was a guy they signed who played in Atlanta under Smith. He can land the fifth or sixth spot on the depth chart. Quez Watkins as well. There are a lot of guys that had good seasons a few years ago – I think the team is hoping one or two sticks.
But the starting three right now will be Pickens, Wilson in the slot and Van Jefferson on the other side. They drafted Wilson for a reason – he has slot and outside versatility but was predominantly in the slot and ate up the middle of the field at Michigan.
Likewise at defensive line – a lot of guys there fighting for depth and roster spots. And standout guys there outside of Ogunjobi, Heyward and Benton?
Loudermilk and Lowry and maybe Logan Lee too, with Monty Adams thrown in. I think if Lee earns a roster spot they could move on from Leal. I think he’s just been a scheme-fit issue and maybe they can get a day three pick for him if they decide to move him. There are only so many guys that you can roster.
At corner, a lot of young guys vying for spots. Do you think the team feels good about Jackson as the starter across from Porter?
I talked to a lot of those guys. Rush made a good point – he said you need a lot of young, fast guys in today’s game. When you look at the cornerback room it’s almost all young guys – second-year guys like Porter, Rush, Trice who’s really like a rookie because of his injury last year, and Beanie Bishop.
The two vets are Jackson and Averett – they’ve taken the role of leader seriously. Jackson especially. When he was in Carolina they drafted Jaycee Horn and he helped him. Jackson was clear he wanted to make sure he upheld the standard in Pittsburgh.
What about the slot position – do they have the answer they need there do you think?
I think the team is in a good spot. Bishop and Rush have looked good. They are both playing with a lot of spunk. I think Rush is the frontrunner there though Bishop has looked good. I think they could also bring in another guy like Cameron Sutton and then the slot would be locked down and the other guys would be used in sub-packages.
But it’s a young and hungry group and they are showing up and playing well. I wouldn’t worry too much about the lack of experience with the talent they have there.
Does the flux around the OL worry you – not knowing who will start across 3/5ths of the OL likely into preseason? Is that enough time to gel?
Offensive linemen are some of the most pro ready players coming out of college – I remember seeing that chart that showed they and receivers pan out the most.
I think the team has recognized Dan Moore is not a great offensive tackle. If they start Dan Moore week one that just shows the team is being redundant. I’d rather they go with Jones and Fautanu week one at tackle and Frazier at center – have them all start week one and let them iron it out rather than worry they aren’t 100% ready and make changes throughout the season. You just shouldn’t play worse players because you’re afraid they aren’t 100% ready yet. It’s always going to be baptism by fire when you first start. Just play your best guys. I’d be shocked and annoyed if Moore was starting week one.
How do you see the offensive players reacting to Smith’s new offense?
Freiermuth said it – they are using tight ends differently than under Canada – they are using different personnel groups. Last year was bland – they’ll run now with 11 personnel, two tight end and two running back sets, tight ends in the slot…it’s much more diverse. That’s what has players excited. The offense is up-to-date with today’s NFL now. There’s a lot of excitement – you can see that now with the players.
I think they look at this all as a clean slate – they can rinse their hands of the bad stuff from last year and start fresh – a new day with an innovative offense.
Lastly, any under-the-radar guys we should pay attention to?
I think the third running back spot – there could be a competition there. Ward, Perine, Shampklin and Edwards – they are more of the Mewelde Moore, third-down type of backs.
And Beanie Bishop again – if there’s one undrafted free agent out of this draft that could make some noise he could be it. I’m not sure why he didn’t get drafted -why his name wasn’t called. I guess he slipped through the cracks – that happens every draft. We’ll see if he makes teams pay.