Each week Steelers' defensive coordinator Keith Butler, offensive coordinator Todd Haley and special teams coordinator Danny Smith share their insight in exclusive interviews that can be heard on SNR every Thursday beginning at 12 noon.
This version of Coordinators Corner will give you a sneak peak of what to expect each week, but this just touches the surface. Read what they have to say, but take my advice, listen every Thursday at 12 noon for the full interviews or check back there later in the day for the archived versions. It will be worth your time.
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Steady improvement:** Punter Jordan Berry has been solid in the early goings of the 2016 season, and was particularly strong against the Bengals. Berry pinned the Bengals inside the 20-yard line five times, averaging 42.3 net yards on eight punts. Berry gave the Steelers defense a huge advantage in the field position game.
"He has really grown as a player," said special teams coordinator Danny Smith. "He has matured. He is a good player, he is a good athlete. He is very strong legged. It's his total game. We are trying to improve on a consistent basis. Right now it's on the rise and we expect it to continue. He is doing a lot of things well. Now it's a matter of the consistency and that is what we are striving to achieve."
Tomlin's 2 cents: The Steelers secondary definitely puts in plenty of time studying film, and it's showing with their play on the field. Defensive coordinator Keith Butler likes their attitude, commitment and the work they get with Coach Mike Tomlin on Fridays.
"All of the defensive backs are very competitive," said Butler. "They want to do what they feel is best for the team. In that respect I am very pleased. They have a team attitude back there. They want to be good as a team. They want to continue to win and do whatever it takes to continue to win.
"(Secondary coach) Carnell (Lake) does a good job with them. They spend a lot of time watching film, studying the game plan. Fridays they have a meeting with Mike. He is an old secondary coach himself so he likes to get his two cents in. He is the head coach and sometimes the head coach doesn't get to coach as much as the assistants do."
It's a snap: Tight end Jesse James has been a workhorse for the Steelers' offense, playing every snap so far. And offensive coordinator Todd Haley likes what he sees from the second-year tight end.
"We saw improvement from Week 1 to Week 2," said Haley. "Once you are in season that is what we care about the most. The first game that was a position we were looking forward to seeing if they were ready to step in and help us. We saw enough in the first game to feel good about it. In the second game was more growth."
