Not much down time: Dri Archer is taking a much needed break after his rookie season, a year when he learned what it takes and what is required to play in the NFL. But it won't be long before he is back at it, working to get ready for the offseason program that starts up again in April.

Archer plans on attacking the weight room this offseason, getting bigger to handle the punishing blows you take in the NFL and doing everything he can to contribute more on offense and special teams in 2015.

"I am going to work this offseason and get ready for next year to do the most I can," said Archer. "I want to help the team out the best way possible and in as many ways as I can."

Lean on me: Archer leaned heavily on second-year back Le'Veon Bell during the season, from asking him for tips to just watching what he did on a daily basis to help with his adjustment to the league. One of the biggest things he learned from Bell was how to be a professional, which includes taking care of your body to handle a much longer NFL season.

"Somebody like Le'Veon does it every single day," said Archer. "I have been picking it up since camp and it's helpful watching him.

"He is like a big brother. He is smart. Even though it's only his second year, he is one of the veteran guys. He knows football, he knows his reads, and he knows how to study film. He helps me and Josh (Harris) out in that area."

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Speed matters:** Archer showed that speed counts when he turned heads at the 2014 scouting combine with a 40-yard dash time of 4.26. One thing he learned in the NFL though was when it comes to the speed of the game it's much faster than it was in college.

"It's a lot faster game," said Archer. "Everyone knows what they are doing, everyone knows their job and how to do it and they do it at full speed.

"As we grow, the speed of the game always changes, from Pop Warner to little league to high school. It always evolves to the next level."

Long road: You hear it at the end of every season from rookies, how much longer the season is. They were used to playing 12 games in college, but for this year's Steelers rookies it was a 21 game season. It's a big difference and one that can take a toll if you don't prepare properly.

"It's a long season coming from college," said Archer. "You have to know how to take care of your body, how to handle injuries, know when to go, when not to go.

"I learned about time management and taking care of my body. That is a big key when you get to this level. In college you keep going, but in pros you need to know when to rehab and stuff."