While number one draft pick Jarvis Jones won't start at outside linebacker against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field, earlier this week Coach Mike Tomlin emphatically said, "He will play." And it's expected he will play a lot. Jones is ready.
"It's time to go to work, no question about it," said Jones. "You go through the preseason and get the experience and see the things you have to work on. Sunday is for all the marbles. The W's count. We are going to come out there and execute, make plays and take advantage of our opportunities.
"Everybody has a role and my role is not to start. I just have to come in there and make things happen when I can. I have to take care of my opportunities and do what my coaches and teammates ask me to."
Jones said despite the number of plays and schemes in the defensive playbook he will be prepared this week for whatever is asked of him.
"I am pretty comfortable with most of it," said Jones. "We have a lot of information. We don't use all of our plays. We have certain ones we use against certain teams. You get those plays and then go back down the list of plays we installed weeks ago and research. Other than that I am fine. I have been out there trying to take advantage of my opportunities.
"We have a lot of things we like to do here and I think Coach (Dick) LeBeau has been doing a great job of installing and preparing us."
Running back Le'Veon Bell (foot) did not practice on Wednesday. FB Will Johnson (hamstring), Jarvis Jones (chest) and TE Heath Miller (knee) were limited in practice.
Running back Isaac Redman might not have seen much playing time in the preseason, with only two carries because of injuries, but said he is ready to go on Sunday and has a lot to prove.
"I want to prove I am a starting running back in this league," said Redman. "I have been working hard even though I only had two carries in a game. I have been practicing, I just haven't been playing. I want to prove I worked hard all summer and that I am a starting running back."
Steelers' fans aren't the only ones excited for the start of the 2013 season. The players are as well.
Running back Felix Jones, obtained during the preseason in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, couldn't hide his love for the game when talking on Wednesday.
"I have been excited about this game ever since I got started at it and my passion keeps growing," said Jones. "This is what I do. This is what I love to do. I am excited about every opportunity I have to be on the field. I love the game, the camaraderie on the field, the people you meet, the brotherhood. It makes it all great."
Cornerback Ike Taylor has put the 2012 season behind him, saying it's time to close the book on what was a disappointing 8-8 season and move forward.
"This is a whole new year," said Taylor. "We have to write a whole new book, a new chapter in 2013. We all have one goal and that is to win a Lombardi and that starts Sunday with the Tennessee Titans."
