Friday, October 11
Do your job: Linebacker T.J. Watt has preached the same message week in and week out, year in and year out.
Just do your job.
And that message will be highlighted this week with injuries to three of the team's edge rushers.
Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and DeMarvin Leal are all dealing with injuries that will keep them out of Sunday's game against the Raiders.
With those three down, linebacker Jeremiah Moon, defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk and potentially a practice squad linebacker could be called upon to step up.
And Watt has told them keep it simple and do your job.
"I think Ade (Adetokunbo Ogundeji), Moon, Eku (Leota), have done a great job of getting the most out of the reps, have asked really good questions," said Watt. "They've played good football at a high level before. So, it's nothing new to them and I'm excited for them to get their opportunity and make some plays for us.
"It's just, do your job. That's what I try to tell them is just do your 1/11. Don't try to do too much. Just like we talk about each and every week, the plays are going to be there to be made. Just don't try to two-gap when you're supposed to be one-gapping. Don't try to shoot stuff when you're not supposed to, and the plays will fall in your lap.
"It's just about seizing the opportunity that comes your way."
Watt said it's not just sharing that advice with the younger players, but also taking it himself. There will be more on his shoulders this week with the injuries, but he has to still play his game and not try and do too much.
"No doubt. It's just trusting everybody out there," said Watt. "We're all capable players to make plays on each and any down. I'm just trying to do my job, do what's best for the team.
"I can't try to be a superhero and go up and under because then I'm putting other guys in jeopardy. Then it's kind of a domino effect, popcorn, what we call it, and we can't have that."
Talk to me: All week long, Steelers players have been stressing the same message Coach Mike Tomlin addressed in his weekly press conference.
Communication.
Tomlin said communication on defense wasn't where it needed to be in the loss to the Cowboys, and players repeated that message, stressing how important communication is.
"I saw it all the time," said linebacker Elandon Roberts. "It starts in practice, and we've just got to continue to do it. We just have to thrive on it, and it starts in practice. In meetings you have to communicate.
"As a team, as a defense, we communicate well. I think those last two crucial moments the communication was a little off. I always talk about it. Early in the year, you see when a crucial moment happens, now you know I might need to do this some more from a communication standpoint to make sure we are all on the same page."
Roberts knows there could be some moving parts on defense with a few practice squad players possibly getting a call up this week with the team likely missing Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and DeMarvin Leal.
But Roberts stressed it's the responsibility of everyone on the field to do their part and not let anything be an excuse.
"It's a part of our job," said Roberts. "You can't have an excuse say I have somebody new in. No. They've been working with us in practice. And it's our responsibility as not just one person, but all 11, to make sure all 11 are on the same page."
In his mind, there is no such thing are too much communication either.
"Whatever you need to do to make sure," said Roberts. "I've been talking about it all since OTAs. If you don't communicate, obviously you see it in certain situations. That's what we have to do. It's more so we just have to overcommunicate. When you think a guy knows, make sure he knows. Have eye contact.
"You've got to go the extra mile. That's what it's all about."
In addition to communicating, the defense needs to make sure they focus on their own jobs and not try and overcompensate because of injuries.
"You can't start trying to do somebody else's job," said Roberts. "You just can't. These guys are pros. They're there in practice. They're getting their stuff right and what not.
"It's our responsibility to do our job, communicate, do our job well and instill whatever confidence or just have to trust in them knowing they're going to do their job also."
Hoping to bring energy: For rookie receiver Roman Wilson, this week is no different than any other this season.
He wants to earn a hat and get on the field, adding to the mix that already exists at receiver and bringing his style of play to the group.
"Just another playmaker out there, someone who can make plays and be in the right spot and be consistent and someone who can help this team win games," said Wilson. "Hopefully I can bring my energy and a lot of excitement to this team being a younger guy. And people expect a lot from me, so hopefully I can live up to that."
Nobody expects more out of Wilson than he does from himself. Wilson's progress was hampered by an ankle injury suffered early in training camp, and he has yet to play a snap in the NFL.
This week, he is hoping that changes.
"I'm always hoping. I hope I get a chance every week," said Wilson. "But I'm just really focused on every day I get to come in here and try to get a little better, learn from the older guys and try to find my spot in this offense and on this team."
Wilson has been a full participant in practice the last few weeks, but still inactive on game day. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said he just needs to keep on working to earn that game day hat.
"You're talking about a lot of time missed for a young player," said Smith. "He's working very hard. I would imagine it happens sooner or later, but it's not you've got to meet this certain metric. A lot of it is getting back into game shape.
"He's doing really well, making progress every day. Again, you miss all of training camp, it's getting your legs back. It's not like a guy that had played four games, and he missed a week or two. There's a lot of football conditioning, and certainly for a young guy mentally too. Very pleased with the progress he's made, though."
For Wilson, the waiting game hasn't been easy, but he has approached it with the right attitude.
"Going to the games, I didn't go to a lot of NFL games growing up, so this is all still new to me," said Wilson. "I get to cheer my team on, watch and really just learn from a lot of guys. I get to be around guys like T.J. (Watt), Larry (Ogunjobi) and Russell (Wilson) and really see what it's like to be a professional player from guys who played in the league for a long time."
One thing Wilson said he didn't have to learn was patience as he waits his turn, as he feels that is something that has been a part of his game and life for a long time.
But in the same respect, waiting for your turn is never easy.
"I feel my whole life has been patient," said Wilson. "So, I mean, it's hard. It's not always the easiest thing ever, but it's probably the best thing for you.
"If I make the most out of this opportunity, when I look back nobody is really going to remember this time if I just take advantage of it and try to get better."
Targeted as anticipated: If nickel cornerback Beanie Bishop feels as if he's been picked on at times throughout his first five NFL games, there's a good reason for that.
It's been happening with regularity, and it's something the Steelers and Bishop know they're going to have to deal with given Bishop's rookie status. At least until Bishop can establish himself as a player who shouldn't be picked on in such a fashion.
"I think we all know Beanie is going to get targeted," head coach Mike Tomlin observed following Sunday night's 20-17 loss to Dallas at Acrisure Stadium. "He's a young guy in the huddle. Such is life in the NFL as a defensive back."
Bishop also saw as much coming while taking his initial NFL steps.
"I feel like all rookies get tested," he said. "Especially if guys like what they see on film, they're gonna come at you until you stop it. That's just how the league is, you gotta get certain stuff off your tape as soon as possible.
"I know being a rookie every week is gonna be something new, just checking my oil and seeing if my eyes are right and stuff like that. I embrace the challenge."
Bishop has appeared in all five games heading into this Sunday's visit to Las Vegas. He's played 200 defensive snaps (66 percent) and 39 more on special teams (31 percent), and he understandably considers himself better for such experiences.
"Yeah, for sure," Bishop confirmed. "Every game is an opportunity to go out there and either make mistakes or make plays, you know, learn and grow. Obviously, you wanna have more positives than negatives, and I feel like that's where I've been leaning towards.
"Every play is a chance to learn something whether it's technical, having good eyes or just playing football."
-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta
Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.
Thursday, October 10
Searching for consistency: Consistency.
It's something every team strives for, and while it might seem like it's easy to achieve, in the National Football League it's a weekly challenge.
Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is up for the challenge though, wanting to ensure the defense is consistent moving forward, especially after losing the last two games.
"Both games we had chances to win the game and didn't," said Heyward. "Trying to dig ourselves out of a hole and really put on a good performance. I think defensive-wise, in spurts we're having success. But it hasn't been consistent.
"We want to get back to our winning ways. Defensive-wise, we've got to be way more consistent."
The key to being more consistent is just taking things as they come.
"Take it one play at a time. Not overlooking the situation," said Heyward. "Not thinking that everything is going to be built on one play, or just third down. I think you have to look at it as win first down, win second down and then worry about third. Hopefully we have success from there."
An example of what Heyward is referring to about consistency was against the Cowboys. The defense held running back Rico Dowdle to 20 yards in the first half, but he was able to rattle off 67 yards in the second half.
"I don't know if we fit correctly," said Heyward. "I think our C-gap was a little bit soft in some moments. We didn't get off enough blocks. And then when we did tackle, they fell forward."
This week the challenge is going to become greater as the Steelers will be without some of their key players on defense, with edge rushers Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and DeMarvin Leal all expected to miss the game. With the trio potentially out, the team might have to reply on several practice squad callups, including players who have never worn a Steelers uniform in Adetokunbo Ogundeji and Eku Leota.
"t's hard to replace guys that are that special," said Heyward. "But it'll be a group committee and T.J. We know they're going to single in on T.J. But we have faith in our younger guys. A lot of communication has got to happen from the back end. The d-line will have to communicate as well. And I think that will help us a lot to mitigate that a little bit."
The defense had communication issues against the Cowboys, and Heyward said they have to stress not just communicating, but overcommunicating with the potential of new faces on the field.
"I'll take it back to when we brought in Mon (Montravius) Adams those years ago," said Heyward. "It's the simple things that got you here. Just to help him feel more comfortable. I think these guys are getting on a moving train. The best thing you can do is overcommunicate, during play, after play, on the sideline and just have that repetition of them feeling comfortable with what they're doing."
With the defense feeling the effects of the injuries, veterans like Watt and Heyward know they have to do their part, but also, they can't do too much and get out of their game.
"T.J. knows he's got to play well, but it's not like you've got to be Superman. He's got to be himself," said Heyward. "We win games working together, not just one person. And that's for everybody.
"I don't think anyone has to play out of character for us to be successful. This defense is built on 11 guys doing their job. It's up to those younger guys to at least stay in their gaps."
Heyward said it's not always easy to do that, because you always want to do more.
But it's important to do it.
"I think every player struggles with that," said Heyward. "You think you've got to make a play so you might backdoor something, or you might play out of character and try to make a play when you know you're out of your gap.
"But you've got to remember your fundamentals and you've got to rely on that."
Moon gets his shot: The timing couldn't have been any better for the Steelers to get outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon back on the field.
Moon opened the season on the Reserve/Injured (designated for return) List, missing the team's first four games. He returned to practice leading up the Cowboys game and was activated from IR to the 53-man roster ahead of the game.
And it was perfect timing. With linebacker Alex Highsmith inactive, and linebacker Nick Herbig injured in game, Moon was called upon to be the next man up.
This week, it should be more of the same.
Highsmith and Herbig, along with defensive lineman/edge rusher DeMarvin Leal, are all expect to miss Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, and it will be Moon who will get a shot.
The Steelers claimed Moon off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 2023 season. Moon originally signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft.
And now, his turn has come.
"You've got to be ready for whatever," said Moon. "So, anytime my number is called, just take advantage of the opportunity.
"It's an opportunity every day. That's why we're all here. Everybody's fighting every single day, so you never want to see (injuries). You never want to see that happen. So, just go about it day by day and be the best you can be."
Moon admitted it was frustrating at the start of the season not being able to play, but he spent his time working daily, fighting to get back on the field.
And it's paid off.
"I was trying to get back and get healthy," said Moon. "At the same time, everything happens for a reason. I took the time to get my body right.
"And now, I'm back."
Since joining the Steelers, Moon has utilized working alongside linebacker T.J. Watt to the fullest extent, learning everything he can from him on the field and in Watt's day-to-day approach to preparation.
"He comes in and he puts his head down," said Moon. "He works every day. He's always engaged in the meetings. He has leadership qualities, obviously.
"That's the same with everybody in our room. We have a great room and they're all willing to help each other. Nobody's selfish. That's all you can ask for."
Moon is taking that same approach as Watt, making sure he is ready now that his opportunity has arrived.
"Like I do every day, I come in and put my head down at work, am proactive with treatment," said Moon. "I come in and do everything to seize the moment."
Moon now wants to show everyone that he is plenty capable of seizing that moment.
"I think I bring a lot of qualities," said Moon. "I can play on special teams. I can play on defense. I can set the edge. I can rush the passer.
"All of this is about knowing what you're supposed to do, having confidence to do it and then executing."
Ready to go: Linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji has heard Coach Mike Tomlin make the same type of comment in meetings that he used during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.
"There's a fine line between a practice squader and a Pro Bowler," said Tomlin.
And in the case of Ogundeji, who is currently on the practice squad, he is hoping to prove him right.
With injuries to edge rushers Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and DeMarvin Leal, who are expected to be sidelined on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, it could be someone like Ogundeji who is asked to step up.
"He talks about it all the time in meetings," said Ogundeji. "He always talks about us practice squad players that we're here for a reason. We're not just here to be practice squad the whole time. We're here to try to get up and play.
"That's what I've been trying to do the whole time. I'm just trying to go out there and play. So, when my name is called, whether it's this week, next week or whenever, I'm ready to go."
Ogundeji was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. His rookie season he appeared in 16 games, starting 11 of them. He finished that season with 33 tackles, a sack, a pass defense and a fumble recovery.
In 2022 he started 16 games, finishing with 42 tackles and one sack. He missed the 2023 season with a foot injury.
"I played and started two years, so I know what I'm doing," said Ogundeji. "I'm just trying to go out there and do my job. They expect me to go out there and do my job, just like the guy above me. I'm not going to try to do anything that's crazy. I'm just going to do my job.
"If they ask me to rush the passer, I'm going to rush the passer. If they ask me to stop the run, I'm going to stop the run. Whatever they ask me to do, I'm going to do it.
"I feel like I'm a guy who's steady, consistent. Always attacking the ball. Always making consistent plays in the run game. Always trying to get up the field and rush the passer the best I can. Also doing some different things for special teams.
"I feel like I've had a good overall resume and just trying to improve on it."
After missing the 2023 season injured, Ogundeji knows he has a great opportunity in front of him. He isn't sure when it will come, but he is determined to make sure it does come.
"When you're not playing, there's a different perspective you have when you're watching other people play," said Ogundeji. "I feel like last year when I was able to sit down and really learn. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You don't get this opportunity a lot.
"Whenever I go out there, I'm going to bring it on and I'm going to do the best I can to make sure we win and make sure I do the best I can to produce."
Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.
Wednesday, October 9
Showing his leadership: After starting off the season strong with three straight wins, the Steelers have lost the last two, which could bring a sense of frustration into the locker room.
But that is something tight end Pat Freiermuth said isn't happening.
"We are not where we want to be on offense yet, but the plays are there," said Freiermuth. "You can see it on film. We just have to cut the negative plays out. We understand that. We're going to keep working. There's no other option.
"You can't feel sorry for yourselves at this point in the season. You've got to continue to go out there and work every single day and try to get that off your film.
"We understand that. So, we're going to keep working and we'll be all right."
It's a message Freiermuth isn't just delivering in front of the camera and recorders that were surrounding his locker today at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
It's a message he delivers by his words and actions with his teammates as well, taking on even more of a leadership role this year, especially after being signed to a new long-term contract.
"I've always felt like I've been decently vocal, but I think now, obviously with the long-term investment, I feel like I have the right to speak up," said Freiermuth. "I think I've earned that right. And I think that guys on offense respect me enough to do that.
"But I'm always going to be respectful and I'm not going to do it in a way where it's going to cause issues in the locker room. Guys understand what we need to do. We need to continue to keep doing that, fix it and get better."
It's not like everything is broken, though. Freiermuth sees good in the offense, knows that they have what it takes. It's just a matter of getting it all going.
"I think in the second half, we got the run game going. I think we're starting to get some explosive plays," said Freiermuth. "I think we need to start faster. We've been preaching that for a couple of weeks now since the start of the season. Anything we can do to stay on track quicker and convert our possession downs.
"I think we've been good at that at certain points, but let's continue to build on that. We'll be fine."
Never too much talking: On Tuesday, Coach Mike Tomlin talked about the need for improved communication by the defense.
The message was similar when cornerback Donte Jackson spoke on Wednesday morning in the locker room (as seen below).
And it didn't change later in the day, when linebacker Payton Wilson shared the same thoughts.
"It starts with communication," said Wilson. "We got guys out there. We've just got to communicate better. Everybody's got to be on the same page. And especially when we're at home and when we're on defense it's going to be super loud. We have the best fans in all of football.
"We just have to be on the same page. Whatever formation or whatever we're looking at, we all have to be on the same page."
Communication is something the defense preaches all of the time, knowing it can be a make or break factor in any game.
"It's continuing to go out there every day, installing new things and making it a priority to practice," said Wilson. "Like Minkah (Fitzpatrick) says all the time, we have to overcommunicate in practice so when we get into the games, if we're not able to hear, we understand what's going on.
"We have to make that an emphasis. Coach (Mike) Tomlin, Coach Teryl Austin, Coach Aaron Curry, I see they've all made it a big emphasis this week and it's something I think we did a great job of today."
Communication in practice versus communication in game are different though. When live action is happening, and crowd noise is a factor, it makes a difference and isn't as simple as it sounds. Even with crowd noise pumped into practice, it can't always replicate what you face on game day.
"In practice, every play, every motion, it's a little easier than in game because there's no crowd noise and stuff," said Wilson. "You just have to continue to communicate even when you think everybody knows (the play). It just has to be an over-exaggeration.
"It has to be an emphasis. When we go out there, it has to be the first thing on our mind and when we're leaving, we still have to be communicating. Even in meetings, overcommunicating in meetings. It's everything that we do from when we get here to when we leave."
With the defense thin at outside linebacker, communication has to be even tighter with new people in the lineup. And it also might mean the inside linebackers have to pick up some of the slack if asked.
"I've said it since I got here, whatever they tell me to do or whatever they tell us to do, we're excited to and whatever opportunity we get," said Wilson. "We're going to try to hit it head on.
"The culture in this building is next man up. We feel that we have enough guys in here, some of the best guys in the world, if not the best guys in the world, to go over there and do the job. And the next man that we pull up, we have the mentality that they're going to come up and do the same thing."
Short memory: Having a short memory in football is nothing uncommon, because if there is one thing you can't do, it's let the result of one game impact you, good or bad, the following week.
Cornerback Donte Jackson is well aware of that, and isn't letting Sunday's loss to the Cowboys impact the approach this week as they get ready to play the Las Vegas Raiders.
"Win, lose, you always want to have a short-term memory," said Jackson. "You always want to get back to work. There is so much football left out there to play that whether you win, whether you lose, you always just want to get back in the building, work on things.
"Just the attitude changes. You come off a loss, you're a bit more salty. Coming off a win, it's different.
"But there is still work to be done and still attacking it the same way. Everything is still the same in terms of preparing for the next opponent."
And in preparation for the Raiders, the one thing the defense wants to work on is their communication. It's something Coach Mike Tomlin mentioned in his weekly press conference, saying the defense, 'didn't manage communication well enough.'
Jackson agrees that communication needs to improve, and the plan is to do just that.
"We just have to continue to detail it and work at it," said Jackson. "Attack these practices, attack these meetings with that mindset that we're going to clean up all those communication issues. That's been the demeanor and attitude about it.
"It's the NFL, different things come into play each week. For us it's been communication. We've been detailing it up and staying on it and expecting change."
Jackson said it's not so much that there are changes to the defense, especially new additions to the secondary, but moreso just locking in.
"It just comes down to focus and locking in," said Jackson. "Just executing."
"Sometimes when stuff gets moving a little fast out there, you have guys thinking something and other guys think something else. It's not something that that we feel is killing us right now. Just coming together and figuring out how we want to do things and how we are going to do things."
Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.
Monday, October 7
The small details: Calvin Austin III sat at his locker at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Monday afternoon, shortly before going to watch film of Sunday night's loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the closing seconds.
And one thing he knows even without watching the film, is some of the things that caused the loss were self-inflicted wounds that have led to the Steelers record going from 3-0 to 3-2 after the Cowboys and Colts losses.
"It's still very early in the season, and we know we kind of beat ourselves in each of these losses," said Austin. "It is frustrating for sure. In the record book, it just shows up as a loss. But we know that we kind of caused it ourselves.
"That's the frustrating part because you can't get it back and you can't do anything to change it. You work all offseason and work so hard to kind of prevent those mistakes, and when they show up it's frustrating.
"It's a part of the game and we've just got to stay together and get closer and learn from it. It's early in the season and we've got a lot more games left. We need to evaluate the film, look in the mirror and just come back better."
The Steelers scored just three points in the first half, before putting 14 points on the board in the second half. It was a similar situation in the loss to the Colts, with three points in the first half and 21 in the second half.
Getting out to a fast start is something the offense has been focused on, now it's just a matter of doing it.
"It's just execution," said Austin. "It's a lot of small details when you look back at it that can be traced to that slow start feeling. Just going back and cleaning up those small details can create bigger plays at the beginning to get us going."
A rare opportunity: When you lose, it's tough to look at some of the bright spots.
There is no doubt, though, defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk provided a bright spot against the Cowboys.
Loudermilk blocked Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey's 38-yard field goal attempt in the third quarter, giving the steelers the ball at their own 47-yard line.
It's a play that doesn't happen often in the NFL, and while Loudermilk would trade the block for a win in a heartbeat, he was still happy to make an impact play.
"It felt good," said Loudermilk. "It's always good to make a play like that for the team. It kind of hypes everyone up. It got me going a little bit too.
"Plays like that are always fun to make and go celebrate with the team quick. It always feels a lot better when you can make a play like that and come up with a win."
Loudermilk's block was the first field goal or extra point the Steelers have blocked this season, and the first one the Cowboys have had blocked.
And it's not for a lack of trying.
It's just a tough play to make.
"That's one of the plays that's a rare play to make," said Loudermilk. "A blocked field goal, you don't see it happen a whole lot.
"But at the same time everyone's always rushing every single time. Every single play, someone's trying to get there, and it doesn't happen often.
"When someone does get there, it's like an explosion of energy just because it's something that doesn't happen often. But when someone can get it, it feels good."
Special teams captain Miles Killebrew gave Loudermilk his props, because he knows how tough any type of block is on special teams. Killebrew has blocked three punts since 2021 when he joined the Steeles, and four in his career.
"He's the block king," said Loudermilk. "He's a big guy on special teams blocks and stuff. Everyone kind of looks to him, especially in punt situations, to get those blocks."
Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.
