LATROBE, Pa. -- It's no secret Ben Roethlisberger wasn't a big fan of play-action passing, something he actually used extensively early in his career.
As he got older and less mobile, the thought of turning his back to the defense as he dropped back to pass didn't appeal much to Roethlisberger, who wanted to take his time scanning the defense.
That's likely to change in 2022 for the Steelers with Roethlisberger now retired. Scratch that. There's no "likely" at all. It will change.
The Steelers have long been dead last or very near the bottom in play-action usage for the better part of the past decade. But all signs point to them not only using more play-action passing in 2022, but it perhaps becoming a staple of their offense.
"I think if you look at most teams’ explosive plays, it’s a lot of play-action," said Mason Rudolph. "We’ve got to have more of that than we did the last few years, but I think we’ve got the guys to do that. We have the play-caller to do that. That’s something Matt Canada has enjoyed doing and it’s a bread-and-butter part of his offense. We’re going to play-action pass and generally push the ball down the field more."
In fact, it's a big reason why the team signed Mitch Trubisky in free agency to compete with Rudolph and Kenny Pickett, the Steelers' first-round pick in this year's draft, to replace Roethlisberger.
Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan looked at Trubisky's tape from his days as a starter in Chicago and saw a player who was very adept at play-action passing. Trubisky's career completion percentage off play-action is 71.4, while is passer rating is 97.0. Both are well above his numbers when not running play-action.
"That jumped out to me when we were looking at him in free agency when I was looking at the Chicago tape and even some of the limited repetitions he had in Buffalo, was how very good he was, the rhythm of his footwork, the timing, the accuracy," Sullivan said Thursday as the Steelers completed the second day of their training camp here at Saint Vincent College. "There was an awful lot we could see that was impressive both under center and in the shotgun."
That is why Trubisky is the favorite to win the starting job with the Steelers this season. He fits what the Steelers want to do offensively in their second season with Canada as offensive coordinator.
Rudolph likes play-action, as well. And Pickett was adept at it, too. But Trubisky has a proven track record in that department.
• That doesn't mean there isn't still a learning curve. As Sullivan pointed out Thursday, Trubisky is working with his third offensive coordinator in the past four seasons, while Pickett and fourth-string quarterback Chris Olodokun are rookies.
It's quite a bit different than rolling the ball out and allowing an 18-year veteran such as Roethlisberger to just do his thing.
"There are a lot of wrinkles and things we’re hoping to do," Sullivan said. "It’s different in that the details, you can’t take for granted that someone has done it for 18 years. There are guys who this is the first time they’ve heard these terms. The first time they’ve seen these concepts. So you spend a little bit more time, not just explaining the 'what,' but the 'why' and the 'how.' That’s what’s been a challenge, but it’s been a fun challenge."
• So, too, has the quarterback rotation. But Trubisky has remained No. 1, while Rudolph has played with the second team and Pickett the third-stringers. Olodokun, a seventh-round draft pick, has yet to take a snap in a team portion of offense.
Sullivan said he communicates with Canada and Mike Tomlin daily about who will be getting what reps.
"That’s the discussions we have, starting even in the spring and into this part of training camp, it’s a collaborative decision as far as how we want to rotate guys and give them opportunities. It’s a huge decision. It’s so important for our team," Sullivan said. "I think Coach Tomlin has done a great job setting a tone. A rash decision isn’t going to made off one bad throw in practice. We don’t want these guys to be on pins and needles. We want them to go ahead and immerse themselves in the system and understanding what we’re trying to accomplish and getting the details down and taking that next step and have the situational awareness to play above the Xs and Os."
That said, the Steelers ran their first "Seven Shots" drill Thursday from the 2-yard line. Trubisky got the first four opportunities, throwing three touchdown passes while a fourth was dropped by tight end Zach Gentry with help from Devin Bush. Rudolph took the next three reps, throwing one touchdown pass.
Pickett did not get an opportunity.
• Like many rookie quarterbacks, Pickett has struggled at times in the first two days of this camp. But, that doesn't affect the Steelers' view of him at all.
Thursday, he threw a couple of interceptions. But he's at his best when the pocket is moving -- perhaps because he's not thinking as much as he is from the pocket.
"I’ve seen him do a great job particularly moving to his left. Ironically, some guys are more comfortable going to the left than the right," Sullivan said. "But seeing him, whether it’s designed QB movement or a scramble, he’s very good fundamentally and accurate right and left. And not just on the short, but the intermediate throws, as well. That’s something he’s obviously worked on and continues to do better."
• The movement from the quarterbacks could mean the Steelers want more mobile offensive linemen.
Thursday, Kendrick Green got an opportunity to work with the first-team offensive line at left guard. Kevin Dotson had done that work on the opening day of practice.
This might be the most hotly contested position battle in camp.
And, it will come down to whether the Steelers want a mauler such as Dotson or a player with more mobility, such as Green, who started last season at center.
• It was good to see Bush get a pass breakup on what looked like it would be a sure touchdown by Gentry in "Seven Shots."
The defense even felt Bush had picked off the pass.
Senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach Brian Flores likes what he's seen of Bush thus far in this camp.
"Devin’s in the right kind of head space. He’s working hard. He’s studying," Flores told me. "He’s doing everything he can do to put his best foot forward. That’s all I ask him to do, to try to improve and get better every day. Take those techniques that we’re talking about in the meeting into individual (drills) and group periods. Just take it one day at a time and not think about anything more than getting better today. To me, that’s always been my mindset. String good days together. At the end of the day, you’re going to get the results you’re looking for. That’s really the wisdom I try to instill in him and really the entire linebacker crew and anyone I can do that with."
Obviously, getting more production out of Bush is a big priority for the Steelers this season. And they're pushing him, as well. Robert Spillane again got some first-team reps at inside linebacker Thursday next to Myles Jack.
Bush isn't simply being handed a starting job -- not after playing so poorly last season in his first year back from a torn ACL.
"Injuries are part of the game. When you get guys that go down for whatever reason, it’s not easy to get back to tip-top form," Flores said. "I think Devin looks good. He looks healthy. He looks fast. He’s in good condition. He’s worked hard to get to that point. I’m excited to continue working with him and see how it turns out."
• Players will be in helmets and shells Friday as they continue to ramp things up. I had previously reported Saturday will be the first day in pads. But adjustments to the heat acclimation period means the Steelers will be in shells (smaller pads) Friday and Saturday. They'll then be off Sunday and return Monday in full pads.
So, we'll have to wait just a couple of more days to see those first live hitting drills that are so crucial.
• The public back-and-forth between Roethlisberger and Cam Heyward regarding a "me-first" attitude from some players isn't going to change anything.
That's just where the game has gone as a business. The more the money available increases, the more players are going to be concerned with their brand.
But players also need to remember that nothing increases the value of your brand quite like winning big games.
• Don't be concerned about Roethlisberger and Heyward's relationship, though. Roethlisberger, in fact, reached out to WDVE to clear the air and clarify his statements regarding all players today being selfish.
He basically wanted to publicly apologize.
• The rain that tore through the area at the start of practice Thursday came down pretty heavily for the first half of practice.
But that's exactly the kind of thing Tomlin loves -- adversity.
"I love the uncertainty of the weather. It forces us to be light on our feet and adaptable," Tomlin said. "It challenges them from a mindset standpoint. It’s just an opportunity to teach and to learn, and for guys to display their football character, their enthusiasm, and passion for the game in spite of whatever adversity the elements of the game may present. We’re appreciative of it."
The Steelers stayed on the turf field here for the practice, even when the rain stopped and they worked to uncover the grass field. There had been plans to move over to the grass, but Tomlin wanted to keep practice moving smoothly and decided to stay where they were.
The challenge of practicing in a downpour is a good test. After all, a game would have been played in those conditions with no lightning in the area.
That's why Tomlin never considered moving the practice anywhere else.