LATROBE, Pa. -- The pieces are still being put together, roles are still being defined and a strategy is still being built, but it's clear the type of impact Arthur Smith is having on the Steelers offense.
Throughout training camp, Smith has consistently been on top of players to ensure they run drills or plays right. He's made offensive linemen run laps after committing pre-snap penalties and he's just as detail-oriented in meetings before and after practices. On Tuesday, Smith even ran a few laps with John Rhys Plumlee.
Players are noticing the new offensive coordinator's approach and they are loving it.
When Jaylen Warren was asked if Smith's coaching style was welcomed, he answered before the question was even finished.
"Yes," Warren said before quickly adding, "I think everyone needs that."
The third-year running back said Smith is assertive as an offensive coordinator and "there's no question what he wants from you. He's going to let you know."
That's something that players welcome. They want to know their role, where they stand and what is being asked of them. But, that's not all that Smith brings to the table. In the early goings of camp, and throughout his coaching career, Smith has been vocal and has showcased his competitive spirit.
For Justin Fields, who's primarily been taking the first-team snaps at quarterback, it's nothing new. During his time in Chicago, Fields experienced Smith's fiery attitude when the Bears and Falcons faced off. Fields said he'd run out of bounds after making a play and Smith would start talking trash.
"I forgot what he said, but I just know the past two years when we played when I was in Chicago, he talked trash during the game," Fields said with a laugh. "So it's good to have a coach like that, who has that competitive spirit."
Now that Fields and Smith are on the same team, the fourth-year quarterback is benefitting from Smith's approach to coaching. He's a fiery offensive coordinator who is exceptional at teaching a new offense and walking players through it. He's the type of coach that Fields has been looking for.
"He pushes you to be your best each and every day. He's a great leader, and that's kind of a given because he was just a head coach for Atlanta, but he's a great coach," Fields said. "He's fiery. He makes everyone around him better and he's a really great teacher too. So, any time you have an OC or a coach, you want him to be a great teacher to all the players and stuff like that. So it's great to have him."
That competitive spirit is not something that just resides within Smith though. It's something that can be seen throughout the Steelers coaching staff.
Wide receiver coach Zach Azzanni has been the same way with the wide receivers. He's constantly pushing the players to give their best effort every time they step onto the field or participate in a drill. It came to a culmination at the beginning of camp when he was seen having a heated discussion with George Pickens.
Fields also said earlier in camp he and linebackers coach Denzel Martin were talking back and forth during 7-on-7s, which took Fields to "a whole other level."
"That trash talking back-and-forth that gets your blood flowing, a little bit like a game," Fields said. "So it's always good to have that for sure."
Tuesday was the first day the Steelers put on the pads, but Smith's offense has been slowly implemented and signs are starting to show what it could look like at full force. Despite that, Smith is impacting how the Steelers approach every piece of their day.
From the small drills during practice to watching film and going over the playbook in meetings, Smith is imparting his knowledge in a way that is being accepted across the roster.
It may be early, but that might make for a nice change come Sept. 8 when he makes his return to Atlanta.
