by Bo Marchionte
Pittsburgh – What’s for dinner?
Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada is open to a smorgasbord of ideas to get Pittsburgh’s 30th ranked offense headed in the right direction.
In his weekly media presser at the team facility, he offered up there are a menu full of plays for rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett to choose from as he embarks on his first start against the Buffalo Bills.
“Obviously, there is a menu of things we liked,” Canada said. “It goes on feel and what you want most of the time. They’re the ones playing right. So, the things they like certainly believe we put together a menu that gets us the right three of four choices.”
Former starter Mitchell Trubisky was ordering off the same menu.
That got him bench.
With a 1-3 record and one of the league’s most least explosives offenses, despite having weapons, the change was made last week against the New York Jets. Currently the Steelers rank 30th in total offense.
Trubisky will sit as Pickett takes the reigns of an offense in search savoir.
For whatever reasons the menu choices made by all involved for the Steelers have kept them fading in the standings as the team looks for an offensive identity. The ground game is lacking, and the passing game boast a bounty of weapons but has failed to produce on the level of the NFL’s other potent offenses.
“Obviously, we just need to continue to play better,” Canada said. “Coach (Tomlin) talked to you guys about before. It’s our offense. We’re not scoring enough points. You make a change but it’s not all the reflection of the quarterback play.”
Trubisky was the first domino to fall.
Canada likely the second as the team is under growing scrutiny to rectify the situation. The National Football League is quick to dismiss those who fail to keep pace in the win loss column.
The chemistry and familiarity between Canada and Pickett should help eliminate anything the young passer feels uncomfortable with while positively progressing what will make both Pickett and offense sizzle.
“I think the first time I saw him,” Canada said. “I went to his high school (Ocean Township in New Jersey). Watched him throw. You could legally do. You could go watch him throw. Couldn’t talk with him just watched him throw and talk to the coach.
“Kenny is a competitive guy. He’s a great leader. He enjoys it. He loves to compete. He’s a student of the game. I don’t know if that’s unique. It’s just who Kenny is.”
All those characteristics Canada mentioned about the rookie quarterback are going to be pushed to the limit against one the league’s top defenses. Buffalo is tied for first with the fewest yards allowed (938) with the San Francisco 49ers.
The Bills are second in the league behind the 49ers, allowing just 14.5 points per game, they have embraced defensive minded head coach Sean McDermott’s philosophy.
Last year the Steelers scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to turn a 10-6 deficient into 23-16 Week 1 victory.
Expect Tomlin’s college teammate at William and Mary, McDermott to have his Bills defense ready to smother, disguise and confuse Pickett into submission this weekend.
Tomlin put Pickett in for a “spark” to ignite the offense.
Despite players after the game mentioning they felt the energy from the crowd in response to Pickett entering the game. Canada was reluctant to say it has carried over into the practice leading up to the Bills game.
“I think it’s just a work type environment,” Canada said the spark still igniting the offense. “So, I wouldn’t say there is a huge (reaction). I think Kenny is being the quarterback and leading and working. Guys are working. We got to keep moving forward until we get the outcome we are hunting for.”
Canada better hope for an offensive inferno this weekend.
Despite what Tomlin can muster up from his team this weekend. A tall task is being asked from both the offensive and defensive side of the football.
Buffalo is clicking on all cylinders equally.
The Steelers will arrive for their Week 5 game at Buffalo, as 14-point underdogs. An odd position for this prestigious franchise.
Per ESPN’s David Payne Purdum, the Steelers are “the only team since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger to never be at least a 14-point underdog.”
Canada said it best in terms of the situation both the team and Pickett face.
“It is what is it. We know it. He (Pickett) knows it. It’s a big day for him but we got to go out and win a football game.”
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt