McCrae looking to make the days count
PITTSBURGH — Terrence McCrae broke out a bit of wisdom Tuesday that he learned from one of his coaches at Ohio University:
“Don’t count the days. Make the days count,” McCrae said.
He used the quote to answer a question about “the numbers game” with the Pittsburgh Steelers this preseason.
McCrae is an undrafted rookie wide receiver from Connellsville High School who’s fighting an uphill battle to make the roster. The road appears even rockier today after McCrae did not play last Thursday in the second preseason game of the season.
“I was one of the receivers to get some of the reps in the first game,” he explained. “So in the second game, there were some other receivers who didn’t get a chance and they put them in to see what they could do. This week might even be more of the same because the vets will be playing into the third quarter (Saturday against Atlanta).
“The fourth game, though, they said the vets might not even suit up and it could be rookies the whole way through.”
McCrae is only thinking positive thoughts because the alternative would be to count numbers. And that could get depressing with seven veterans among the receiving corps fighting for five, or at most six, roster spots. There’s also a practice squad job available for one of the young receivers.
“I just take it day by day, try to improve, get better as a receiver and route runner, and also try to make an impact on special teams,” McCrae said. “I feel I’ve been showing up on special teams, so I’m feeling pretty good.”
In that regard, McCrae has the edge on 6-foot-8 receiver Wes Lyons because McCrae has worked as both a jammer and gunner on special teams.
It’s likely that McCrae, Lyons and another undrafted rookie, Armand Robinson, are competing for the spot on the practice squad. Veteran Tyler Grisham is also eligible for one more stint on the practice squad as well.
So what’s McCrae hearing?
“I’m getting positive feedback,” he said. “Coach has been saying I’ve been coming along. I asked him what I need to work on and what he’d like to see me improve on the most, and I just try to attack those things every day and get noticeably better at that. So far, so good.”