Versatility of Steelers tight ends paying off for the offense
PITTSBURGH — The tight end position was a concern for the Steelers entering the season, with Ladarius Green’s injury status and a trio of players who didn’t exactly keep opposing defenses up at night.
It wasn’t certain that the Steelers would be able to use one tight end who made an impact on a consistent basis, let alone three.
Thirteen weeks later, that worry is a distant memory. Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley has implemented two- and three-tight end sets into the offense on a regular basis, and it’s paying dividends.
“Those formations and sets kind of throw a wrinkle to a defense,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. “Do you line up in big personnel to stop the run because you’ve got tight ends? Or do you use nickel or smaller DBs on the field?
“Having the versatility of our tight ends to be able to execute against whatever the defense is throwing at us is key for us.”
Green is healthy and proving himself to be the asset the Steelers front office envisioned when they signed him to a four-year, $20-million contract in free agency. Jesse James benefited from receiving a bulk of the snaps when Green was out and is now a solid complimentary tight end to him. David Johnson is a reliable blocker on the edge. Xavier Grimble, though he’s been hurt over the last few weeks with a quad injury, has been solid. Even utility offensive lineman Chris Hubbard has been used as a blocking tight end for Le’Veon Bell, who has 384 rushing yards and two touchdowns in his last three games.
Each has a defined strength, but all have contributed in different facets of the game.
“I think there is some role, but I also think that they’re versatile enough to where they could do different things,” Roethlisberger said. “So that it’s not like every time (Green) is on the field he’s going deep. Or when (Johnson) is on the field, he’s blocking. I know we threw a screen to (Johnson) the other day.
“We’re trying to do some different things with guys. Each one brings something different to the table, but they’re all very similar.”
Green, 26, had his first-career 100-yard receiving game of his five-year career last week against the Giants, finishing with 110 yards and a touchdown on six receptions. He has a 25.9 yards per catch average over his last two outings.
“I don’t know if it’s what more we can do, but it’s just making the plays that are there,” Roethlisberger said. “I overthrew him on that third down because I was trying to be a little too cautious. Just got to put it up there for him to make the play. That’s on me. Some of the combative catches, I know he wants to make those combat catches where there’s a guy right on him.
“I know he did make the one on the big third down play where he had two guys, and that was awesome. There just needs to be more consistency on my part and his part working together. That comes from repitition working together.”
Green’s third-quarter touchdown came on a fake screen. Green acted as a blocker to cause Giants safety Landon Collins to bite on the fake before breaking into a route for an uncontested catch.
“I don’t even think he’s ran that specific play yet,” said Roethlisberger. “So for me to call it and then him to execute it flawlessly, to me that speaks volumes of the work that he’s put in mentally to not even get that rep physically, but mentally be able to do it and be that actor on the fake block.”