Steelers Excited for 2016 run
The Pittsburgh Steelers began the first wave of offseason practices with official team activities on Tuesday with a positive showing from players.
Even though it was just a shorts and helmets kind of practice, the team was eager to get to work. Of the 90 players listed on the roster, 89 of them showed up to the non-mandatory practice. Wide receiver Antonio Brown was the odd man out due to prior agreements with ABC and Dancing with the Stars.
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Hearing that many players show up for something that isn’t mandatory can make any Steelers fan feel good. To me, this shows the Steelers are really taking their chances of a seventh Lombardi Trophy seriously. Not only did the team have a good showing, but they had fun on a first day of practice.No one seemed as excited to prepare for the 2016 quite like quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
“It’s fun to get on the field with the guys,” said Roethlisberger. “It’s always fun because it’s football.”
These first few practices can really pave the way for the Steelers to start clicking together. This is especially important as the team looks for a replacement for the suspended Martavis Bryant.
“He is a big weapon for us, one of the best and had the chance to be one of the best in the NFL. It’s unfortunate,” Roethlisberger said of Bryant. “All of us need to step up. We have had a lot of guys carry a lot on their shoulders. I would like to see some of the young guys take the next step, especially some of the young receiving guys.”
That is the biggest question marks moving forward with 2016 preparations. Who can replace Bryant as a deep threat and freak athlete? I think the Steelers have something with Sammie Coates and he just needs an opportunity to shine. Coates made some really explosive plays last season and he can really develop this year by getting the reps he needs. The Steelers rarely miss on wide receiver talent and he will fill Bryant’s role quite nicely.
Another good sign for the Steelers was the progression of center Maurkice Pouncey and running backs Le’Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams from injury. Of the injured trio, having Pouncey back on the field is probably the most meaningful because he means so much to offensive line.
“It’s awesome,” said Roethlisberger of Pouncey. “If feels good to have him back out there. I am excited he is out there, healthy and our leader.”
I didn’t and don’t expect Pouncy, Williams or Bell to participate much in the OTAs or minicamp because the Steelers need them to be 100 percent when the season kicks off. As we learned last year as one by one they were injured, the Steelers’ championship hopes diminished with each injury.
Like Roethlisberger, the first day of OTAs have me excited for what 2016 will bring and I’m hoping it’s a shiny trophy.
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