09-05-2021 Ravens Preview - Flipbook - Page 14
NFL2021
PITTSBURGH
14
STEELERS
COACH
MikeTomlin (15th season with team, 153-86-1)
LAST SEASON
12-4 (1st in AFC North; lost in wild card round)
Record since 2011: 102-57 (3-6 in playoffs)
2020 TEAM STATISTICAL LEAGUE RANKINGS
2020 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS
SCORING OFFENSE
12th of 32 (26.0 ppg)
RUSHING
James Conner: 169 carries, 721 yards, 6 TDs, 55.5 ypg
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SCORING DEFENSE
3rd of 32 (19.5 ppg)
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RUSHING OFFENSE
32nd of 32 (84.4 ypg)
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PASSING OFFENSE
15th of 32 (250.2 ypg)
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PASSING
BenRoethlisberger:399-608,3,803yards,33TDs,10ints,254.3ypg
SCORING
Chris Boswell, PK: 91 points (19 FGs, 34 PATs, 7.0 ppg)
Stats from pro-football-reference.com
Laying it on the line
Steelers seek starters, consistency along new O-line
By Dan Scifo
Associated Press
P
ittsburgh Steelers offensive line
coach Adrian Klemm says all five
positions remain up for grabs along
the team’s revamped offensive front.
At the same time, Klemm said he’d like
to see a starting five emerge and spend
extended time together.
“I’d like to settle in,” Klemm said. “We
have two more preseason games before our
regular game. I wouldn’t say it’s settled,
because we have a different lineup almost
every day. I think we’re in a good position
with certain people in certain spots. Obviously, it would be nice if we can get those
guys in there and have some cohesiveness
for the next couple weeks.”
The line will primarily be tasked with
protecting Ben Roethlisberger, back for his
18th NFL season. The Steelers also seek
to improve the league’s worst rushing
attack. Pittsburgh selected Alabama standout running back Najee Harris in the first
round of the 2021 draft to provide a boost.
Roethlisberger will make his preseason
debut next Saturday after sitting out the
Hall of Fame game win over Dallas and the
Steelers’ second exhibition game against
Philadelphia.
“We know there are high expectations
for them, but at the same time, they’ve been
asked to do a good amount and they’ve all
been up for it,” Klemm said.
Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro
and Alejandro Villanueva combined for
17 Pro Bowls, but they are no longer with
the team. DeCastro was released and
Pouncey retired, while Villanueva and
Matt Feiler both left in free agency. The
Steelers surrendered a NFL-low 14 sacks
last season.
Kendrick Green, the team’s 2021 thirdround pick, is now in the mix at center,
along with veterans J.C. Hassenauer and
B.J. Finney.
“I think (Green) has played himself
into a nice position, and he’s definitely in
contention, if not the guy on opening day,”
Klemm said. “He’s getting more comfortable at the position and he’s done a nice
job for a guy coming in and having the type
of pressure and expectations we have of
him.”
Chukwuma Okorafor is expected to shift
to left tackle, Kevin Dotson could play his
second NFL season at left guard, and Zach
Banner, who tore an ACL during Week
1 last season, is expected to be the right
tackle.
Dotson, who made four starts at right
guard last season, missed the beginning
of training camp with an ankle injury, but
he played Thursday at Philadelphia and
took first team snaps at left guard on Saturday. Veteran Trai Turner, a five-time Pro
Bowler signed before training camp has
also been working with the first team at
left guard.
Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph calls a play during the Pro Football Hall of Fame
preseason game against the Cowboys. DAVID RICHARD/AP
2021 SCHEDULE WEEK 7 BYE
WEEK 1
Sept. 12
WEEK 2
Sept. 19
WEEK 3
Sept. 26
WEEK 4
Oct. 3
WEEK 5
Oct. 10
WEEK 6
Oct. 17
WEEK 8
Oct. 31
WEEK 9
Nov. 8
WEEK 10
Nov. 14
WEEK 11
Nov. 21
WEEK 12
Nov. 28
@BUF
1 p.m.
CBS
LVR
1 p.m.
CBS
CIN
1 p.m.
CBS
@GB
4:25 p.m.
CBS
DEN
1 p.m.
FOX
SEA
8:20 p.m.
NBC
@CLE
1 p.m.
CBS
CHI
8:15 p.m.
ESPN
DET
1 p.m.
FOX
@LAC
8:20 p.m.
NBC
@CIN
1 p.m.
CBS
WEEK 13
Dec. 5
WEEK 14
Dec. 9
BAL
@MIN
4:25 p.m. 8:20 p.m.
CBS
FOX
WEEK 15
Dec. 19
WEEK 16
Dec. 26
WEEK 17
Jan. 3
WEEK 18
Jan. 9
TEN
1 p.m.
CBS
@KC
4:25 p.m.
CBS
CLE
8:15 p.m.
ESPN
@BAL
1 p.m.
CBS
Note: This section was printed before final roster cuts, so personnel are subject to change; all times are Eastern and subject to change