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Steelers OTA Day 2 Wrap Up

By Kim Myers

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The Pittsburgh Steelers heading out onto the practice field for OTAs where the rookie class and returning players will be participating in drills and getting acquainted. While the new Steelers get acclimated with the Steel City we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Thursday, May 28th.

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Easing on into the new defense

The Steelers are under a new defensive coordinator for the first time since 2003 but their new coordinator has been on the staff this whole time. Mike Prisuta explains that the issue for the defense is more one of uncertainty than unfamiliarity. The players naturally know who they’re dealing with in Keith Butler, who worked under former defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau since 2003.

The defensive unit is going to look a lot younger and former backups can now put themselves in positions to be starters. Stephon Tuitt and Ryan Shazier are already listed as starters for their sophomore season and Arthur Moats and Shamarko Thomas are in a position to take starter roles themselves.

Moats describes how important it is for the players on the field to make the plays, regardless of who is on the sidelines making the calls.

"“It definitely has to be the guys who are on the field. You can have any scheme you want but if you don’t have the players that are going to produce and be productive it doesn’t really matter.” – Arthur Moats"

Congrats Big Ben

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger attended the dinner for the Mid-American Conference HOF Class of 2015. Next stop Canton perhaps?

Let’s have more of that please

When Roethlisberger was asked how he’d like the Steelers offense to go forward this season he replied pretty simply with, “exactly what we did last year.” He gave that answer, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, in response to whether he prefers a balance between throwing deep passes or Todd Haley’s signature “dink and dunk” routes. Roethlisberger hasn’t changed his game to suit Haley but Haley’s offense sure does suit Roethlisberger.

"“I haven’t changed my game at all. I think when you call plays that are shorter routed plays – Bruce Arians was known to go down the field and take shots. So you are going to have to hold onto the ball. We call a lot of plays that get the ball out quick to receivers. Todd Haley’s offense is a lot about catching the ball, running, and putting up yards after the catch. So I think that’s what it is more than me changing or anyone changing. Quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner does a great job of coaching. I get the ball out and guys make plays.” – Ben Roethlisberger"

The Steelers offensive numbers have gone up in the last three seasons and Ben Roethlisberger’s sacks have gone down. That’s a pretty good balance, I’d say.

Next: Steelers Harrison Wait and See

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