Steelers No Excuses, Ben’s Thing, Bryant Boost

The Pittsburgh Steelers heading back out onto the practice field for the second week of OTAs where the rookie class and returning players will be participating in drills and getting more 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 Wednesday, June 3^rd.

No excuses for Mitchell

Mike Mitchell played last season with two torn groins, according to Teresa Varley. He spent most of the week in pain recovering from playing the week before and gearing up for the game ahead, never complaining and never considering sitting a week out.

Even though the injuries, according to him, weren’t bad enough to miss time they certainly affected his play and he was often criticized for being out of position to make plays and his inconsistencies during his first season as a Steeler.

"“It wasn’t significant enough to where I couldn’t play. There were times when Troy (Polamalu) was down and it would have been tough on us to not have both safeties. It did affect me, obviously. I don’t think there are too many people that could do that. Being a safety sometimes it would affect the change of direction. There were plays I could have made being in better position, having a better understanding of the defense, which I do believe I have now.” – Mike Mitchell"

Mitchell isn’t using his injury as an excuse and is looking to move forward this season healthy and ready to contribute to this revamped secondary.

"“I’m not going to make any predictions. I am just trying to put my head down and work as hard as I can to be the best player I can. That’s all Coach Tomlin wants out of me, that’s all my dad wants out of me and that’s all I want for myself.” – Mike Mitchell"

Letting Ben do “his thing”

There’s no denying that the Todd Haley-Ben Roethlisberger offense hit its stride last season with Roethlisberger having career-highs in passing yards and touchdowns. Ben has already said that he wants this season to look “exactly” the same as last season.

To achieve a repeat or even an improvement of last season’s offensive performance the Steelers offense has to keep aiming towards a balance between Todd Haley’s quick passing game and Ben Roethlisberger pump faking a billion times causing chest pain across Steeler Nation.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler explains that the Steelers offensive line works hard through OTAs and practice to make sure they can hold their blocks for when it’s time for Ben to improvise. The offense can’t totally succeed on quick passes alone, there has to be a balance that plays to one of Roethlisberger’s biggest strengths; his ability to scramble and improvise when a play breaks down.

"“That’s always a part of it. That’s the one thing you can’t really measure, that intangible, the ability to scramble and make plays. Sometimes you have to block a little longer and that’s OK. That’s our job.” – David DeCastro"

Bryant Boosted

Martavis Bryant

dressed in ten games and started three in his rookie season last year. For those ten games he scored eight touchdowns and accumulated 549 yards with a 21.1 yard per catch average,

according to Josh Yohe of DK on Pittsburgh Sports

. This season, Bryant could get boosted to the next level of wide receivers.

Yohe spoke with Martavis Bryant at OTAs on Tuesday and you can already tell his confidence level is higher and he’s gained the trust with Ben Roethlisberger so look out.

Next: Gerod Holliman Steelers Secondary Diamond in the Rough?

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