Steelers Week 2: Team Quotes and Comments

The Steelers really bounced back in week 2 and found their footing on defense especially. The offense was terrific obviously. Dominant. But we knew that already. What was really in doubt was the defense and they showed signs of improvement, particularly against the run.

As you’ll see, most of the quotes are Steelers players modestly shrugging off their own accomplishments and raving about their teammates. It was that kind of game.

So, let’s hear about it

Defense

Tomlin said of the defensive effort, according to Steelers.com, “It was appropriate. We didn’t do as well as we would have liked a week ago and we responded accordingly. We met this week’s challenges. We weren’t perfect. We gave up some big plays, particularly in the second half, but we will take the win.”

Jarvis Jones said, “Communication is everything. This game is played above the shoulders. Everything we are doing out there is so we can all get on the same page. It’s very critical. We did good today. The guys played tremendously well. We still have things that we need to work on.”

Ryan Shazier

Shazier is looking like a future star. Shoot, he might already be a star, we just don’t realize it yet. He certainly made his presence known. If he can stay healthy he looks like he’s going to have a terrific year.

Jim Wexell of Scout.com reported the following humorous exchange. When asked if that was the best game of his career Shazier said, “I played Indiana last year. Oh, you talking my NFL career? That was definitely the best game of my NFL career.”

Steelers.com had Tomlin saying, “He’s going to have an impact in whatever stadium he’s in. He’s that kind of player. He’s sharp and has gained experience. We expect his arrow to be pointed up week in and week out. He brings that approach, so I’m not surprised when he plays well.”

Bud Dupree

Bud Dupree had his second sack in two games. He’s still plenty raw but his athleticism is evident.

Chris Bradford of The Times Online quoted Dupree himself saying of his performance and the defense in general:

“The rotation is good. I felt like we’re not tired that much. The rotation keeps us fresh so we can give our best pitch. You don’t want to be out there sluggish and tired and fighting through a play. We just roll it out and make the best plays happen. I don’t put too much pressure on myself having Moats there with me and Jarvis and (Harrison). I feel like I’m more comfortable. Just having fun. When you’re having fun, things start to slow down.”

Offense

The offense put together over 450 yards on offense. They scored 43 points. What more can you ask for?

From the sidelines Le’Veon Bell had a few thoughts, reported by Jacob Klinger of Pennlive.com,

“The offense doesn’t surprise me at all. I expect us to go out there and put up crazy numbers. I know what type of playmakers we got. I know our guys up front do a heck of a job blocking. I know we got the best quarterback in the league, the best receiver in the league, so it doesn’t surprise me at all.”

Tomlin said of the effort, reported on Steelers.com, “I expect us to win downs in situations and we did. We did what we were capable of, and we were right. It’s our goal to be right. We were in a lot of instances today.”

2 Point Conversion

The Steelers scored a two point conversion on their first two touchdowns. Tomlin has made the case that given the frequency of Steelers touchdowns with an offense like this they’ll be able reach their average, which he believes is over 50%, and so far he’s right, then it will make out.

ABC News reported Roethlisberger as saying of the strategy, “We put so much time and effort into those plays and if you’re going to be successful doing them, why not do it?”

Antonio Brown

Antonio Brown had a great game. When asked about it, Steelers.com had Brown being typically focused and all business. “We gotta continue to prepare and get better. It’s always a positive thing. It’s hard, man, it’s the NFL. You can’t take it for granted.”

DeAngelo Williams on Antonio Brown: "He's a cheat code on the game. He's a glitch." #Steelers
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) September 20, 2015

Ben Roethlisberger

Big Ben continued his solid season. Well, great season.

Steelers.com quoted Antonio Brown as saying, “He’s special,” Brown said of Big Ben. “He can see the whole field. He can read a defense, he’s making checks. And you know about his arm. Any time you have a guy like that at quarterback it’s exciting to play football.”

DeAngelo Williams said of the connection between Ben and Brown, “Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown have been on the same page for a very long time. The offensive line has been together as well. I said before I got here, this team, right here, is a Super Bowl contending team. That’s why I wanted to sign here. They showed me that today. We showed that today.”

DeAngelo Williams

DeAngelo Williams had a real nice day. Last week too, averaging over 100 yards per game. He’s definitely earned himself some playing time even when Bell gets back. Like this offense needs another weapon.

Mike Tomlin, according to Steelers.com, said of Williams big day, and big 2 weeks, and his future, “We decided to ride DeAngelo in all situations. We knew more about his level of conditioning over the period of an entire game this week than we did last week. He stood up pretty good over the course of a long haul a week ago. We have that experience with him now, so we are comfortable to let him be a featured guy in all circumstances this week. We will see what we do next week.”

Le’Veon Bell

ABC News had DeAngelo Williams saying about the impending return of Le’Veon Bell, “When we get all our pieces back to this puzzle, it’s going to be a beautiful puzzle man.”

When PennLive asked Bell how his suspension went he answered, “It sucked.”

Next: Steelers week 2: what went wrong/right?

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