Steelers vs. Cowboys: Coordinators Comments

Special Teams

What do you even say about special teams at this point? Danny Smith’s unit really puts the “special” in special teams and not in the good way. Where do we even begin?

Just for the last game alone we have a blocked punt, a roughing the kicker penalty and quite possibly the worst onside kick attempt in NFL history. Tomlin called the blocked punt a “missed communication” during his Tuesday presser.

Smith echoed the sentiment that assignment-wise it was a missed communication and he took the responsibility saying that it was a coaching issue that led to the blocked punt. Otherwise Jordan Berry has been one of the most consistent players on the team.

"“It was a lack of communication and I am going to take the blame for that. If we have two players on the field that aren’t on the same page, that’s me. We’re move forward and it won’t happen again.” – Danny Smith"

When it comes to the failed onside attempt Smith took that personally as well. He dismisses any idea that the play was not a serious attempt that had been practiced and prepared for. He explained that it’s a play Chris Boswell had used in college and they have practiced it many times.

He reiterated what Tomlin had said about it before that it was a matter of execution and that if given the opportunity again Boswell would have to be able to perform under pressure. Or in other words he’d have to not kick the ball directly into his other leg. So there’s that.

Welp. It’s not going to be an easy one, folks. But this is why we’re fans. They can turn it all around with a win here. And a win next week and the week after that and the week after that and you get it.

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You can listen to the coordinator’s talk right here.

Here we go Steelers! Here we go!