Mike McCarthy usually keeps his weekly offensive talking points inside the meeting room. On Wednesday, he shared the two he gave the Pittsburgh Steelers before their 34-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
“The two statistics that I put up in front of the offense before we played last week was, you know, zero gives and ball distribution,” McCarthy said. “And I think that we took a big step in both those areas, because it’s the first time we were zero gives this year, and our ball distribution was 81% of our play total. So when you do that, you’re creating opportunities, and hopefully you’re creating opportunities in space for our guys.”
The Steelers had six giveaways in their first four games, four interceptions and two lost fumbles, and then had none against Indianapolis. McCarthy did not spell out exactly how he calculates ball distribution, but the 81% lines up with how few plays went backward. Only two lost yardage: an Aaron Rodgers sack and a Jaylen Warren reception.
Asked whether he would share a new pair of numbers every week, McCarthy chuckled. “No,” he said, “because I don’t want to have to answer it every week.”
“It’s a players’ game”
Pittsburgh leads the league in yards after the catch, and McCarthy said that starts with personnel. “Number one, players. I mean, it’s a players’ game, and ability to get the ball to them in space is a focus, definitely for us each and every week,” he said. “Jaylen’s doing a tremendous job as far as breaking tackles. But I think our guys do a good job of securing the ball.”
Warren scored on a 50-yard run and an 80-yard catch against the Colts, and McCarthy singled out one of the blocks that made it happen. “I just love DK on Jaylen’s touchdown, because the pursuit and finish, and the cover and finish, you have to do it in the game of football, and you definitely have to do it in this league,” he said of DK Metcalf. “I think our guys are getting better.”
A four-down tight end
McCarthy called Darnell Washington’s build “unique” and said the tight end has grown into a bigger role. “I just think situationally he’s really grown for us as far as how we want to continue to utilize him,” McCarthy said. “And that itself just makes him a four-down player.” He said he would like to have Washington “going vertical as much as we can.”
With Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek ruled out and Michael Pittman Jr. on injured reserve, McCarthy was asked about the receivers who will step in. He pointed back to training camp and the young players on the roster. “I think it’s only fair to wait to the game,” he said. “But yeah, I really like our young guys.”
He described building timing between a quarterback and a receiver as work on three levels: “physically, mentally, emotionally.” On the physical side, he said, “this game’s about time, clock, spacing, proper distribution of the routes in accordance with the footwork. And then you’ve got the protection component of that.” The mental side, he added, “starts in the classroom.”
Ramsey and Elliott
On defense, McCarthy praised safety Jalen Ramsey, who is playing through a broken wrist and was a game-ball winner against Indianapolis. “Just what he goes through to get prepared for the game is so impressive,” McCarthy said. “He’s an All-Pro pro.”
He also talked about safety DeShon Elliott, who is practicing in his 21-day return window from injured reserve and “wants to play.” “You’ve got to trust the process,” McCarthy said. “He’s definitely someone we would love to get out there sooner than later. … He’s chomping at the bit, but there’s a schedule for him this week.” McCarthy said Elliott came back in the spring and did his rehab in Pittsburgh, and that his presence was clear right away: “outstanding communicator,” with “a high grasp of the defense,” and “a veteran player that swings a big stick here.”
The Steelers visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, October 18.
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