Steelers News: Bryant, Boswell And Chargers in Week 5
By Christina Rivers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have seen their share of tribulation in the 2015 NFL regular season: Injuries, players with personal trials and even a rotation of personnel that was unexpected at times. After seeing three kickers struggle, the Steelers searched yet again for a player that could help them on special teams this week. Ahead of their Monday Night Football battle with the San Diego Chargers, the team is looking for the right players to get on the field, the schemes that will work offensively and defensively, preparing for challenges, welcoming back a player that dealt with personal demons. As a team, they've been tested. As a coaching staff, they've been criticized. The Steelers enter the next chapter of the regular season with the goal of putting the past behind them and coming out stronger as they enter the second quarter of games in what may well be a long, challenging season.
The emergence of Chris Boswell
The Steelers signed placekicker Chris Boswell this past weekend and as young and untested as he is at the pro level, gave him a workout in one of the most hostile environments NFL kickers face: Heinz Field. The weather was unfavorable for a good performance, with cold rain and wind making both field conditions and the atmosphere challenging. It gave Boswell an opportunity to show head coach Mike Tomlin what his worst could be, but Boswell gave much more. On Tuesday, Tomlin told the media, "He did a nice job. We had an opportunity to evaluate him not only in that environment, but under less than ideal conditions."
The Steelers had done their homework on the kind of player Boswell has been, both in college at Rice University and in tryouts and short stints with other teams (Houston Texans, New York Giants). At the end of the day, Tomlin said the coaching staff felt he was their guy. "We have a great deal of comfort with him," Tomlin said, "and we are excited about rallying around him and supporting him."
"I am very thankful for this organization giving me a chance," said Boswell. "I don't want to let anybody down. It means a lot to me. I am ready to do my best...help the team win, and try to put (the ball) through the pipes every time."
The return of Martavis Bryant
The plight of young receiver Martavis Bryant is well known across the league, but especially among Pittsburgh faithfuls. After being served with a suspension by the league office for breaking the substance abuse policy, Bryant was not allowed to have direct contact with the Steelers as an organization. Earlier this year, head coach Mike Tomlin spoke briefly on the fact that the nature of Bryant's issues stretched beyond just the one that forced the league to hand down a four-game suspension, but that the team was aware of Bryant's condition. Without reaching out directly, which would have been prohibited, the team remained hopefully optimistic while playing the role of a concerned parent in Bryant's case. Bryant spent several weeks in Houston, Texas undergoing counseling and therapy and credits one teammate for being his biggest supporter: Ben Roethlisberger.
"I sought out help outside of the facility to be more focused," said Bryant. "Now, I'm back here focused and better prepared to move forward with my career. I learned a lot about myself, especially from the mistakes I've made. Just learning from my mistakes and how to prevent mistakes from happening. Just about becoming a better man. I learned from it and I just want to move forward. I'm going to put everything in the past and work on becoming better from it and a better football player."
Every morning Roethlisberger and Bryant would communicate, usually via text messaging. It was something of a defining moment for Bryant. "I highly appreciate him doing that, taking the time to text me every morning," said Bryant. "Especially, during the season when he was focused on his job."
Whether Bryant will be active for Monday night's game against the Chargers remains to be seen, but he kept in shape during his time away from the team and has come back with a renewed attitude that was evident on the practice field. "We have a lot of work to do this week in practice to get ready for Monday," said Bryant. "We're going to keep developing our chemistry and just make sure we are ready on Monday...whatever they need me to do, I'm here to help."
Steelers defense still work in progress
Through the first quarter of the regular season, the Steelers have put together 14 sacks – a number that would project a total of 56 if the defense were to continue its current pace. To put their performance so far into perspective, the Steelers have a franchise record (in sacks) per season of 55 (2001 and 2004). As it stands, Pittsburgh is ranked fourth defensively in sack totals among NFL teams. However, sacks aren't the only thing that defenses must create to put together wins, something Tomlin pointed out in his Tuesday presser.
"I wouldn't read too much into that [stat]," said Tomlin. "Ultimately, I believe your ability to pressure the quarterback is measured by your ability to rush with four, and we didn't do that a lot in the game (against Baltimore). We usually brought more than four, but that was that game plan. As we go forward, we want to establish a good, consistent rush that's steeped in the four-man principle."
Tomlin and Butler see the negative side to sending too many people into the line; the run defense can get caught flat-footed and rushers break into the open field. Justin Forsett led the Ravens in rushing with 150 yards after the Steelers kept heavy pressure on Joe Flacco. Tomlin said that he and Butler purposely went after the play-action that Flacco could create. It resulted in exposing the run defense but allowed Ross Cockrell to grab an interception. Overall, the Steelers would like to see their defense be able to not only stop the run and contain the quarterback, but prevent long pass plays. "I'm not in any way discouraged by the growth and development of our guys in all three areas," said Tomlin. "That being said, we have to do enough to win along the way as we grow and improve."
Early injury update
Linebacker Ryan Shazier is still considered questionable for the game on Monday night due to a shoulder injury. Tight end Matt Spaeth, who broke his hand and is still in a cast, will be a day-to-day guy to evaluate. Cornerback Cortez Allen also is day-to-day. Defensive tackle Daniel McCullers is improving from an MCL sprain and receiver Markus Wheaton improves despite an ankle injury sustained in week four. Roethlisberger is on no timetable to return, and despite reports circulating the sporting world, he is not anticipating a return in week six.
Christina Rivers has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers and National Football League professionally as a journalist and photographer for over a decade. Rivers studied Exercise Physiology and Sports Psychology at Brigham Young University as a student-athlete. Christina is a freelance writer covering all things NFL as well as a published author. Her work can be found on
Examiner.com.
