Green Offers Numerous Options for Already Diverse Steelers’ Offense

When Heath Miller retired, the Pittsburgh Steelers knew immediately they weren’t going to be able to replace the type of productivity that he provided in any sort of hurry. Miller proved himself to be one of the better all-around tight ends in the league, excelling in both the catching and blocking areas. What the Steelers have done however is add a player in Ladarius Green that should be able to do some things that Miller just couldn’t do any longer in his career.

At 6′ 6″ and roughly 240 lbs, Green possesses the type of athleticism that the offense has been lacking in Todd Haley’s offense. That’s not a knock on Miller in any way because I would have loved to see Green on the field with Miller, but as Miller got older the athleticism faded.

Here are a couple of examples of how Green can be utilized.

First, here he is down the left seem vs Detroit.

Second, here’s a great example of a match-up problem Green can create. This is against Green Bay and the Packers go man across the formation and tight. Watch what he does to Clay Matthews.

The biggest problem the Steelers will have with Green is his blocking. The Steelers demand that their tight ends be able to block and block well and Green will be held to that standard. The trade-off of course is that this offense is getting the type of tight end threat that can line up anywhere in the formation and automatically become a threat.

Here’s one final example of Green. He comes across the formation in motion and sets up in a two-point in the ‘wing’ position. The mismatch is already set as a linebacker is supposed to cover him on this corner route.

Teams will be forced to use a safety or third cornerback to cover him and that’s not good because it leaves Antonio Brown and company with one less defender to deal with. Remember this about Green, he’s been sitting behind Antonio Gates the last few years so now that he becomes a primary tight end the sky could be the limit.

Photo courtesy www.sandiegouniontribune.com