Two Random Offensive Questions as the Steelers Get Closer to Camp

0
197
steelcityblitz.com

As I think about the start of 2024 Training Camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers, I started to ponder a few things. Rather than give you a bunch of fluff in the lead up to my questions, I’m just going to get right at it. I’m sure you don’t mind.

Question 1. Is Zach Frazier a shoo-in to be the starting center in week one?

The West Virginia center was seemingly on the Steelers’ radar from the moment last season ended if not before. Therefore it was no surprise that he was drafted by Pittsburgh. Being drafted in the second round means that you’re on track to be a starter. Some would say “immediate” starter while others would suggest it will take time to ramp up to the first team.  Frazier has competition in Nate Herbig and Ryan McCollum.

McCollum is a second year player out of Texas A&M who has one start in 13 career games (with Detroit). Herbig was signed largely to be a backup or spot starter at guard. He’s a much more experienced player having played in over 60 games with 30 career starts. McCollum appears to be locked in at center while Herbig has NFL experience at both guard and center. This versatility is what was most appealing to the Steelers.

With Herbig around, there is not a huge rush to get Frazier into the lineup but there’s no question the Steelers would prefer Frazier take the lead immediately. They love his toughness and wrestling background which has helped him play with great leverage and quickness a guy his size probably shouldn’t have. Frazier does have shorter arms and that is probably the biggest concern Pat Meyer and Mike Tomlin have.

Don’t be surprised if Herbig is with the first team early on in Camp before eventually giving way to Frazier.

What Does the Future Hold for the Other Heyward?

This will either be the one of the most overlooked things of Camp or it could end up being one of the more surprising. New Steelers’ Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith loves tight ends. OK, that didn’t sound right… He loves to utilize his tight ends in his offense. There, that sounds a little better. We saw glimpses of this during OTAs when Russell Wilson seemed to have an instant connection with Pat Freiermuth.

Right now the Steelers have ‘Muth, Darnell Washington, Rodney Williams, MyCole Pruitt and Connor Heyward. Let’s start with Williams. He showed promise last season as a blocker and as a guy who could – at some point – be a number two or three tight end. Pruitt is a veteran who has played in Smith’s system for several years and knows it better than anyone. Entering his 11th season, he’s never caught more than 16 passes in a season so he isn’t exactly a receiving threat. His knowledge and experience with the offense however could prove important.

Washington is what he is. He’s an excellent blocker and a very basic receiving threat. That’s not a knock per se it just means he doesn’t appear to be a guy who is going to catch and run with it. I’m hopeful that Smith, along with Wilson, can get more out of Washington but that remains to be seen.

Now on to Heyward… Where does he fit in this offense? He’s not a true tight end as his size just isn’t enough to be a blocker. He’s not really a true fullback either but he did play a lot of it at Michigan State and Smith does utilize the position more than Matt Canada did. Heyward also seems to be a Special Teams’ favorite of Danny Smith so that helps his cause but in the offensive numbers game, is there a spot for him?

Freiermuth is your starter. Washington is your number two for two reasons. One, you don’t get rid of a third round pick after one season and two, he’s your best blocker. If the Steelers choose to go with three tight ends which they’ve often done, then who is the third guy?

My guess as of right now is that Heyward will be listed with the running backs as a FB. We know his true position is that of an ‘H-Back’,’ but it’s hard to say right now. He doesn’t block as well as any of the other guys but he is a bigger receiving threat than Williams or Pruitt. And speaking of Pruitt, don’t assume because of his experience that he’s a shoo-in to make the roster. In other words, I think Heyward is safe but I’m curious to see how they use him in Smith’s new offense.

 

LEAVE A REPLY

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.