Veterans like Mike Tomlin and Russell Wilson know to not reveal their secrets and techniques. A rookie like Zach Frazier, spectacular as he’s been, has one thing to study. Whereas Tomlin and Wilson performed coy as to if or not they have been going to go for it on the ultimate 4th and 1 that drew Washington offsides, Frazier mentioned it was offsides or punt. There was no play known as.
“All we have been doing was breaking the huddle after which making an attempt to promote, like we have been going to sneak it,” Frazier informed reporters after the Steelers’ 28-27 win over the Commanders through ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “So broke the huddle. Everybody simply sprinted to the ball, type of acted like we have been going to sneak it. And Russ bought him with the exhausting depend.”
Fellow rookie Mason McCormick informed The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo the identical.
First, a rookie lesson. Saying much less is extra. However for us on the skin, it’s helpful data. Frankly, it will’ve been extra stunning to know the Steelers supposed to go for it. A failed conversion would’ve given Washington the ball by itself 49 with simply over a minute remaining and needing solely a area purpose to win.
Had Wilson’s exhausting depend not labored, the Steelers would’ve accepted the five-yard penalty or taken a timeout earlier than punting the ball, trusting their protection to but once more make a play within the closing minute. However Wilson’s glorious use of cadence, even whereas on the highway, bought Commanders rookie DT Johnny Newton to leap offsides, giving the Steelers 5 yards and the primary down. A traditional second of a veteran besting a rookie.
Wilson’s cadence is among the first issues we famous about him approach again in coaching camp. Getting reps late in coaching camp, it was clear which quarterback was within the recreation by listening to them alone. Wilson’s voice is loud and in command, sturdy sufficient to get anxious gamers making an attempt to time the snap to leap.
Right here’s what we wrote about it on Day 5 of follow.
“One observe on Russell Wilson. His cadence is loud. Can audibly right here it greater than the opposite three quarterbacks.”
Whereas Frazier and McCormick will study the artwork of not spilling the beans, their solutions aren’t terribly stunning. Even for as aggressive as Tomlin was all through the sport, going for it in that second would’ve been a bridge too far. However the resolution to ship the offense out and try the exhausting depend was a wonderful one and ended the sport proper there as a substitute of asking the Steelers’ protection to make yet one more cease.
