No overreactions: The Steelers walked away from their first preseason game with a 'W,' but this time of year, there is a lot more they are looking for than just the final score.
The Steelers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 25-21, while putting up 367 total yards, including 317 in the air, leaving a lot of good to be looked at on tape.
But there is work to be done as well.
"You don't overreact in the preseason, one way or the other," said offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. "We've got plenty of things we've got to work on. Obviously, it was good to see some of the little things that have points of emphasis, operation we were pretty clean. We did have one false start, leaving early, down in the red zone.
"But I think overall, style of play, guys made plays, handled situations pretty well for the most part. We got what we want we feel. Details and some of the stuff that showed up."
Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson handled the majority of the quarterback duties, while the debut of rookie Will Howard didn't happen due to an injury suffered in training camp. Aaron Rodgers didn't see action, held out by Coach Mike Tomlin. Logan Woodside, who was signed in the days leading up to the game, saw action but didn't attempt a pass.
Rudolph started the game, completing nine of 10 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown pass to tight end Darnell Washington.
Thompson entered the game in the second quarter, finishing the night completing 20 of 28 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith said he has enjoyed working with the quarterback group, a group that has their own uniqueness.
"Every quarterback I've had is different, just even the way they prepare and what they really need to know before," said Smith. "Some guys you can drown them with too much information. You just got to get a feel for them. Every one of them is different, from Mason to Aaron to Skyler to Will to Logan.
"Just getting a feel for them. And I think that's what's important in the preseason. Those guys have to play how you want to call a game, what they need from the sideline, just the rhythm of things, operation. I thought both quarterbacks handled it really well."
While the Steelers put up big numbers in the air, the ground game mustered only 66 yards, with rookie third-round pick Kaleb Johnson gaining 20 yards on eight carries.
"The run game, it's a could have, would have, should have, but it's like everything you do, you've got to be in sync," said Smith. "And so, there's plenty of stuff we've got to work on."
While many positions saw numerous veterans sit against Jaguars, the offensive line was almost in full tact, with Broderick Jones, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick and Troy Fautanu all starting, and only guard Isaac Seumalo sitting.
Smith liked what he saw from the group.
"I thought they did a good job," said Smith. "I thought our conditioning was good.
"I was glad they played their guys. (Josh) Hines-Allen and (Travon) Walker are pretty good edge guys. So, it was good work for Troy (Fautanu) and Broderick (Jones). I thought the pockets were pretty good. We did have the one sack. There was a little miscue there.
"Plenty of stuff to learn, but I thought both quarterbacks overall did really well."
Plenty of competition: Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has found himself in an enviable position of having multiple options in the secondary this camp.
And safety is one spot where some newcomers are making waves.
The team already has DeShon Elliott, who signed a new contract in the offseason, but also added Juan Thornhill as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason and signed Chuck Clark during training camp.
While Elliott sat on Saturday night against the Jaguars, both Thornhill and Clark moved around between free and strong safety, something Austin thinks is working right now as they are tried and trusted veterans.
"We're going to just let those guys play," said Austin. "Obviously, being veteran guys, they could do it either way in terms of being up or back.
"We're allowing them to play, take care, let them play to their strengths and do things because they learn well. It's not too much for them. I like what they're doing and the flexibility that they have when they're working together seems to work."
Austin wouldn't say how the mix will work with Elliott in the game, but it definitely gives him options.
"I'm not going to say all that, but we all know that DeShon does really good when he's closer to the box," said Austin. "So, I'm going to try to keep him as is, where he's really good, and then we'll just go."
Second-year nickelback Beanie Bishop, who is listed second on the depth chart at the spot behind veteran Jalen Ramsey, hasn't shied away from doing his thing even with lot of competition at the nickel spot this camp.
"I think he's reacted well, he's competed well," said Austin. "I thought he performed well Saturday. He's got some room for improvement, like we all do. But I think that's a place where that competition is going to go all the way down to the wire and we'll see how it shakes out at the end.
"I think he did a steady job. There was no splash in the game, but I thought it was steady. It was assignment sound. He tackled well. He ran. He did all the things we asked him to do.
"And like I said, but I still think this competition that's been in camp, it's really been all offseason, we won't know how that finishes up for him until the end of camp."
