I’ve mentioned the Pittsburgh Steelers’ up-for-grabs gunner spots as a lot as anybody this offseason. You don’t have to inform me twice to nerd out about particular groups. Although the Steelers dedicate loads of time to engaged on punts and punt protection throughout coaching camp particular groups durations, it’s laborious to judge efficiency. The reps aren’t stay (no tackling), and the crew filters in so many gunners, it’s laborious to know who has the sting.
That made Friday’s preseason opener towards the Houston Texans all of the extra crucial. Particular groups are a crucial path to incomes these last roster spots however actually can solely be judged in game-action, not half-speed camp reps.
So who obtained first crack at gunner? Who got here in after? And the way did they carry out?
Who Obtained The Reps?
There have been solely two units of gunner reps on this sport, Pittsburgh incessantly punting within the first half however simply as soon as within the second half. WR Dez Fitzpatrick and CB Beanie Bishop Jr. obtained the primary 4 reps, an intensive look. CB Darius Rush and S Ryan Watts obtained the ultimate probability within the second half.
How Did They Do?
Brief reply. Not nice. Punt protection usually was ugly. Right here’s the web yardage for brand new P Cameron Johnston on all 5 of his punts.
1st Punt – 21-Yard Internet (18-Yard Return)2nd Punt – 23 Internet (22-Yard Return + 5 Yard Penalty)third Punt – 35 Yard (Honest Catch)4th Punt – 24 Yard (Touchback)fifth Punt – 40 Yard (10-Yard Return)
Simply preseason, in fact, however some horrendous numbers. The gunners alone aren’t accountable for all of this, however they didn’t assist. On the primary punt, each had issues. Fitzpatrick obtained widened and wasn’t even near the returner, regardless of having the within lane off his launch. Maybe Johnston miss-hit the ball and it was speculated to go extra left (coffin nook punts are labored within the left nook for a right-legged punter like Johnston). However he’s out of the play.
Bishop meets the return man however misses the deal with, juked by ex-Steeler Steven Sims. It’s an 18-yard return that produced an unsightly 21-yard web punt.
The following rep additionally has issues. Procedurally, Fitzpatrick, the gunner to the underside, runs himself out of bounds and takes a 5-yard penalty. I get what Fitzpatrick is pondering because the jammers widen him out of bounds however well don’t make contact him with. Fitzpatrick loses the leeway to get again inbounds he’d in any other case be afforded.
Fitzpatrick and Bishop can’t beat the vices/double-teams they face. Fitzpatrick will get approach too far upfield, behind the returner, making a path for Tank Dell to discover a lane alongside the precise sideline. It’s a 22-yard return with the 5-yard penalty tacked on.
The following two reps have been usually uneventful for the gunners, although the touchback was a ache level that additionally killed web. For Rush and Watts on the ultimate rep, Rush did effectively to disengage initially however couldn’t get free on the finish. Watts had a tricky time towards the vice.
Closing Ideas
Total, the outcomes right here weren’t spectacular. Fitzpatrick and Bishop struggled regardless of ample alternative. Caught on blocks, lacking tackles, lengthy returns, touchbacks. It retains the gunner battle large open heading into the ultimate two preseason video games. Whoever will get the job must do higher than what the Steelers noticed Friday evening.
