Steelers trendsetters by going for 2
PITTSBURGH – Why settle for one, when you can have two?
That’s been the thinking early this season for Mike Tomlin. The Steelers’ head coach made consistent use of the two-point conversion in the first two games, doing so after three of the first seven touchdowns.
More important, Tomlin chose to go for two following the Steelers’ first two touchdowns in Sunday’s 43-18 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Typically the strategy of a team playing from behind, it marked the first time an NFL team has gone for two points in the first quarter in a game since 2013.
There can be a psychological advantage to going for two early and making it an 8-0 lead as the Steelers did, forcing the opponent to catch up. But that wasn’t part of Tomlin’s thought process.
“I don’t think about that element of it,” Tomlin said. “I said we would be aggressive in that area if we thought it could help us.”
The NFL moved the PAT kicks back to the 15-yard line this season to make it more difficult. Placekickers have missed eight of the attempts, now a 33-yarder, through two weeks, after missing just eight all of last season from the 2-yard line. Steelers placekicker Josh Scobee has missed one.
The new rules haven’t caused teams to start going for two, but there has been an increase. Last season, there were 28 successful two-point conversions. The league is on pace for twice that – 56 – this season, with the Steelers leading the way with three.
Tomlin showed throughout the preseason that he wasn’t afraid to go for two, attempting five and converting three of them. More importantly, counting the preseason, the Steelers have now converted all five of their two-point attempts when they have their starters on the field.
“We obviously work a menu of plays in that area over the course of the week and rank them later,” Tomlin said. “A lot of it has to do with the feel of the flow of the game, or what personnel they will match with our personnel. It’s a feel thing because there’s a lot we don’t know until we get into the stadium. As we start to play, particularly during touchdown drives, we have an inclination of what their personality is. All of those things carry weight.”
The Steelers put in a lot of work on scoring touchdowns rather than settling for field goals. They started every practice with a drill they call “Seven Shots,” which places the ball at the 2-yard line in an 11-on-11 situation.
They started doing it midway through last season, when they were struggling to score touchdowns inside the 10. The extra work has paid dividends.
“We put so much time and effort into those plays and if you’re going to be successful, why not do it?” said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. “It’s nothing against Scobee; we believe that he’s going to make every one. … We have that much confidence in ourselves. We do it every single day.”
With Roethlisberger and a talented group of skill players, the Steelers have spread opponents out, forcing them to cover the width of the field.
“The guys have shown an aptitude for it, so we will use it from time to time at our discretion,” Tomlin said.
Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant is in counseling with former NBA player and coach John Lucas in Houston, the Houston Chronicle reported. Bryant has two games remaining on his suspension for marijuana use. … Tomlin said reserve nose tackle Dan McCullers is dealing with some swelling in his knee. … When asked how he would divide playing time between running back Le’Veon Bell, who returned from suspension Monday, and DeAngelo Williams, Tomlin replied, “We will figure that out as we go. If Bell is available, we will use him.” … The Steelers have until 4 p.m. today to make a move to make room for Bell on their 53-man roster. … Linebacker Bud Dupree leads all NFL rookies with two sacks.