Emergence of Green has Steelers excited
PITTSBURGH – Quality is often far more important that quantity.
That was the case for the Steelers last Thursday night in their 28-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Tight end Ladarius Green had two receptions for 67 yards and Eli Rogers had a 30-yard catch-and-run in the first quarter. They were just three catches, but to the Steelers they might have been three of the most important catches of the season.
Two came on third-and-long situations, and the other was in a heavy run formation. More important, none of them came from Antonio Brown or Le’Veon Bell.
The Steelers have been searching for someone to step up in a secondary receiving role since Sammie Coates suffered a laceration and two broken fingers on his left hand Oct. 9 against the New York Jets.
Coates has just one reception – for four yards – in limited playing time since the injury and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is 0-for-13 when targeting his speedy deep threat.
Roethlisberger missed on two opportunities to connect with Coates against the Colts, which might be why he was so excited about the contributions of Green and Rogers.
“(It’s) huge,” said Roethlisberger. “This was a team that put safeties over the top and tried to double A.B., so that opens up the middle. I know Ladarius’ (catches) were down the sideline, but for him to make those plays, the confidence (they built). … Eli, earlier, up the middle. We’ve said that if teams want to take away the outside, we need somebody to help us up the middle.”
Green, in particular, could be that guy. That was why the Steelers (6-5) signed him to a 4-year, $20-million contract in free agency.
The 6-6, 240-pound Green was seen not only as a potential replacement for retired Heath Miller but also for suspended receiver Martavis Bryant.
Green averaged 14.1 yards per catch in four seasons with San Diego, but he also suffered an ankle injury that required offseason surgery. The ankle took longer than expected to heal and Green, who opened the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list and was not activated until Nov. 13 against Dallas, admits he’s still not 100 percent.
“It’s something I’ve still got to build on,” said Green, who has five receptions for 97 yards in three games. “I’m still nervous doing some things. I’ve still got to work past that.”
The Steelers are being cautious with Green. He played just 14 snaps against the Colts but his teammates like what they’re seeing from the big tight end.
“He’s an all-around weapon,” Bell said. “He’s a guy who can block on the edge. He can pull. Obviously, he makes plays down the field. The more comfortable he gets in the offense, it’s only going to open up more for us.”
That’s something the Steelers need as they make a push to get into the playoffs for the third consecutive season. They are tied with Baltimore for first place in the AFC North with a Christmas Day rematch with the Ravens at Heinz Field looming large.
Brown had seven receptions and Bell six in a 21-14 loss at Baltimore Nov. 6. Rogers finished with a career-high six receptions for 103 yards but they all came in the final 15 minutes as the Steelers had only two first downs in the first three quarters.
To win the division, the Steelers need to get their offense running at maximum efficiency. That’s why the contributions of Green had teammates so happy.
“I think the more and more he gets going, the more he’s going to help us,” Brown said. “I think he did some positive things and we have to continue to see that.”
After being off since Thursday night, the Steelers will return to practice today as they prepare for Sunday’s game at Heinz Field against the New York Giants. It is their only home game in a five-week stretch. … Bell leads all NFL running backs with 57 receptions. … Brown’s three touchdowns against the Colts moved him into a tie with Lynn Swann for fifth place on the Steelers’ all-time touchdown list with 53.