Aug 2, 2017 5 min read

LATROBE – One of these days, it’s all going to come together for Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Blessed with a wealth of skill-position players, Haley should be the envy of nearly every other offensive coordinator in the NFL.

And perhaps he would be if the Steelers could ever get all of the offensive talent assembled on the field at the same time.

In quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell and wide receivers Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant, the Steelers have a foursome that should keep opposing defensive coordinators awake at night.

It’s a group that had Haley so excited a couple of years ago he set a goal of averaging more than 30 points per game.

Because of injuries, suspensions and contract disputes, that group has only been on the field together in training camp and offseason workouts.

And this year, Haley hasn’t even gotten to see that with Bell having skipped all offseason workouts and the first week of training camp while he decides when to sign his franchise tender offer.

All told, that explosive group has been on the same field for a regular-season game for about a half of a game over two seasons, at St. Louis.

“Our job is to get the guys we have and to put them in the best situations to succeed,” said Haley. “If you think about other things, you’re distracting yourself from what your job is.

“I was taught early in my career – (Bill) Parcells was big on this – to coach the guys that are out there.”

The wide receiver position for the Steelers was supposed to be one of the deepest units on the team. That depth has been tested early and often in this training camp.

Bryant has been sidelined since the Steelers reported to Saint Vincent College while the league continues to gather information about whether it will fully reinstate him from a drug suspension that cost him all of last season. And veteran Sammie Coates, second-round draft pick JuJu Smith-Shuster and even Brown have missed time. Brown missed only one practice, that being Wednesday because of the birth of a child.

It’s allowed other players such as Justin Hunter, a former second-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titan, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, to get a lot of time working with the first-team offense.

“He’s a guy we liked a bunch coming out,” said Haley. “He’s kind of never, for a bunch of different reasons, wasn’t able to play to his potential. He’s a good receiver. He’s had a chance to come into a place while he’s still a young guy and see how good he can be. I have high expectations for him. His are even higher.”

Hunter’s rise up the depth chart has been symbolic of the Steelers’ issues getting their skill players on the field.

“He’s been really good,” Roethlisberger said of Hunter, a rangy, 6-4 receiver. “I don’t want to get too excited, too early. I like the presence he brings. A veteran guy – it’s not like it’s his first year. He understands the NFL and what it takes and works hard. I am excited about what he brings.”

Hunter has 78 receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in 48 career games. But he also flamed out after four seasons in Tennessee and spent last year with both Miami and Buffalo.

But Hunter is excited about the opportunity he has with the Steelers and playing with Roethlisberger, who he called the best quarterback he has worked with.

I feel like the overall offense, when I came for my visit, it just fit me,” Hunter said. “They like to spread the ball around.”

The Steelers like to do that when Haley has all of his weapons at his disposal. The offense figures to be centered around Brown and Bell, two of the league’s best players at their positions. But they have to be on the field together for big things to happen.

As for averaging 30 points per game this season? Haley has toned down that goal.

“Winning games is what it’s all about. A couple of years ago, I stressed that,” he said. “We’ve got our talking points that will help us be better and help us be the best in the world. But more important than that is to try and win games. That’s the name of the game.

“Obviously, you do that by scoring points. But you can’t give away points. Each year, it’s something different for us. We’ve got a big group that has been together for six years. I’d expect us to continue to get better.”

Smith-Shuster practiced Wednesday for the first time in training camp. Inside linebacker Vince Williams also returned after missing two practices. … Defensive end Cameron Heyward also was excused because his wife gave birth Tuesday. … Bryant worked with trainers again Wednesday but head coach Mike Tomlin said there is nothing new to report regarding the receiver’s reinstatement. … Among those sitting out because of injuries were running back James Conner (shoulder), safety Mike Mitchell, cornerback Cameron Sutton and quarterback Landry Jones (abdomen). … The Steelers will practice at 3 p.m. today. The session is open to the public.