PITTSBURGH — Steelers minicamp wrapped up Thursday, marking the last stop before Latrobe. Several questions emerged from offseason workouts, some of them more than a little perplexing ...
Is Mike Tomlin still going to make the defensive calls?
I ask because of what new "defensive coordinator" Teryl Austin said Wednesday when asked to identify the defensive play caller.
That the question even has to be asked is telling.
"Anything can happen on game day," Austin said. "Anybody in our defensive room should be able to go out and call the defense and do a good job at it."
Sure. I get it. Jerry Olsavsky should be able to call the defense. So should Isaiahh Loudermilk. I'm sure Daniel Archibong would make a fine play caller, too. But this is normally the domain of the DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, is it not?
Have I gone nuts?
How would Buddy Ryan have answered that question when he coached the 1985 Bears defense? How about Marvin Lewis with the 2000 Ravens? Dick LeBeau, anyone? (Wait a second, Mike Tomlin started to take play-calling duties from him, too).
I think a better answer would have been something along the lines of, "Have you seen my title? I run the defense. I'll call the plays. I'm pretty sure that's why they promoted me to the position."
Austin's actual answer leads me to wonder if Tomlin is unable to let go of defensive play-calling duties and if Austin could be another figurehead coordinator. We'll find out more in Latrobe. Maybe.
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Is the No. 1 quarterback job Mitchell Trubisky's to lose?
Absolutely, yes. As offensive coordinator Matt Canada — he actually gets to call the plays! — said earlier this week, "Coach is very clear Mitch is the '1.'"
That doesn't mean Trubisky couldn't lose the job with an awful preseason. But time constraints — we're talking about less than a month, with only three exhibition games — lead me to believe only a complete meltdown would keep Trubisky from opening under center Sept. 11 at Cincinnati.
It makes sense, I suppose, in that Kenny Pickett would then be in position to ride in for the rescue rather than be thrown into a three-games-in-11-days baptism against the Bengals, Browns and Belichicks.
I'm not saying I'd do it that way — I'd be tempted to throw my obvious future quarterback into the fire, a la Troy Aikman and Peyton Manning in their rookie years — but it makes sense.
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Will Minkah Fitzpatrick stage a "hold-in?"
It sure looks that way, and I'm not sure it's the worst thing in the world when a star player is angling for a new deal.
In fact, the Steelers might have created a trend by allowing T.J. Watt to "hold in" during camp last year. By avoiding a hold "out," the player still gets paid. He's still present in the meeting rooms. He saves himself from potential injury. He can still work out on the premises. It absolutely cuts back on public perception of acrimony between player and team.
The problem arises when you have to draw the line at who can and cannot hold in. Maybe the definition should be if you're a top-five player at your position — according to the Steelers — you can do it. But that is obviously subjective.
Where would that leave, say, Diontae Johnson if he asks for the same treatment?
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What is Diontae Johnson worth, and should the Steelers try to sign him to a new contract?
Johnson made it clear the other day that he considers himself a top-15 receiver. That is debatable, but such a designation would put him at around $17 million annually on the low end — and that is before other members of Johnson's draft class likely cash in bigger than that (A.J. Brown already has).
The going rate is $20 million or more. Are you paying Johnson that kind of money?
Not me. Not yet. Maybe not ever. The Steelers hold the cards. If Johnson has a great season, they can put the franchise tag on him and try to sign him to a new deal then. They could always try to lowball him now, but from the sound of it, he won't bite.
I'm starting to come around on the idea of signing Johnson, only because the Steelers are living on the cheap at quarterback for a while. I'd like to see what Johnson does in a prove-it year, then make the call.
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Will the Steelers be able to replace Stephon Tuitt?
"No" is the first answer that springs to mind, if we're talking about prime Tuitt. But who knows if they would have gotten prime Tuitt?
This is the second straight year the Steelers have been rocked by a sudden retirement (David DeCastro last year). Looks like it'll be a committee approach. Chris Wormley strikes me as more of a pinch-hitter than an everyday player. Loudermilk might be the key player here, but is he ready to make a major leap? Is beefed-up rookie DeMarvin Leal? I have my doubts.
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Will Najee Harris really see fewer touches?
Harris says so. I'm not betting on it. In fact, if I put the over/under at last year's NFL-leading mark — 381 touches — I'd go over.
I'd go closer to Le'Veon Bell's 406 in 2017. Here' the thing: Harris had a number of games last season where he barely carried the ball because ... A.) The Steelers fell behind and B.) The blocking in front of him was so inept.
Harris did not exceed five receptions in any of his final 12 games. He carried the ball fewer than 13 times in a third of the Steelers' 18 games.
If the running game is any good, he'll carry it even more.
