Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense has gone through a metamorphosis over the past three seasons. After years — no, decades — of ground and pound football, the passing game has opened like the Red Sea to Moses. Even the running back Le’Veon Bell is expected to catch the football. Last season, Bell led all running backs in catches with 83 and receiving yards with 854. Antonio Brown spent last season re-writing the franchise’s single season receiving record book with the greatest single season performance by a wide receiver. To pair with Brown, rookie Martavis Bryant, after missing the first six games of the season, led the NFL in yards per catch with 21.1. Bryant is expected to pair with Brown to create one of the most dangerous receiving duos in the league.
The offense itself is setting the stage for a breakout season for the second-year receiver. Last season’s No.2 wide-out, Markus Wheaton, has taken to becoming the Steelers’ new slot receiver, opening the outside up for Bryant. Bryant is also performing his part, adding to his frame about ten pounds of muscle to endure the punishment a 16-game season. He also added to his practice routine running different routes on the beach to improve his mobility.
During OTAs and mini-camp, Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin commented Bryant on his improved receiving abilities, saying he’s a “big man, with little man skills.” If Bryant really has developed the skills of a small receiver to add to his size and speed, he might be the most dangerous wide-out on the roster. The biggest issue with Bryant last season and coming out the draft was his inability or unwillingness to go into the middle of the field, shaky hands, and lack of playbook understanding. He basically tried to hit a home run every time he went to the plate. If Bryant is able to develop into a wide receiver that can go into the middle of the field, as well as being a deep threat, then he can mirror Brown with an extra five inches.
With a three-game suspension keeping running Bell out to open the season, the team is looking to the air for points. The new Kevin Butler led defense is entering a new era. The crew no longer has the ability to hold high powered offenses like the Broncos or Colts to single digits anymore. Pittsburgh wins games by throwing the ball up and down the field, not by beating them up and down the field. The emergence of Bryant into a reliable, everyday target turns an already powerful Pittsburgh offense into possibly the most explosive offense in the league.
Daniel Johnson is a Beat Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter. “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
