Rounding Up Pittsburgh Steelers' Offseason Buzz, Post-Minicamps

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offseason program is over, with OTAs wrapped and mandatory minicamp coming to a close last week. Now, the Steelers have one month off until they commence training camp in July. But that doesn't mean football business has ground to a halt.

There are always stories swirling around the Steelers this time of year, just as is the case with every team. Here is the latest offseason buzz now that minicamp is over.

TE Jesse James the Breakout Rookie?

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo held his final Steelers chat until training camp on Monday and was asked which surprise rookie, either drafted or undrafted, could make an impact this season. His choice? Tight end Jesse James.

The fifth-round pick has, according to Fittipaldo, "impressed me as a receiver." He added, "He'd be a big target in the red zone if the Steelers choose to use him down there." James totaled 78 receptions for 1,005 yards and 11 touchdowns in three seasons with Penn State, including 38 catches for 396 yards and three scores in 2014.

Though those aren't the most impressive numbers, James was used sparingly in college. For the Steelers, he could eventually evolve into a role similar to that of fellow tight end Heath Miller—a talented blocker who can also effectively move the chains in the passing game. That also includes effectiveness in the red zone, something that Miller has long been known for in his Steelers' career.

Fittipaldo does note that he's "not saying [James will] be the rookie of the year, but of the lower picks I thought he showed well this spring." As James continues his push to make the 53-man roster come September, the fact that he's already stood out certainly helps his chances. And if he does, he could make a real on-field impact this season.

Antwon Blake Fighting off the Rookies

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Last year, the Steelers plucked Antwon Blake from obscurity and plugged him into the starting defense, where played nickel cornerback in place of the disappointing Cortez Allen. And this year, he has the leg up to maintain that starting job, even though the Steelers drafted two rookies—Senquez Golson and Doran Grant—earlier in the spring.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo believes that, for now, the nickel job is Blake's. "Blake maintained [the nickel] role throughout the spring as he did late last season when he was inserted into the lineup," Fittipaldo noted. "We'll see if he can hold Golson off in training camp." 

Blake, though, isn't concerned about the rookies, especially as he's already made good on his career thus far after starting out as an undrafted free agent. He told Fittipaldo last week, "I feel like every year there will be new guys. You still have to grind to gain a spot or maintain a spot you already have."

Blake does feel like he has an advantage over the rookies—the confidence of his coaches. He said, "You always want to gain your coach's trust because that's the only way you can get onto the field. I've heard it doesn't matter how good you are. If the coach doesn't trust you, they'll go to someone else."

As Fittipaldo notes, Blake went from playing nine defensive snaps in his first two years in the NFL to 290 for the Steelers last year. And that playing time helped him.

"I always felt like I could do it," he said. "But thinking and knowing that you can do it are two different things. Getting under the lights and making plays—it definitely helps."

Now, he'll have to keep Golson and Grant at bay if he wants to remain in the starting lineup this year. But he clearly has the mentality to do it and, given his performance last year, the ability as well.

Any Changes to the Defense?

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward spoke to the MMQB.com's Robert Klemko on Monday about the transition from longtime defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's system to that of new coordinator Keith Butler's and said there will be some changes.

Butler, who had been the Steelers linebackers coach for more than a decade, "wants to generate more turnovers and get more one-on-ones up front where we're maximizing everyone’s talents and making sure everyone has a chance to get after the quarterback or get a turnover," according to Heyward. He also said that "there may be some conceptual changes, some more blitzes [Butler] wants to add."

Most importantly, it appears that Butler wants the defense to be more aggressive when it comes to disrupting the quarterback, whether via sacks (the Steelers had 33 last year) or interceptions (they had just 11). Heyward said, "We're making a conscious effort to make sure we’re optimizing our chances to get to the quarterback."

There are also stylistic differences between the two coaches. "I think Coach LeBeau was a little bit more laid back, and Butler is a yeller. Everybody paid attention when Dick would get mad. With Butler it's like there's no playing around. No being laid back. He wants a great season," said Heyward.

DeAngelo Williams, Josh Harris Ready for Bigger Roles

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

With Steelers' running back Le'Veon Bell suspended for the first three games of the 2015 season, the team will need backups DeAngelo Williams and Josh Harris to step up. And the two are more than ready for the challenge.

The two backs spoke to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo about their roles this season. Williams, who is expected to carry the majority of the load with Bell out, said, "[Running back is] a spot on any team where the spotlight will always shine. You'll need a solid backup or a guy to relieve the starter anyway. I don't feel like there is a second- or third-string guy in this league. At any given time, your number can be called. When your number is called, you have to be productive."

Harris, meanwhile, seemed poised to be the starting back in the team's Wild Card Round game last season, which Bell was forced to miss with a knee injury. But the team opted instead to sign Ben Tate to handle the bulk of the rushing duties in that eventual loss, with Harris rushing nine times for 25 times.

Harris was somewhat disappointed, but it's also good motivation for his 2015. He said, "I felt they did what they needed to do. I put it more on me that I didn’t show them enough in practice that they felt like they could give me more time. I'm trying to make sure that when I have my chance now, I'll take full advantage of it."

Fittipaldo notes that "offensive coordinator Todd Haley said he feels much more comfortable with his reserve running backs this season," primarily because Williams is so experienced. Williams has gotten some work this offseason with the first-team offense in preparation for his starting role in Weeks 1 through 3. And he is ready.

Williams said, "I'm very comfortable. I've had the opportunity to be in this system since April 20, getting to learn the ins and outs and the nuances of the terminology of the offense. Now it's about just finding my niche."

Head Coach Mike Tomlin's Offseason Advice

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Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin met with the media following minicamp last week and had just one major demand of players during their month off before training camp: stay in shape.

"I want them to get in the best physical condition possible. They don't have control over any of the challenges that are awaiting them in Latrobe. What they do have control over is the level of conditioning they show up in. That's been the consistent message from us," said Tomlin, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Whether in Pittsburgh, in their hometowns or wherever they choose to work out, it doesn't matter to Tomlin, "as long as they're in great physical condition" once camp kicks off on July 25. Rookie tight end Jesse James will work out at his alma mater, Penn State, while linebacker Jarvis Jones will work out in Arizona.

Jones said, "We have to take advantage of our time off and be disciplined. We have to keep doing the things that we've been doing, from conditioning to working on our game."

Staying in football shape over the following month is a big deal—any time a player shows up unprepared or out of condition, it hurts the team's progress. 

Whatever his players may get up to in the next month, Tomlin wants to make sure that staying in prime football condition is a top priority. We'll see how many heed his words in July.