Claypool on Loss: “Definitely Have to Make More of an Impact”

[Steeler Nation]

Offensive production has been the singular issue with this Pittsburgh Steelers football team as a whole to start out the 2021 campaign. The expectation going into a new year with a new offensive coordinator (Matt Canada) was to thrive, in hopes of pairing a top five overall defensive unit, with a top five offensive unit and help from future Hall of Fame quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. So much so that the organization drafted rookie running back Najee Harris with their first overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft. So far, although only two full games, both our rushing and passing attacks have failed to get off to a good start and we’ve been relying solely on the pure athletic abilities of this team’s “playmakers.”

It is clear that over the past two games, our defense has bailed out our offense on more occasions than one. Without the collective effort of our defensive unit, there is a really good chance that this team would be sitting at 0-2 to start out the new year. While Roethlisberger mentioned after the win against the Buffalo Bills that there may be games where the offense is going to have to rely on the defense, he did also reiterate that he would like it if the roles were reversed in some cases as well, wanting to return the favor, if you will. In order to do so, this team is going to have to play more sound football, minimize the mental errors and learn how to play together as a unit. A feeling that seemed to be reiterated following Sunday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.






Second year veteran wide receiver Chase Claypool briefly spoke to the Steelers media postgame about the team’s offensive struggles the past two weeks, stating that the Steelers lack of “attention to detail” paired with a lack of big play production, might just be this team’s biggest downfall.

“I think the biggest thing was just leaving a lot on the table on 3rd downs, and downs that we needed to convert to keep the drive going. Just missing little minor details in the plays and routes.” ​

Claypool was asked if his 52-yard catch that led to Najee Harris’ first touchdown putting the team within two points felt like a “momentum turner.” He responded with:

“It was very similar to last week, where we kind of picked things up as the game progressed — which we have to stop doing.” He continued. “It depends on the score, and how the ebbs and flows of the game goes, but I felt like it [the running game] was pretty balanced and we got what we wanted to do.”

“We [the wide receiving core] definitely have to make more of an impact.”​

On a positive note, what I can take from this is that the offense knows exactly where their problem is. It has been a lack of big play production that can allow for this new and improved rushing attack to start to feel themselves out. There is no denying that this offense is filled with playmakers who can do great things with the ball in their hands. The problem has been finding the right plays that allows these “playmakers” to essentially “create plays.” It sounds like Claypool and this receiving core is ready to make more of an impact when their number is called. We will just have to see how this offensive group comes together.



Watch the full postgame interview with Claypool here:

Jamir Jones & Chase Claypool spoke to the media following the game against the Raiders. @HeinzTweets pic.twitter.com/GQel5hsPxd

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 19, 2021

Do you think this offensive unit can turn it around as soon as next week? Comment below!

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[Drink IRON City]

thanks for the article Jonathan.!


How many target to Chase and how many receptions ??? You're right CHASE you need to be better and realizing this he will work harder and more effort will be put forth. Quit believing the hype, actually quit watching the hype as YOU are not as good as the hype is saying. YES you do have the potential but until you go out eaCH DAY AND PROVE IT EACH DAY (sorry caps) you are just an average joe.

Wake up call........... maybe but also acknowledging is the first step.



Salute the nation

 

[mightyguru]

Run the right routes and catch the damn ball.

 

[troymania]

I think Claypool will be fine. I do believe he read a few too many of his press clippings. That pass in the endzone would have been a great catch and he will make that catch a few times this season. The one later in the game, nobody catches that ball. He was absolutely hammered by Vegas. His head snapped so violently after that hit I thought he might have got whiplash. Now DJ, is another story. The breaking off of routes or running the wrong routes was bizarre. The bomb he caught and then went out of bounds looked like an easy score. The kid has the goods but he is wildly inconsistent. The O-line has talent but they are not ready or even close to being ready. Okorafor was awful. I hope Banner can come back and maybe add some toughness but it is definitely a work in progress.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Claypool needs to learn to rebound. It's like he's a 6'7 forward and he's letting 6'2 Guards go over his back and get the rebound while he stands there waiting for the ball to get to him.

I remember during the draft a few years ago, when Steve Smith talked about Claypool, he said he was a TE. Said he may play WR but he's not quick enough to run the full route tree. He has to do TE routes, post, fly, fade and that's about it. That seems about right.