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While football is a team sport, certain efforts, or lack of, can play a big role in the success of a team. We already took a look at the most alarming team statistics through the first eight weeks of the regular season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, so now let’s check up on individuals. Stats never tell the whole story, but numbers don’t lie and analytics have become a big part of the game. While the Steelers sit at 4-3 and currently hold a playoff spot, they are far from flawless and certain members of the team need to perform better in certain areas. From the secondary options in the backfield, to a rookie’s struggles on the offensive line, here are the most alarming player statistics through eight weeks (in alphabetical order):
Okay, we’ll start with the worst of them all. The Steelers backup running backs have 16 carries for a whopping total of 34 yards. Yes, a small sample size due to Najee Harris being the focal point of the offense, but it would be nice to have some faith in other options out of the backfield. After a strong preseason from Kalen Ballage, he has not done much with his limited opportunities. Benny Snell Jr. has also been difficult to watch on his eight carries. The backs behind the Steelers first round pick are only averaging 2.1 yards per carry. Harris is on pace to have over 400 touches during his rookie season. He can handle it, but that is a ton of wear and tear in his first year as a pro. Let’s hope as the offensive line improves, so do the backup running backs.
This dates back to last year when Roethlisberger averaged just 6.3 yards per attempt. This season the future Hall of Famer is averaging 6.62 yards per passing attempt. The only non-rookie quarterback with a lower average is Jared Goff at 6.5. Roethlisberger’s average is not good for any quarterback in today’s NFL, but there is good news. During the Steelers current three-game winning streak and the emergence of a rushing attack, Roethlisberger’s average has jumped to 7.5. That is extremely encouraging. More play-action and a commitment to throwing the ball down field could easily make this number jump and much less worrisome.
Claypool is the most penalized wide receiver in the NFL. He is the only wideout with five penalties through the first eight weeks and three of them have been offensive pass interference. While it may not seem like a big deal, the Steelers are not throwing the ball down the field often and when it happens, Claypool is one of the main targets. Veteran wide receivers know exactly how far they can go to avoid the OPI calls, but it is evident that Claypool has yet to figure this out. Add an illegal block above the waist and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to the count and the number lands at five. Quite honestly, all five of these penalties could have easily been avoided. Claypool needs to become more discipline.
Another member of the offense who has been penalized too much is Green. His five holding penalties are tied for the third most in the NFL. He has been rather inconsistent in his first seven games occasionally showing flashes of serious potential and other times, not so much. The Steelers offense is not built for gaining 20 yards on three plays. Holding calls are drive killers and when your quarterback is 39 and not consistently throwing the ball down field, they can become game killers. This needs to be corrected sooner rather than later to avoid hurting the offense in key situations. Take it with a grain of salt though, Connor Williams for the Dallas Cowboys has been flagged for holding nine times.
Expectations for Harvin III were set high when Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin used a draft pick on the punter out of Georgia Tech. His average per punt is 44.8 through the Steelers first seven games. This has Harvin ranked in the bottom half of the league. He has been inconsistent to start his career. Some punts show his true potential and others have gone off the side of his foot and cost the Steelers to lose the battle for field position. I am not overly worried with Harvin’s struggles thus far. He should get more comfortable each game and use his massive size to boot punts into space for years to come.
What individual’s stat concerns you the most? Let us know in the comments below!
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Backup Running Backs’ Yards Per Attempt
Okay, we’ll start with the worst of them all. The Steelers backup running backs have 16 carries for a whopping total of 34 yards. Yes, a small sample size due to Najee Harris being the focal point of the offense, but it would be nice to have some faith in other options out of the backfield. After a strong preseason from Kalen Ballage, he has not done much with his limited opportunities. Benny Snell Jr. has also been difficult to watch on his eight carries. The backs behind the Steelers first round pick are only averaging 2.1 yards per carry. Harris is on pace to have over 400 touches during his rookie season. He can handle it, but that is a ton of wear and tear in his first year as a pro. Let’s hope as the offensive line improves, so do the backup running backs.
Ben Roethlisberger Yards Per Attempt
This dates back to last year when Roethlisberger averaged just 6.3 yards per attempt. This season the future Hall of Famer is averaging 6.62 yards per passing attempt. The only non-rookie quarterback with a lower average is Jared Goff at 6.5. Roethlisberger’s average is not good for any quarterback in today’s NFL, but there is good news. During the Steelers current three-game winning streak and the emergence of a rushing attack, Roethlisberger’s average has jumped to 7.5. That is extremely encouraging. More play-action and a commitment to throwing the ball down field could easily make this number jump and much less worrisome.
Chase Claypool Penalties
Claypool is the most penalized wide receiver in the NFL. He is the only wideout with five penalties through the first eight weeks and three of them have been offensive pass interference. While it may not seem like a big deal, the Steelers are not throwing the ball down the field often and when it happens, Claypool is one of the main targets. Veteran wide receivers know exactly how far they can go to avoid the OPI calls, but it is evident that Claypool has yet to figure this out. Add an illegal block above the waist and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to the count and the number lands at five. Quite honestly, all five of these penalties could have easily been avoided. Claypool needs to become more discipline.
Kendrick Green Holding Penalties
Another member of the offense who has been penalized too much is Green. His five holding penalties are tied for the third most in the NFL. He has been rather inconsistent in his first seven games occasionally showing flashes of serious potential and other times, not so much. The Steelers offense is not built for gaining 20 yards on three plays. Holding calls are drive killers and when your quarterback is 39 and not consistently throwing the ball down field, they can become game killers. This needs to be corrected sooner rather than later to avoid hurting the offense in key situations. Take it with a grain of salt though, Connor Williams for the Dallas Cowboys has been flagged for holding nine times.
Pressley Harvin III Average Yards Per Punt
Expectations for Harvin III were set high when Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin used a draft pick on the punter out of Georgia Tech. His average per punt is 44.8 through the Steelers first seven games. This has Harvin ranked in the bottom half of the league. He has been inconsistent to start his career. Some punts show his true potential and others have gone off the side of his foot and cost the Steelers to lose the battle for field position. I am not overly worried with Harvin’s struggles thus far. He should get more comfortable each game and use his massive size to boot punts into space for years to come.
What individual’s stat concerns you the most? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
