Monday’s “First Call” features another applicant for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ open offensive coordinator post. A former target is no longer available. The Pittsburgh Steelers are interested in a wide receiver draft prospect.
The Duquesne women’s basketball team enjoyed an interesting victory on Sunday. Over the weekend, the Robert Morris hockey team won convincingly on the road.
Asking about Arthur
Former Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith has been interviewed for the Steelers’ offensive coordinator position. The team made the announcement public on Sunday.
Smith was 7-10 throughout his three years with the Falcons from 2021 to 2023. Prior to that, he was the offensive coordinator for Tennessee.
With Smith at the helm in 2019, the Titans offence finished 10th in the NFL in terms of points per game. With Derrick Henry handling the weight, Tennessee averaged 138.9 running yards per game, ranking third in the NFL.
Only Baltimore had a greater rushing attack in 2020, as the Titans averaged 168.1 yards per game. The club ranked fourth in points with 30.7. Henry rushed for 3,567 yards over two seasons. Over those two years, quarterback Ryan Tannehill posted a 110 passing rating and an 18-8 record.
So you can see where the Steelers would go with this if Smith is hired, right? A large number of people are involved. Lean on Najee Harris, with a little Jaylen Warren thrown in. Get Kenny Pickett to kick and throw on the move.
Good old AFC North, Stiller football n’at!
It would not be innovative, but it would be consistent with their current roster structure.
Which, particularly in terms of quarterbacks, raises the question of whether you really want to cater to a QB whose talents are restricted to the point where you are hiring a coordinator whose biggest feature is the ability to reduce a marginal quarterback’s exposure?
That is as opposed to choosing a coordinator whose strongest suit is getting the most out of a quarterback. For example, anyone who has worked in San Francisco (such as Klint Kubiak) with Brock Purdy in recent years.
Off the board.
Meanwhile, it appears that another applicant the Steelers had planned to examine is no longer accessible.
According to various sources, Zac Robinson will join Raheem Morris’ staff as offensive coordinator in Atlanta. Morris took over when Smith was let go.
Monday Morning Quarterback’s Albert Breer reported on social media that Robinson has signed a three-year contract. Robinson formerly served as the passing game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams on Sean McVay’s staff. He also indicated that the Steelers had hoped to interview Robinson in person, but never did.
According to Peter Schrager of the NFL Network, Robinson took the job 20 minutes after his second kid was born on Saturday.
One to remember.
The Steelers need depth at wide receiver. Maybe Joshua Cephus can help.
He played at the University of Texas at San Antonio. According to Steelersdepot.com, his agent confirmed that the Steelers have met with him twice, once at the Hula Bowl and again at the Shrine Bowl.
Cephus totaled 313 receptions, 3,365 yards, and 28 touchdowns over his five seasons with the Roadrunners.
Cephus is 6-foot-3 and weighs 185 pounds. In 2023, he caught 89 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns, ranking among the top receivers in the American Conference. He was named Frisco Bowl MVP after recording seven catches for 102 yards versus Marshall.
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