DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, Mason McCormick Media Availability (Oct. 22) | Pittsburgh Steelers

DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, Mason McCormick Media Availability (Oct. 22) | Pittsburgh Steelers

What’s it what’s it been like to see Aaron get more comfortable in this offense the way that he’s been moving around more extending the plays? Does it feel like maybe he’s turning back the clock a little bit and looking like Aaron Rogers from a couple years ago? No, it just looks like Aaron Rogers. You roaming Calvin and Scotty that ran below 44 in their 40 yard they came into the league. Is that a unique skill set? This offense has that much speed in so many different directions compared to other offenses. Uh yes sir. um unlike prepar but uh with this one specifically yes there’s a incorporating an element that the defense like I said for um but also um the DB can’t just you know sit and backpedal or you know hard press got worry about trying this is always going to be a high-profile game coming in because the circumstances but for you guys in the locker room is even more ratcheted up because what happened last week? Uh, no sir. Just trying to go ahead and get back in the win column and do whatever it takes um throughout the week and on Sunday to do so. DJ, we’ve we’ve seen what Aaron can do on the field between the lines. But terms of intangibles and leaderships, what stood out to you about the way he’s led his team the first couple weeks? Uh, just his communication aspect. Um, I mean, we have a player meeting on Thursdays where he’s the, you know, head of the meeting. Uh, he does a lot of coaching up there. What he sees that we can do better and everybody just listen to him and take notes. Is that something that you’ve experienced before? Are player le meetings, weekly player le meetings the usual or did that have another pump? I mean, yeah, we did in Seattle. So, yeah, some since week four, you guys have like most explosive run plays in the NFL. What do you guys think the field as far as everybody blocked, not just line, but you guys, the tight end all pitching in to create? We know that uh that opens up the play path so we can get the ball. So, you know, one, it seems like, you know, you and Aaron have a really good connection. Um, what how much do you appreciate having some ownership within this offense and what’s that collaborative process like throughout the week trying to figure out, you know, different looks you might get or things you might try to take advantage of? Yes, sir. They do a lot of studying on Monday, Tuesday, uh, probably over the weekend. Um, even in previous years or previous games. So, uh, they come in with a a good u game plan on Wednesdays. Um and throughout the week is just fine-tuning that what we see on film uh what the defense is trying to take away what um you know parts of the defense we can exploit. So it’s just the communication aspect throughout the week that you know leads to all the success. Well in terms of a different trend from Penn State your offense has been since pretty much a top five offensive. What are you guys doing so well choic? I think the biggest thing is execution. Um, you know, I think everyone’s start finally get on the same page. Um, executing what we’re assigned to do and, um, I think everyone on the offense is seeing the game the same way. So, um, you know, we’re executing at a high level right now. And what’s the key to carrying it week to week? Uh, just being on our details, um, especially in practice. Um, seeing what, you know, eight wants us to do and, um, all the run game fits and stuff like that. So, just being on the same page practice. You sense this game’s a little means a little bit more to him than some other games. Did you get that feeling at all? Uh, no. I mean, he he’s the same guy every single day regardless of who we playing. Um, but I would assume that, you know, all the guys in the locker room understand what it means. What’s it been like being his teammate? It’s been awesome. Um, every single day, like I said, he’s the same guy. Um, and he’s he’s taken a lot of guys under the wing to get better and uh push guys to get better in all aspects. And he’s meant a lot to me and the whole locker room as well. The Packers are one of the better defenses big plays in the NFL. What do you guys have to do to counter what they do? Well, uh, just understand what they’re going to be in coverage wise. Uh, obviously limit Micah um, and their pass rush. They have a solid pass rush and, uh, just being able to understand what they’re going to be in and exploit that. Mason, can you feel or sense that there’s a little more to this game for your quarterback over there playing the Packers? Does it feel like that? I mean, you know, I don’t I don’t really sense that. Aaron Aaron’s a true pro. He He loves playing football. He loves to compete. Um, and so I don’t I wouldn’t say I see anything different out of him this week. Jason, is that the biggest thing you take away from your time with him is just pro how much he loves the game, those type of things? Absolutely. He’s he’s such a competitor. Um, I like to think I am as well. And um, it’s fun to be able to block for a guy that loves to compete like that. How much pride do you guys take of the line having a couple games with clean sheets, no sacks, um, just keeping Aaron clean? Yeah, of course we take pride in keeping Aaron clean. um that’s our quarterback and that’s that’s our job ultimately and so obviously we take pride in it but uh it’s a constant battle every week to be able to try to replicate that. Where where do you feel like his experience shows up the most? Do you have any kind of particular example where you felt like you guys benefited most from everything you see? So just I mean some of the stuff he can do with the line is is pretty cool stuff that um sometimes we can’t see until he uncovers it. Um, he does a tremendous job and obviously it’s it’s super nice being able to block for such an experienced guy back there. He said that he’s kind of felt more like himself recently, looser, more mobile. Is that something that you’ve noticed kind of the longer that he’s been in the offense, the more comfortable and the kind of the looser he’s gotten? Yeah, I mean, he did he did a really really good job extending plays last week um scrambling out of the pocket, looking downfield and uh it’s uh it’s been really fun blocking for Anything surprising you’ve seen um on film now that you guys have a couple days in? Uh they’re a really good front. They’re super relentless. Um they like to keep things in front of them and uh they play football the right way. They do a really good job. What has made the short passing game so effective? Good players, good scheme. I mean, it’s obvious. How much does that do with Aaron? Yeah, a lot of it has to do with Aaron. He’s our quarterback. He’s the gunslinger and uh he does do a good job getting the ball out of his hand sometimes and uh getting the ball to our playmakers on the edge. Mason, you guys are the number one offense at converting third, third or shorter, three or shorter. What is the What kind of prize that give you guys knowing that when you’re that close, you guys are right now the best at doing that? Uh, obviously we love to keep extending drives and um to stay on the field. It’s good to give our defense a rest. Um, there’s still a lot of areas to improve on and uh that’s what we’re going to look to do every week. You guys average a lot of yards on the ground when you guys run behind you and Troy. What is it about GTI’s chemistry that’s improved to help when go when the team decides to go that way? Yeah, I wouldn’t say it really matters which which way we run the ball. I feel like we’re just getting better as a unit um each and every day and uh that’s that’s what we want to do. Says you’ve helped him a lot, you know, as far as just getting up to speed last year. How have you guys grown as a pair and his teammates? Yeah, it’s obviously it takes time to get used to playing next to somebody, but uh Troy is a damn good player and a hell of a teammate and and so it’s really it’s awesome to be able to play next to a guy like that. Were you guys all in Crosby jerseys last night in the game? Was that did you plan that? I mean, how how did you guys all decide that the truth is they gave it to us? Always love the truth. Yeah, so yeah, you really wanted another player, right? You want Crosby. What’ you say? Everybody has Crosby. You wanted to be something. Yeah. I mean, Crosby is a hell of a player, though, too. What happened to Will’s jersey? I mean, he wasn’t wearing it in some of the videos. Howard, uh, I think it depended on when you got to the game. Ah, so the earlier there early bird gets the jersey. That’s

DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, Mason McCormick spoke to the media on Wednesday, October 22 ahead of the Steelers Week 8 game against the Packers

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