PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) \u2013 Third down conversions to finding Pat Freiermuth and some exceptional praise for the potential of Max Iheanachor. Some of Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers thoughts after his weekly media gathering on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
3rd down<\/p>\n
Steelers are 5 for 25 on third down and as you look at the issues scoring points, you can\u2019t keep a drive going without those conversions.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be a multifaceted team that [has] plays [that] work against zone and man, then you got to convert,\u201d Rodgers explained. \u201cWe’ve had a lot of opportunities to convert and haven\u2019t executed. <\/p>\n
Asked about other variables.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s an execution [thing].\u201d<\/p>\n
O-line<\/p>\n
Rodgers was hit hard a few times and sacked four Sunday in New England. With some miscommunication and struggles at time on the offensive line, Rodgers said he\u2019s not concerned about their confidence. He did note a good start to Bengals week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m not worried about their confidence,\u201d Rodgers said. \u201cTo be a great team, you got to practice great, and so I just focus on how we’re practicing the communication during the week, and the protection meetings and the walkthroughs. We had a good start today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rodgers said the way to corrected mental errors or missed assignments, it\u2019s preparation.<\/p>\n
Mad talk about Mad Max<\/p>\n
A possibility first-round pick Max Iheanachor makes his first NFL start on Sunday. Rodgers had some big things to say about the rookie.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like Max a lot,\u201d Rodgers said. \u201cI think he’s got a real bright future. He’s very \u2014 in one sense he’s raw because he hasn’t played football that long. The other sense, he’s got a beautiful set and you don’t say that about every tackle.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThere’s nice sets, and then there’s beautiful sets.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI had two of the prettiest sets of all time at left tackle for me, in Chad Clifton and David Bakhtiari. There’s just something about the way those guys set that created very little lanes for a pass rusher, and I think when he hones his skills, Max is going to have a chance to be a longtime staple on the offensive line here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freiermuth impact<\/p>\n
After a season where at times he was forgotten, Pat Freiermuth is the Steelers leading receiver with 9 catches for 78 yards and the only offensive touchdown.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we got to get him involved as much as possible,\u201d Rodgers said. \u201cI mean, he’s been super reliable. He’s catching the ball well. He’s a fantastic player and a great guy in the locker room, great guy on the huddle, and we got to keep finding ways to get in more targets.\u201d<\/p>\n
How about more Darnell Washington with Freiermuth? The 6\u20198\u201d tight end has only three catches.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of that’s based on the down-to-distance stuff,\u201d Rodgers said. \u201cYou know, and our inability to convert on third down has kept him off the field. So if we can do a better job on third down and converting first and second down as well, we’ll get more opportunities for both those guys.\u201d<\/p>\n