Isaac Seumalo Notices One Big Change with Arthur Smith as OC
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren revealed last month that new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has complete command of the meeting room and isn’t afraid to call people out if they’re not paying attention.
“His biggest difference is he’s very interactive in the meetings. You want to pay attention because he’s gonna call you out if you’re not paying attention. That’s happened a couple times. I think his approach to being the OC is really good,” Warren told Cam Heyward on his Not Just Football podcast.
At OTAs on Tuesday, Steelers left guard Isaac Seumalo expressed a similar statement in regards to Smith.
“I think he’s made everyone super accountable, which, you know, I think starts with the players, but it’s good to have [from the] coaches as well,” Seumalo said. “I think he’s been consistent in his message, wants guys to take each day to, you know, be a pro and have to come in with an attitude like, ‘What can I do today to prove myself to my teammates?'”
A lack of accountability was a big issues with the Steelers last season. Former offensive coordinator Matt Canada just didn’t harp on the details as much. Players often lined up wrong, jumped offsides, missed assignments, or didn’t play through the whistle.
Wide receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens often had mental lapses. Johnson and Pickens each had an instance last season where they flat-out quit on a play. Calvin Austin III said new wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni has a no-nonsense approach, and a lack of effort won’t be tolerated.
It seems like one of Mike Tomlin’s main goals this offseason was to fix the accountability issues with the team. Canada and former wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson just didn’t have that part ironed out.
“He don’t play that. He’s that coach that you know, mediocrity and him don’t really mesh,” Austin said about Azzanni’s coaching style at OTAs last week. “So if you’re going to try to just come in and cruise on through, nah, you can’t, that ain’t gonna happen. It’s gonna be a clash because he’s gonna get the best out of you.”
Nick Farabaugh contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.
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