Steelers Takeaways: Desmond King Buzz, McFarland Dazzles

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers went to the practice field a little shorthanded with no practice squad members yet on Wednesday. But what happened around the locker room, and what could we learn from how the team is jelling before their Week 1 clash against the 49ers?

Slot CBs Love Competition

Chandon Sullivan and Elijah Riley pushed each other all summer to the tune of bettering one another. Now, they both made the roster, and even with the impending arrival of Desmond King into the locker room, they take it all in stride. Because, as Sullivan put it, the NFL is a business, and there is no reason to hold it against the guy you are competing against. So, Sullivan and Riley now call each other close friends after a battle that landed both on the roster.

“That’s just the NFL, there’s competition everywhere,” Sullivan said. “You can’t get complacent, and so having a guy like Eli and making the plays he made, it made me dig deep and challenge him right back. It’s pretty cool that we’re both on the 53, and I want to do what we’ve been doing.”

Riley became so nervous during the cut-down day that he went to Phipps Conservatory and went through the Botanical Gardens to clear his mind. Sullivan comes across as the more fiery, upbeat guy, while Riley is the lowkey player of that friendship. But their support of one another goes further than just on the field. When 4:00 p.m. passed, Sullivan called Riley, congratulating one another on making the roster. Now, with the impending arrival of King, they are not sweating it one bit.

“He’s just more competition, and the best guy will be out on the field,” Sullivan said. “Adding another person allows us all to dig deep and continue to prove ourselves. Let’s all get better together. We all want to show we belong here.”

Tough Gunner

Of the players who made it onto the roster and will likely stick, wide receiver Gunner Olszewski is at the top of that list. Olszewski had a great training camp proved reliable in-stadium, and is willing to do the dirty work that most other wide receivers do not want to do. With six receivers on the roster, what was the defining trait that allowed Olszewski to make the final 53-man roster? Mike Tomlin had a simple answer for that.

“Toughness and versatility and smarts. He checks all the intangible boxes. He knows assignments at all positions. He’s a versatile skill set guy. He’s willing to do a lot of things and it’s appreciated,” Tomlin said.

Olszewski could end up being the team’s kick returner with plenty of experience there in the past. Calvin Austin III seems to have the punt returner job locked up, and rightfully so. The Steelers will move forward with Olszewski as depth insurance, and he could end up as a gameday inactive to start, but if an injury occurs, they feel they can trust him.

Versatile Young Offensive Linemen

Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook made the final 53-man roster, and both players have earned it through versatility. Cook plays four spots, all but center, while Anderson plays all five of those spots. Both got better throughout training camp, culminating in the Falcons game where they put the finishing marks on a solid summer. Mike Tomlin saw it from Cook, who got better over time.

“Not only quality play, but versatility. I think versatility is a component of decision making, and guys like Dylan (Cook) and Spencer (Anderson) showed position flexibility,” Tomlin said. “He (Cook) got continually better. He kind of got on a moving train in terms of when we acquired him, and I like to see guys acclimate themselves to an ongoing developmental group. And he did that nicely. And particularly down the stretch, he really showed position flexibility.”

It is hard to get up to speed quickly. For Anderson, center Mason Cole helped him learn all five spots quickly, but especially once he started repping at center. With Cook, he confided in offensive line coach Pat Meyer, who has gradually worked with him on his technique. As an outside-hand puncher, T.J. Watt and others have started attacking that first. It is unorthodox in the NFL, but Cook has little experience, and Meyer wanted to make him comfortable. He is starting to mix in his inside hand as his first punching hand, slowly bringing that into his game. His close sessions with Meyer have helped him. As for Anderson, Cole talks to him every day after practice to catch him up to speed and work on anything he wants to for the day.

“Mason is one of those guys that I’ll be thinking about a question in my head, and he’ll always be willing to help if I ask,” Anderson said. “He always explains why we do something and we have the same kind of mind frame.”

McFarland’s Distinguishing Trait

Mike Tomlin only has so many unique player types in his locker room. However, the three players could not be more different at the running back position. Anthony McFarland, in particular, is a speedy back who makes his mark in the receiving game where he runs an expansive route tree and is a one-on-one nightmare. For Tomlin, that allowed McFarland to stand out, and his consistency in doing the routine things at the position gave him those flashy opportunities.

“Continual growth. You know, play making, one on one play making,” Tomlin said. “He has a distinguishing trait that kind of distinguishes him from his position group. He won more in space than others. He’s a challenge in the passing game, probably presents more of a challenge than some others. And so, distinguishing varsity traits are things that have been his calling card that allowed him to ascend.”

McFarland did enough to get some playing time in regular-season games. His unique skillset could be helpful to on jet sweeps or pony sets aligned out of the slot. Expect him to get some legitimate run at times in games.