The 2023 preseason schedule kicks off for the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mike Tomlin stated that all healthy players should be participating in some capacity in the first preseason game. The three game preseason schedule is still very new and it seems that Mike Tomlin changes up the approach year-to-year. Its also a much younger roster than it was just a couple years ago.
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Mike Tomlin stayed true to his word. Maybe not every player plays, but they are all suiting up.
No break from the heat down in Tampa where it will be a humid 93 degrees at kickoff.
Maybe they will open this game offensively with a deep ball to Pickens, as they did in training camp.
Most of the players being held out of this game make sense, but we all would have loved to see Joey Porter Jr. on the field tonight. They don’t want to rush back from an ankle injury, even if its minor. He didn’t practice on Wednesday, so this was partially to be expected.
Fourth string quarterback, Tanner Morgan, is expected to get a lot of play tonight according to coach Mike Tomlin in a pregame interview with Missi Matthews. Last year, fourth stringer Chris Oladokun struggled to see any reps. This year the Steelers know their starter so they can afford to spread out the reps in the preseason.
Tre Norwood being out for this first preseason game is a tough break for him. Kenny Robinson has a large opportunity tonight to continue his training camp performance into a real-game situation.
Another thing to watch today is the players’ level of conditioning. With the humidity, it feels like over 100 degrees in Tampa. Camp was hot, but Florida is a different kind of hot. People won’t be playing full games, so it shouldn’t be that evident if there are issues, but the heat presents a challenge.
The Steelers are starting the game out on defense.
START OF GAME
B.T. Potter kicked off the game and it resulted in a touchback. Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb start the game at inside backer.
The first two plays, K. Vaughn picked up 4 yard a piece setting up 3rd and 2. Kwon Alexander entered the field and came downhill to stuff the third down play for little to no gain. Tampa appears to be going for it. 4th and 1 would have been an excellent opportunity for situational football, but false start on Cody Mauch ended the drive.
Kenny Pickett and the offense take the field at their own 17 yard line. The first play from Pickett to Diontae Johnson, who was able to turn upfield for an 8 yard gain. On 2nd, Pickens to the middle of the field to Pat Freiermuth for six yard and a first down. Somehow, after two plays, this offense already feels different.
On 1st and 10, Robinson in motion and Najee harris tackled behind the line of scrimmage on the swing pass. Najee Harris may have gotten the first touch of the game for the running backs, but Jaylen Warren got the first rush attempt. Conner Heyward was on the field for that play, too. The rush was stuffed for no gain. Pickett fired the ball to the sideline to Diontae Johnson who was perfectly just beyond the line to gain. First down. Great play to move the sticks.
Kenny Pickett rolled out to his left after the play action with Najee Harris and the crossing route resulted in another first down. Jaylen Warren up the middle again for two yards. Diontae Johnson taken off the field. Mike Tomlin may have already seen enough from the star receiver. Kenny Pickett was nearly sacked, but dumped the ball incomplete after Chuks Okorafor was beat for the second time this drive. 3rd and 8, Kenny Pickett hit George Pickens in the middle of the field. He turned upfield and got in the end zone. What a great drive and likely the only one for this starting group. 7-0 Steelers.
Kenny Pickett ends his day 6-of-7 for 70 yards and a touchdown. That 33 yard touchdown was longer than any the team had during the 2022 season.
Luq Barcoo nearly tackled the catch well behind the line of scrimmage, but missed the tackle resulting in a modest gain. On 2nd, Baker Mayfield complete for the first down to Trey Palmer. A penalty backed up the Buccaneers offense and Kwon Alexander pushed Baker Mayfield’s scramble out of bounds short of the first down. Another flag backs them up further to 3rd and 18. A six yard pass with Chandon Sullivan in coverage, but not enough to move the sticks. Mitch Trubisky should be leading this next drive for the team, but it will be interesting to see who else is done for the day.
A booming 61 yard punt pinned the Steelers back at their own 15 and a penalty backs them up to the 7 yard line.
Kendrick Green in at center and Broderick Jones in at left tackle. Green gets his first looks here at center, not fullaback. A quick three-and-out for the unit. Anthony McFarland Jr. managed just 4 yards on the first two plays before an incomplete pass from Trubisky to Gunner Olszewski. Braden Mann’s punt was underwhelming at just 41 yards (after a Steelers’ bounce). The defense has a short field to defend.
Kwon Alexander came downhill and tackled Chase Edmonds in the backfield for a loss, but a questionable unnecessary roughness was called. I don’t care – Kwon looks like a great addition to this team. He stands out in a big way.
James Pierre in coverage on 3rd and 4, and David Moore was able to convert right before the end of the quarter.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: 7-0 STEELERS
Demarvin Leal made the tackle to limit the run to three on first down. Baker Mayfield found Geiger who was dragging across the field for a gain of ten and a first down. On 1st down Chase Edmonds ran out of bounds for a gain of four. On 2nd, Kenny Robinson was in on the tackle for no gain. James Pierre in decent enough coverage on Trey Palmer on 3rd and 6, but a money throw by Baker for the touchdown. Pierre may have gotten a hand on it. 7-7 Even.
The first play of the drive for Mitch Trubisky and the pass was intercepted. Intended for Cody White. A deep shot, which is nice to see, but White bobbled it a bit before being picked off. Another short field for the Steelers defense.
Trey Palmer flagged for OPI on 1st down. Keeanu Benton with a nice swim move to get penetration and a tackle for loss. On 2nd a 20 yard completion with Kenny Robinson there to limit the gain. 3rd and 1, good situational football, Demarvin Leal and Kenny Robinson in on the tackle. A nice gang tackle to bring up 4th down. On 4th, Isaiahh Loudermilk tackled for a loss of 3. Turnover on downs.
Calvin Austin III’s first NFL touch goes for 17 yards on the jet sweep. Hopefully they get him more involved in the middle portion of this game. He looked fast.
Trubisky’s pass was batted up and nearly picked off on 1st down, but fell incomplete. On 2nd, Calvin Austin around the left end for 6 yards. 3rd and 4, Conner Heyward caught the pass in the middle of the field for 10 yards to convert.
On 1st and 10, Anthony McFarland went around the right end for 14 yard and the touchdown. Both speedsters got involved this drive. 14-7 Steelers.
Kyle Trask entered the game for the Buccaneers. On 1st down Elijah Riley made a nice tackle for loss of 1 yard. He is competing for that nickel CB role on early downs, so a nice showing from him. On 2nd, a 23 yard pass complete to David Moore with James Pierre in coverage. Pierre is having a rough day, but he has been in since the beginning of the game.
On 1st, Mark Robinson made the tackle to limit the gain to two yards. Offensive holding brings a big Chase Edmonds run back. On 2nd and 16, Trask’s pass was caught behind the line of scrimmage and tackled for a loss of 3 by Ndukwe. On 3rd and 19, Trask deep pass to David Moore, but intercepted by Trenton Thompson, one of the newest additions to the team.
Mason Rudolph has checked into the game. His first play an incomplete pass intended for Calvin Austin III. He was wide open, but Rudolph missed badly. On 2nd and 10, Conner Heyward up the middle for 5 yards. Only a 3 yard gain on 3rd and 5, but a penalty bails out the offense.
On 1st and 10, Anthony McFarland around the left end for 16 yards, but offensive holding called on Kendrick Green to bring it back. 1st and 20, an aborted snap makes it 2nd and 36. Rudolph short pass to McFarland picks up 5 yards. 3rd and 31 and Rudolph was sacked. 4th and 40 is not a good look, even in the preseason. Kendrick Green’s hold and then snap cost the team 26 yards and he erased a 16 yard gain.
Nick Herbig and Elijah Riley in on the punt coverage tackle and the Buccaneers will take over from their own 28.
On 1st and 10, Kyle Trask was sacked by Nick Kwiatkoski for a loss of 5. On 2nd, a gain of 9 to Trey Palmer, but incomplete on 3rd to end the drive at 4th and 6. This more or less should end the half unless the Steelers run a few plays before the half.
The Steelers opt to test out their two minute drill with Rudolph. The first play complete for 14 yards to Gunner Olszewski. The next play, a 24 yard reception by Conner Heyward deep on the right side of the field. All of a sudden, the Steelers are in field goal range.
The younger of the two Heyward brothers showing that he is a football player, regardless of position. Something that Kendrick Green was probably hoping to do today. Rudolph incomplete to Calvin Austin III on 1st and sacked for a loss of 4 on 2nd. 3rd and 14 with 00:34 remaining in the half. Rudolph scrambled up the middle for 15 yards to convert.
Mason Rudolph clocked the ball with 00:02 remaining in the half. Cody White probably should have gone down at first contact, but it worked out okay. The field goal is good for B.T. Potter. 17-7 Steelers.
END OF HALF: 17-7 STEELERS
Mike Tomlin is being interviewed by Missi Matthews interviewed Mike Tomlin before the start of the second half. He was asked about that first offensive drive. He chose his words carefully and said more than the plays on the field, he liked the process from his group – meaning the lead up to the game during the day. He likes the way his players are preparing themselves and the play on the field more or less took care of itself.
START OF 2ND HALF
Mason Rudolph is staying in for the beginning of this half, but it shouldn’t be too long until Tanner Morgan makes an appearance. On 1st, Mason deep to Calvin Austin III. Incomplete, but a defensive pass interference gains 38 yards.
Darnell Washington got his first look on 2nd and 8, and he picked up 9 yards for a first down. He lowered his pads and fell forward to get the extra yard or two.
A couple incomplete passes by Mason Rudolph and the Steelers will line up their field goal unit with a 4th and 7 from the 24 yard line. B.T. Potter’s field goal was good. 20-7 Steelers.
That is two drops for Cody White, one resulting in an interception and one killing a red zone attempt.
The kick return went for 32 yards with Hakeem Butler securing the tackle. On 1st and 10, Keeanu Benton made the tackle to limit the run to just one yard. A strong day for the rookie. A defensive holding called on Chandon Sullivan converted on 3rd down.
Nick Herbig and Demarvin Leal combined for a sack on Kyle Trask on 2nd down. On 3rd, Trey Palmer caught a pass for a gain of 9, but short of the sticks. Punt unit coming onto the field. Fair caught by Jordan Byrd.
Nick Herbig is getting some reps on defense now in the second half. He was injured for part of the week which limited his game preparation. That could explain why he is getting reps after guys like Quincy Roche.
On 1st and 10, Mason Rudolph to Calvin Austin III for a gain of 6. Calvin Austin is getting plenty of looks this game. Greg Bell up the middle for 6 yards on 2nd and a fresh set of downs.
Mason Rudolph dialed up a big time pass 67 yards to Calvin Austin who was streaking down the field. Touchdown! 27-7 Steelers.
That makes two receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown and another two rushes for 23 yards. He is almost over the 100 yard mark in all-purpose and it seems that he is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball. That speed is going to be huge for the team this year.
Keeanu Benton with another tackle for loss. He has a handful of run stops and in his first game action he looks the part of a high draft pick. Nick Herbig pitched in another sack on Kyle Trask, this time a whole sack. 1.5 for Herbig and he has barely played any snaps.
The Buccaneers were forced to punt and it resulted in a touchback.
Tanner Morgan is checking in at quarterback for the Steelers. Last year the 4th QB struggled to find any reps, so its a luxury to be this far into the rotation in preseason game one. That means the team has more answers than questions at the position.
Mike Tomlin jokingly asked everyone on the sideline if they had younger brothers. A tip of the cap to Nick Herbig’s early success here in game one.
Tanner Muse got two pass attempts in his first drive for 12 yards. The drive stalled out and Braden Mann punted and it was fair caught at the 18.
Keeanu Benton being helped into the locker room he is ruled out for the game with an ankle injury. That would be a large bummer given his brilliant play today.
Nick Kwiatkoski made a nice defensive play batting down a pass, but came up holding his arm after the play. He landed funny. The Buccaneers were forced to punt again. The Steelers will be backed up to their own 10 yard line.
On 1st down Greg Bell lost one yard trying to get around the left end.
END OF 3RD QUARTER: 27-7 STEELERS
Tanner Morgan couldn’t handle the snap from McCollum and it resulted in a fumble deep in the Steelers end. Sudden change and a great opportunity for the depth players in situational football.
The play was reversed after review. Tanner Morgan apparently recovered the fumble. Time to see if they can right the ship with a 3rd and long opportunity. The next play was interception at the 20 yard line.
Sean Tucker rushed for a 12 yard touchdown, but it was nullified by a holding penalty. After an incomplete pass, the Buccaneers had to settle for a field goal. 27-10 Steelers.
Hakeem Butler was targeted on first down, but the ball was dropped. Butler had a great season in the XFL, but I don’t think he is long for this roster. Greg Bell rushed for no gain on second. 3rd and 10, Tanner Morgan incomplete again under a bit of pressure. Very rough first few drives for Morgan.
Another mediocre punt for Braden Mann only going 44 yards out of bounds. At least it wasn’t returnable, but the inconsistency of Harvin is why there is a competition in the first place. Someone has to step up and be that consistent dependable punter.
Mark Robinson was in coverage and tackled the catch on 2nd down to make it 3rd and 4. Two incomplete passes and it was a turnover on downs.
The Steelers got the ball back around midfield. Morgan finally connects on one of his passes for 17 yards to Hakeem Butler, but he was sacked and fumbled the ball. Broderick Jones recovered the fumble. They are keeping Broderick in and getting as much work as possible for the rookie. He was beat badly due to poor hand useage there. The Steelers opt for their punt unit to see if Mann could pin them deep. 42 yard punt and the Buccaneers will take over at their own 5 yard line.
Mark Robinson getting a lot of work in here deep in the game. With the emergence of Kwon Alexander and then Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb being the starters for now, Robinson will be a depth piece for this season. There was a time in the offseason where many though he could be one of the two starters. He is making the most of it though with a huge hit. He is known for that physicality and can still carve out a role for himself.
The Buccaneers put together a drive aided by a few Steelers penalties and now they do a live game version of the seven shots drill.
On 1st and goal, too many men on the field for the Steelers. 1st and goal again, incomplete pass, but DB Duke Dawson was injured on the play for the Steelers. It doesn’t look good for him and he was already on the outside looking in. Doctors are looking at his left knee.
2nd and goal from the 4, Wolford complete to Payne Durham, a Senior Bowl standout, for a touchdown. 27-17 Steelers.
Darnell Washington is also getting some work in at the end of this game. He just fell of his block there as he got out leveraged.
The team is now putting Kendrick Green back in at center. I don’t think Tomlin is going to let him try fullback if he can’t at least play mistake free at center. He had a rough night and now is firmly on the outside looking in.
Braden Mann punted the football and the return was fumbled. Rodney Williams recovered the ball for Pittsburgh. Tanner Morgan kneels to end the game.
FINAL SCORE: 27-17 STEELERS
