‘Third down gets you paid’: JuJu Smith-Schuster embracing new identity with Steelers – Pittsburgh Steelers Blog

PITTSBURGH — Going through a third-and-7 late in Sunday’s win towards the Cincinnati Bengals, Ben Roethlisberger took the snap, dropped again and regarded down the sphere for his receivers.

It did not take lengthy for the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ quarterback to seek out JuJu Smith-Schuster beneath, operating broad open on a crossing route.

Smith-Schuster corralled the ball and turned up discipline, operating towards the sideline and the first-down marker. Simply earlier than he reached the marker, two Bengals defenders stepped as much as interact. However Smith-Schuster lowered his helmet ever so barely, secured the ball and ran proper by way of them, selecting up the primary down.

Two performs later, the Steelers sealed the win with a Chase Claypool landing, giving them a four-score lead and an early exit for Roethlisberger and the first-team offense.

Recognized extra for his splash performs and viral social media presence earlier than this season, Smith-Schuster, 23, is making his mark this 12 months with a physicality and toughness that has made him Roethlisberger’s go-to man on possession downs.

And, it is likely to be what retains him in Pittsburgh after this season.

“Third down will get you paid,” Smith-Schuster stated. “So far as you make performs on third down, you progress the sticks, you give your offense one other likelihood to get one other three set of downs to make performs and to drive to the top zone. On third down, though we do not wish to be in that state of affairs the place it is third-and-long or third-and-10, third-and-5, I really like and I embrace these components.

“I am hoping the ball comes my approach, I am praying the ball comes my approach. Simply because I wish to make a play.”

Smith-Schuster has 27 targets on third down, tied for second within the NFL, and he has 22 receptions on these downs, tied with Keenan Allen for probably the most, per ESPN Stats & Data analysis. He has three receiving touchdowns and 16 first-down receptions on third downs. Of his 516 receiving yards, 190 of them have come on third-down performs, and greater than a 3rd of his 257 yards after catch have come on third downs.

“There have been instances within the final couple video games the place I’ve gotten the ball to him on third-and-whatever, and he has caught it slightly bit in need of the primary down,” Roethlisberger stated. “I’ve 100% confidence that he will discover a option to get the primary down. He is only a competitor. He’s so enjoyable to play with. I am so pleased with him. He is not placing up gaudy numbers like he has in years previous, however the issues that he’s doing is simply as vital for his offense and this workforce as in any 12 months that he has performed.”

Smith-Schuster is assured to be with the Steelers solely by way of this season. The Steelers did not get a brand new deal performed with their No. 1 receiver earlier than the beginning of the common season, they usually do not negotiate contracts in the course of the season. The group additionally would not usually give second contracts to broad receivers, awarding solely two — to Hines Ward and Antonio Brown — in latest historical past.

But when he continues the best way he has been enjoying by way of the primary 9 video games of their undefeated season, the Steelers might need no alternative however to deliver him again. Even when it takes working a small miracle to get cap compliant once they’re already a projected $3 million over for the 2021 season.

“I can not think about how they’ll transfer ahead with out him,” ESPN NFL analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky stated. “I can not think about it. I am not the one who cuts the checks, however he has develop into this technology’s Hines Ward for them. The man that it doesn’t matter what, he will present up. It doesn’t matter what, if you want that play that typically goes above the X’s and O’s, that goes above what the coaches drew up, that uncanny capability to only make a play, he is develop into that particular person.”

The comparability with Ward is an apt one.

Smith-Schuster spent his rookie coaching camp studying from the Steeler nice when Ward served as a training intern in 2017.

Not solely did Smith-Schuster be taught the mechanics of Ward’s signature alternative route in the course of the sphere, however he additionally received a firsthand have a look at the aggressiveness that made Ward probably the most efficient receivers in Steelers historical past. He did not get as many alternatives to point out that physicality catching passes, however he put it on show together with his run blocking.

“The physicalness is one thing I’ve at all times had in myself,” Smith-Schuster stated. “Hines was a bodily man. These are the 2 major issues I took from Hines Ward on the time.”

Smith-Schuster (6-foot-1, 215 kilos) has a much bigger construct than Ward, however each have related enjoying types as stronger-than-average slot receivers. Statistically, Smith-Schuster would possibly even be extra bodily. Ward has solely had extra yards after catch than Smith-Schuster in a single season in video games tracked by ESPN Stats and Data since 2001. In 2009, Ward had 274 YAC, whereas Smith-Schuster recorded 257 up to now this season. Smith-Schuster additionally has a profession common of 5.67 YAC per reception, forward of Ward’s mark of 4.15.

“Hines introduced physicality to the within receiver place,” offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner stated. “JuJu does look naturally constructed, thick and robust and difficult. You must love how JuJu performs. I believe we’re at all times pushing the envelope to try to determine the place he most closely fits weekly — insides and outsides and motions and stacks, bunches issues like that. JuJu is a really clever younger receiver. I nonetheless say younger although he is been right here some time. He is nonetheless younger in all regards. I believe he is performed an unbelievable job of enjoying bodily, giving us that presence of physicality.”

With an excellent youthful broad receiver group, Smith-Schuster, who turns 24 on Sunday, is a pacesetter on the sphere and on the place, displaying nice maturation from the boy marvel who confirmed as much as his first Steelers practices on a motorcycle as a rookie.

“I do know he begins the group drills when he is not practising,” Fichtner stated. “I do know that he double checks and makes positive that everybody of his group is on his Zooms, they’re the place they’re imagined to be and stuff like that. He is like a giant brother to them, if not perhaps father.

“That is loads on a man who such as you stated is 23, however he has been right here. He is seen loads. He may give again loads. I keep in mind Hines and the way a lot he needed to at all times give again to the youthful gamers. That is simply that vital to do, and JuJu is doing it similar to plenty of nice veterans, in Pittsburgh not less than, do it.”

Smith-Schuster gained reputation early in his profession because the fun-loving child with the highlight-reel, flashy performs and viral dances, however he is maturing right into a gritty, hard-working receiver and certainly one of Roethlisberger’s favourite targets. In doing so, he is endearing himself to the followers — and to the franchise in a approach which may preserve him round previous 2020.

“He is aware of what the individuals of Pittsburgh sort of need of their soccer gamers probably the most or respect of their soccer gamers probably the most,” Orlovsky stated. “It’s the issues you could’t measure. It’s that present up and make that play once we want you probably the most or be bodily powerful or give every thing you’ve got received. They love all nice gamers and stuff like that, however these are the blokes that they love probably the most.

“I believe he is actually taken that to coronary heart, and it reveals in his sport.”