Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — DK Metcalf, usually split out wide for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense, had his hands on his thigh pads in a fullback’s stance against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. He led Jaylen Warren to the right side of the field for a three-yard pickup on his team’s second play from scrimmage.
Metcalf isn’t Mike Alstott or Lorenzo Neal. The Steelers won’t expect him to be.
‘Why you say that? My stance wasn’t good enough?” Metcalf said jokingly when asked if playing fullback was new for him afterward. “I thought it was good, personally, but, yeah, that was my first time being back there. The view was a little wicked. but, you know, I like being outside the numbers.”
Rather than lining up as a tight end, Jonnu Smith might line up alongside Aaron Rodgers in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ backfield, as well. What else can Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith dream up?
“We gotta a lot of play-making ability, so (he’s) getting us in space and putting us in positions where the defense may not find familiar for us,” Jonnu Smith said Tuesday before practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “It makes them uncomfortable, and we’ll still be able to execute.”
While with the Tennessee Titans in 2019, he lined up behind Ryan Tannehill and took a toss 52 yards down the field. The Steelers ran a similar play out of 04 personnel in training camp.
“I’m just continuing to be as valuable as I can to this offense, and wherever it is they needed, that’s where I’m gonna be at,” Jonnu Smith said then.
It’s also a way to help the offense get the matchups it’s looking for.
“Sometimes you’re doing it to set something up, or if you think it gives you an advantage, may not have another play you get to in that game,” Arthur Smith said. “Again, when you’re playing a lot of single-high (coverage), sometimes it’s as simple as trying to pull somebody out of the box. We’ve had Jonnu in the backfield a couple times this year.
“He’s done different things throughout our history together. Just gives you, and then also builds off some of the things that Kenny (Gainwell) and Jaylen can do in space, too.”
If Metcalf lines up in the backfield again, Jonnu Smith has just a bit of advice for him.
“He’s probably gotta narrow up his stance a little bit, but he’ll be alright,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Mad Scientist Arthur Smith Already Has Steelers Next Wrinkle Planned
