It might not be the biggest play they run this season, but it’s the first, and that might mean something.
When the Steelers opened the offensive team drill portions of yesterday’s OTAs, they didn’t start at the 20 as they normally do. They moved to the 2-yard line, where they practiced two-point conversions to begin the day’s work.
“Coach told me we were going to do it, and I was a little prepared for it,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said, via Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “It was a little surprising knowing that we haven’t put in red zone yet and they haven’t put in red-zone defense yet. That’s going to be a big part of the game now: teams consciously going for two or at least debating it.”
Tomlin talked to his players about it before the drill, but didn’t expound afterward, saying: “We are not going to talk about it. We are just going to do it.”
With extra point attempts moved back to the 15, there will be more incentive for teams to go for two. But while many coaches will stick with the routines that they’re used to, some coaches will be more daring.
Tomlin’s 10-of-13 on two-pointers as Steelers coach, making all four of their attempts last year. Since 2001, the Steelers have a league-best 72.7 percent conversion rate on two-pointers.
And with an offense that’s so prolific in every area of the field, getting some early work on the new plays only makes sense.
