There are two ways you can go when faced with adversity.
And Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley has chosen to shoulder into the challenge of being without so many key offensive parts, rather than mope about it.
“As coaches, we relish that,” Haley said, via Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “It is fun, but I would take the alternative of having all of our guys healthy and playing.”
Take a deep breath, and consider what he’s talking about. Center Maurkice Pouncey hasn’t played a game, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has missed four games and parts of another three, and left tackle Kelvin Beachum, running back Le’Veon Bell and wide receiver Martavais Bryant have missed four each (and counting in the case of Beachum and Bell, out for the year with knee injuries).
But heading into their bye week, they’re still sixth in the league in total offense.
“As a coach, you take it as a challenge and we’re happy with a lot of what we did, but obviously we feel like we could have a couple back and that would’ve made us even happier,” Haley said. “You take that as a challenge and the name of the game is winning, so you win with the players you have.”
They’ve done that 60 percent of the time so far, and positioned themselves to have a real chance at the playoffs despite all the absences.