Todd Haley confident in Landry Jones; Zach Mettenberger ready to be No. 2
PITTSBURGH — It’s not what Landry Jones knows, but rather what he’s able to execute.
It’s a phrase being thrown around at the UPMC Rooney Ăĺ±±˝űµŘ Complex — courtesy Mike Tomlin on Tuesday — as Jones prepares to start under center in place of Ben Roethlisberger against the Patriots on Sunday. Knowledge is power, but it isn’t everything. Just because Jones may know Todd Haley’s playbook doesn’t mean he can go out on Sunday and throw five touchdowns.
“We have more experience with him in a game,” Haley said. “We’re always going to play to our players’ strengths. He’s a smart, smart guy. One of his strengths is just understanding the complete big picture for us offensively, but you can’t let that lull you into thinking he’s comfortable doing everything.
“Sometimes, especially young guys, are a little too shy to speak up. That’s where he’s grown. He sat in with us for a number of meetings. We called him in just to talk through concepts again much like we do with Ben.”
Jones said on Wednesday that he wants to play cautiously aggressively against the Patriots rather than just try to be a game manager. That means having no fear in taking shots down field.
“I think you’ve got to pull the trigger,” Haley said. “Trust your preparation, trust the guys around you, trust what you’re seeing and then just let it rip. If there’s any tentativeness, that will usually drag a quarterback down. He’s working hard at that. We’re working hard at that. It’s a group effort.”
NOTEWORTHY
n Of course Zach Mettenberger would like to play Sunday, but he holds no delusions of grandeur. He is the backup to the backup who will start Sunday’s game against New England, but he said he’s confident that Landry Jones will do fine. “Everyone enjoys playing, there’d be no greater feeling for me than to go out there and play, especially with the caliber of guys like the Antonio Browns and Le’Veon Bells of the world. I’m super excited if I had that opportunity but I think Landry’s going to go in there and do a lot of good things.” Mettenberger, claimed off waivers from San Diego last month, has been working with the scout team in practice and taking some first-team reps as the primary backup.
n Technically, WR Sammie Coates is a full participant in practice. If or how much he plays against the Patriots is open for debate. After suffering a broken finger and a lacerated hand in Week 5, Coates was a non-factor last week in Miami with no receptions on four targets. Coates reported Thursday that his injury is getting better. Asked if he’ll play, he was coy. “We’ll see how it goes. It’s day by day.”
n Ladarius Green was seen on the field while the Steelers were practicing on Wednesday, but was not a participant in practice, he confirmed. Green said he did some route work and blocking concepts. Green said he felt like he could practice this week, if he was cleared. “It was a hope, but it’s not up to me. It’s up to the coaches,” he said. “I can only do what they say I should.”
n According to reports, the Steelers filed a formal complaint against Ndamakong Suh to the league office for kicking Roethlisberger near the end of the Dolphins game.
INJURY REPORT
STEELERS: Did Not Participate: Marcus Gilbert (ankle), Cam Heyward (hamstring), Ben Roethlisberger (knee), Shamarko Thomas (groin), Cody Wallace (knee), Markus Wheaton (shoulder), DeAngelo Williams (knee); Full participants: Robert Golden (foot), Mike Mitchell (knee), Ryan Shazier (knee)
PATRIOTS: Did Not Participate: Martellus Bennett (ankle), Brandon Bolden (knee), Jamie Collins (hip), Julian Edelman (foot), Woodrow Hamilton (shoulder), Shea McClellin (concussion), Malcolm Mitchell (hamstring), Elandon Roberts (ankle), Vincent Valentine (back)
QUOTEWORTHY
“No, we can’t panic. Plus, I’ve got five kids, I can’t panic.” — Haley, on Jones telling the team not to panic.