Steelers aim to use TEs differently
that easily would make a highlight reel if they had one for practice sessions. He has become a dependable target for Roethlisberger, who said James is becoming “more accomplished and we can do more things with him.”
James caught 43 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns last season, but it was the “non-catch” against the New England Patriots for which he is most remembered. That play, in which James was ruled to have “not survived the ground,” was part of the impetus for the rule change by league owners this season.
While McDonald showed last season he is capable of catching passes on the run and down the seam, James has done the same in the preseason and training camp while McDonald has been out. Typically, James is sitting “in the middle with someone on my back” in the Steelers offense, he said.
That could change this season with Fichtner.
“I think Randy will ask us to do a little more, so it’s just being more adept,” James said. “Vance will be doing some stuff, I’ll move around a little more so we won’t be locked in. We’ll be able to run the routes the receivers run. We’ll see what happens.”
Roethlisberger thinks that is a good idea.
“That’s smart,” Roethlisberger said. “If you get into a rut with your tight ends and only do the same thing, if you move them around and run different routes, the defense can’t lock in on them as well.”
Only problem is, finding a healthy one to do that.