Pittsburgh Review

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin frequently discusses "positionless football," emphasizing the versatility of players in a specialized league. Darnell Washington, a tight end for the Steelers, embodies this concept with his multifaceted contributions on the field. Standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 280 pounds, Washington is not only a target in the passing game but also a significant asset in the running game.

Washington has already caught 17 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown this season, surpassing his rookie year performance. Pro Football Focus ranks him among the top-10 blockers at his position for players participating in more than half of their team's offensive snaps. His skills have led to speculation about a potential future transition to offensive tackle, reminiscent of former Steelers player Larry Brown's career path.

Spencer Anderson, an offensive lineman for the Steelers, believes Washington could make such a transition if given time to focus on blocking techniques. "He always jokingly says, 'I might play offensive tackle,'" Anderson noted. This season, Washington has played 55.4 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps.

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson compared Washington to Jimmy Graham regarding physical attributes and praised his versatility and grit: "Darnell has got such big physical attributes... I just think that you know how versatile he is."

Meanwhile, Hines Ward and James Harrison have advanced as semifinalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ward's statistics compare favorably against other wide receiver semifinalists despite playing in a run-focused offense during much of his career. He was known for his blocking abilities and had significant playoff success.

James Harrison was recognized as one of the most feared pass rushers from 2007 to 2012. His late start as a regular starter due to strong competition within the team should not overshadow his achievements when considering Hall of Fame candidacy.

The Steelers boast an impressive record against teams with winning records this season, tied with Detroit Lions at 5-0. Their defense has held these opponents to an average of 13.8 points per game while scoring slightly less than their overall average.

This week’s matchup between Trey Hendrickson and Dan Moore will be closely watched; Hendrickson leads the NFL with 11.5 sacks but relies heavily on specific games for those numbers.

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith addressed recent criticisms concerning Moore's performance against Myles Garrett by explaining situational challenges rather than individual failures: "We didn't leave him by himself."

Smith's name surfaced as a potential candidate for coaching positions outside Pittsburgh but expressed contentment with his current role: "(I) probably (have) a different mindset than I had five, four years ago... love being a Steeler."

###