Aug 12, 2016 5 min read

The Steelers looked lackadaisical in their 30-17 preseason-opening loss to the Detroit Lions Friday night and nobody was more so than wide receiver Sammie Coates.

I wanted to see how Coates would respond to what was probably his worst practice of the season on Wednesday against the Lions and we saw more of the same Friday night as Coates failed to catch a screen pass on one play, fumbled twice and failed to get his hands on what looked to be a pretty catchable pass from Landry Jones over the middle as Coates slid to the ground.

It wasn’t the kind of game Steelers fans were hoping for from the second-year receiver, who is expected to help ease the loss of suspended Martavis Bryant.

That said, Coates had been much better than that throughout this offseason and into training camp. He can’t allow one bad performance – OK, two – hinder what has been s olid offseason.

As he came off the field Friday night and walked to the locker room, special teams coordinator Danny Smith had pretty much those same words for the young receiver.

• Rookie defensive back Sean Davis had some issues early on in this game, but recovered and got better as the game went on. He shed a block in the second quarter and dropped a receiver for a 1-yard gain on a textbook play.

Davis will be OK.

• The Steelers gave Daniel McCullers plenty of opportunities in this game. In fact, he was still out there late in the game when the rest of the starters had long since gone to the sidelines.

McCullers even got some opportunities to play in the nickel as the Steelers try to see just what the third-year big man can give them in all situations. McCullers actually got some pressure and was credited with a hurry.

Now, he just need to remember to put those long arms up in the passing lanes as he rushes. He’ll block out the sun.

• Some people laughed me off in my praise of running back Daryl Richardson. To steal a line from Ben Roethlisberger, who’s laughing now?

Richardson is not only making this team. He’s making it as the No. 3 running back as long as he stays healthy.

And remember, we’ll find out about Le’Veon Bell’s possible suspension sometime next week. I keep hearing the appeal will be heard Aug. 18, which would be curious timing since the Steelers play a preseason game against the Eagles at home that day.

But Richardson stands to benefit if Bell is forced to miss any games.

• It’s tough to analyze the Steelers offense in this game.

No Roethlisberger, Bell, Bryant, DeAngelo Williams, Antonio Brown and Maurkice Pouncey makes a big difference.

I thought Landry Jones actually played reasonably well. His best pass probably came on a throw to Darrius Heyward-Bey on third down that just snuck over the outstretched hands of an underneath defender.

Heyward-Bey, however, was unable hold on.

Those two did hook up later on pretty throw and catch in the back corner of the end zone for a TD.

• Mike Tomlin refused to comment on reports that Ladarius Green is being held back by headaches caused by a pair of concussions he suffered last September.

I’ve seen a lot of speculation regarding the issue. Remember this. Green came back and played following the concussions, so why would the Steelers even be slightly concerned that they were still an issue?

And it’s entirely possible that Green, who was unable to run much during the offseason because of an ankle surgery, could have had the headaches come on after working out strenuously during training camp as he tries to come back off the PUP list.

I don’t think the Steelers are going to release him or ask him to return signing bonus any more than I think Green is going to retire.

Green will play for the Steelers this season.

• It’s all well and good that James Harrison had a sack in this game but remember that he was going against a rookie tackle seeing his first game action.

The veteran still has a few tricks up his sleeve and can still make a young guy look bad. But that doesn’t mean he should be playing this season over Jarvis Jones, not if the Steelers want him available down the stretch.

At 38, Harrison’s low fuel tank light has to be on.

• Ricardo Mathews should be a big upgrade to the Steelers defensive line.

He’s way more athletic than Cam Thomas, who was a nose tackle by trade but forced to play end at times in this defense.

I can’t imagine Mathews would hold up any better at the nose tackle spot than Thomas did at end.

But Mathews should be able to work his way onto the field 5-10 plays per game.

• When asked about kicker Chris Boswell attempting to make a tackle on Dwayne Washington’s touchdown return on a kickoff, Tomlin said, “I want out other 10 guys to make the play. If they don’t, I want him to do what comes natural, play football.”

That’s true, but you’d hate to see Boswell, who appeared to take a knee to the helmet trying to make the tackle, injured on a kickoff.

For those who don’t think he should be out there, however, you have to remember that he’s a second-year player. He needs his reps as well.