The Pittsburgh Steelers' special teams coach, Danny Crossman, has a unique approach to improving the team's performance. He emphasizes the importance of 'TNT' plays, which stand for 'takes no talent' - the parts of special teams that don't require skill or athleticism. Crossman believes that mistakes like substitution errors and personal foul penalties should be avoided, as they can cost the team valuable field position and opportunities. In the team's preseason opener against the Packers, the Steelers were penalized 11 times for 134 yards, which Crossman attributes to a combination of technique issues and bad choices. He stresses the need for personal responsibility to eliminate these 'TNT' mistakes, which have been emphasized since spring training. Crossman's experience as a special teams coordinator for 33 years at the college and NFL levels gives him a unique perspective on the importance of these seemingly small mistakes. In other news, the Steelers' injury report remains largely unchanged, with a few notable exceptions. Safety DeShon Elliott is participating fully in team drills, while rookie receiver and return man Kaden Wetjen has returned to practice after a day off. First-round pick Max Iheanachor and others remain out due to injuries. The team has also moved their practices indoors when the weather forecast calls for thunderstorms, but coach Mike McCarthy believes that rainy workouts can be beneficial. Meanwhile, running back and receiver Eli Heidenreich showcased his athletic versatility by winning the team's annual home run derby, hitting four homers and demonstrating his baseball skills. Overall, the Steelers are focused on improving their special teams and managing their injuries as they prepare for the upcoming season.
