Players are as well-versed in their statements to the media as they are their assignment on any given play. Can't blame them, they're constantly asked about certain topics, and their stance doesn't change day-to-day.
Writers oftentimes can quickly discern the usual statements they expect to hear. If you listen to it often enough, you know how it's supposed to sound.
That's also the best way a writer can be trained to pick out what's not usual.
Steelers right tackle Marcus Gilbert has been in the NFL spotlight for three full years prior to this one. He's probably been asked dozens of times already about new Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak, and it's getting to the point there really isn't much else he can say that hasn't been said.
Something mentioned in a blanket interview about Munchak done by Teresa Varley of Steelers.com noticeably stands out from the rest.
"It’s the little things he does, whether it’s working on fundamentals, technique, extra work in the film room," Gilbert said, not really revealing much. "The attitude he brings to the offensive line is a lot different than what it has been. When he talks, your ears come up and you listen to him."
A different attitude? Is that to say the revolving door fashioned around the Steelers' offensive line coaches the last two years could have had something to do with an attitude that was lacking?
Certainly, it would seem a lack of belief from the linemen in the room in the coach - either Sean Kugler or Jack Bicknell - existed to some level. Munchak, for all his success and talent as a teacher, has his student well-trained in the basic fundamentals.
It's got Gilbert's attention. Perhaps that attention was lacking previously.
Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey dropped a little bit of the same thing at the end of his quote, recorded by Varley.
"He is the man. Everybody keeps saying it, but you can’t give him enough praise. The things he brings to us, brings to the game and helps us with so far is awesome. I am taking all of the coaching he has."
As a coach, the last line is without question the most valuable one. Sure, Munchak's the man. Everyone is praising him, vague generalities about awesomeness, then BAM.
The Steelers' captain and recipient of the largest extension ever given to a center is taking to all the coaching Munchak is giving him.
This isn't to suggest he wasn't taking to coaching, but the fact he's pointing it out, in those terms, seems like a seed that's beginning to take root. The proper narrative is in the simplicity of getting the linemen to speak in the same context. If they're all saying the same kinds of things, they're obviously talking about it, and are in agreement. That's a sign of a well-coached team.
Munchak can teach them how to be a Hall of Fame offensive lineman, although that's not likely to be the end result for any of them without a whole lot more than just coaching. But if he can get them all to agree that what he's teaching them is 100 percent without a doubt the best way to do it, he's going an excellent job.
They seem to be well on their way.