Steelers OTA Recap, Day 3: Terrell Edmunds talks about how difficult defense will be with new PI rules

As the Pittsburgh Steelers wrap up their first week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, one thing which hasn’t been discussed much are the new rule changes in the NFL. While the rules of pass interference haven’t changed, the fact the play is considered reviewable is certainly new.

Defensive players have already been figuratively handcuffed by the rules not allowing a defender to even touch an offensive player while they are attempting to catch the football. Now, teams, and officials, will be pouring over replay footage hoping to catch a hand on the back, a slight pull on the jersey or even the grazing of a shoulder pad.

It really does make playing defense an almost impossible task.

And that is exactly what Terrell Edmunds was talking about after practice on Thursday to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. He labeled it as ‘tough’, stating you have to rely more on other aspects of your game, footwork, etc. to help you get by without a ridiculous number of penalties.

Check out the video below:

• Do-it-all Sutton Smith

Sutton Smith has been labeled as undersized for a pass rusher, but you might not know the Steelers actually have been giving him reps on the offensive side of the football too. He lined up a full back for a short time Thursday, and talked about how he is willing to do whatever it takes to make the team. Wise words from a rookie.

• Ben Roethlisberger still here

Roethlisberger doesn’t practice much anymore. Not during the season, and certainly not in OTAs. But even though he wasn’t on the field during live offense vs. defense sessions, doesn’t mean he wasn’t present and still helping. James Washington spoke with Mark Kaboly of The Athletic on what it meant to see Roethlisberger there, even though he wasn’t taking any live reps.

• Number geeks take note

For those of you out there who love keeping up with jersey numbers, there have already been some changes. If you are looking to buy any rookie jersey, wait until the season starts to do so, unless it is Devin Bush’s jersey, his number won’t be changing. Anymore, every season a player might change their number. Just a few years ago Sean Davis, Mike Hilton and Stevan Ridley all changed numbers before the season since numbers were vacated by players leaving.

VIDEOS/PHOTOS