Steelers vs. Titans: Getting offensive buy-in crucial for Steelers

Jerricho Cotchery, the Steelers veteran wide receiver, hit home an important point in an interview with Tribune Review reporter Alan Robinson in Tuesday's edition.

The Steelers' offense is no longer a new thing. They no longer have an offensive coordinator in his first season with the team.

It's no longer Todd Haley's offense; it's the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense.

Whether it's a running-back-by-committee as well as a tight-end-by-committee, or any other rotational system of players, it's the team's offense. Win or live, thrive or die, it's their offense. And when the Titans come to town for the regular season opener Sunday, it'd be a big plus to leverage the continuity they'll have, because it's one of the few aspects of the offense they can rely on this season.

Clearly, there's a bit of a shift in the running game; a new offensive line coach led to a new scheme which has led to a new (but not really) starting running back (for now). Isaac Redman looks to get the start against Tennessee, the first game after a season in which Redman carried 10 or more times in just four of 14 games, and the Steelers' rushing attack sunk to dismal levels.

It's his offense now.

Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders will line up without WR Mike Wallace for the first time in their respective careers; once battling each other for a game day helmet, they'll both be counted on to produce plays down the field.

Those plays will come in their offense.

Achieving buy-in is one of the most important aspects of any group working together toward a collective goal. The sooner the Steelers offense can see it as their offense - and not Todd Haley's - the better they will become.

The preseason is over. The regular season is underway.

More from Behind the Steel Curtain:

• Jonathan Dwyer's release: Everything we know
• Getting closer to Miller Time
• Dwyer 'did not take his job seriously enough'
• Dwyer 'did not take his job seriously enough'
• Decision on Spaeth likely coming Tuesday afternoon
• McFadden Ta'amu get second chances
• Isaac Redman preparing as the starting running back
• It's no longer 'Todd Haley's offense,' it's 'the Steelers offense'
• Steelers roster cuts: Everything we know
• Meet Zoltan Mesko and Antwon Blake, the newest Steelers roster additions
• Steelers name their four captains for the 2013 season
• Steelers sign Zoltan Mesko, Antwon Blake after releasing Drew Butler, Isaiah Green
• Is Colbert refining his strategy?
• Steelers 2013 season preview in 9 questions
• Dwyer lining up workouts, as reported by Baltimore Sun
• Geno Atkins signs 5-year extension with Bengals
• Report: Steelers coaches not behind Dwyer's release
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