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SPORTS Friday 24 November 2023

New Steelers offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner is focusing on

the present

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports oped a reputation for a
Writer “sure, why not?” approach
PITTSBURGH (AP) — This isn’t to his job.
the way Eddie Faulkner He’ll scour social media
wanted to get the biggest for drills he thinks might
job of his professional life. work, the former college
Faulkner and Matt Canada running back at Wisconsin
are friends. Their wives are with a brief stint in training
friends. Their families are camp with the Steelers in
friends. It’s a bond that 2001 taking great glee in
goes back well over a de- challenging the group of
cade, a bond that hardly 20-somethings at his dis-
ended when the Pittsburgh posal.
Steelers fired Canada as “He’s maybe one of the
their offensive coordinator most influential coaches
on Tuesday and replaced I’ve ever had in my life,”
him with Faulkner, the en- said second-year Steel-
ergetic 46-year-old running ers running back Jaylen
backs coach who is well Warren. “The way he goes
aware of how the promo- about his job. The energy
tion could alter the trajec- he brings. It can rub off on
tory of his career. us.”
Not that he wants to talk Pittsburgh’s offense could
about it much. Yes, Faulkner FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers running back coach Eddie Faulkner watches on the sideline during NFL use a jolt. Faulkner plans to
is thankful and excited for football practice, Saturday, May 11, 2019, in Pittsburgh. Faulkner was promoted to interim offen- be on the sideline during
the opportunity. No, he’s sive coordinator on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 following the firing of Matt Canada games so he can commu-
not thrilled it had to come (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File) nicate with position groups
at Canada’s expense, par- coach Mike Sullivan han- there. But at the same time, tainable long term, and the and collaborate with Sulli-
ticularly when the blame dling the play-calling duties it’s not clouding what the tipping point came after a van in between series.
for Pittsburgh’s offensive on Sunday when Pittsburgh task at hand is.” 13-10 loss to Cleveland last One of his biggest tasks will
struggles goes far beyond (6-4) visits Cincinnati (5-5). Namely, trying to get Pitts- Sunday in which quarter- be finding a way to help
someone who means so The move makes Faulkner burgh’s 28th-ranked of- back Kenny Pickett threw Pickett evolve. The sec-
much to him. one of a handful of Black fense to show signs of for just 106 yards. ond-year starter has just six
“We feel like we let (Can- men currently in the posi- growth. The Steelers have By Tuesday morning, Can- touchdown passes on the
ada) down,” Faulkner said tion in the NFL, a job con- remained in the crowded ada’s two-plus year tenure season and only two since
Thursday. sidered a primary stepping AFC playoff race despite a was over and the detail-ori- Oct. 1. Getting the ball
Maybe, but head coach stone to becoming a head unit that struggles to gener- ented Faulkner found him- downfield has been an is-
Mike Tomlin had seen coach. “I’d be lying if I said ate points or yards with any self in charge of restoring sue, and Pickett has looked
enough to feel a rare I didn’t think it was a bless- regularity. some of the potency and tentative and unsure in the
midseason move was re- ing,” Faulkner said. “I totally Pittsburgh has survived on swagger to an offense that pocket of late.
quired for a franchise that’s understand it. You know the strength of its defense has lacked it far too often. Faulkner understands his
among the most stable in what I’m saying? Like, I’m and the ability to find a way The inventive Faulkner has relationship with Pickett
professional sports. at the point in my career to pull out close games in spent five years working will shift over the next two
Tomlin selected Faulkner as where I totally understand the final moments. with Pittsburgh’s running months, but he also has no
the coordinator on an inter- the opportunity that’s It’s not a formula that’s sus- backs, where he’s devel- plans to change everything
im basis, with quarterbacks and start over.q

McLaren signs IndyCar racer Pato

O’Ward as a reserve driver for the 2024

F1 season

WOKING, England (AP) — Formula One team McLaren signed its IndyCar racer Pato
O’Ward on Thursday as a reserve driver for next season.
The 24-year-old Pato will jump behind the wheel for the first practice session of the Abu
Dhabi Grand Prix on Friday, and will then take part in post-season testing at the same
track, McLaren said in a statement.
O’Ward will combine his reserve role on McLaren’s F1 team next year with driving for
Arrow McLaren in the IndyCar series.
After placing fourth in this year’s IndyCar championship, with seven podium finishes, he
collected enough points to qualify for a Super Licence that paved the way for a reserve FILE - Pato O’Ward prepares before the start of an IndyCar auto
role with McLaren and potential future in F1. race at World Wide Technology Raceway, on Aug. 27, 2023,
“Pumped to take on this new role within the McLaren Racing family,” O’Ward said. “I’ve in Madison, Ill. Formula One team McLaren signed its IndyCar
always said it’s never a bad day when you get to jump into an F1 car, so I look forward racer Pato O’Ward on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, as a reserve
driver for next season.
to joining the reserve driver pool for next year.”q (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)