On top of everything else the Pittsburgh Steelers suffered through the loss of former wide receivers coach Darryl Drake last season. Drake died just before the start of the season and the team took it hard. Drake was a powerful positive influence on a young and talented group of pass catchers.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson spoke to the media on Wednesday via Zoom and reiterated just how powerful Drake’s influence was on this team to this day including his message to “shut out the noise.”
This season the Steelers have former pro Ike Hilliard coaching up the wide receivers. There’s no doubt Hilliard will do a great job. His resume is spotless. But despite only being with the Steelers for two seasons, his lasting impression lives on in the wide receiver room.
It’s a critical role this year, considering the youth and the talent of the Steelers’ receiving corps, not to mention the return from injury of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
