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LATROBE, Pa. -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting for two of their most important players to step onto the practice field. Running back Le'Veon Bell has yet to report and sign his franchise tag; wide receiver Martavis Bryant hasn't practiced because he hasn't satisfied certain requirements set forth by the NFL for his conditional reinstatement after a year-long drug suspension.
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That hasn't stopped head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Todd Haley from working hard on their red-zone offense. It's been a focal point through the first 11 practices of training camp.
The Steelers had a top 10 scoring offense last season, averaging 24.9 points per game, but they struggled in the red zone. They finished 16th in the league in red-zone efficiency with teams such as the Browns, Bills and Jaguars ahead of them.
"It's a critical area of the field for us," Tomlin said. "It's important to highlight certain areas of football. That's the difference between being good and great and winning and losing."
Team president Art Rooney II specifically mentioned the problems in the red zone when he critiqued the team's 2016 performance shortly after last season ended. When Rooney talks, the head coach listens.
"I'm not stat-driven, but 16th says you're average," Tomlin said. "Average isn't good enough. It's criticism well-received."
The return of Bryant should help the Steelers in the red zone, as could the addition of Justin Hunter, if he makes the 53-man roster. Hunter has been taking a lot of reps with the first-team offense and has been productive in the red zone because of his tall frame.
Overall, Haley said there is more competition for spots across the board since he became offensive coordinator in 2012. There might not be competition for starting positions, but there are battles for backup jobs at almost every position.
Haley also is hoping for a more balanced offensive approach. The Steelers passed the ball almost twice as much as they ran it in the first half of last season due to Bell missing the first three games and some other factors.
Assuming Bell does not hold out into the regular season and Bryant is cleared, Haley will have his full arsenal of playmakers available for the first time since the 2014 season.
"I just think early on we were a little heavier pass than we wanted to be," Haley said.
"Things were going on. Not that we didn't have confidence in DeAngelo (Williams). We started to balance out a little bit. We all know as the year goes on, especially as it gets a little colder, the running game has to be something that's a big edge for us. Le'Veon continued to get better. He got in a real groove and was able to stay healthy and be in there a bunch, and he doesn't want to come out.
"At the same time, we're a game-plan team. Whoever the opponent is, we're going do what gives us the best chance to score points and score more points. Sometimes it might be running a lot and sometimes it might be throwing a lot."
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Veteran WR Justin Hunter was signed to a low-risk one-year contract, and he made an impression during the first week of camp. Hunter received most of the first-team reps due to Martavis Bryant and Sammie Coates being out due to a suspension and an injury.
"He's making a lot of plays and is doing a good job," coach Mike Tomlin said. "But he's a veteran football player. Although he's new to us, he's going into his fifth year and it shows from time to time."
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RB James Conner returned to practice Tuesday after missing the past seven practices due to a shoulder injury. Conner was injured in the first padded practice of camp.
