A slight head bob. A quick raise of the voice. Coupled with a change in the snap count, they can be effective tools for an offense to use against a defense.
The Steelers are certainly finding that to be the case this season, but it's not the quantity of offsides penalties the offense is drawing that stands out. Rather, it's when those penalties have occurred.
Ben Roethlisberger got the Bengals to jump three times in last Sunday's 29-14 win. But two came in third-and-short situations. Those don't count when the team's third-down conversions are added up, but they keep drives alive, much like defensive holding or pass interference penalties.
"It’s just another weapon for the offense," David DeCastro told me. "You’ve got to keep them honest. Any time you can get a free first down, it’s big. It’s nice."
But it hadn't been a huge weapon for the Steelers in previous seasons. According to DeCastro, cadence was something the team wanted to work on in the offseason. And it's more than just the quarterback and center knowing when the ball is going to be snapped.
Everyone has to be involved to know not to jump or flinch when Roethlisberger raises his voice or adjusts the snap count.
"He says in the huddle, ‘Hey, we might go on this cadence,' " Chris Hubbard, who has started four games this season in place of injured Marcus Gilbert at right tackle, told me. "Then he changes it up at the line. Next thing you know, you’ve got a guy ready to tee off on you. You’ve just got to be prepared for it at all times."
It's been effective. The Steelers got the Bengals to jump twice on the same second-quarter drive. Rookie Carl Lawson came across the line on a third-and-3 play to give the Steelers a first down. Vontaze Burfict then jumped a few plays later to give the Steelers five yards on second-and-9.
It was reminiscent of the Steelers' win earlier this season when Roethlisberger goaded Minnesota defenders to come across the line twice in short-yardage situations. That included once on fourth-and-1 when everyone in the stadium, with the exception of Vikings defensive lineman Brian Robinson, knew the ball was not going to be snapped.
The Steelers worked hard on it in practice in the week leading up to the game against the Vikings, who have an aggressive defensive line. They are starting to perfect it now.
"It was a work in progress," DeCastro told me. "We felt like we were taking some steps with it here and there. But we’ve really gotten into a rhythm with that, which is great."
Now, the question will be whether the Steelers can use it effectively on the road.
They have had their most success with cadence at home. Seven of the offsides or neutral-zone infraction penalties the team has drawn have come at Heinz Field. But Roethlisberger did draw the Ravens offside twice in the team's 26-9 win in Baltimore Oct. 1.
I asked Roethlisberger if he feels it also can be more of a weapon on the road, such as when the Steelers play in Detroit Sunday.
"It’s tough, because we don’t even use a cadence. It’s all silent count," Roethlisberger said of the team's road game plan. "Because we are the Steelers, we travel well obviously and other team’s fans want to come out, too. You watch a lot of teams on the road that use cadence, especially under center. (Sometimes) we just can’t do it, it’s too loud."
It's also something that is more effective when Roethlisberger is under center. But because of the stadium noise factor, it isn't as effective on the road. That is why both penalties against Baltimore came in the fourth quarter, long after the Steelers had silenced the crowd at M&T Bank Stadium.
But they would like to use it against the Lions to slow speedy pass rushers Ziggy Ansah and A'Shawn Robinson. The Lions have just 13 sacks, but that duo has combined for eight of them from their defensive end spots.
"It slows the defenders down," said Hubbard, who is expected to make his fifth start Sunday. "They kind of sit back a bit on their heels because they’re afraid to come offsides. We're going to continue to do it as much as we can."
SUTTON CLOSE
Rookie cornerback Cameron Sutton is getting closer to at least being ready to return to football activities.
Sutton, a third-round draft pick, was placed on injured reserve at the beginning of the season after suffering a hamstring injury in the team's preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers.
Sutton told me Wednesday he is getting some good work with a conditioning assistant and the time could be nearing for the team to make a decision on his status.
The Steelers have stayed relatively healthy this season with Sutton being their most prominent player of the six who have gone on IR. NFL teams can have two players return from injured reserve during the season after spending eight weeks on the list.
The team's secondary has played so well, however, that the rookie, once thought to be a player who would play an integral role this season, might not be able to land a spot on the 53-man roster - barring an injury moving forward.
JUJU'S BIG ADVENTURE
JuJu Smith-Schuster has gotten his bicycle back. And no, Francis didn't steal it.
Smith-Schuster doesn't drive. The 20-year-old doesn't have a license yet.
So he rides a bike from his apartment on the South Side to the Rooney Sports Complex. Only Tuesday, the bike was stolen.
According to KDKA, the station was contacted Tuesday evening by a man who said that he had purchased the bike in question earlier in the day for $200 from someone who approached him on the street. He wanted to turn it over to the police.
Smith-Schuster, the youngest player in the NFL, was reunited with his bike Wednesday.
"I'm glad I got it back because it's my only transportation," said Smith-Schuster.
Offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva, who has been trying to teach the rookie to drive, took him to get his learner's permit Tuesday.
"It was like a sign from God that you have to get your license now," Smith-Schuster said.
TUITT, GILBERT MISS PRACTICE
Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Gilbert and defensive end Stephon Tuitt would be questionable to play against the Lions after sitting out last week's win over Cincinnati.
Neither practiced Wednesday. Gilbert is nursing a hamstring injury, while Tuitt injured his back last week lifting weights.
"I feel like I'll be out there," said Tuitt, who plans to practice Thursday. "I had some inflammation last week, but it feels better now."
Also sitting out Wednesday were tight end Vance McDonald (knee) and guard DeCastro (coach's decision).
Smith-Schuster, who was in concussion protocol, was a full participant in practice Wednesday.
NO FLEX FOR PATRIOTS
The NFL announced Wednesday that the Steelers' game Dec. 17 against the Patriots at Heinz Field has been protected by CBS and cannot be flexed to Sunday night.
The game is scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. kickoff.
