Mark Madden: Small sample sizes being blown out of proportion in Steelers' preseason games

The Steelers are winning the preseason. They might be preseason champs.

It wouldn’t be a shock if Kenny Pickett gets preseason MVP. He’s the king of exhibitions: Three drives, three touchdowns.

Pickett has performed very well. I wish he’d played more. Built additional momentum.

But Pickett was excellent in last year’s exhibitions, too: 29 for 36 with three touchdowns and a passer rating of 124.7. It’s not about winning the preseason.

It’s the time of year for making decisions, not winning. (OK, not really: Mike Tomlin had his lineup picked before camp started.)

It’s the time of year for debate, anyway. The friskiest discussion among the citizens concerns running back, where small sample sizes are being blown out of proportion.

Najee Harris had two carries in Saturday’s preseason win at home vs. Buffalo. Jaylen Warren had one.

Harris’ carries totaled 3 yards. Warren’s single tote went for a 62-yard touchdown.

That glaring difference and the cry from the great unwashed (and some media members) notwithstanding, Harris should remain the starter and get the majority of carries. Here’s suggesting a 75-25 split.

Harris is a former first-round pick. Warren is an undrafted free agent. Warren hasn’t done enough to close that gap and force a move that would make the Steelers look stupid for selecting Harris 24th overall in 2021.

Warren’s run Saturday was a thing of beauty, to be sure: Dan Moore Jr. and Isaac Seumalo created the hole. (Moore deserves praise. He’s played well enough that not starting Broderick Jones after drafting him 14th overall doesn’t seem totally stupid.)

Related:

• Madden Monday: Not buying into the calls for Jaylen Warren to replace Najee Harris as Steelers' 1st-team RB
• Stock up, stock down among Steelers after another preseason win
• Tim Benz: Even with fast start, Steelers coaches have plenty to examine during preseason finale vs. Falcons

Seumalo made a block at the next level, as did James Daniels. Receiver Diontae Johnson did good work downfield, too.

But it’s one run. In a preseason game.

Warren has earned something. Just not the starting job.

Harris is more powerful. More reliable, though not yet reliable enough. He’s not going to break away like Warren, but Harris is better equipped to get tough yards. As always, that seems the focus of the Steelers’ running game: Tough yards.

Warren has earned keeping an open mind. He could usurp more snaps at a later date. Harris can’t start the regular season poorly.

Warren thinks he can handle the starting role. Of course, he does.

Harris wasn’t effusive in his praise of Warren. Of course, he wasn’t.

Maybe both should be in the same backfield. Like Franco and Rocky.

The Steelers have looked very good on offense. They’ve expanded their horizons, most notably via the passing game using the middle of the field.

Does that mean offensive coordinator Matt Canada is having a good preseason? Or do we stay silent and keep the blame card in our back pocket?

The big worry: If the offense errs a bit, will it retreat into ultra-conservative mode? Despite talk to the contrary, the Steelers live in their fears on that side of the ball.

It’s an offense poised to improve. It’s got to be much better.

Pickett’s touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth on Saturday was exquisite. Calvin Austin III is looking a good fit for certain duties, not least the much-maligned jet sweep. Allen Robinson will convert third downs. George Pickens’ imminent stardom lurks.

No matter what the Steelers want football to be, it’s an era of scoring fast and more. The Steelers scored 30 points or more just once last year. That resulted in not winning enough. It would do the same this season.