CLEVELAND — Less than two weeks ago, the Steelers wanted to upgrade the tight end position with the acquisition of Vance McDonald. The exact quote from coach Mike Tomlin, after an uneven training camp by starter Jesse James and the other tight ends on the roster, was: “They were not consistently varsity enough.”
The Steelers still might have some big plans for McDonald, but in the season opener against the Browns Sunday afternoon, James showed he wasn’t going to easily give up his starting position. James scored both of the Steelers’ offensive touchdowns in their 21-18 victory at First Energy Stadium.