Versatile lineman Hubbard sticking to left tackle now
When Chris Hubbard showed up for his fifth training camp with the Steelers, he figured it would be more of what he experienced in his first few NFL seasons. He would play a little center, a little guard, a little tackle and even a little tight end. Such versatility is what made Hubbard a valuable member of the 53-man roster. He quite literally could play any position on the line.
But so far this summer, Hubbard is only playing one position, a sign that offensive line coach Mike Munchak has a specific role in mind for this season. Hubbard has been exclusively a tackle during the first three weeks of camp. He started at left tackle Friday night against the New York Giants when Alejandro Villanueva missed the preseason opener with a concussion.
“It’s a lot more tackle than I expected, which is fine,” Hubbard said. “It’s always good to add another position. It’s always good to get better at something.”
The Steelers are looking for a swing tackle, a reserve who can play on the left or right side, after Ryan Harris retired. Jerald Hawkins, a fourth-round pick last year, figured to be in line for the job, but Hubbard appears to be ahead of him in the competition.
Hubbard started four games at right tackle last season when Marcus Gilbert was injured. Playing left tackle, however, is a different animal.
The left tackle faces the opposing team’s best pass rusher most weeks and protects the quarterback from blindside hits. It’s why left tackles are the highest-paid offensive linemen in the NFL.
What makes Hubbard unique is his size. He is 6 feet 4, 295 pounds, which is suitable size for a center, maybe even a guard. But for a tackle, he is as undersized as they come. When he started in Gilbert’s place last season, he was the lightest tackle to start a game in the NFL in 2016. Most NFL tackles weigh between 315 and 340 pounds.
“I try to stay between 295 and 300 pounds,” he said. “It helps me because I can move better at that weight. I feel a lot better, too.”
But there is little room for error at that weight. Hubbard’s footwork and hand placement have to be almost perfect to block the types of athletes he is facing on the perimeter of the defense.
“I always have to time up my punch right,” Hubbard said. “I’m always leaning toward my quickness to help me out with the guys coming around the edge. I always try to have my hands in the right place at the right time. That’s what I try to work on.”