Linebackers Schobert, Bush might compete for playing time
The Steelers didn’t give up much to obtain the services of inside linebacker Joe Schobert. Not unless you consider his $7 million salary an excessive amount of money in a year when the salary cap decreaseddue to the pandemic.
Sending a sixth-round pick to the Jaguars appears to be a bargain for a player of Schobert’s caliber. Of course, how the Steelers use Schobert is going to determine how this deal is viewed when it’s all said and done.
Schobert rarely came off the field last season for the Jaguars and had a similar role during his four standout seasons with the Browns. He has been an every-down linebacker in most games since he entered the leaguein 2016.
That’s the role the Steelers envisioned for Devin Bush when they selected him with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2019 draft — a three-down linebacker who didn’t leave the field. Now that the Steelers have two
three-down linebackers it only stands to reason something has to give when they play their dime defense and deploysix defensive backs.
“I’m not ready to speculate at this juncture,” head coach MikeTomlin said Saturday after a practice at Heinz Field. “I’m sure we have some work in front of us. They’ll determine the division of labor with their quality of work, as itshould be.”
Schobert did not practice Saturday due to COVID-19 protocols, but Tomlin said he willparticipate Sunday.
The Steelers played their dime about a quarter of the time in 2020. That’s not an insignificant number of snaps. And with NFL offenses continuing to trend toward passing, that’s likely to remain aboutthe same this season.
At the very least the Steelers have options now they didn’thave before. Bush’s stature doesn’t make him a good matchup for bigger tight ends. Schobert is 2 inches taller than Bush and has longer arms.
In the NFL, it’s all about the matchup game, and it was clear Saturday Tomlin is enthused about the acquisition. He said the Steelers weren’t necessarily looking for an inside linebacker, but when the Jaguarsmade him available it was a no-brainer from Tomlin’sperspective.
“Itpresented itself to us, but it didn’t take us long to consider it because we’re highly familiar with his skill set and productivity,”Tomlin said.
In his first five NFL seasons, Schobert has 535 tackles, 11 sacks, 9 interceptions and 9 forced fumbles. He played his first four seasons with the Browns before signing a freeagent deal with the Jaguars lastyear.
In 21 career games, Bush, who is coming off of knee surgery, has 135 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble.
“Productivity when I think of Joe,” Tomlin said. “He needs no endorsement from me. We’re familiar with him. He’s a former AFC North guy. He’s been highly productive in every circumstance he’s been in. He’s a sideline-to-sideline tackler. He’s good in coverage. He has coverage production in terms of interceptions. He has sack production. He has a well-rounded game so we’re excited about infusinghim into what we do.”
Klemm looks for cohesion
The Steelers are getting closer to getting their five projectedstarters on the offensive line healthy and playing together. And if offensive line
coach Adrian Klemm has his way the starters will get some extended playing time Saturday night when the Steelers play host to the Lions at Heinz Field.
“I’d like to,” Klemm said. “We’ll see who is available for the game. But I’d definitely like to do that and settle in. It’d be a nice thing to have those guys in there and have some cohesiveness.”
Three of the five projected starters practiced Saturday. Left guard Kevin Dotson worked with the starters as did left tackle Chukwuma Okorafor and right tackle Zach Banner, though Tomlin
appears poised to keep the competition going at left guard.“He did perform well in the game, but I wouldn’t anoint him just yet,” Tomlin saidof Dotson.
Right guard Trai Turner was given the day off and rookie Kendrick Green received an excused absence fromTomlin. J.C. Hassenauer lined up with the starters at center, but Klemm said Green isin good position to start.
“Everything is up for grabs,”Klemm said. “Nothing is set in stone. I think KG has played himself into a nice position. He’s definitely in contention, if not the guy on opening day. Ultimately, I’ll have a say in that, but there are a number of people who willhave their say in it.
“He’s been working really hard and working every single day. He’s getting more comfortable at the position. I just think he’s done a really nice job for coming in and having the type of pressure and expectations that we have forhim.”
Moore moves to right
For the first time in camp, rookie fourth-round pick Dan Moore played right tackle. He had been playing a lot at left tackle when Okorafor missed
timedue to an injury.
After a rough start to camp, Moore has improved and the coaches want to see if he might be an option as swing tackle.The Steelers signed Joe Haeg to play that role, but Moorecould be in the mix.
“Dan is a really mature young man,” Klemm said. “He had 30-plus starts in college and played at a high level. First day at right tackle in camp. It’s challenging initially. As practice progressed he didn’t drop off. He’s stoic every day. He’s a student of the game. He made some mistakes early on, but he’s not an errorrepeater.”
Count Tomlin among those who have been impressed withMoore’s improvement.
“He doesn’t perform like a young guy,” Tomlin said. “He’s [played in] that SEC West and logged a bunch of starts. That experience is showing. We’re going to challenge him this week, let him play on the right side and look athis positional versatility.”
Moore played left tackle for three of his four seasons at TexasA&M.