PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It's great for Steelers fans to watch and see the support of their team on the road. Fun to watch the Terrible Towels twirl, but rookie linebacker Nick Herbig said it actually helped him get his first NFL sack.
Herbig said a shout out to the fans as he said they forced the Rams into a silent count for part of the game. He believes if he can get off the ball at the same time as the lineman, he has the advantage.
"If you watch the play, it was kind of like a hurry-up play," Herbig said Wednesday. "We are talking to each other, I saw the ball snap and I let it rip."
After his first NFL sack, Herbig said he really didn't pay attention to the outside talk about the play. He wanted to enjoy the moment with his teammates, later his family and said he was blessed to have an opportunity. He said he took advantage of that opportunity said he also credits God for blessings to him and being with him during his journey.
Herbig said he's also been helped by Alex Highsmith, TJ Watt and Markus Golden. Not just their advice, but he says he just watches what they do during a game and then when he gets his chance, he tries to use that knowledge.
He believes his role right now is to focus on special teams. That's where he can consistently impact the team. Herbig said Steelers special teams coach Danny Smith has been hard on him. Smith is intense and called it 'tough love'. The third-round pick believes everything is going to fall into place for him.
Facing Lawrence
Everything is new for him this year, but he saw a number of mobile quarterbacks in college as will face one of the better ones Sunday with Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence who is fifth in the AFC in passing yards, fourth in the NFL in rushing yards by a quarterback.
"He's a heck of a player," Herbig said. "He's a great quarterback. Fortunately, we see one of the best mobile quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson."
"Trevor Lawrence is a great player. He makes plays. His eyes are always down the field. I think quarterbacks that can extend plays are lethal. That's the way the game is trending. He's a great player."
