PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – “Definitely it’s 100%”
That could be an answer to a number of questions, but in this case it’s what rookie tackle Max Iheanachor said if he’s ready for the potential to make his first NFL start Sunday against the Bengals.
What makes him so confident?
“Practice, just building up, trusting the install, just going out there knowing and prepared,” Iheanachor said Friday.
A bunch of that knowledge comes from the guys he competes with in practice.
“They’ve played a lot of football, the young guys have played a lot of football together,” Iheanachor said. “I’ve learned as much as I could and applying it to my game. They do a really good job of teaching and giving me feedback. I do a good job of absorbing information from them.”
What they said that really sticks with him is for Iheanachor to trust himself and in turn trust the system and concepts. Max said he’s not afraid to ask any of them questions from what they see, mindsets, approaching different pass rushers, playbook questions. Often he has it right, but just confirming he’s seeing or doing what he is supposed to.
When asked over the weeks the constant word from head coach Mike McCarthy has made about Iheanachor is progress. Even though he’s had only practice reps, aside from one snap against Atlanta, the coaches see improvement. Aaron Rodgers praised the rookie, saying he’s got a real bright future that’s going to have a chance to be a longtime staple on the offensive line.
“Especially for a kid who has only played three years of football,” said Steelers first-year offensive line coach James Campen. “He’s been making the necessary steps to put himself in position.”
“He’s come along well.”
Overall the offensive line has to be better, and those were Campen’s words. It’s not the start they expected or obviously wanted.
“In that room, we don’t lose, we learn,” Campen coined during the interview Friday. There is a lot of learning needed and its lesson one for the first-round pick against the 2-0 division leaders.
“I believe I’m ready,” Iheanachor said.
It’s time to find out.
What first-round pick said about game
What first-round pick said about game
