PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Left guard Kevin Dotson worked back with the first team on Saturday as Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged he did well on Thursday against the Eagles. The Steelers would like to get the starting group to play together in a preseason game and had Zach Banner and Chukwuma Okorafor as the tackles during 11-on-11 drills Saturday.
Green starter
JC Hassenauer worked as the first team center Saturday with rookie Kendrick Green excused from practice. While it wasn't on display often against Philadelphia, it sounds like Green has the inside track to start according to his position coach.
"Everything is up for grabs," said Steelers Offensive Line Coach Adrian Klemm. "I think KG has played himself into a nice position. He's definitely in contention if not the guy on Opening Day."
Klemm admitted it's not entirely his call, but he's been impressed. Even as they pour over tape from the two games and now a couple of weeks of training camp practice.
"He did really well in terms of knowing his assignment," Klemm said. "The deeper understanding and comprehension of what we are trying to do. Why we are doing it. Where guys need to be. That's what I've been really pleased with."
"From a technical standpoint, all of that will come. It's a lot mentally, but he's been very capable of maintaining that and building on that each day. As everything comes together, I think he will be a very good player for us."
A third round pick, Green only played four games at center his entire career at Illinois.
"He's been working really hard and getting better every single day," Klemm said. "He's getting more comfortable at the position. I think he's done a really nice job for coming in and having the type of pressure and expectations that we have."
More of Moore
A less than impressive mini-camp led to speculations about the future of fourth round pick Dan Moore, Junior. Not just with a trio of fights, but Moore has been noticeable on the field since camp began. Tomlin called it 'significant improvement' from the rookie from Texas A&M.
"He doesn't perform like a young guy," Tomlin said. "He's in that SEC West, played left tackle & logged a bunch of starts. That experience is showing. We are going to challenge him this week and let him play on the right side some & look at his positional versatility."
Saturday against Detroit will be a first opportunity, even with a veteran like Joe Haeg on the roster, for Moore to show value as a swing tackle.
"In terms of going to the left, switching to the right," Klemm said of Moore alternating positions. "It was challenging initially getting used to his stance, but he got better as practice progressed."
"I think he's stoic every day. He's a student of the game. He's made some mistakes early on, but as they are addressed he is not an error repeater. He has a little ways to go, but I'm pleased with his progress so far."
