PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers tackle Chukwuma Okorafor says we’ll start to see what changes and improvements the offensive line has made starting Tuesday during mandatory minicamp.
Okorafor said there is a lot of discussion with new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm of playing more physical and pushing defenders off the line of scrimmage. He’s just not sure if players have taken to it and will apply the new teachings.
“Right now we haven’t done it against a defense,” Okorafor said. “There is not much we can tell now because everyone can go punch a bag or go block a coach. You don’t really know how good you are or who might need work.”
Entering his fourth season with the Steelers, Okorafor is anxious to get some physical work against his teammates.
“Now week we will go out and play against a defense,” Okorafor said. “Cam Heyward, TJ (Watt), Alex Highsmith, (Stephon) Tuitt, all of them, that will really tell what we need to improve on and do better. Will see how it goes. Kind of hard to tell now.”
The former Western Michigan star lost out in a camp battle last year to start at right tackle, but Zach Banner went down with a knee injury during the first game. Okorafor took over and kept the job for the next 16.
Now it’s a move to the other side of the line, but Okorafor has done it before and said it’s not a big change. He even worked with left guard Kevin Dotson last year when he filled in for right guard David DeCastro for a couple of games.
“It doesn’t bring any more pressure than if it’s playing left tackle, left guard or center,” Okorafor said. “It’s still having to block for Ben and then block for Najee. Left side, right side, center, it doesn’t much matter to me. It’s mostly just having to block well for us.”
The 6’6” Okorafor whistled for a pair of holding penalties in 2020. Pro Football Focus reported he allowed 3 sacks playing 1,033 snaps. He takes over for what PFF rated as the worst starting left tackle in the NFL as Alejandro Villanueva signed with the Ravens.
Steelers still won’t have Zach Banner fully healthy yet, but starting Tuesday a potential glimpse into changes for 2021. 93.7 The Fan Steelers reporters Jim Colony and Josh Rowntree will have coverage all week long.