LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – He's been one of the guys teaching first-round pick Broderick Jones. When they put the pads on and hit for the first time Tuesday afternoon, Jones will be better because of it. The author of that advice and encouragement is Dan Moore, the man Jones is trying to unseat at left tackle.
It's something 2023 Hall of Honor class member Aaron Smith said Saturday that Moore has appeared to take to heart. Smith said they drafted several people to replace him during his career. His approach was to help them which in turn would help him get better along with the team. Smith added, then he would tell the player 'come and get it' if they thought they could beat him out.
Moore seems to have adopted the same approach. No hanging his head. No pouting. Rather he's embraced it as a challenge and his teammates have noticed.
"I think his body looks completely different," said Steelers captain Cam Heyward. "I think he's taken good care of it. He looks stronger, more fit. He should just have a better sense, he's gotta show that he's going into his third year."
"I sent him a text when we drafted Broderick," said Steelers center Mason Cole. "I've been in similar situations. I've been traded, counted out. Keep your head down and work. If you are good to this game, it will be good to you. Dan has handled it like a true pro."
"Dan's been professional," Steelers guard James Daniels told 93.7 The Fan. "At his position, we understand what is happening to him. It's a very tough spot to be in. Dan has come into work every day and gotten significantly better."
"It's crazy. His improvement from the Browns game to week one of OTAs, to week four of mini-camp, to now. He is significantly better. It's insane the improvement he's made."
"He has my total respect. When I came in the league, I just wanted to earn the respect of the veteran linemen in the room. He has my respect. I think he's a really good player. I think the media and the fans treat him unfairly. He's a really good player."
It's not apples to apples, but think of a situation you may have been in whether at work, in school, on any team where they bring in a hot-shot new person. You know they are good and you have options of how you can handle it. His teammates say Moore has done it the right way. Is he proud of how he's reacted to the situation?
"I like to say that, but you can't be satisfied," Moore said. "I think I still have a long way to go. I still have a long camp ahead of me and a long season after that. I'm taking it day-by-day and trying to keep improving on what I've done so far."
Long run, it's a battle that he will likely lose with this franchise at that left tackle. You don't trade up to the 14th overall pick and but him on the bench for long. But even if it's not here, the impact of that move may me something that positively influences his career.
