PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It remains three players for two positions in regards to the Steelers tackles. The team starting on-field preparation for the Chargers with Dan Moore, Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones working for two spots.
The team depth chart shows Fautanu is the starter on the right and Moore on the left with Jones the backup on the right side. Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday he would see how they practiced during the week before deciding who are the first two out on Sunday.
“I feel like me, him (Jones) and Dan are just competing regardless,” Fautanu said. “How is going to win this rep? Who is going to win that rep? Who is going to win the most reps? Just making sure we are competing in that way. Most off, lifting each other in time of adversity.”
You’ll hear coaches discuss the benefit of competition. To the point Fautanu was making, here are three players having to compete hard and keep focus for every rep. It could be one practice, one period, maybe even a play or two in workouts on the South Side that could determine what happens.
“I think competition is always good for development, especially for young guys like that,” Moore said. “Especially young guys like that, you want pull them along and I think it lights a fire under them. I think it’s good for the room.”
There are two more days to see how it plays out. Jones wasn’t available to talk on Wednesday, but Moore has been great to the new guys in terms of help and advise. His approach has worked so far, a pair of first rounders drafted and Moore is still currently the left tackle.
“You try not to have doubt,” Moore said. “You just control what you can control. Obviously, there are things you can’t control in certain situations. You focus on what you can get better every single day and hope the cards play out in your favor.”
Dam break
It’s a 2-0 offense with one touchdown scored, but it’s a group that feels better about itself. WR George Pickens said he feels like they are on a roll. He likes the play-calling, especially the vertical design.
“The damn is ready to break,” Fautanu said. “We are right there, right on that edge. It’s the details that will take us to the next level. Just constantly working on that and focusing on that.”
“Very much so, you see so many runs on film where we are so close to breaking a four-yard run to a 40-yard run,” Moore said. “It’s the small things, cleaning up the small details. Some of that has to do with finish.”
It’s about cleaning up the penalties, which cost Jones playing time on Sunday. They need to stay efficient. Moore said they work on red zone so much in practice. They need to take that success into games and turn field goals into touchdowns.
“I think if we just all focus internally on what we have to do individually and then specifically in our position groups,” Moore said. “You combine that with the collective, the whole offensive unit. You have all 11 guys doing their job. It requires nothing spectacular, it’s just really execution.”
It will be a challenge this week, especially for the tackles. Two of the best outside rushers in the game play for the Chargers. Khalil Mack (2016 Defensive Player of the Year) comes from the quarterback’s blind side with Joey Bosa (2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year) coming into his face. They also have former Steelers first-round pick Bud Dupree.
“I’m ready for it,” Fautanu said. “These are the types of matchups that you dream of. I go out there and compete and do your best.”
“We’ll see what happens.”