PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There were early concerns dating back to last year with the offensive tackles, after 15 preseason snaps, ‘good’ is the word most often used by the two coaches directly responsible for Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu.
“I was glad that (Jacksonville) played their (starters), [Josh] Hines Allen and [Travon] Walker, they are pretty good edge guys,” said Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. “It's good work for Troy and Broderick. I thought the
pockets were pretty good.”
Fautanu had a hands-to-the-face penalty, but it was the only penalty between the tackles. We will now break down the thoughts from offensive line coach Pat Meyer.
Broderick Jones
Before giving his thoughts, Meyer noted Jones missed some time during training camp dealing with a soft-tissue injury.
“I’ve been pleased with Broderick,” Meyer said. “He’s been learning the left side with his feet, how to get that down. Broderick has been really good in terms of the little things. Paying attention to the little things, the details. He’s done a nice job.”
It’s not something that has always been the case, but Meyer said Jones is way more detailed in his process and how he approaches things.
“He came into the league as a young player,” Meyer said. “He didn’t have a ton of game reps at Georgia. He came in as a very, very young player. Experience is a big part of it. Maturing as you get a little bit older and see how true pros do things and how they approach things.”
“It’s all encompassing-experience, maturity, learning it, understanding this happens, this is my reaction to it. He’s done a nice job.”
Troy Fautanu
The second-year tackle has talked throughout the process of the steps he’s taken returning from a knee injury. The first being just getting on the field, then the movements associated with the position. The first day going against a defense. The first day in pads, going days in a row of practice and he said the final step came Saturday in playing in a game.
“Troy has been solid,” Meyer said. “He’s working against TJ (Watt) and going against arguably the best pass rusher in the league. He’s getting good reps over there against TJ and the ones. Troy has been good.”
“He’s a powerful kid, diligent about his work. He’s done an admirable job right now just continue to work timing and different approaches to the blocks.”
Meyer said Fautanu’s timing was off at the start of practices and the start of training camp. As much as he stayed in the playbook and watched Broderick and Dan Moore last year, it’s just different being in the action.
“He’s got his timing back,” Meyer said. “He’s learning the basic nuances to some of the different techniques with his feet and hand-timing. He’s done a nice job over the last week or so of correcting some of that stuff.”
“Expect big things out of him and Broderick both in the run game, both being tackles that are athletic and guys that can roll their hips and be powerful in the run game too.”
Potentially both could see more snaps Saturday against Tampa Bay. It appears their play is improving and needs to, last year’s performance by Steelers tackles wasn’t good.