PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Much attention paid to the seventh-round pick released when the Steelers dropped their roster to 80 this week. The most surprising didn't get as much discussion.
It appeared for most of OTAs and mini-camp and even early in training camp outside linebacker Genard Avery could be the first in to give TJ Watt or Alex Highsmith a break during a game. Turns out the fifth-year free agent was the first out.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin would only say they decided to move on from Avery. The 6'2", 250-pounder started 12 and played in 16 games with the Eagles last season with four tackles for loss, a sack and 43 tackles. The former Browns fifth-round pick had 4.5 sacks as a rookie.
Now what?
They could always take a flier on a player who is released next week or make a trade. That is still a strong possibility and something previous general manager Kevin Colbert did numerous times.
Currently the Steelers backup outside linebackers, remind you with Alex Highsmith missing most of camp with a rib injury:
· Derrek Tuszka, who the team picked up in September last year.
· Converted SMU defensive end Delontae Scott played in one game with the Steelers last year.
· Hamilcar Rashed, who was signed up during training camp.
6'5", 250 pounds Scott has made some plays in camp with a couple of batted passes and getting pressure in full padded situations, but no experience. He has four tackles this preseason and before he signed with the Steelers last September, was on the Packers practice squad in 2020.
The talent has always been there with Rashed, a second-team All-American in 2019 leading FBS with 22.5 tackles for loss and third in the nation with 14 sacks at Oregon. Known for his good hands, effort and athletic ability he was with the Jets mostly on their practice squad last season. He would end up playing in only one game with New York and tells 93.7 The Fan he's showing the Steelers he can do this.
"The sky is the limit," Rashed said. "I have to bring it today, tomorrow and definitely during the game. Whatever happens in the game, put it in their hands and see what happens."
He believes he will get the start against Detroit on Sunday in the preseason finale (Highsmith still won't be ready to play). Rashed hopes to get as many snaps as possible to prove he can play an entire game if needed. His instinct is he has a role with this team.
"I feel it in the atmosphere," Rashed told 93.7 The Fan. "The coaches are telling me stuff when we are speaking. Even the older guys are talking to me more and we are getting everything together. It's a good start for sure."
"He plays with a nice edge, a nice fire about him, a real nice competitive spirit, shows some physicality at the point of attack," Steelers Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin told 93.7 The Fan. "He's got some base things we look for at that position."
He's a guy that puts his head down and goes about his business. So much so he's been apprehensive approaching TJ Watt to ask him questions. Rashed says if things go as he currently foresees, he'll have plenty of time to get advice from the Defensive Player of the Year. Watt wasn't shy to give his early impressions.
"He actually shares the same outside backer coach I had in college, we have that similarity," Watt said. "Just to be able to translate some things of what we called in college and what we called it here has been nice. I think he has a good juice about him, plays the run well and has a good pass rush package. I think he can do some good things for us."
Tuszka, on the other hand, has not been shy talking to Watt. He said he's been asking him every question he can, has probably been annoying, but Watt hasn't told him to leave him alone.
"I'm never going to push what I know and my experience on the field," Watt said noting Tuszka looks a lot more comfortable with season with the Steelers. "If they want to ask me, I'm always going to be an open book. I never have a problem helping out a younger guy."
Tuszka has the advantage of having more time as a teammate, although not much more. He signed on September 28 of last year and ended up playing right away. He never started, but in the 15 games he played, was on the field for 24% of the defensive snaps. The 6'4", 251-pounder had a forced fumble, tackle for loss, two sacks and 18 total tackles.
"I know our defense so much better this year than last year," Tuszka said. "I was really understanding the defense. My knowledge of the game has gone up so much. Not only on defense, but knowing the offenses and special teams, learning the schemes."
"It's a huge opportunity. I feel my role will be bigger than it was last year, giving TJ and Alex the opportunity to catch their breath in the middle of a series and special teams will be big for me."
"I think it's a good battle to see who is going to be our third and fourth backer," Austin said. "They have to continue to prove it on the field. We really won't know until we get into game situations. Derrek has the most game experience and we know we can trust Derrek to do the right things and be in the right spots. Some of the other guys are more of an unknown, but we like what they've shown so far."
Can these three handle backing up two key players, or is a deal coming?
It proves there are more question than who is starting at quarterback.
