PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Cut down day in the NFL is Saturday at 4 o’clock and head coach Mike Tomlin will need to make moves for the first time as a NFL head coach without seeing this group in a game.
“I feel like I have enough information to make decisions, and that’s a good thing because it’s time to make decisions,” Tomlin said Friday. “We will push forward. I thought we made good use of the time and good use of the structure of the time that was provided in terms of the work allotted.”
Tomlin said it’s been a good process, but you measure processes based on performance, so he’s reserving judgment on the group. A fact he pointed out, all teams have the same variables.
“It’s kind of a new calendar, but I find comfort in the fact that it’s new for all of us, globally, in the game of football,” Tomlin said. “It’s something we all have to deal with, the not knowing, the lack of in-stadium opportunities to get a sense of your group versus others, etc. That’s just part of ball for us in 2020, and I embrace that.”
“I like the growth that I’ve seen from the guys, individually and collectively, but it’s far from over. It needs to continue into next week and beyond as we get started with this journey.”
Health of DeCastro
Nine-year veteran guard David DeCastro has started 112 gmes in his career, missing a total of four contests since 2013. DeCastro left the scrimmage last Friday with an injury and hasn’t been on the field since.
“He wasn’t good enough to go today,” Tomlin said. “Hopefully, he will be good enough to go the first of next week.”
“We do have a bonus day on Monday. I don’t know if I want to expose him to that. Hopefully, we will see what it looks like as we get into the normal rhythm of our preparation week.”
Steelers signed veteran Stefan Wisniewski in the off-season as an experienced back-up at guard and center.
Starting Right Tackle
This might be a game-day decision as Tomlin said the depth chart on Monday could read “or” meaning either third-year center Chukwuma Okorafor or Zach Banner.
“I think it’s been a challenging decision for us because both guys are capable,” Tomlin said. “Both guys have been consistently above the line in their performance. Those are good problems to have.”
Both have NFL experience as extra blockers, both have different styles.
“You guys need to understand where my mindset is,” Banner said Friday. “I’m extremely grateful that I am not a bubble roster guy anymore. I am going to be on the 53. I’m not going to be in a hotel waiting for my phone to ring.”
“I’m not saying that is what I’m settling at. I want to be great, I want to play, I do want to be a starter. I am extremely competitive. I can’t make that decision; I can only go out and put it on film.
“I don’t know if I necessarily view it as a negative thing with whoever gets named starter could have a short leash, etc. etc., etc,” Tomlin said. “I think we’ve seen two guys who are capable NFL starters at that position battling it out. That’s why we are not in a hurry to make a decision from my perspective.”