PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A dancing bear. I guess it’s a compliment, it’s how rookie Keeanu Benton took it when he was told that’s how veteran Larry Ogunjobi described him on the field.
“I like him a lot,” Ogunjobi said. “He moves really, really well for that size. I think the ceiling is super-high for him.”
Ogunjobi said he likes the energy the young guys bring even if they get too aggressive at times in practice. The seven-year veteran said it’s better to have it that way, noting he was like that himself when he was first in the league. Guys just need to learn how to handle practice.
Practice is something Ogunjobi missed for much of the second half of last season, which he called annoying. The 29-year-old dealt with several injuries that limited him not just at practice, but in games. Even though he was able to start 16 games, at times he just wasn’t as effective. The North Carolina native said the issues started early in 2022, even before signing with the Steelers. He couldn’t run until July and then it just carried over into the year. He’s now excited about being healthy this offseason.
“I think it’s paramount (to have a full offseason),” Ogunjobi said from voluntary practices on Tuesday. “To kind of get your footing right, your feel right, get that football conditioning. Obviously, you train all offseason, but there is nothing like just football. I think it’s very important.”
As he mentioned it’s about getting the feel not just with his game, but getting to know his teammates. He said you can have a foundation, he’s being doing that for years.
“I think just being able to stay on that speed, stay on that trajectory you’ve been trying to make for a long time,” Ogunjobi said. “I think it’s important to not just being able to practice, being able to do it full speed, fast. It all translates.”
Even though it’s repetitive, he said it’s a blessing to be back out there and to be in Pittsburgh for three more seasons. When healthy, he can make a difference-23 career sacks, 48 tackles for loss and a force stopping the run. Now he’s on a defense still with TJ Watt, Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick, but the added depth, new middle linebackers, a potential Hall of Fame corner and other additions.
“I feel good,” Ogunjobi said. “I feel like we are just going to keep stacking, keep building. Training camp is going to be huge this year. I think we might be really happy.”