PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – While Broderick Jones admits he’s dealing with an injury, the Steelers second-year tackle wouldn’t make excuses after giving up a couple of sacks against the Bills on Saturday.
“Just got to be better,” Jones said Tuesday. “I feel for us as an offense we are always trying to get that extra-emphasis on starting fast and being physical. For me, I feel like I didn’t set the tone from the beginning. I just got to continue to get better each and every day.”
Jones said it starts for him with a mindset from the onset of a game. As he alluded to, he puts it on himself when the offensive line doesn’t play the right way. Saturday was as much about just not setting the tone, but also giving away the protection right from the beginning.
“Any lineman, whatever position, whatever scheme, if you get beat early, that's the issue,” said Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. “We can all see in the stands. If you get beat early and inside, clearly that’s a one on one.”
Smith added that he’s been impressed with how Jones has handled the position change. He’s a guy that doesn’t run away from challenges. He said last year he was extremely impressed how, in a short preparation week, Jones moved to right tackle where he didn’t play in college. Smith said it shows a lot about Jones’ mindset and ability.
Jones wouldn’t use the apparent elbow injury as an excuse. He wouldn’t even confirm it was an elbow injury, only that he’s dealing with ‘multiple’ things. He said everyone on the offensive line deals with nicks and bruises. Jones did say it’s been an adjustment playing with a brace around that left elbow. He looks forward to taking that off, but again it’s more about him locking in and trusting his game than an injury.
“I feel like it was one of those days for me,” Jones said. “Trying to bounce back, get out of that hole and just continue to get better.”
“I think the next performance is the indication of that,” Tomlin said of Jones bouncing back. “It’s a process in terms of getting better. You play, you evaluate, you analyze, you acknowledge, you make another plan to get ready for the next opportunity. Ultimately, responses are gaged by the next performance.”
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in Broderick,” Smith said. “He's a young player. I love his mindset. You know, he's another guy who doesn't run away from the fight.”
“And that's what you love about him, a guy that wants to get out there and get better.”