Monster game for Will Howard as starter vs. Jets

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – For the first time as a pro and first time in 19 months Will Howard will start a football game. Mike McCarthy announcing on Wednesday Howard will be the first quarterback and Drew Allar the other in the second preseason game hosting the Jets.

Howard was 7-9 for 86 yards and a near TD, called back and placed at the one after replay, in his first ever action, missing last year due to a thumb injury in training camp.

“Any opportunity is special,” Howard said. “When you know you are going into the game as the guy who is starting, there is different level of anticipation and excitement that comes with that.”

“It’s a blessing. I know we got a lot of good quarterbacks on this roster, to get the opportunity to start in this game is an honor.”

The second-year quarterback from Ohio State said he wasn’t expecting to start. He said when quarterbacks coach Tom Arth told him it was a ‘nice surprise’.

There are areas the sixth-round pick wants to clean up. While he was proud of his two-minute scoring drive, he felt at times early he was a little antsy in the pocket. He’s trying to stay away from bad habits, he can’t afford them.

Howard knows he’s in a battle, if the Steelers keep three quarterbacks it’s likely between him and Mason Rudolph. In the first game Drew Allar had a 74-yard play and accounted for three touchdowns.

A few big plays of his own could really open some eyes.

“You can’t go chasing them,” Howard said. “The minute you go chasing them is when you get in trouble. You really just got to be brilliant in the basics and wait for that opportunity to come.”

“I think that’s what you have to do to get those big plays is to not reach, not force, just take the game as it comes to you and those opportunities will present themselves.”

Brilliant in the basics is something McCarthy and the coaching staff harp on all the time according to Howard. It starts with footwork and goes from there.

McCarthy hasn’t said how many of the starters will play Friday, but regardless of who else is in there, it’s giving him the opportunity. Against the Packers he seized parts of it, it’s just Mason Rudolph and Allar did as well.

How does Howard follow up in the second game?

KDKA-TV has kickoff at 7p with Bob Pompeani, Charlie Batch, Missi Matthews on the call and Rich Walsh and Chris Hoke postgame.