Steelers see inside-outside flexibility in 2nd round receiver

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers second-round pick Germie Bernard did what so many do when they want something to happen, head to the restroom. He wasn’t in there when he got the call from the Steelers, he made it to his mom’s room when contacted by Steelers GM Omar Khan.

“It was a surreal moment, a very emotional moment just because the hard work has paid off to get to this moment,” Bernard said Friday night. “I’m just ready to go in and work with the team.”

Steelers offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio used the word ‘excited’ to describe what he called a great football player with great energy and character. And some big numbers.

The 6’1”, 206-pound Bernard led Alabama the last two seasons in receptions, last year with 64 for 862 yards and seven touchdowns, also rushing for 101 yards and two scores. Angelichio said he could play inside or outside in the Steelers scheme, they will see how it all plays out once they get into practice.

Information about Germie Bernard

“The flexibility is always attractive when you got a guy who can play in multiple roles,” Angelichio said at the UPMC Rooney complex on the South Side. “When you can help on special teams and all four phases and certainty when you have the flexibility to put him in the backfield, move him around so the defense really can’t move him around so the defense really can’t focus in one area.”

“More than anything else, he’s a clutch player. He’s made a lot of big catches for Alabama in critical moments and that’s where they were going with the ball. You always want that in a player.”

“They are getting a selfless guy,” Bernard said of what type of player her is. “A guy that is going to do everything for the team to have success. A guy that’s explosive with the ball in his hands and a guy who can create plays.”

Bernard said he had a feeling he would be a Steeler after his 30 visit. He said it immediately felt like home, but he was surprised the team traded up to get him. He’s pleased they did and said it means a lot that they really wanted him.

Angelichio said they like the players and people that they have in the receiver’s room as the evolution of the offense continues.