Coach Mike Tomlin confirms Pittsburgh Steelers ready for guard David DeCastro pro debut – NFL News
Coach Mike Tomlin said the Pittsburgh Steelers are ready to take next step and that is to allow offensive guard David DeCastro to make his National Football League (NFL) debut, although it will depend on how the player goes about his workout this week.
According to the coach, if all goes well and as planned DeCastro will get his first game as guard, although he got a limited shot at special teams position in last two games.
Tomlin said:
"We're ready to take the next step. Potentially, this week - depending on how that preparation looks."
He added:
"With a guy like him, it's more than health because he doesn't have a lot of playing background. So although he's been healthy, practice has been good for him, the technique growth and development has been good for him, just simply playing professional football
has been good for him. So although he's been healthy, we still thought he had room for growth from an overall readiness standpoint."
The coach along with general manager Kevin Colbert did not wait for a minute to select DeCastro at No. 24 overall position. He was described to be the most talented pro prospect at the position. It is not just the coach, the player has earned great praise
of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger since arrival in Pittsburgh.
It is rather unfortunate that DeCastro suffered a medial cruciate ligament (MCL) during third game of the preseason and did not return, given serious nature of the game, which requires a substantial amount of time for recovery and rehab.
He returned to action by mid of last month (Nov.) and has been in uniform for the last pair of game but was not allowed a chance at his natural position around the QB. He was rather tried in special teams but kept limited.
Now left guard Willie Colon who is almost for the entire season has vacated roster space for DeCastro and it appears that next game versus the Dallas Cowboys this week will be his first. The team, particularly the coach, has higher expectations from him,
and it is to see how he performs in the pro conditions.
Tags: