Pittsburgh Steelers head to training camp with all rookies under contract – NFL News
The Pittsburgh Steelers are done with their rookies signing, who have been selected in different rounds off the 2012 National Football League (NFL) draft held in April.
The team heads to training camp from this Wednesday, fulfilling the league’s requirement that all rookies have to be under contract before the camp.
The rookie signing rules have been made a part of the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), making it easier for the teams to lock in their prospective pro player.
David DeCastro – the tackle out of Stanford College selected at No. 24 overall by the Steelers – is the latest and last rookie signee of the team. The terms of his deal, including value and tenure, have not been disclosed by either side.
Nevertheless, this confirms the rookie tackle heading to training camp this week. The camp will be his first-ever full training activity with the team. The player just like his college teammate, Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Andrew Luck, had to go back
to his college to finish remaining courses on his academic programme soon after the draft selection.
Since the college runs a quarter system it directly conflicts with the NFL offseason programme. The league rules prohibit rookies from participation of any formal workout or training activity unless and until they finish their college.
DeCastro could only manage to attend the rookies’ minicamp and headed back to the college immediately after. He also missed the entire organised team activities (OTAs) and three-day mandatory minicamp.
The tackle has also won endorsement of the Colts QB as to be one of the most competitive players. This claim is backed by DeCastro's record as he has given up only one sack during his entire college career.
The Steelers now hope to benefit from the rookie’s talent while the real test of his form and performance will take place during preseason and then regular season, in September.
Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers’ veteran quarterback, is fast aging and the team tends to increase protection around him to avoid injuries, which can prove to be a great setback for them.
The QB is even more exposed this year after the new offensive coordinator Todd Haley changed the team’s offence scheme to focus more on running and less on passing game. This makes DeCastro's role even more important to the team's success.
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