There have been (and nonetheless are) excessive expectations for second-year OT Broderick Jones this season after the Pittsburgh Steelers traded as much as make him their first-round decide a yr in the past. Mike Tomlin typically talks about gamers making a giant leap of their second season, however Jones’ shaky preseason efficiency threw chilly water on the lofty expectations for him.
Some are writing off his struggles on account of an undisclosed harm to his proper elbow, which has him sporting a brace. Others level to the truth that he’s nonetheless out of place at proper deal with. With how effectively Dan Moore Jr. has been enjoying at left deal with, that will not change anytime quickly.
Jones performed all 69 of the Steelers’ offensive snaps on Sunday in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons. A few of these had been in opposition to former All-Professional OLB Matt Judon, who switched sides all through the sport. Based on Professional Soccer Focus, he allowed two complete pressures and two sacks. Wanting again over each of the sacks, Jones had nothing to do with one in every of them. Jones’ man made the play on the opposite one, however it was after a really prolonged rollout by Fields.
A number of of you’ve got requested for a Broderick Jones movie room because the Week 1 recreation, so I spent a while reviewing all 69 snaps. Whereas it wasn’t as disastrous as his preseason efficiency in opposition to the Buffalo Payments, a variety of the identical points are current in his recreation. Let’s get into the tape.
Jones’ foremost points within the preseason had been his punch timing and punch placement. His footwork is commonly superb, however in case you don’t land the punch on the proper time, or in the fitting place, then you’ve got little or no management over the cross rusher coming at you.
Right here is the sack that Jones allowed. Once more, Fields held onto the ball for totally too lengthy, however it nonetheless wasn’t a fantastic rep for Jones. Grady Jarrett lined up on the sting, and Jones gave up his chest with no actual punch to attempt to take management. Jarrett pushed him again after which had a lane to flee and pursue Fields.
It was principally the identical set of points right here in opposition to Matt Judon. His arms had been out too broad and he didn’t make first contact. Judon received into his chest to blow him again just a few yards earlier than ripping beneath Jones again inside.
This subsequent play, Jones really lands his punch and makes first vital contact. He is ready to management the cross rush just a little higher consequently and push the rusher up the arc and out of the play. James Daniels hit Lorenzo Carter to jar him free, however Jones recovers properly. It wasn’t excellent, however he made use of his size and landed his punches in the fitting space.
Right here is yet another of Jones giving up his chest. Watch carefully the second earlier than Jones engages the place his fingers and arms are. It virtually appears like he’s going in for a hug. His arms want to remain loaded as much as strike in a greater place so he doesn’t hand over his chest. He in some way manages to anchor after giving just a little floor, and MyCole Pruitt finishes it off for him.
These points pop up within the run recreation at instances, too. He tries to dam on this play together with his shoulder and physique as an alternative of latching on together with his fingers to regulate the defensive lineman. He was simply shed to present Najee Harris nowhere to run.
There have been just a few different instances within the run recreation the place he did land his punch to the fitting space and he was in a position to management the rep. It truly is simply so simple as preserving his fingers in the fitting place and touchdown his punch. It makes all of the distinction.
General, it wasn’t a really encouraging bounce-back recreation for Jones after his preseason performances. The approach points are driving his struggles. OL coach Pat Meyer preaches first vital contact and unbiased hand utilization. Jones doesn’t appear to be taking to these teachings effectively. Once more, may or not it’s his injured proper elbow main him to be extra timid together with his strikes at proper deal with? I don’t see this problem merely going away if he strikes again to the left aspect.
Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo mentioned on the radio yesterday that he expects Troy Fautanu to start out at proper deal with Sunday in Denver, shifting Jones to the bench. That may be the very best transfer for now. Jones remains to be simply 23 years previous, and has loads of time to develop into a greater deal with. However his preseason and now Week 1 efficiency haven’t been good.