Although it occurred sooner than anticipated, Mason McCormick will begin his second NFL recreation tonight and his first at residence in entrance of Steelers’ Nation. He is likely to be a rookie however with over 50 faculty begins, he’s smart past his years. And able to meet the second. McCormick spoke to what it means to characterize the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“It means the world to me,” he instructed KDKA’s Wealthy Walsh as aired on the Steelers’ weekly kickoff present. “It’s one thing I take a ton of pleasure in. I have a look at and know the historical past of this time and what number of good soccer gamers got here earlier than me to assist this precedent for me. And I simply need to play to that commonplace.”
Phrases you don’t usually hear out of a veteran. McCormick is ready to perceive the second for himself and what it means within the grander scheme. What the jersey he’s carrying represents and the significance of not letting his teammates or the franchise down. However that comes with Pittsburgh drafting an often senior-laden class made attainable attributable to COVID exemptions that created an older class.
McCormick entered the yr as an apparent backup. However with C Nate Herbig and OG James Daniels misplaced for the season and OG Spencer Anderson’s middling play, McCormick started seeing motion in Week 3. He rotated in with Anderson at left guard and logged tackle-eligible snaps. In final week’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, McCormick began his first recreation.
And he’ll get his first primetime motion tonight in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys in what must be a packed and rocking Acrisure Stadium. A stark distinction to what McCormick noticed at FCS South Dakota State. He’ll even be enjoying a brand new place, making his first begin at proper guard after being a left guard all through his profession, faculty and preliminary professional stint.
How nicely McCormick and the Steelers’ inside offensive line performs will decide the end result of this recreation. Pittsburgh desires and must run the ball nicely however have struggled to get a constant push up entrance. Dallas has had their points stopping the run however boast large inside linemen who can maintain the purpose of assault. The higher trench unit will management the road of scrimmage, time of possession, and finally the sport.
Below the lights, the Steelers’ commonplace is successful. McCormick goals to maintain that mantra going.
