More than anything, tonight’s game is about rookies. Sure, most of the Steelers’ regulars will play a series or two but they’ll be off the field before they hardly break a sweat. All they want to do is knock off some rust. The most exciting thing about the first preseason game is watching high-profile draft picks, and certainly that will be the case this evening when the Steelers play the Eagles in Philadelphia. Times pro football writer Mike Bires takes a look at three rookies to keep a close eye on:
DAVID DeCASTRO
The highly-touted first-round draft pick admittedly has struggled at times during camp. But no one in the organization is alarmed. Even if the former Stanford All-American doesn’t open the regular season as the starting right guard, it’s only a matter of time before he does take over for Ramon Foster.
“He’s doing awesome, we love DeCastro,” said center Maurkice Pouncey, a 2010 first-round pick who’s been starting since the regular-season opener of his rookie season. “He’s a physical player and I’m sure he’ll turn it on in a game. And we can’t wait to see it.”
DeCastro will start tonight at right guard because Foster is replacing the injured Willie Colon (ankle) at left guard. An impressive performance tonight could speed up the inevitable. DeCastro projects as a future star.
DeCastro told quarterback Ben Roethlisberger recently that he’s had some trouble with the physical aspect of his transition from college to pro. But he has the mental part down. He’s an intelligent, no-nonsense young man who knows his assignments.
“I just want to have fun, play the game and enjoy it,” DeCastro said of tonight’s game. “It’s a chance to hit someone other than your teammates. I just want to play physical and with a lot of effort.”
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"Either you're playing dumb, or it's not an act". -Judge Judy
