Did the Steelers find a new Left Tackle?

He was also the GM, so he could only be mad at himself.

 

Not a good comparison. V was a TE going into Army eventually turning into an OT there. Then he tried out with several teams as a TE, the Eagles signed him and had him bulking up and to play DE. Pittsburgh snagged him after the cut and moved him to back OT.

Cook may be legit, but it's also probably a factor of no tape on him to see how to attack him. We see this over and over again where guys come in and look great, but once opposing teams get tape on where they can attack them, they come back to earth.

 

This !!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16of3TQPTG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Cajun

 

Obviously we need to pump the brakes on declaring that they’ve found the answer at LT. if he can do that for a consistent run of games without significant flaws emerging then it’s time to get excited.

Even if they have found a long term swing tackle this would be a huge win.

 

I played left tackle. Key for pass blocking is can you move your feet, engage your opponent quickly, and stay with your man once you're engaged. Now the fine art of hand placement and stance also matters. Cook did all of the above well. I did not see him give up any QB pressures. What did PFF grade him?

Mentally Cook is much quicker than Jones. What an NFL starting debut. Why did Tomlin not see this in 30 or more practices.... while Jones struggled to do the above well ...

It's like Dotson ( remember him ). We had him and traded him away for peanuts.

I need to see Cook for the next two games before anointing him as the future left tackle of 2026 and beyond. I would like to hear our next two opponent's opinion on him from a player's perspective.


- JB

 

he played the same way for the last two preseasons as well. he also didn't look bad against the ravens and now in his first start. yes he will get more reps just like jones needed them. just like moore needed them. both of which didn't play as well in their first starts. this kid was a QB at one time so he's probably got something between the ears. it doesn't matter about jones yet. he just has to play better than anderson or peat right now. so far so good.

 

Very glad that he played well.

I think he earned another start.

But let's not jump too far ahead on the shiny new toy (even though it's almost Christmas). He'll play more. There will be more tape on him. And we'll see how he responds.

 

Again, a reminder that the Steelers didn't do much running to Cook's side. Can't have a starting LT that only pass blocks.

 

Yeah unfortunately where Jones got drafted forced them to give him every opportunity over Cook. It takes a while to pull the plug, but it probably should have been done way sooner.

 

This.

 

Maybe better hands for catching?

 

yes
did we run to the right side 26 times

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...S&cvid=6942c97a91c14519903d14cad1f58c6c&ei=23

he rated as the top steelers lineman for the game. that says something. that isn't just pass blocking.

 

his tampa bay o-line coaches were not happy they let him go right before we signed him. there is something more there then many think. he was hurt last year for most of the season. he made the 53 for 2023 season, 2024 with his injury set him back. nobody is saying he is a pro bowl tackle at this stage but if he cannot kill the offense like we have seen jones do in the past that is a win. 3 years of jones getting a little better should be a red flag. why wouldn't you want the better player on the field? you guys kill me. we have been clamoring for a LT for years, we have a guy under our nose that has a good showing and you want to nitpik he preformance. he's been very steady every time he's been on the field. i have watched him for a few years now and his game has remained the same. pro bowl no, solid yes. i'll take it. first round means nothing if you get the QB killed.

 

How do you grade a tackle in run blocking when they don't run to your side? Should be an easy 'A'... just sayin.

 

it's not like they didn't run that way.

more cook acknowledgement.

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/12/m...ylan-cook-as-steelers-potential-answer-at-lt/

 

Too small of a sample size to have any long-term thoughts on Cook.

 

More of a mystery is the total lack of any info on Jones' injury. Like, there has been nothing. On injured reserve and missing PT that could be valuable in deciding on his option, e.g. games against Hutchinson and Garrett. Jones seemed to be on an improving path but $19M is a lot of money for a guy just trending toward average.

 

Dylan Cook threw for over 3,000 yards as a senior in HS and played QB for his first 2 years in college at Montana State. He transferred to Montana U where he made the rare transition from QB to OT. Having played QB for a lot of years probably gives him a greater feel for what is expected from him at the important position of LT.

 

Watch the video. # 60 is a very mobile zone run blocker. He did well when the Steelers ran to his side.

 

Well, that and Jones was known to be a project that would take multiple years before reaching his potential. Jones also has played fairly well this year too, though, still inconsistent at times. Its not like Cook was nipping at his heels though... the coaching staff somehow had this guy on the PS and not on the roster, putting Anderson and Peat ahead of him at different times of the year. I know that Tomlin's personnel decisions draw criticism (rightfully so), but having Cook and Pierre buried so deep now playing really good ball is interesting.

 

See the post right above yours Numbnut