Broderick Jones says

That the Steelers moved him around to different positions and that contributed to his poor play. May be something to that

 

He should say they really reached for me and I didn’t meet the expectations.

 

Switching sides probably had something to do with it, but you have to believe McCarthy and crew saw something more to have traded him away. I assume they felt like they couldn’t fix the issues.

Jones came out a raw, but very gifted athlete. Unfortunately, when he came out, most of his strengths were physical traits (speed, height, long arms, etc) versus his weaknesses being technique oriented (reaching, playing unbalanced, hand placement / punch, etc).

He only started something like 20 games in college (a couple of seasons). He was always going to have to develop and grow in the pros to realize all of his supposed potential.

Unfortunately, he isn’t the only one we drafted in recent years based on potential, limited college success (Pickett), etc

 

Back in the day the Steelers had the best scouts but in this day and age everything is out there for everyone and it’s hard to find diamonds in the rough. Steelers really reached for this guy. I don’t wish him ill will but he should have just thanked the organization for the opportunity and moved on. Instead he chooses to point fingers instead of looking in the mirror.

 

Breaking news: Player doesn't admit he didn't do well because he played poorly.

Jones argues he didn't play well because he moved around.

The truth is that he was moved around because he didn't play well.

We wanted him to be a LT, but he wasn't better than Moore. So we played him at RT because sitting 1st round picks for a year when they could be on the field instead is bad asset management.

Then he looked like he was losing the RT job to Troy, but Troy got hurt for the year.

Then we gave him the LT job because Moore left. He wasn't good, had glimpses of improvement. Then got hurt. Cook (who doesn't look good now) looked better than Jones.

This year, we drafted Max because Jones has done nothing to have us think he's a future starter at tackle.

Jones (granted coming back from a tough injury) did not look better than Cook this preaseason. And Cook doesn't really look good enough to start.

Then we traded him. Because even disappointing OL have value because the league is always desperate for OL.

I still think Jones might have a future. But I don't think that future is this year. And with another 1st round tackle in the room, what we actually needed was a guy who could at least hold the starting spot down for a while until Max is ready. I think Jones could have done OK at that if not for the injury last year.

 

His future wasn’t here. He would have been gone at years end and the best possible outcome (which I don’t think would happen) would be a 3rd round comp pick, similar to Dan Moore. That would be a pipe dream.

As it is we received Dallas’ third round pick next year, along with their 6th.

 

He seems to have forgotten being given multiple opportunities to beat out Moore and failing repeatedly

 

Jones wasn't good at either RT or LT.

 

Those are the two most important positions on an OL and Jones had a difficult time at both. The Steelers are desperate at this point but getting a 3rd round pick was about the best return. Maybe he turns it around but he will have to work harder than he did here. Partially because of the neck injury. His first thought though should not be dissing his old team.

 

Is this a revisionist history type of breakup thing? I dont recall him saying nope I just want to learn left tackle but I do recall hearing i will do whatever is asked of me to help the team, I feel most comfortable playing left tackle but I can play either. Didn't sound like he didnt want to move.

 

Jones had potential, but let's not forget he was pure raw talent - very little actual game time. What he needed was consistent training and development from a great O-Line coach in addition to being mentored by an established veteran. Quite frankly - he had neither. The last great coach we had in that capacity was Munchak - everyone who has followed has been disastrous IMO. This is not an excuse for his poor play, but I think it's a relevant reason as to why he didn't fulfill his potential in his time here. I liked the pick, I liked how he comported himself - I hope he can get what he needs in Dallas and become a productive part of the team.

 

2 things can be true. I do believe Tomlin and company liked to make OL uncomfortable as a challenge by moving them around.

I also think Jones regressed after injury. I’m sure jumping on Rodgers last year didn’t help either.

I know its common for OL to move around but it sure seems like we rarely draft a RT or LT and let them play their natural position which was weird.

 

Truth. Not picking up his option was the beginning of the end for him.

But then again, Steelers haven't picked up many options in the last decade.

 

Plus, Dallas' 3rd round pick will be higher than a comp 3rd round pick, which is at the bottom of the round.

 

Steelers haven't drafted a good OT since Beachum in 2012... 7th round. Beachum ended up being better than Mike Adams taken in the 2nd round that year.

Jury is still out on Fautanu and Iheanachor.

 

Its crazy because I can remember half the media across the NFL saying how we had a steel at drafting Adam's. LoL

 

And the kicker; according to some analysis OL is apparently the easiest positions to project success in the NFL.

2025 NFL Draft: What historical hit rates reveal about positional success

 

And wasn't Beachum a guard in college?

 

3 of our last 4 #1 picks have been OT. To date one was traded and the other 2 aren't lighting the world on fire...yet. Although Ianachor has been injured.

Troy has been bounced from side to side, but needs to find a home.

 

He might have been a T in college, but at best he was a G in the NFL. He had a few flashes in a few games, but often got a holding call to stall several drives or got smoked by a DL.

 

Another way to look at it is that the Steelers tried him at a number of positions, and he didn’t distinguish himself at any of them.

 

he was a Buckeye

HYPE

 

My buddy called him Stabby McAdams.

He was stabbed dahntown.

 

FWIW, I think that Troy has played well.

And him bouncing from RT to LT was a promotion because he played RT well IMO.

Time will tell I guess.

Hard to figure out where the line will be for 5th year options, but Troy might be an interesting decision.

So far in under the new rules, we've only give 5th year options to 1st team all pros (Watt and Minkah...and maybe Watt wasn't even under the newest 5th year option rules?).

We haven't had a probowler (a real one, Najee went as an alternate for injury), but presumably that would solidify the 5th year option.

But what if Troy has a good year, but doesn't make the probowl (I think probowl is unlikely for him)? Is that good enough for the option? Or would we maybe try for an extension right away after year 3 instead like we would for a guy drafted in the 2nd?

Hopefully Troy makes the decision easy for them (in the good way).

 

I wonder if you take a look that closer if the conclusions break down into some clusters even more? OT success rate based on snap count falls off a cliff after the first round. I wonder if that cliff actually starts about halfway through the first round. I suspect, but can not prove, that top 5-10 round 1 picks are holding up that success rate for OTs.