Is it time to play the rookies more?

I know we have a thread about Broderick Jones, but are the Steelers being too conservative with the playing time they give their rookies? I think we should be seeing Porter and Benton more on defense. Herbig might be more ready than either of them, but he has Watt and Highsmith ahead of him.

The Athletic ran an article about this topic, so I thought I should bring it here.

 

The Snap counts for Porter Jr., Benton, and Nick Herbig have increased just about every week since week 1

 

Rotating capable guys is one way to keep guys fresher during the games. TJ looked almost wiped out towards the end of the game and he got some breathing time. I think you read the game as a coach and if a guy is having a James Harrison-Ravens night you let him go but otherwise rotating in some guys that are ready is a good thing. I always thought Bill B did a good job rotating in guys and using as many of his players was smart.

 

This. No reason to think this wont continue, given how well the rookies have played while on the field. Porter, and Benton will increase. Washington and Herbig have set roles and likely wont see significant increase without an injury ahead of them. I'd expect both Porter and Benton to be the starters at some point this season as they progress.

 

I think that Tomlin's history shows that he has done a pretty good job working young players in. IMO it's a little too slow at times, particularly when the player in front of the rookie is not playing well. I understand why they approach it that way, but there will always be disagreements about playing time with young players.

I think Porter needs to see the field more. Benton has shown that he should maybe get more snaps. I think Washington can get some snaps that would be beneficial to him and to the offense in 12 personnel. Herbig is doing very well, and shown that he is in the rotation because he has earned that time with quality reps.

As fans we always think we know what the right move is, but we are not close enough to the situation to know if a player isn't showing well physicallly or is having a hard time with the mental aspects of the game and scheme. In the end, the head coach usually knows best with the input of his position coaches.

Some think that Moore is a real problem at LT, but I believe that Okorafor has been pretty bad at RT. I would have no problem with the team putting Jones in at LT and have more move over to RT if they think he can play there. I think Moore would be a better RT that Okorafor. Now, just because I would like to see that doesn't mean that it will work out right out of the gate. We all know that a developing player and a position change for a player can take some time. These are the difficult decisions Tomlin has to make. No matter what he does, there are going to be people that disagree with the decision. That's the job.

 

I think Okorafor is the weaker link, too, but I don't think Moore is as comfortable at right tackle. I think he will eventually make the move, but it's going to take some time.

 

According to the article I linked, Benton's snaps have actually gone down. Part of that is because the 49ers were so run-heavy, especially after they got a big lead. It should be going the other way. I think he brings more to the table than Loudermilk, Adams, or Leal.

 

I agree. I don't think you are going to see Jones dominating at LT and Moore's play being vastly better than the players they would be replacing. It would put two new players at two positions on an offensive line that has been struggling to play well together the way it is. There would certainly be a learning curve while also trying to develop chemistry as a unit.

 

Not only this but both Moore and Okafor are heading into the final year of their contracts. Okafor is due a $4MM roster bonus on March 22 and carries an $11.8MM cap number in 2024, fourth-highest on the team. YMMV on how much faith you put into OTC's valuation metrics (I think they ballpark pretty well), but according to them he was a borderline poor value last season, and in two of three games this year his valuation is below both his APY and 2024 cash amounts. Moore grades as a better value, but only because he's on a 4th-rounder's rookie contract. (They gave him a $2.8MM valuation in 2022 against a midline starting tackle's value of $9.7MM).

If all else is equal and Jones earns the LT spot by next year the team is going to have a decision to make at RT. I wasn't a fan of the money invested in Okafor, but can't assume Moore is a plug-and-play upgrade there either.

 

Benton is becoming a force who needs to see the field more as well as Porter Jr.

Golden has been playing above the line. Herbig is getting snaps not only on special teams but Edge which is good to see. The kid has it.

 

Agreed on all points. I guess you could say Golden is ahead of Herbig, too, but they have both been getting playing time.

 

The financial value of each player is always a consideration. Chuks hasn't played to the level of his contract, and Moore is on an inexpensive rookie contract. Going forward, who they re-sign may be the more affordable player. Only the team knows how they really feel about Moore as the right tackle.

It will all play itself out as we find out what they do with Jones this season. If Jones proves himself at LT, it probably determines the future of both Chuks and Moore.

 

Tj taps out a fair amount in every game

 

Plus Golden is only signed for this season. I can see Herbig getting extended playing time next season even if they try to retain Golden.

 

I imagine Herbig will put in the work he needs to bulk up a little and force the team's hand to at least make him the first guy off the bench in 2024.

 

Actually both outside lbs do. That's why I was saying a good backup can make a name quickly here.

 

Personally, I would like to see Washington get a few looks.

 

They ask him to mostly block, throw the big guy a few passes.

 

He is a height mismatch but hell we can hardly get Muth the ball. I feel as the year goes on they should get him involved with a few passing opportunity's. Issue is look who is calling the plays...

 

i agree benton should see some more time but i can't say adams has played bad either. probably the best he has looked since getting here.

 

Capable is the word

You also mentioned TJ being tired

In the first game they were rotating LBs and half this board was bitching because we took our best player off the field

Damned if you do damned if you don’t

 

I mean Jack wasn't coming off the field, but then again he wasn't rushing the QB every down, then again he covered down the field. Hmmm

 

But how much "chemistry" do you develop with inferior players? Only so much, the rest of the time you are wasting on keeping in subpar players to develop chemistry. Moore is a "below the line" player.

 

Joey should start at the very least.

I want Broderick on the field to get as much experience as possible ... as much as Washington is a great blocker, maybe we need Broderick in there for a jumbo package.

 

There is always a chemistry factor with any offensive line. They coordinate all their protections and really get a feel for how the other guys play, plus the timing of the protections and blocking schemes matter and they tend to get much better with time.

I don't think we really know how good Broderick Jones is yet. Dan Moore may not be a great LT, but I think his skillset will suit him better at RT. Okorafor has not lived up to his contract on the right side and has been a disappointment as well.

The guards should be very good, but they haven't played that way. Daniels got hurt in the first game and Seamalu has been a big disappointment so far. He is in a new system, so I am hoping he gets on board soon. He is making mistakes and not always completing his assignments. They were counting on him to be a big upgrade from Dotson but that hasn't materialized yet.

Cole was solid at center last season, but is really playing pretty badly to this point. I don't know if there is a reason we don't know about for the dropoff in his play, but it hasn't been good.

I think you saw the line come together last season and improve a lot. I think you will see something similar this year. At least I am hopingt they take a big step forward or it is going to be a long season for this offense.

I still think they are talented enough to play much better than they have been showing so far this season. We shall see.