Broderick Jones Tells Rookie Offensive Linemen to ‘Just Play Football’
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones knows the grind of being a rookie. He went through the process last year.
So far, he’s been rather impressed with rookie offensive lineman Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick. He thinks they’re ahead of the curve compared to him last year at this time.
“You know, I was thinking yesterday, it’s crazy because I look at them and I think about how I came in last year and needed a bunch of fine-tuning,” Jones said at OTAs on Thursday. “I just see them developing each and every day. Getting better at one thing. So it’s just kind of crazy because they look at me for support, but I was just in their shoes last year.
“I just try to help out as much as I can. They’re doing great, everything is not perfect. But, like I told them yesterday, you’re gonna make mistakes, you’re still young, you still have a lot of football to learn. But at the end of the day, football is still football. Don’t overthink it, don’t try to overcomplicate it. Just play football, and everything will work out.”
Jones is just showing the fundamentals to the rookies now. But once training camp comes around, he’ll provide more in-depth information.
“I don’t think I’ve had a conversation with them about what not to do and what to do,” Jones said. “Just because everything is still so fresh to them. Just giving them time to get their foot in the door and actually figure out everything. Figure out all the ropes. Do what they can for right now and then when camp comes up, it’s a whole another level of football that you got to have your mindset on. Probably closer to when camp comes around I’ll have a conversation with them and give them my best wishes and hope for the best.”
Fautanu said Jones, Dan Moore Jr. and Isaac Seumalu have been taking him under their wing and showing him what it takes to prepare and play in the NFL.
Even though he’s in competition with him for a starting spot, Moore reached out to Fautanu shortly after he got drafted by the Steelers back in April.
“Yeah, I mean, the kid just got drafted. It’s probably the best moment of his life. I remember that moment. I know that I would want to be welcomed,” Moore said in regards to reaching out to Fautanu. “We are happy to help him. He’s going to push a lot of people in this room. [We’re] working to help him grow.”
Nick Farabaugh provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
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