Steelers' Nick Herbig shuts down common narrative about him
Pittsburgh Steelers fourth-round rookie Nick Herbig is off to a terrific start. With more sacks than games played (three in two games) the former Wisconsin Badger has been unblockable this summer. Seemingly much more valuable than the round he was drafted in, Herbig had a clever response to the area of his game that was […]
Pittsburgh Steelers fourth-round rookie Nick Herbig is off to a terrific start.
With more sacks than games played (three in two games) the former Wisconsin Badger has been unblockable this summer.
Seemingly much more valuable than the round he was drafted in, Herbig had a clever response to the area of his game that was scrutinized most in the pre-draft process:
"I Don't Let it Bother Me"
"You know, it goes back to my old saying…Dynamite comes in small packages," Herbig told reporters when asked about the size concerns that many had back in April. "I don't let that stuff bother me."
When you can flatten your rush path and bend the corner with that kind of functional athleticism, size doesn't need to be much of a concern.
And whether it was tight ends or tackles, anyone who faced Herbig during camp in Latrobe noted his quickness and fast twitch fibers, something he has put on full display both physically and mentally:
"Nick's (Herbig) showing it right now in the practice games and we're going to see if he can take that to the regular season," Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin told reporters. "I feel better about that position (Backup pass rusher.) I feel that Alex and T.J. will have somebody to give them a spell, who can provide quality work behind them, and will give us some quality play. So, I feel a little bit better, actually I feel a lot better about that position."
So size be damned, Herbig is off to one of the better starts you can ask for a rookie edge defender. He won't be starting over Watt or Highsmith any time soon, but his role as a designated pass rusher is one that could put Pittsburgh over the top.
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Featured image via: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
