‘One Guy’ Changing An O-Line Like Broderick Jones Has Never Happened, According to Merril Hoge
Two weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers took an unexpected move by starting rookie offensive tackle Broderick Jones at right tackle against the Tennessee Titans during a short week. This gave Jones his first serious opportunity to play the position.
To his credit, Jones had a great performance.This continued on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, as Jones played a crucial role on the Steelers’ offensive line, creating some incredible passing lanes that allowed the team to rush for 205 yards and win 23-19.
The Steelers offence feels different since Jones entered the lineup.
Merril Hoge, a former running back for the Steelers, definitely sees it.
Hoge praised Jones’ effort entering the lineup when he appeared on the “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger” podcast during a webcast of the Steelers-Packers game on Sunday.
By the way, I’m happy that Jones was retained at right tackle. I have never witnessed a single player alter an offensive line the way 77 did. From the way we move the ball, to your ability to pass, to your athleticism, to your dynamic nature..According to a video on the Channel Seven YouTube page, Hoge told Roethlisberger, “Seventy-seven makes a big difference—a big difference—over there.”
Jones played a crucial role in the Steelers’ establishment of a potent rushing assault against the Titans. Jones made a crucial block to stop a defender at the second level during running back Najee Harris’ 10-yard touchdown run to start the game in the Week 9 victory, which was 20-16. Additionally, he made a fantastic play to recover after being blown up to get Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons on the ground during running back Jaylen Warren’s late, explosive run that set up Diontae Johnson and Kenny Pickett’s game-winning touchdown pass. Warren also had a crucial block on an explosive run in the second quarter.
To his credit, Jones performed admirably against the Packers on Sunday, continuing where he left off. Throughout the game, he was a road grader in front of the Steelers’ running backs, forcing players off the line of scrimmage, creating enormous lanes and seriously wearing out Green Bay’s defensive line.
The Steelers were quite successful on Sunday, rushing behind Jones and right guard James Daniels time and time again. Both of those players moved a lot of people during the game, and they are the Steelers’ current greatest asset. Run it behind the right side of the line if you’re unsure.
The last time the Steelers experienced that was most likely during the David DeCastro-Marcus Gilbert era. That makes a statement.
With Jones in the lineup, the Steelers offence feels like a whole different one right now. Not that it’s a slight to Chukwuma Okorafor. We have to believe the Steelers when they say that resting Okorafor wasn’t a choice based on performance.
However, the decision to keep Jones in the starting lineup for the remainder of the season is based on performance.He deserves it. His play has been tremendously effective in changing the Steelers’ offence, particularly in the run game.
