If Jack Sawyer didn’t essentially fill a necessity, the Steelers definitely consider drafting him represented actual worth and assist now. The fourth-round exterior linebacker has steep competitors for enjoying time with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig. However these round him already see the work he’s placing in and consider in him.
“He’s gonna be a canine for us,” Highsmith mentioned of Jack Sawyer, by way of the Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette. “He’s bought his proper head on his shoulders and he works exhausting. Like I mentioned, he’s bought the appropriate mindset. It’s been cool with the ability to work together with him and assist him out. I got here in as a rookie, and T.J. [Watt] and Bud [Dupree] helped me out so much, as nicely. That’s one factor I would like to have the ability to pour into the brand new guys which might be coming in.”
As he identified, Highsmith was as soon as in Sawyer’s place, coming in behind two established veterans. And Nick Herbig is aware of what it’s like, too, having executed it with this group simply two years in the past. Herbig confirmed that even with Watt and Highsmith, although, you possibly can nonetheless carve out a distinct segment.
Over his first two seasons, Herbig has performed roughly 600 defensive snaps and produced 8.5 sacks with six pressured fumbles. He gained a few of that taking part in time attributable to damage, however he additionally had damage problems with his personal. Now, with a three-headed monster, Jack Sawyer may need a tougher path to taking part in time. However as you would possibly guess, he has the appropriate angle about the entire affair.
“Fortunately for me, my group, and actually the entire locker room, is nice,” Sawyer mentioned, by way of Teresa Varley for the Steelers’ web site. “All of the older guys have been tremendous useful”, he added, together with Jeremiah Moon. “All these guys have been nice for me already.”
After all, Watt isn’t there at OTAs, presumably attributable to his contract, although it’s not necessary anyway. Watt’s absence offers Jack Sawyer with extra reps, although, which might’t damage. And whereas he doesn’t have Watt’s mind to select, Highsmith and Herbig have a lot to supply.
“It’s been a very good expertise to date they usually’ve helped me with any sort of questions, ensuring I’m selecting the performs up nicely and perceive what I’m doing proper now,” Sawyer mentioned, explaining that the skin linebacker room has been very accommodating in his first week with the veterans.
In his last collegiate season, Jack Sawyer stepped up his pass-rush sport, however his most consultant attribute is his run protection. Many consider that space of his sport is what drew the Steelers in most. With Herbig, stronger as a move rusher, their two reserves have complementary ability units. It’s unclear whether or not the Steelers have particular intentions to benefit from that reality. Neither, nevertheless, is poor within the areas exterior of their power. No less than, Sawyer wasn’t in faculty.
