Troy Fautanu barely performed as a rookie, however those that cowl the Steelers proceed to explain him in glowing phrases. Coming into his second season, he ought to step proper in and solidify the fitting sort out place for a decade, it appears. He definitely has the expertise and potential for that, however persistence is a advantage for a purpose.
Showing on final night time’s #1 Cochran Sports activities Showdown panel, each Mark Kaboly and Ray Fittipaldo showered Troy Fautanu with reward. Kaboly stated he noticed nothing in his first six practices to alter his thoughts. “If there was such a factor as Participant of the Yr on the offensive line, it’s gonna be him for the Steelers. You possibly can inform that he simply has it”.
There’s, lastly, a type of Offensive Lineman of the Yr Award, on the NFL stage. They’re calling it the Protector of the Yr, technically, and it’ll debut in 2025. Simply in time for Troy Fautanu to win it—although in fact Kaboly was referring to the Steelers, particularly. “Fautanu, I’m not nervous about him. He’s gonna be a star”.
And he’s hardly alone, as Fittipaldo has constantly crushed the identical drum for a while. “Troy Fautanu was their finest lineman when he obtained harm this yr; he’s gonna be their finest lineman [this year] if he stays wholesome”, he stated. And he greater than anybody has broadcast this concept that Fautanu was already that good final yr.
There’s a purpose, in fact, that the Steelers drafted Troy Fautanu within the first spherical, passing on nice facilities. They ultimately drafted C Zach Frazier within the second, however they handed on Graham Barton and Jackson Powers-Johnson, too.
After all, it’s too early to make any sort of judgment. Fautanu has 55 snaps beneath his belt, struggling a knee damage after his NFL debut. He already missed a whole lot of coaching camp and the preseason because of damage, however the Steelers clearly like him. The truth that they rushed him into the lineup in Week 2 as quickly as they felt he was wholesome speaks volumes.
However now that he’s again wholesome, it’s time for his play to talk for him. And he’s wanting to have it do exactly that. Chatting with reporters earlier this offseason, his feedback mirrored a team-centric particular person. He spoke of his feelings of dropping alternatives to play, but in addition of feeling like a burden. In his eyes, he let his group down by not being on the market with them.
He could make up for all of that by enjoying as much as his abilities this yr. Those that really watch him in observe, together with the coaches, have nothing however reward for him. Now, he isn’t going to come back in and win All-Professional awards, most definitely. However he might assist flip this Steelers offensive line unit into a real asset.
