Behind the Steel Curtain
When the Pittsburgh Steelers step on the field in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, their offensive line will look slightly different than it did a season ago.
Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick have moved from the right side to the left, now playing left tackle and left guard, respectively. On the right side will be rookie Max Iheanachor, Pittsburgh’s first-round pick from this year’s draft.
The pick didn’t come without drama, though, as the Steelers were set to take USC wide receiver Makai Lemon before the Philadelphia Eagles traded ahead of Pittsburgh to take the former Trojan from their grasp, leaving the Steelers to take Iheanachor.
And while Iheanachor’s path to Pittsburgh featured some controversy, Arizona State wide receivers coach and Steelers legend Hines Ward says fans will love their new right tackle.
“Max is just a blue collar guy,“ Ward said on The Yinziders. ”He hasn’t played football for a very long time, but you see the talent. You see the skill set. A lot of Steeler fans may not know who Max is, but I saw it every day. The kid just put his head down and just grind. He has that work ethic in him.“
There may be a level of rawness to Iheanachor’s game, but his size and power are what made him an exciting prospect. Should offensive line coach James Campen be able to help the former Sun Devil reach his full potential, Pittsburgh will have a steward at the position for the foreseeable future.
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