Steelers Now
We have officially entered the dog days of summer, according to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, with Saturday’s practice in Latrobe missing a bevy of players due to injuries. The position group hit hardest has been the defensive line, with Dean Lowry being placed on injured reserve, among others that are banged up with more minor ailments. The franchise turned to a familiar face to reinforce their depth in the trenches by inking Breiden Fehoko, who has spent portions of the last two seasons with the club via the practice squad, to a contract.
The 28-year-old fielded calls from several different organizations but jumped at the chance to return to a place that feels like home with a culture that he’s long respected.
“I love being here, just the environment and being around the fans again…I’m not shy when talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers in public. This place has treated me well; they welcome me with open arms every time. The culture that Coach Tomlin has built here with the front office is great, and it’s something that I want to be a part of. It’s the only reason that I got up off the couch to play.”
After being dismantled by the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round, the organization went into the offseason with a goal of getting tougher in the trenches. They executed that plan by doubling down along the D-line, selecting both Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black in the NFL Draft. It’s safe to say that the rookies have made quite the first impression.
“That rookie is big as shit. I was standing next to Yahya and I told TA, get this guy away from me because I feel like I’m 5-foot-5 standing next to him. It’s crazy how big these rookies are now. The rookie Harmon shook my hand today and nearly broke it, so I had to tell him to chill out since we’re teammates now… When I watch the tape of Friday Night Lights, these guys are popping pads, so you can tell the emphasis on physicality based on the guys they brought in. I’m excited to work with them and lend a helping hand with whatever they need.”
The league’s highest-paid defense is entering the fall with sky-high expectations, and rightfully so. When asked about the skills that he can add to the equation in his return, his answer was interesting because of the changes to his body composition.
“Versatility playing all three positions along the defensive line. We just got done with walk-throughs, and I didn’t come out, which is good because I need the reps.” After slimming down, Fehoko is ready to see how that translates to the field. “We’ll find out today. I just talked to Mike T, and he said that you look the part. But I wanted to be ready, not just for football but just for life obstacles that get thrown at you. My fitness journey was a big part of my offseason, and...
