What do Mason McCormick and Tony Hills share? They are the only gamers the Steelers have actually provided no. 66 to considering that Alan Faneca left the group in complimentary company besides David DeCastro. Hills didn't precisely exercise in Pittsburgh– however one questions if the Steelers offered him 66 out of spite.
Faneca simply left in complimentary company when the Steelers prepared Hills in the 4th round in 2008. Had his departure been more friendly, possibly 66 would be among those numbers they have “soft” retired. I believe we can make the case that, because then, they have actually utilized discretion in handing out the number. David DeCastro was an apparent call, however Mason McCormick, as a fourth-round choice, was less so.
The Steelers saw him as a future starter, however, even if they didn't expect him beginning this early. McCormick has actually begun the majority of the season for the Steelers now, primarily at RG following James Daniels' injury. And they informed him at the time why they offered him no. 66 and what it indicates. Today, nevertheless, Mike Tomlin made certain to drill it into him, according to Christian Kuntz.
“With him using 66, he put him on blast”, he stated of Tomlin about McCormick on the Christian Kuntz podcast the other day. “Like, the guys that used this before you resembled, directly jerks. One a Hall of Famer, and after that Dave [DeCastro] probably a Hall of Famer. He type of called him out on it. It was cool”.
In case any person reading in some way does not get it, the Steelers anticipate any lineman using no. 66 to be very great, due to the fact that Alan Faneca and David DeCastro were exceptionally great. I do not believe I might put it more merely. And Tomlin is pressing McCormick to comprehend the significance and what they anticipate of him.
“I wasn't totally conscious, I would state”, McCormick informed Kuntz, before this week, about simply how substantial using the jersey variety of Faneca and DeCastro implies to the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I had actually become aware of those guys before, however I didn't understand the real significance behind 66. And it's quite cool now that I get to use it, for sure”.
When you're a novice attending your very first practice, sure, you're going to state, yeah, I get it. Now Mason McCormick has 8 starts and 579 snaps under his belt. With the advantage of the mini bye, Tomlin wished to drill into his head simply what he needs to measure up to.
“I didn't understand thatMcCormick confessed, before this previous week about whatever Tomlin informed him about the number's tradition. I simply picture him strapped into a chair with his eyes pried open, force-fed pull tape of DeCastro. A Clockwork Black and Gold. “I seem like it's a cool honor to be able to use it, particularly in this city. 66 has actually suggested a lot to this city”,
