hawaiiansteeler
05-30-2016, 12:35 AM
Steelers hoping McCullers comes up big this season
By F. Dale Lolley
May 29, 2016
http://steelersnstuff.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DM-1ST-Start.jpg
The Steelers want more production from third-year defensive tackle Daniel McCullers.
PITTSBURGH – You know you’re a giant among men when the word “Big” is attached to your nickname by other players in the NFL.
At 6-7 and 352 pounds, Steelers nose tackle Daniel McCullers, known as “Big Dan” to his teammates, fits the bill.
The Steelers would like it better if he were known as “Dominant Dan,” “Devastating Dan” or some other similar moniker.
With longtime starter Steve McLendon signing a free agent deal with the New York Jets, the Steelers are putting a lot more on McCullers’ plate, no pun intended.
McCullers, a sixth-round draft pick in 2014, has tantalized the Steelers and their fans with some strong play at times, but he hasn’t done it consistently. And that’s what the coaching staff wants in 2016.
“You saw glimpses,” said Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward of McCullers’ play last season. “Steve was the starting nose, but Steve’s not here. We don’t need Dan to play like Steve. We need Dan to play like Dan. He’s got to play big and it can’t just be for one or two plays. When he’s out there, he’s got to make a statement that you’re not going to run the ball.”
Many assumed when the Steelers selected Javon Hargrave in the third round of this year’s draft, it was with the thought of the rookie sliding into the opening left by McLendon’s departure.
But the Steelers aren’t overlooking McCullers.
“Big Dan has really come along,” assistant head coach-defensive line John Mitchell said after Hargrave was drafted. “I think he really understands what it takes to play in this league better than he ever has before. I’m very pleased with where he’s at.”
For McCullers, it’s all been part of the learning process. And there just haven’t been many opportunities for him to get on the field.
He played 63 defensive snaps as a rookie and 105 last season while spelling McLendon. Because the Steelers increased the number of plays in the nickle defense to combat the pass-happy offenses of the NFL, there hasn’t been a lot of playing time for a run-stuffing nose tackle.
McLendon played 34 percent of the defensive snaps last season, up slightly from the 31 percent in 2014.
McCullers expects his playing time to dramatically increase this year.
to read rest of article:
http://www.observer-reporter.com/20160529/steelers_hoping_mccullers_comes_up_big_this_season
By F. Dale Lolley
May 29, 2016
http://steelersnstuff.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/DM-1ST-Start.jpg
The Steelers want more production from third-year defensive tackle Daniel McCullers.
PITTSBURGH – You know you’re a giant among men when the word “Big” is attached to your nickname by other players in the NFL.
At 6-7 and 352 pounds, Steelers nose tackle Daniel McCullers, known as “Big Dan” to his teammates, fits the bill.
The Steelers would like it better if he were known as “Dominant Dan,” “Devastating Dan” or some other similar moniker.
With longtime starter Steve McLendon signing a free agent deal with the New York Jets, the Steelers are putting a lot more on McCullers’ plate, no pun intended.
McCullers, a sixth-round draft pick in 2014, has tantalized the Steelers and their fans with some strong play at times, but he hasn’t done it consistently. And that’s what the coaching staff wants in 2016.
“You saw glimpses,” said Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward of McCullers’ play last season. “Steve was the starting nose, but Steve’s not here. We don’t need Dan to play like Steve. We need Dan to play like Dan. He’s got to play big and it can’t just be for one or two plays. When he’s out there, he’s got to make a statement that you’re not going to run the ball.”
Many assumed when the Steelers selected Javon Hargrave in the third round of this year’s draft, it was with the thought of the rookie sliding into the opening left by McLendon’s departure.
But the Steelers aren’t overlooking McCullers.
“Big Dan has really come along,” assistant head coach-defensive line John Mitchell said after Hargrave was drafted. “I think he really understands what it takes to play in this league better than he ever has before. I’m very pleased with where he’s at.”
For McCullers, it’s all been part of the learning process. And there just haven’t been many opportunities for him to get on the field.
He played 63 defensive snaps as a rookie and 105 last season while spelling McLendon. Because the Steelers increased the number of plays in the nickle defense to combat the pass-happy offenses of the NFL, there hasn’t been a lot of playing time for a run-stuffing nose tackle.
McLendon played 34 percent of the defensive snaps last season, up slightly from the 31 percent in 2014.
McCullers expects his playing time to dramatically increase this year.
to read rest of article:
http://www.observer-reporter.com/20160529/steelers_hoping_mccullers_comes_up_big_this_season