Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

[fordfixer]

Steelers' Pouncey Showing Maturity Beyond Years
Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

PITTSBURGH --
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Maurkice Pouncey has yet to play a snap in the NFL, but it appears the Steelers rookie already has the jump on some of his first-round predecessors.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Thursday that Pouncey, the 18th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, is more mature football-wise than either running back Rashard Mendenhall or linebacker Lawrence Timmons were as rookies drafted in the first round.

"I think he has proven to be mature beyond his years," Tomlin said of Pouncey, who turns 21 next month. "His level of football of maturity probably exceeds that of some 20-year-old first round picks we've had in recent years, like Lawrence Timmons and Rashard Mendenhall."

The Steelers drafted Mendenhall at No. 23 in 2008 and took Timmons at No. 15 in 2007.

Pouncey, who Tomlin called a "pleasant surprise," will get the chance to start on the Steelers offensive line this season, most likely at right guard, but possibly at center.

Pouncey played right guard at the University of Florida before moving to center for the Gators.

He was awarded the Rimington Trophy in 2009, which is given to the player considered to be the best center in college football.

[Shawn]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

Pouncey will be one of those guys who everyone will say they loved him before the draft.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

Pouncey will be one of those guys who everyone will say they loved him before the draft.

I loved Pouncey before the draft...

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

anyone else think pounce and big baby on the celtics look alike

[Ozey74]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

This is good news! Between the mess with Ben, Santonio, Troy's injury, and the crappy pass D in the 4th quarter, the Steelers are due for a plesant surprise. Mike Wallace is also what I call a 'pleasant surprise'

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

anyone else think pounce and big baby on the celtics look alike

I think Maurkice Pouncey looks more like Mike Pouncey than Glen Davis.

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

i think both look like big baby

[birtikidis]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

Pouncey will be one of those guys who everyone will say they loved him before the draft.

I loved Pouncey before the draft...

not me I've always been skeptical

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

Pouncey will be one of those guys who everyone will say they loved him before the draft.

Unless he does not start from day one and make the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Then he will inevitably be Bustkice Pouncey.

[birtikidis]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

Pouncey will be one of those guys who everyone will say they loved him before the draft.

Unless he does not start from day one and make the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Then he will inevitably be Bustkice Pouncey.

they'll say that we should bouncey Pouncey out of towney. haha.
ok pathetic attempt at humor.

[steelz09]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

I really hope he starts at center.

I think that we have a few decent guys and have some depth at RG. Center is the weakest link by far.

If we can have Pouncey start at center then our offensive line would be much improved.

And plus, think of the competition at RG going into camp (in no particular order):

1) Essex
2) Foster
3) Urbik
4) Pouncey
5) Legursky

Hopefully, Pouncey outright wins the center battle and the other 4 fight for RG.

[Shawn]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

Not sure I am comfortable with a rookie calling the blocking assignments.

[Discipline of Steel]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

I really hope he starts at center.

Hopefully, Pouncey outright wins the center battle and the other 4 fight for RG.

Hartwigs shoulder is an omen.

[steelblood]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

It was about a year or two ago that Ben began calling the majority of the blocking assignments. Does he still do this? If so, it would take some pressure off a rookie starting.

[Oviedo]

Re: Mike Tomlin: Rookie Center's Maturity 'Pleasant Surprise'

It was about a year or two ago that Ben began calling the majority of the blocking assignments. Does he still do this? If so, it would take some pressure off a rookie starting.

He started two years ago and I'm not sure some of the OL problems aren't because of this. I know when Hartings was here he called all the blocks.

You have to keep in mind though that a big part of the OL pass blocking issues are on Ben and his moving around the pocket and out of the pocket. Everytime he moves he changes the attack angle that the pass rushers are taking. The pass rushers see it because they are looking at Ben. The OL doesn't because their backs are to Ben and this gives the pass rushers the initiative and the OL must react.

It will be interesting to see what happens the first four games with Leftwich in there because he doesn't move out of the pocket. Even he made a comment that the OL is going to know exactly where he is at. I predict the OL will actually perform better.