The Pittsburgh Steelers took a little shot to their offensive line. The Nate Herbig injury has put serious pressure on the team as he is one of the starters on the lineup for this year and suffered a torn rotator cuff. Such an injury might keep him sidelined for most of the season. Let’s break down how it affects the team, and how Frazier might step up.
Nate Herbig’s Injury: A Major Blow
Such is the injury that has befallen Nate Herbig, a big blow to the Steelers. Herbig was supposed to play a crucial role on the offensive line, an area of any football team that must be competent if they are going to have any degree of success. Not only does the offensive line have to protect the quarterback, but it also needs to open up running lanes for the running backs. The loss of Herbig has added to finding another player to replace him. His loss would greatly change how the offensive line performs, thus changing the flow and the game plan of the whole team.
The absence of Herbig might have a ripple effect on the team’s performance. The offensive line has to work as one unit; any changes can disrupt their rhythm. If Frazier is bad or needs some time to get up to speed, that could affect the Steelers‘ ability to protect their quarterback and effectively run the ball. According to quarterback Justin Fields, he is smart and really quick to adjust protections, which is a very valuable quality in a center.
Quarterback Protection
First and foremost, one of the primary jobs of the offensive line is protecting the quarterback. A poor line can invite extra pressure on the quarterback from an opposing defense. That could translate to more sacks, hurried throws, and quite probably an injury to a quarterback. Whoever the Steelers’ quarterback may be—be it Kenny Pickett or any other—he will have to modulate his style of play to cope with these changes in the line.
The O-line is the very backbone of any football team. Their core function is to protect the quarterback and clear a path for the running game. On account of this fact, with Herbig out, the Steeler’s linemen will have to perform well. Team performance will therefore be pegged on how well they can adapt to the new lineup, keeping the offense going seamlessly.
Impact on Team Performance
The Steelers do have some avenues to mitigate Herbig’s loss. They can cycle through different lineups or other players who might step in to play the role. It’s also likely that more veteran players will be depended on heavily by the team to help guide Frazier in a way that can keep the line stable. Adjustments can be key to maintaining performance and mitigating the impact of such an injury. Spencer Anderson and Mason McCormick, who have been recently drafted, might be called upon to provide additional support behind Frazier.
Rookie Zach Frazier Steps Up
In that case, with Herbig out, rookie Zach Frazier might be the next man up. He is a young player who has flashes but is put into a big task as a starter this early in his career. Rookies face challenges adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL games, so he will need to rise quickly to the challenge in the high-pressure environment.
The further the season goes, the more intriguing it’s going to be to see how the Steelers adjust after losing Herbig. They’re going to need to continue evaluating what they’re doing and make some adjustments on the fly. This will be important to monitor with Frazier, as well as the others, to know exactly how this team can keep going if raked with another kind of loss.
Though the Steelers lost the game, the case of Frazier was encouraging. Coach Mike Tomlin reported that he was fairly pleased with his work, even though Herbig’s injury was still being assessed. Such comments become inspiring and denote that Frazier can do the starting job.
Conclusion
While the Nate Herbig injury is a blow, it opens up a window for a stepping-up opportunity for rookie Zach Frazier. It might have huge implications on the team in all regards, from quarterback protection to the running game. Still, with proper adjustments and a positive mindset, the Steelers could move forward, tugging along toward success. But how well they cope with this little bit of adversity will be the biggest factor in their performance all year.
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