Home Player Spotlight David DeCastro Has to Step Up His Play

David DeCastro Has to Step Up His Play

by Steeldad

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Right Guard David DeCastro was an all-pro selection last season. If he doesn’t step up his play over the final 10 games he can kiss his ‘all-pro’ status goodbye. Since signing his five-year $50 million contract, DeCastro has struggled and that has to change immediately. While it wouldn’t be the first time a guy has gotten a huge payday only to have his play suddenly regress( LaMarr Woodley I’m looking at you), DeCastro was supposed to be the anchor of this offensive line.

The one area where he is struggling the most is pass protection. He is getting beaten and with what amounts to a straight bull-rush. That’s nothing fancy at all – it’s strength versus strength – but it doesn’t mean his technique can’t help him.  To be fair, DeCastro has had to play against guys like Geno Atkins and Ndamukong Suh but that’s what he’s getting paid for isn’t it? To go up against the best and come out on top is usually the goal.

In the first picture, you’ll see DeCastro getting completely whipped by Suh. His pressure completely blows up a planned screen pass to Xavier Grimble.

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In the next series of pictures which all come from the same play, look how far DeCastro has been shoved back by Philadelphia’s Fletcher Cox.

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At the snap, DeCastro has already let Cox get his arms inside of his and is starting his push towards Ben Roethlisberger.

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At this point, there is a pretty clean pocket for Roethlisberger as he looks down-field. The problem is that DeCastro is being back-peddled into him.

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In the fourth and final photo above, DeCastro is almost in the lap of Roethlisberger who will side-step to his left and complete a short pass to Antonio Brown for no gain.

This sequence has played out all too often for DeCastro and the Steelers so far this season. If he is supposed to be the rock or the anchor of this offensive line then his play has to get better and more consistent. Every week he will see another great player across from him so that shouldn’t be a surprise.

For all of the problems Alejandro Villanueva has had DeCastro isn’t supposed to be right there with him in terms of inconsistencies but he is. Mike Munchak has some work to do. Then again, that’s nothing new for him since he arrived here.

Photo courtesy CBS Sports

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