The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the midst of one of their most intriguing OTAs in several years as there are storylines all throughout the team. From the team's revamped offensive line, second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett's development, all the new free agent signings or the new rookies.
Karl Roser | Steelers.com
Steelers first-round pick Brodrick Jones (77) fights during OTAs to unseat incumbent starter Dan Moore Jr. (65)
One person who hasn't garnered a significant amount of attention or headlines through the entire process has been one of the Steelers' seventh-round picks, Spencer Anderson.
Flying Under The Radar Is Exactly What Steelers' Spencer Anderson Is Striving For
Being selected with the team's last pick in this past draft, and so much attention being given to players like Broderick Jones recently around his potential to start day one, has cast a shadow over Anderson and his outlook with the team. However, that isn't necessarily a bad thing in his eyes. Speaking with Chris Adamski from The Tribune-Review, he mentioned he wants to just lay low while keeping a low profile.
Anderson's desire to keep a low profile has been working, as most of Steeler Nation and the media haven't been talking about him regularly. However, other members of the team, including his peers on the offensive line, have taken notice. That includes both third-year offensive linemen Dan Moore Jr. and Kendrick Green, who also have their own situations a bit up in the air this offseason. Both Moore and Green hit on Anderson's versatility.
“He’s shown that he can play pretty much all five, I had no idea he could snap until I saw him taking some snaps after practice one day, and I was just like, ‘All right dude, you can snap!’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, I can.’"
Moore clearly was caught off guard by Anderson's ability to play all the different positions along the offensive line and was impressed that he could snap and play center. He went on to talk about how Anderson has the ability to be a versatile player and play multiple positions.
“Obviously those guys are much needed in the league and especially in this organization. Having a guy who can play all five positions, respect from me because it is extremely hard to do. For a lot of guys, (that kind of versatility) is not the case. Usually, most guys can play one or two positions. But to be able to play multiple, that’s really good, especially being that young.”
There isn't a very clear picture of how the Steelers offensive line is going to pan out by the time Week 1 rolls around, especially once you move past the starting five. The team is in a unique, but very good spot in terms of the amount of depth they have up front on offense. That depth will make it difficult for Anderson to stick around, but being the "Jack of all trades" as Green referred to him, gives him an advantage over most of the room.
Gene J. Puskar | AP
Steelers rookie offensive lineman Spencer Anderson while at rookie minicamp
While he is laying low, Anderson hasn't been shy about making sure he is taking advantage of all the years of NFL experience in the Steelers' locker room. He mentioned how Offensive Line Coach Pat Meyer has been helping him a lot to improve his hand technique so that he can hold his own against the step-up to NFL competition. Anderson also elaborated on how other veteran offensive linemen, Chukwuma Okorafor and James Daniels, are helping him out.
“I feel like they are kind of taking me under their wing and showing me the ropes,” Anderson said while pointing to Daniels and Okorafor. "I am kind of following in their paths and soaking in all the information I can.”
Getting all the help he can from all of these guys with years of experience in the NFL is a very smart choice, but Anderson isn't stopping at just getting guidance from them. Despite laying low he is still working day in and day out, and this kind of mindset is refreshing to hear and really echoes the sentiment of doing things the 'Steelers way.' Anderson added these comments about how he chooses to work on his craft.
“Just coming in, getting my work done, getting better every day. There’s always something to learn and make yourself better at.”
If there was ever a seventh-round pick to sneak into the 53-man roster, a guy with Anderson's attitude and versatility is someone who should be able to secure a spot.
What do you think about Anderson's ability to play all offensive line positions? Do you think he finds his way on the initial 53-man roster? Let us know in the comments below!
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