Among the Steelers' rookies, Javon Hargrave has provided the biggest splash this preseason. From stonewalling centers to changing the line of scrimmage and contributing to the pass rush, the third-round draft pick from South Carolina State University has shown a good amount of promise.
Dustin Dopirak wrote today about how Hargrave is earning praise from locker room leaders Lawrence Timmons and Cam Heyward.
This film room session focuses on what Hargrave did in New Orleans last Friday.
ATTACKS NATURAL DOUBLE-TEAMS
One key component of a good defensive tackle is the ability to take on double teams without giving up much ground. In the Steelers' usual three-man fronts when they use a traditional defensive tackle, that means lining up in either the zero or one techniques. That positioning makes it vital for an offensive line to move the defensive tackle out of the way on run plays, which usually calls for the center and a guard to double-team the tackle to get the job done.
Here, the Saints try just that, but Hargrave, as he has in both his other preseason performances, takes it on like a seasoned veteran. He consistently keeps his pad level lower than his opponents, establishing and maintaining the leverage necessary to hold his position and even gain ground. On this play, Hargrave takes on the center and left guard, not giving up any ground as the Steelers keep the run play contained. Though the result was giving up a conversion on third and short, this play was an example of Hargrave doing his duty. Notice how free he keeps both Ryan Shazier and Timmons to roam the line of scrimmage and make a play.
This is a major element of a defensive tackle, and Hargrave performs in this aspect consistently.
KEEPS LINEBACKERS CLEAN
Taking on double teams is one thing, but actively occupying two linemen against the run when that was not the offense's plan is another. On this play, notice how Hargrave shrugs off the cut block attempt of the left guard and manages to occupy the center just long enough to keep Timmons and Shazier clean. You can tell from the center's body language that his assignment was to get to the second tier of the defense and get a helmet on Timmons, but Hargrave nullifies his effort and helps lock up the play. These are the unsung hero efforts that go into stopping the run.
PASS RUSH MOVES LEAD TO SACK
If you read Dustin's article, you can see the comments on Hargrave's explosiveness from his veteran teammates. This play is an example of how fast he gets off the ball. He maneuvers himself with two steps to outside the frame of the center and with a simple slap clears his own path to the quarterback for the sack. One-on-one victories like this create more problems for offenses to solve and take away attention from other pass rushers like Stephon Tuitt and Heyward.
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