Kevin Dotson Must Work To Earn Starting Place – Tomlin
A promising rookie campaign from Kevin Dotson isn’t enough to guarantee him a starting place in Pittsburgh’s offensive line.
That’s according to head coach Mike Tomlin, who welcomed Kevin Dotson to his first day of training camp on Sunday.
The left guard (24), hasn’t yet worked with the Steelers first team throughout training camp. Still rehabbing from an ankle injury, Kevin Dotson has worked alone and with the second team.
He is listed ahead of both B.J Finney and veteran free agency signing Rashaad Coward on the left guard chart. However, the 2020 fourth round pick has to earn his reps, said Tomlin.
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“He has done nothing to earn first-team reps,” said Tomlin. “What are we talking about? He’s a second-year guy who hasn’t worked.”
Tomlin played his cards close to his chest when asked about how Dotson performed on Sunday.
“I can’t tell you,” Tomlin said. “I’ll look at the tape first. It was good to have him back out there today.”
He did, though, praise the mentality of Rashaad Coward, who played 30 games at guard for the Chicago Bears. He will rotate with starter Trai Turner at the right guard position in the revamped Steelers O-line.
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“I think he’s done an excellent job,” Tomlin said of Coward. “He has the mannerisms and demeanor of a veteran and that’s needed, particularly when we’re going through the transition that we’re going through with that group.
“When we’re missing some guys who work with that group, his level of maturity and experience is showing. It’s an asset to him and us.”
