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PITTSBURGH (AP) – Mike Munchak is passionate about projects like Chukwuma Okorafor. The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach likes few things, aside from taking raw talent, especially unconventional talent, to become something much more substantial.
The list of Munchak's protégés includes left-thrower Alejandro Villanueva, a former army officer who has made three tours in Afghanistan before starting his career in the NFL. Ditto Matt Feiler, who did not evolve after a career in Bloomsburg Division II, however, set the path that separated him from the coaches' training teams.
Now, it may be the turn of Okorafor. The choice of the third rookie round was exercised at the right tackle with the starters Wednesday, Marcus Gilbert still having a knee injury and Feiler – who made five straight starts in Gilbert's place – facing a pectoral problem.
It is doubtful that Feiler will be ready to play on Sunday when the Steelers (7-2-1) head to Denver (4-6), leaving Okorafor second in the line-up to line up against Broncos's linebacker. Von Miller.
Okorafor, 21, born in Nigeria and where he spent part of his childhood before moving to the United States at the age of 12, may need to find a way to keep a Pro Bowler six times already in office. 10 sacks this season to disrupt Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
No pressure or anything.
"He knows what he's doing," Okorafor said on Wednesday. & # 39; & # 39; You just have to watch a movie and continue playing. & # 39; & # 39;
Roethlisberger, meanwhile, does not expect Okorafor or Feiler, or whoever would be the right attacker, to be able to handle Miller alone.
& # 39; & # 39; No one can really block Von Miller to tell you the truth, so we'll have to put a few guys out there, "he said. said Roethlisberger.
& # 39; & # 39; We will not be crazy and make sure that one guy does it. We will have to put some guys there because he and (Bradley) Chubb are pretty special. & # 39; & # 39;
Maybe, but the Steelers love what they saw from Okorafor, which they took with the 92nd overall pick of the repechage after a strong career in central Michigan. The 6-foot-6, 320-pounder is tall but athletic and has carved a role as a tight end blocking in running situations. There is never any doubt when Okorafor is in the game. Because he is numbered 76, he has to check with the referees during his reports. This will not happen if it simply ranks next to the right tackle David DeCastro.
He is more than happy to enjoy his anonymity and do his job, a job very different from what he had imagined when the phone rang in April with the Steelers at the other end. Munchak, a full-fledged Hall of Fame lineman, likes to turn his players into students of the match. Okorafor does its best to be a sponge.
"I do not want to offend my coach at the university, but it's like a new level of look at the pieces, on your technique and on every piece," Okorafor said.
Okorafor hardly considers himself the same player as he was six months ago, a tribute to Munchak's approach. Quick to use his sense of humor to attract the attention of the players, Munchak has taken a more professorial approach with Okorafor. It works. Okorafor is watching a movie and admits that he is stunned by the road traveled for six months, a tribute to Munchak.
"Coach Munch knows what he's doing, he knows how to train guys," Okorafor said. "All guys play differently and coach in a different way. You can not impose the same kind of coaching on all guys and think it's going to work. & # 39; & # 39;
This is one of the reasons why the Steelers have won six straight victories, including five with Feiler starting the first few starts of his NFL career instead of Gilbert. Pittsburgh kept humming anyway. Expectations will not change if Okorafor mixes with beginners in Denver.
"He has all the tools, he's just young," said DeCastro. & # 39; & # 39; I remember being a rookie and the game was fast. There was a lot going on and there are things that I did not know at the time that I learned and experienced and that made my life easier. I just have to play there and play fast when I need it, take care of it and get it back when we can. & # 39;
NOTES: From Stephon Tuitt (elbow) did not practice. … LB Anthony Chickillo (ankle) was a full participant. … Roethlisberger, BC Joe Haden and C Maurkice Pouncey were released.
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