Recently, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive guard, Kevin Dotson joined a SteelerNation podcast, Three Point Stance. On the show, Dotson made some comments that left fans wondering if he was casting disparaging comments regarding one of his newest teammates, Broderick Jones.
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With the Steelers' heavy investment in LT Broderick Jones, it seems likely that he will start Week 1.
The show that Dotson appeared on is hosted by our own Kaleb Everhart and Derwin Gray. Gray, an offensive lineman, was drafted by the Steelers in 2019 and now plays in the XFL.
While on the show, Gray asked Dotson about the drafting of Jones, who is an offensive tackle out of the University of Georgia. They also wondered how that will impact Dan Moore Jr. who has been playing that position for the past two seasons. Dotson, who plays guard, seemed to imply that he doesn't think Jones will start this season.
"I think this year, most likely, [Jones] won't play. It just don't make sense to me. I'm just thinking they just thinking about the future. If he play this year, he is going to be at tackle. Chuks might be one of the most slept-on players in the league."
These comments set the internet on fire, with both the media and fans wondering if Dotson was underestimating Jones' ability to start as a rookie or overestimating Moore's ability to perform. Now another former Steelers offensive guard is chiming in with his two cents.
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Former Steelers OG Ramon Foster now hosts a podcast on DK Pittsburgh Sports.
Ramon Foster, who played guard for the Steelers for his entire 11-year career, now hosts a podcast called The Ramon Foster Show. The show airs via DK Pittsburgh Sports and is co-hosted by Dejan Kovacevic. Kovacevic has been a sports reporter in Pittsburgh for decades and spends a lot of time with the Steelers players.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers Guard Ramon Foster Says People Are Overreacting To Kevin Dotson's Comments
A fan wrote into the show and asked Foster and Kovacevic if they think Dotson is "throwing shade" at Jones starting because he is feeling the heat for the job. Kovacevic said that Dotson has been doing every interview that has been offered to him recently and that includes speaking with him during OTAs this week.
Kovacevic points out that despite the comment about Jones playing guard instead of tackle as he did in college, he doesn't think that is likely nor the reason that Dotson made the comment. Dotson and Jones play two different positions, so the heat is not necessarily on him.
Foster said that it is hard to keep a first-round player off the field, teams will want them to start. Kovacevic agrees and says that this isn't about Jones per se, but rather about Dotson supporting his teammate Moore. He also says that based on what he has heard, Moore will still see playing time, he won't be "buried" in the depth chart. However, we won't know how that will all work until after everyone gets in pads during training camp.
"I've always been where I have my wolf pack, my guys I was playing with, I went to bat for them at all costs," says Foster. "Understanding that both those guys - Dotson and Moore - are being put in similar situations. It's just, 'Hey, why should I be quiet? The business has exposed me and I'm gonna say what I feel like.' That's all he's doing. I think it's fair for him to go to bat for Dan Moore, but it is also Dan Moore's battle to fight and I know he will."
Foster also says that if he was giving advice to Jones or Moore, he would tell them the best thing they could do is say nothing. As soon as they chime in, it will escalate the situation. Just do their work on the field and let that speak for them.
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Steelers' Dan Moore Jr. comes out of the tunnel for the start of a game.
He also says it is not "shade," it is just a battle between two professionals for a major opportunity. Foster also points out that all rookies have to do a bit of this battling to earn not only their place on the field, but an opportunity to be "in" with the players. Moore is a vet, Jones is an unknown quantity, who still has to earn his stripes.
"If for anything, I hope Broderick [Jones] understands this is you just being a rookie. That's why I said earlier about Broderick not saying anything. His best thing is to say, 'Yeah, that's probably about right, I gotta go work for it. These dudes are pros, I'm fresh out of college. I'm young and dumb.' That's the best thing he can say."
Kovacevic also shares that he thinks it isn't a coincidence that in the locker room, those three guys are together in a row - Moore, Jones, and Dotson. According to him, Head Coach Mike Tomlin is too much of a genius to have that be a mistake. It is to help get the competitive juices flowing.
One thing is certain, it is going to be an interesting training camp. It is unusual for the offensive line to get a lot of attention, but with a second-year quarterback in Kenny Pickett, everyone feels invested in ensuring he is protected.
What did you make of Dotson's comment? Do you think he was throwing shade, or protecting his teammate? How do you think the OL battle will shake out? Click to comment below!
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