The Pittsburgh Steelers went into their Week 6 matchup as 9.5 point underdogs to the Tom Brady led Tampa Bay Buccaneers and pulled off one of the biggest upsets throughout the entire NFL so far this season. Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett led the team to an opening drive touchdown, which was the first touchdown the Steelers have recorded in a first quarter since Week 10 of 2021.
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett and running back Najee Harris celebrate a touchdown in the first quarter of the Steelers' Week 6 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Everything was looking sunny in Pittsburgh until Pickett took a shot from Buccaneers linebacker Devin White which would ultimately sideline him for the rest of the game due to a concussion. Steelers backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky had his number called upon and had multiple clutch plays in critical moments of the fourth quarter which sealed the victory and ended the Steelers' four-game losing streak.
One particular player for the Steelers continues to struggle on the defensive side of the ball, and that's inside linebacker, Robert Spillane. Spillane appeared in 71% of the defensive snaps in Week 6, which was by far his season high. He finished the game with five combined tackles and one pass deflection. All-in-all, it was one of Spillane's better games as a Steeler. But there are glaring holes in Spillane's game that have caused him to be a liability on defense.
Some of which may be schematic issues, there have been multiple times where Spillane has been stuck covering the opposing team's number one receiver. But there are others where it is simply a lack of communication or blown coverage on his part which end up as big gains for the opposing offense. I believe that it is time for the Steelers to cut back on the snaps Spillane has and give them to another young player that they drafted this off-season.
Steelers 2022 7th-round pick Mark Robinson dressed for the first time in his career last weekend but didn't see much playing time. Robinson only recorded five total snaps, all of which were on special teams. Robinson had a stellar rookie preseason and proved to be a steal in the late rounds of the draft.
Devin Bush better be on a short leash because man, this Mark Robinson dude can ball out. Looks like the Colbert found another late round gem. pic.twitter.com/AZx3p4mJUh
— Collin Schmitt (@collinlschmitt) August 21, 2022
During the preseason, Robinson recorded 14 combined tackles and one sack and played in all three games. He gave fans flashbacks to former linebacker Vince Williams, another late-round pick that spent many years in Pittsburgh.
Steelers rookie linebacker Mark Robinson (93) during a preseason matchup against the Detroit Lions. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
What Role Should Robinson Play In The Steelers Defense?
I don't expect Robinson to set the world on fire and become one of the leading tacklers on the defense, but I do think he is much more capable of having an impact than Spillane. I believe they should use him as the third linebacker behind Myles Jack and Devin Bush. Bush is on a tight leash due to a lack of production since his incredible rookie season, but he did show some flashes and ultimately made the play of the game as he broke up the potential game-tying pass on the Buccaneers' fourth-quarter two-point conversion try.
Mark Robinson (93) / Photo Credit: Steeelers.com
Robinson would be the perfect answer behind Jack and Bush. We have seen what Spillane brings to the table and so far that has not been good enough, in my opinion. I would expect Robinson to make more of an impact and have a chance at being a starter in 2023 if the Steelers do in fact decide to part ways with Bush. Nonetheless, I believe it is time for Robinson to be handed a bigger role and get a significant amount of snaps on defense.
What do you think? Do you believe Robinson is the better answer at backup inside linebacker and should be seeing more playing time than he has six weeks into the season? Tell us what you think in the comment section below or on my Twitter @collinlschmitt.
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