The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted former Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. When it comes to drafting players from the SEC, especially Georgia and Alabam, the reputation is that when they get to the NFL, the intensity is less at practice than what it was in college.
This appears to be true from Jones standpoint. When Jones spoke to the media during training camp, he was asked to compare what practices are like between Georgia and Pittsburgh as well as his coaches. Jones
“Coach Smart is always full go, all the time,” Jones said. “Coach T is just a little bit more laid back.”
I’m not sure how a comment like this will sit well with Tomlin. He prides himself on his intensity and energy at practices but it sounds like Smart has set the bar and Tomlin’s not quite there. Obviously, when it comes to pushing young guys fighting for a chance to go to the NFL, you can go much harder than pushing millionaires who have already made it.