Dobbs gets nod in preseason opener
LATROBE – It’s said that if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere.
Steelers rookie quarterback Josh Dobbs will get an opportunity to see if that’s the case when Pittsburgh plays its preseason opener Friday against the New York Giants.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday that Ben Roethlisberger would be a healthy scratch for the team’s preseason opener. And with backup Landry Jones out with an abdominal strain, that leaves Dobbs, a fourth-round pick out of Tennessee, as the team’s starter against the Giants.
“One man’s misfortune is another’s opportunity,” said Tomlin. “Landry has been dealing with an injury, so it gives Josh a chance to start. I know he’s excited. I’m excited about watching him.”
Dobbs, 22, has consistently made progress throughout the offseason and during the first two weeks of the team’s training camp at Saint Vincent College.
Unlike many rookies who come out of a spread-style offense, Dobbs hasn’t struggled making the adjustment to lining up under center or calling plays from the huddle.
Then again, he hasn’t had to do so in a stadium with thousands of people watching.
What Dobbs has gotten a chance to do is work with the first-team offense, when Roethlisberger rests his arm and Jones out the past week.
“As a quarterback, you’re a communicator,” said Dobbs. “You have to step into the huddle and communicate the play loudly and with confidence. Some of the plays, they get long and wordy. You try to slow it down. You just have to take ownership of that. It’s a little different when you’re going with the (first team). They’re used to Ben and everything. But it comes with the quarterback position. You have to own the position, own the playbook and make it work.”
Learning has never been an issue for Dobbs. He graduated from Tennessee with a degree in aerospace engineering and spent the summer of 2015 at an internship at Pratt & Whitney, where he worked in the design, manufacturing and service of aircraft engines for the U.S. government.
The Steelers knew he had the mental acumen to process things quickly. What they didn’t know is if his skills would translate to the professional level.
So far, so good. But Friday night will be the next big test.
“He’s a bright-eyed and willing worker,” said Tomlin. “He seems to be able to learn from his mistakes, which is good. But he also seems to be able to learn from the mistakes of others, which is doubly good.”
“A lot of things we won’t know until we get him into the stadium. At that position, you are defined by what you do under certain circumstances.”
Dobbs started 35 games for the Volunteers and set a school record for rushing yards by a quarterback (2,160), career rushing touchdowns (32), single-season rushing (831). He also ranks fifth in Tennessee history with 7,138 passing yards.
At 6-3, 216 pounds, he’s a dual threat. He ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. But he knows he can’t just be a runner in the NFL.
“I’m just anxious to compete,” said Dobbs. “You play to compete at the highest level, whether it’s in practice or a preseason game. Playing in the NFL is something I’ve dreamed about for a long time. To be on that stage, I’m very thankful for that. I’m ready to go out and play at a high level.”
He’s also gotten some words of wisdom from Roethlisberger.
It might be the most simple thing one quarterback can tell another.
“Make sure you throw the ball to the right color,” said Dobbs with a laugh. “If I do that, it will be a good day.”
In addition to Roethlisberger, Tomlin said wide receiver Antonio Brown would be a healthy scratch. … Tomlin wouldn’t officially declare any other players out for the game other than Jones, but safety Mike Mitchell, left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, center Maurkice Pouncey, linebacker Ryan Shazier, cornerbacks Senquez Golson, Cameron Sutton and Artie Burns, receiver Demarcus Ayers and running back James Conner all have missed enough practice time that they are unlikely to play. … Tomlin said he has been in constant contact with running back Le’Veon Bell but has no new information on when the All-Pro intends to report to the Steelers. Bell is currently not under contract but has a franchise tender offer waiting for his signature that would pay him $12.12 million this season. … Thursday is a travel day for the Steelers. They will not return to Saint Vincent until Sunday, when they will hold their next open practice at 3 p.m.