If Pittsburgh Steelers second-year inside linebacker Marshall McFadden had a fan club, I would probably be a charter member. No, the South Carolina State product is not a lock to make the 53 man roster out of training camp just yet, but he is starting to open a few eyes this year in training camp.
On Monday, Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest sang McFadden\’s praises not only on Twitter, but on the evening edition of Steelers Live as well.
“Marshall McFadden is somebody to watch. Looks like James Harrison, hits like Harrison, nasty like Harrison,” Labriola posted on his Twitter account.
Of course McFadden plays an entirely different position than Harrison did, but you can certainly see how impressed Labriola is of him nonetheless.
McFadden reportedly took his fair share of reps Monday during the first backs on backers drill of training camp and represented himself well. After whipping running back Baron Batch on one of the reps, Batch apparently took issue and the two likely would have scrapped had running backs coach Kirby Wilson not intervened.
McFadden led the Steelers in tackles last year during the preseason, but it should be noted that those tackles came very late in games. He does figure, however, to see more reps this year during the preseason with the second team and how he plays during those games will more than likely determine whether or not he makes the final roster or lands on the practice squad for a second season in a row.
McFadden told me over the offseason that he is a lot more comfortable in the defense now as opposed to last year. He also said he can play both the BUCK and the MACK spot as well as call the defense.
Keep your eyes peeled for McFadden moving forward, as he is no longer a secret.
