A lot is expected out of guard David DeCastro in 2014. In fact, if he doesn’t make first-team All-Pro in his third season, it will be a huge disappointment.
Due to most of his rookie season being wiped out by a knee injury suffered during the preseason, DeCastro’s initial development was slowed severely. Now that he’s had a full season to acclimate himself to the NFL game, the former first-round draft pick should be able to live up to his pre draft billing.
Being a technician of sorts, DeCastro should be right at home with new Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak, who was regarded as one of the league’s best technicians during his playing days.
“What he knows about the game, the little stuff (he shows his players) in technique, I can’t speak enough to him,” DeCastro said recently of Munchak, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Overall, DeCastro played above the line last season. He was, however, still a little inconsistent, but believes the progress that he made in 2013 will be much easier to build on in 2014.
“The jump from Year 1 to Year 2 is the biggest,” DeCastro said. “Now the rest is kind of fine-tuning things. Just being a rookie is great. Now you can kind of understand the game and build on top of that. … Nothing’s a surprise anymore.”
According to recent comments made by Munchak, he will be surprised if DeCastro doesn’t play like an offensive lineman that’s been in the league for several years.
“I think there are a lot of guys coming into their best years,” Munchak said recently of his offensive line. “I always tell guys their fourth year, their fifth year, their sixth year are where they understand the league now. That’s where David is right now (heading into his third year).”
