RYAN SHAZIER
Inside Linebacker
His NFL debut was highly-anticipated, and befitting a guy comfortable with the spotlight, Ryan Shazier didn't disappoint. In his first preseason action, Shazier was the starting inside linebacker next to Lawrence Timmons, and he played until there was about five minutes left in the first half. In that span, Shazier had nine tackles, an interception that he returned 27 yards to set up the Steelers' second touchdown, and he also had two tackles on special teams.
Ryan Shazier is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week.
"I thought he did some good things but not unlike what he's done when he's worked," said Coach Mike Tomlin about Shazier. "From the instant he got here he's proven that it's not too big for him, so I can't tell you that I'm surprised by his effort tonight. I'm not."
Also considered was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who completed 8-of-11 for 128 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 150.8; wide receiver Antonio Brown, who caught two passes for 93 yards, including a 76-yard catch-and-run for the team's first touchdown; safety Robert Golden, who broke up a fourth-down pass in the end zone, intercepted another pass, and recovered a fumble; inside linebacker Terence Garvin, who had seven tackles, including one for loss, plus a sack; outside linebacker Vic So'oto, who had three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble; and punter Brad Wing, who averaged 44.5 yards on six punts, with two inside the 20-yard line.
