Category: Zach Frazier

Center Ryan McCollum showcases resilience in buildup to Week 7

C Ryan McCollum proves why everyone should follow their dreams, and to continue to work hard to make all things possible.

While losing dominant rookie center Zach Frazier to injury in Week 6 was far from ideal, the wise words of the next-man-up, center Ryan McCollum, surely instill confidence in both Steelers fans and the organization alike.

McCollum has played in 19 career games after going undrafted in 2021. His lone start came during his rookie year with the Detroit Lions, and he has bounced on and off the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad since. However, now set for his second career start in relief of Frazier, McCollum has never let the hard times and uncertainty this game brings get him down.

This is exactly the type of attitude you want out a backup who is looking to make the most of his opportunity.  While the Steelers offensive line is extremely banged up, losing 3 starters to injury so far in 2024, the team appears to be in capable hands with McCollum looking to spearhead the Pittsburgh rushing attack.  The Steelers will lean on his efforts and the offense overall, as the team faces a stout New York Jets’ defense in Week 7.

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Steelers O-line can’t catch break after injury to standout rookie

Health has not been with the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line in 2024, and Zach Frazier is the unit’s latest casualty. 

Health has not been with the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line in 2024, and Zach Frazier is the unit’s latest casualty.

Pittsburgh has suffered several significant O-line injuries, including losing starting center Nate Herbig (shoulder), guard James Daniels (Achilles) and rookie tackle Troy Fautanu (knee).

According to Fox Sports’ insider Jordan Schultz, it’s a week-to-week ankle injury for the standout rookie. Given the look of the play in which the injury occurred, it’s actually good news.

The Steelers have been desperate for a franchise center since Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement, and the second-round Frazier has fit the bill. Six games into what could be a whopper of a career, Frazier is rightfully heralded as the line’s best player. His 82.2 grade from Pro Football Focus — a rookie center best — is highlighted by zero sacks allowed.

According to the 33rd Team, Frazier allowed no pressures on 26 pass attempts by Raiders quarterback Aiden O’Connell before exiting the game.

The timing of their bye week — two games after back-to-back prime-time matchups versus the state of New York — could come in handy. The Steelers have a brutal stretch of games that Frazier needs to be at his best after their Week 9 break.

Mike Tomlin could shed more light on Frazier’s injury during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1845942209201192961

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NFL Network analyst breaks down Zach Frazier’s elite performance in Week 2

Rookie Zach Fraizer has been a huge upgrade at center this seaosn.

There were plenty of both positive and negative takeaways from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 2 victory over the Denver Broncos.  The offense seemed to be off to a hot start in the first half, only to sputter out and be almost nonexistent in the second half of football.  Brian Baldinger, an NFL Network analyst known for his breakdown of player performance, shed light on what he believes was best performance on the Steelers’ offense.

https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/1835852522470158495

Baldinger frequently referenced Zach Frazier’s ability to put defenders on the ground, highlighting one key play in which Najee Harris broke free for 9 yards thanks to an elite block by Frazier.

Zach Frazier, a 2024 second-round pick out of West Virginia, is outperforming expectations thus far into the Steelers’ 2024 campaign.  The outstanding rookie center will look to keep his great performances coming as the Steelers prepare for their home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday, September 22nd, at 1 PM EST.

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Steelers rookie to start with Nate Herbig’s season officially over

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie center Zach Frazier moves into the starting lineup with Nate Herbig on injured reserve.

The presumed starting center of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 offensive line is done for the season. Nate Herbig, who repped with the first team all of training camp, has landed on injured reserve with a torn rotator cuff.

Multiple reports earlier this week speculated that Herbig would be out for an extended time, though Mike Tomlin awaited a second opinion.

With Herbig sidelined comes an earlier-than-anticipated opportunity for Zach Frazier. The rookie center out of West Virginia has played solid in Herbig’s absence and has been the star of an offensive line that’s started poorly this preseason.

Frazier was on the field for 83 snaps in the Steelers’ first two preseason games and has not allowed a sack in 43 pass plays. According to Joe Rutter of TribLive, Frazier was on the field more than any Steelers offensive or defensive player on Saturday versus the Buffalo Bills. He remained in after Justin Fields replaced Russell Wilson and played eight of the Steelers’ 10 series.

Until a suffering broken leg in the Mountaineer’s final game of the 2023 college football season last November, Frazier was initially projected as a first-round selection.

Frazier will now have the opportunity to show 31 other teams that they were wrong to let him slide.

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Steelers rookie Zach Frazier gets nod with Nate Herbig sidelined for ‘extended period’

Steelers rookie C Zach Frazier is promoted to starter with veteran OL Nick Herbig injured.

Mike Tomlin is known for bringing his rookies along slowly, and that appeared to be his approach with rookie center Zach Frazier this season. But an injury to veteran offensive lineman Nate Herbig has foiled that plan.

Herbig worked with the first team throughout training camp until sustaining a shoulder injury in practice on Aug. 11.

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote in a tweet that Herbig’s “significant” injury will sideline him for an extended period of time, if not the season.

The sixth-year lineman started the Steelers’ first preseason game last week and had a forgettable outing, mishandling two snaps that resulted in fumbles by quarterback Justin Fields.

Herbig’s injury cuts into the depth of Pittsburgh’s offensive line. Though Frazier was inevitably expected to become the starting center, Herbig was slated as the backup at both right and left guard and center.

Expect the Steelers to be working out offensive linemen this week to bolster their depth.

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Zach Frazier feels ‘extra pressure’ placed on him by elite Steelers

Steelers rookie C Zach Frazier is expected to perform at a high level.

From Ray Mansfield, Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson to Jeff Hartings and Maurkice Pouncey, a long line of centers have performed at elite levels for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Some expectations come with being a Steeler, especially as one drafted in the mid-second round: Zach Frazier is anticipated to perform at a high level.

No matter who came before him, all Frazier can do is be Frazier.

“It puts a little bit of extra pressure on me,” said Frazier with a smile, “but I’m just gonna work as hard as I can, try to put my head down and work.”

Frazier already has the process underway—definitely a good sign.

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Steelers rookie C Zach Frazier praises those who came before

Steelers rookie center Zach Frazier has enormous shoes to fill.

Zach Frazier has enormous shoes to fill. Once upon a time, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense line was hailed almost as high as their defense. The unit is what helped Ben Roethlisberger and Terry Bradshaw do what they did best.

It’s been quite some time since the Steelers lived up to that tradition, ignoring the need for generational players and filling the gaps with aging veterans.

Finally, in 2023, the offensive line rebuild started to take shape with the hire of trenches guru Andy Weidl. Weidl was responsible for selecting players that earned the Philadelphia Eagles one of the best units in the NFL.

Maurkice Pouncey. Dermontti Dawson. Mike Webster. Ray Mansfield. Two Hall of Famers, one future Hall of Famer and one who should be. For rookie Zach Frazier, those players offer a standard to live up to.

“Yeah, there’s a rich tradition of great centers here and there’s definitely a high standard for that position,” Frazier said in his introductory press conference. “And that’s just going to make me work that much harder to uphold that standard and keep that standard.”

Frazier has the motor. With some work, he has the potential to be added to the list of legendary Pittsburgh Steelers centers.

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Steelers QB Russell Wilson reacts to draft pick Zach Frazier

Steelers QB Russell Wilson could hardly contain his excitement about rookie Zach Frazier.

Nothing is more important to a quarterback, especially one on the downside of his career, than a stout offensive line. And Russell Wilson now has it, thanks to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first two picks: Tackle Troy Fautanu and center Zach Frazier.

Wilson kept his response short and sweet, posting “FRAZ!!!”

With Broderick Jones, James Daniels, Isaac Seumalo, Fautanu and now Frazier, Wilson should have the protection he needs to go to work in 2024.

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Steelers rookie center Zach Frazier shares video message with fans

Steelers rookie C Zach Frazier took a moment to share a video message with fans.

Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin (tried to) put on a good front about their team not having an urgent need for a center. Only most of Steelers Nation didn’t fall for it and for good reason — it was an urgent need and Zach Frazier appears to fill it.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” Frazier said in a video message via the Pittsburgh Steelers’ X account. “I’m ready to get to work. Can’t wait to get up there tomorrow. Can’t wait.”

Something we immediately notice: Zach Frazier can’t wait. And neither can we.

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