The Pittsburgh Steelers have seen some improved defensive play at all levels recently. In many ways, the front seven has been the catalyst of that effort. With T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and some good performances from the defensive tackles, the group has been more of a force in recent weeks. And although he doesn’t play quite as much as he should, Nick Herbig has been terrific as well.
Herbig played well enough against Cincinnati to earn praise from Brian Baldinger.
“Well, it’s gotten to a point where you can’t take Nick Herbig off the field,” Baldinger said. “He’s starting Sunday, he leads the Steelers in sacks. He played the most snaps of any defensive lineman. That guy right there, you can’t take him off the field.”
Baldinger breaks a play down from the Steelers’ 34-12 win over the Bengals that he posted to his X account Monday.
It is quite an impressive play. The way Herbig can maintain his speed through his bend around the tackle is just impossible to defend, and Joe Flacco has no chance to escape.
Nick Herbig’s a player fans have been wanting more snaps for in recent weeks. And in all honesty, his lack of playing time just doesn’t make sense. It’s understandably hard to take established players like Watt or Highsmith out of the starting lineup. But at this point, Baldinger is right, you just can’t take Herbig off the field.
Watt is obviously playing the most of any edge rusher, at an 82-percent snap share. After 10 games, Herbig and Highsmith are now tied at a 63-percent snap share. However, Highsmith had more coming into this week. He was ruled out Sunday because of an injury, which gave Herbig a chance to start and eat up many more snaps than usual.
Herbig took advantage of that opportunity. His sack was the Steelers’ only one of Flacco, and it now edges him past Watt for the team lead in sacks at 6.5 on the year. And Herbig is doing with far less snaps.
At this point in their respective careers, teams are starting to respect Herbig more than Watt.
There are two things to notice on this play. First, the Bengals elect to chip Herbig, not Watt, although each do a good job to create pressure. But watch Herbig throughout this entire sequence. When Kyle Dugger catches the ball, there are six Steelers ahead of him who could potentially make a block. By the time he crosses midfield, it’s just Herbig in front of him. Herbig runs the length of the field and makes a key block, one Dugger wouldn’t have scored without.
That’s the type of energy Herbig plays with, and it’s something the Steelers need. Baldinger is right that he can’t come off the field. He’s producing as much or more than the rest of the Steelers’ edge rushers, and he’s been doing it on less snaps than most.
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