JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --Juan Thornhill wanted to make the right statement to Pittsburgh Steelers fans who were getting their first look at him in the Black and Gold.
The play, which was a play action concept called drift, sent Jacksonville Jaguars star wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. on a route over the middle of the field. Once Thornhill saw the play, he broke on the ball and laid out Thornhill.
Thornhill says that when he got into a Steelers uniform, he wanted to make a statement, and that play was exactly what he wanted to send.
“My whole goal was to set the season off the right way. I could have tried to pick it off, but I just want to set a tone for this defense to be one of the most physical in the NFL. I think that hit definitely helped with that,” Thornhill said.
Thornhill was released by the Cleveland Browns this offseason and played through multiple injuries that he believes affected his level of play.
However, he flew around the football field during training camp and did it again in his first drive with the Steelers. That’s just who Thornhill is, though.
“I just try to sit back and read the quarterback,” Thornhill said. “I make those plays on the football and try to send a message manning the middle of the field.”
If the Steelers get the play from Thornhill throughout the season, they have received through training camp and the first preseason, they will have a potent secondary that defense could have a tough time cracking.
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