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Coaches exposing him to ‘a lot,’ but Steelers rookie Antoine Brooks’ first focus is safety

Chris Adamski
| Saturday, May 9, 2020 11:38 a.m.
AP
Maryland’s Antoine Brooks was a sixth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers last month. While team management has lauded him for versatility to play as a defensive back or linebacker, Brooks said that during virtual rookie minicamp he has been concentrating on safety.

Antoine Brooks appealed to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the draft because of his versatility. Less than two weeks into his pro career, that remains true. But it’s his given position — safety — that is Brooks’ primary focus during this weekend’s virtual rookie minicamp.

“(Coaches) have let me know a lot of things,” Brooks said Saturday in a video call with media. “We’ve been talking about a lot of certain positions, but primarily safety.”

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Brooks was a linebacker as a freshman at Maryland but was listed at defensive back the past three seasons. The Steelers were intrigued by his ability to fit into a hybrid role as a box safety or dime linebacker, and they are thin at inside linebacker.

Steeled rookie Antoine Brooks, on what the coaches have told him about his projected role.

This video, Also: the perils of video conferencing pic.twitter.com/Y5UbJmAAMw

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 9, 2020

Brooks has spent his virtual meeting time with the coaches who focus on safeties — senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Teryl Austin and defensive backs coach Tom Bradley.

Time will tell, if or when Brooks and the Steelers are cleared to go onto a practice field, if Brooks will expand his role into hybrid-like positions.

“(Coaches) have been sending me information about certain positions, one by one,” said Brooks, a sixth-rounder taken with the 198th pick. “I’m just ready to contribute to the Steelers and play for them. Not really much I can say. I am just ready to contribute and prepare myself and ready to play on Sundays. And Mondays and Thursdays.”

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