4 questions Steelers LB Robert Spillane must answer vs. Titans
By Tommy Jaggi
Will athleticism be an issue?
An overall lack of athleticism from Robert Spillane certainly was not on display in the second half of Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns. Spillane easily flowed to the ball carrier and delivered several big hits.
However, this isn’t to say that this couldn’t end up being an issue. Everyone looks like an athlete when you’re going downhill and lighting up running backs. But if Spillane is asked to turn and run with a tight end or running back down the seam, will he be able to do so?
According to Spillane’s reported Pro Day results, the former Western Michigan linebacker didn’t test very well at all. He ran just a 4.77 40-yard dash and posted a vertical jump of just 32.5 inches. His 9’2” broad jump, 4.4 shuttle, and 7.13 3-cone drill were equally disappointing.
Perhaps Spillane was having a rough day, but numbers are all well below average compared to NFL linebackers, and he will have to prove that a lack of overall athleticism won’t be an issue as he takes the field against the Titans this week.