Genuine and sincere praise for rookies is never a bad thing. Historically, the Pittsburgh Steelers have actually been reluctant to say too many nice things about them, though they seem to have changed their tune more recently, especially since they began relying upon them to play early more frequently.
Mike Tomlin’s standard remark when asked about a good practice by a rookie in years past might have been simply, ‘he’s a rookie’. Now he lavishes praise on the likes of Alex Highsmith, their third-round outside linebacker. And he hasn’t been the only one doing it.
Just on Tuesday, tackle Chukwuma Okorafor was asked to pick somebody who was standing out to him.