Mike Tomlin always talks about wanting his players to deliver "splash plays" to impact games. None of his defensive players in the second half of the Steelers' 30-28 victory against the Buccaneers made more splash plays than rookie linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III.
Let's go over Gilbert's very impressive night:
Gilbert finished with three tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception on a two-point conversion. He also tied for the most quarterback hits (4) with Tuzar Skipper. Gilbert and Robert Spillane both had good showings for inside linebackers looking to make the team. I profiled Spillane's performance Tuesday, but today it's about the player who popped off the screen with splash plays.
Gilbert doesn't have any combine numbers to brag about, but he was the Steelers' sixth-round selection and one of nine players from the MAC on the training camp roster. Tomlin likes what he brings to the table as an athlete who can line up and contibute in multiple positions.
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