Love of the game keeps him going: It's a given in almost every interview Steelers players have done over the past few weeks, and NFL players in general, that a similar question will be asked.
'What kind of impact will not having a preseason and a shortened training camp have on the team?'
During a zoom call with David DeCastro on Monday morning, the question of course was asked. And DeCastro's answer reflected what a glance at the Steelers roster would tell you.
"I think this whole thing for us as an offensive line, the short training camp, is beneficial because we are a veteran group," said DeCastro. "I think it bodes well for us. It will be positive for us because we are a veteran team. Training camp, all those preseason games are for the younger guys. I don't think it takes as much for us to get in shape as a veteran group. The older you get, less is more because you don't need that pounding on your body. I think it bodes well for us offensive and defensive wise. We have good depth too. I am actually excited about that."
So excited that it never crossed his mind that he would opt-out for the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Steelers are one of a few teams that had no opt outs, and DeCastro said it's because of the love of the game.
"I like the routine of playing football. I don't know what I would do without it," said DeCastro. "You have to be all in when you are playing football. Once you say you are done, and you check out, you can't really come back to it. I have always had the mindset, being all in, football being number one.
"It's sort of a religious experience, the closest thing I can get for myself. I love the game. I always have. It's done so much for me. You have to be all about football, attacking that day.
"I am not ready to be done yet. I still enjoy it, still enjoy the routine, coming to work with these guys, (Maukice) Pouncey and Al (Villanueva). The group is kind of fading away. You guys ask every year do you appreciate what you have with the offensive line. We really do. The light is coming to the end of the tunnel. We're all enjoying it. We all know we're old. It might be Al's last year; Pouncey and I are getting old too. Who knows what's going to happen."
DeCastro is hoping the 2020 season is a far cry from 2019, an 8-8 season he referred to as a 'disaster.' The key to turning that around is overall team play, but having Ben Roethlisberger back will be a difference maker. And not just having Roethlisberger back, but a different Roethlisberger than DeCastro has seen over the last few years.
"He seems like he has a lighter, positive attitude. He is happier," said DeCastro. "It's not just that he is a talented player in his own right, it's what he does for the people around him. He has the ability to make you play better. He forces you to play better because he expects it. It's similar to Pouncey in a way that true leaders aren't just good players. They demand your best when you are out there. He has that presence in the huddle and expects the best from you. He expects you not to lose. The more I have been around him over the years, he has always had that. That is part of what makes him great. He seems happy, he is light on his feet, and he is having a good time back out there.
"We're all enjoying it. We're all getting old. Who knows what is going to happen. We are all enjoying it the best we can."
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August 10, 2020 at 11:56PM
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Camp Blog: Love of the game keeps him going - Steelers.com
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