There used to be a time when a rookie drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, especially on defense, knew they would essentially have a red-shirt year where all they would do is contribute on special teams. After all, unless your name was Ben Roethlisberger, you knew you would have to wait your turn.
Some of the greatest players of the modern era to wear the black-and-gold had to wait.
Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, Hines Ward, Brett Keisel...all had to pay their dues before getting their shot.