Ben Roethlisberger helped the Pittsburgh Steelers area some nice offenses. Nevertheless, it’s been some time since he’s been below middle for them. Over the previous few years, protection has been the title of the Steelers’ sport as soon as once more. That unit has carried them to a number of wins, whereas their offense has sputtered. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh’s protection hasn’t been good, going through its personal share of struggles. Bucky Brooks stated the Steelers higher not have any main points defensively this season.
“You’re paying massive cash to T.J. Watt,” Brooks stated just lately on Bleav’s YouTube channel. “You’re paying massive cash to Jalen Ramsey, who’s on the again finish. You have got a giant cash free agent in Patrick Queen that you simply signed a yr in the past who has to rise up and going and taking part in at a dominant stage.
“Championship defenses have dominant playmakers in any respect three ranges. Once I’m trying on the three ranges, Watt on the line of scrimmage, Queen on the second stage, after which Jalen Ramsey, all the reasons are off for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
The Steelers’ protection is stuffed with expertise. Watt, Queen, and Ramsey have all been All-Professionals. Cam Heyward and Darius Slay are older, however they may nonetheless each be main contributors. Heyward particularly was nonetheless elite final yr.
Pittsburgh doesn’t simply have stars on its protection, both. The Steelers even have strong complementary items, akin to Alex Highsmith, Joey Porter Jr., and DeShon Elliott.
The query will probably be if the Steelers’ new items can match collectively. Final season was Queen’s first in Pittsburgh, and he didn’t play on the stage many anticipated of him. Ramsey and Slay could possibly be in for the same studying curve, which could trigger some rising pains for the Steelers.
Expertise wasn’t a problem for the Steelers’ protection final yr. Nevertheless, that didn’t cease them from trying dysfunctional to finish the season. After weeks of strong play, miscommunication and missed tackles instantly plagued them. The group seemed misplaced, and nobody had any solutions. That led to a different early playoff exit for the Steelers.
This yr, it’s robust to check the Steelers successful the Tremendous Bowl, largely due to the questions surrounding their offense. Nevertheless, like Brooks says, their protection has a chance to boost their ceiling. If that unit can play to its full potential, the Steelers could possibly be an actual menace within the playoffs. On paper, they needs to be among the many NFL’s finest. They need to make {that a} actuality, although.
