Can DeShon Elliott be the Steelers’ subsequent Ryan Clark?
This isn’t the primary time that I’ve in contrast DeShon Elliott to Ryan Clark, and hopefully it received’t be the final. Clark was a considerably unheralded free agent signing again in 2006 who turned a steadying presence on a dynastic protection. I’m not saying Elliott’s presence will result in Tremendous Bowls, however he can serve the same position.
In fact, it will assist if Minkah Fitzpatrick received again to taking part in nearer to one thing like Troy Polamalu, too. Clark was the man who helped allow Polamalu to do what he did. Even at his most Polamalu-ish, Fitzpatrick isn’t essentially that man. No one ever has been, to be honest, and no person ever might be. However that’s not all of who Ryan Clark was, and definitely not what DeShon Elliott must be.
Each are hard-sitting safeties who put the work in, are vocal leaders, and are ready to do something to win. The largest factor that jogged my memory of Clark from Elliott’s recreation final yr was his certain tackling, which was nostalgic. Outdoors of Fitzpatrick, I haven’t seen that sort of reliability within the secondary since Ryan Clark.
Now, clearly, Elliott can’t ship the kind of hits Clark did, since they’re unlawful now. However he nonetheless finds a technique to ship the growth, and he could make performs, too. He did intercept a move and compelled two fumbles, and recovered three fumbles for the protection.
Ryan Clark was a tone-setter for the protection, although. I’m undecided Deshon Elliott is kind of that, however he additionally performs in an period by which that’s tougher to do for a security. A number of that has to do with the pressure you carry, and we’ve already gone over that.
Elliott is simply starting his chapter with the Steelers, one which admittedly begins afterward than Clark’s did. Elliott already had six seasons below his belt earlier than he signed with Pittsburgh. However he solely simply turned 28 in April, so he might moderately play one other 5 years or so. Or if he performs to 34, as Clark did with the Steelers, he might match his eight seasons in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers are rebuilding, or reloading, no matter they really feel the necessity to name it, after one other disappointment final season. Although they limped into the playoffs, they as soon as once more embarrassed themselves therein.
Similar to final yr, the most important query hanging over the Steelers is the quarterback query. Whereas they in the end traded George Pickens, they produce other choices to make. The 2025 NFL Draft class is now behind us, so a lot of the roster building is full.
However we nonetheless have an extended offseason forward for Steelers soccer, or soccer in shorts. Not less than we are able to lastly put the Aaron Rodgers scenario to mattress and transfer on to different issues. Now it’s about evaluating the roster in place and filling holes as we go.
