It has to be said

[Tibs]

The Steelers D was something else last season. Early on, throughout training camp and heading into the first game, I was a big Keith Butler doubter. I was a Debbie Downer and a Nervous Nellie. I had little trust or confidence that this D can turn it around, after how badly they fell apart the year before, especially in that playoff loss.

But damn, looking back on this past season, our D came to play. I realized in hindsight something critically important when it comes to rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was fun watching our defense play again. Our defense making splash plays, big sacks, game changing picks & fumbles. TJ Watt is the face of this new Steel Curtain. We've got stud players up and down the depth chart, on all three levels.

That's all I used to care about, was how good our D was, back during the Kordell years. So impressed to see the work Colbert, Tomlin and yeah, Keith Butler have done with this unit.

Just wanted to get that off my chest.

<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">QBs beware &#55357;&#56881;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UltimateHighlight?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UltimateHighlight</a> <a href="https://t.co/oJ6fBpsKoH">pic.twitter.com/oJ6fBpsKoH</a></p>— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) <a href="https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1237899859534811137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>
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[slashsteel]

Now let us see of they can have a repeat performance, and Ben be a healthy version. Those two things come about and it might be a very attractive season...

The Steelers D was something else last season. Early on, throughout training camp and heading into the first game, I was a big Keith Butler doubter. I was a Debbie Downer and a Nervous Nellie. I had little trust or confidence that this D can turn it around, after how badly they fell apart the year before, especially in that playoff loss.

But damn, looking back on this past season, our D came to play. I realized in hindsight something critically important when it comes to rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was fun watching our defense play again. Our defense making splash plays, big sacks, game changing picks & fumbles. TJ Watt is the face of this new Steel Curtain. We've got stud players up and down the depth chart, on all three levels.

That's all I used to care about, was how good our D was, back during the Kordell years. So impressed to see the work Colbert, Tomlin and yeah, Keith Butler have done with this unit.

Just wanted to get that off my chest.

<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">QBs beware <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UltimateHighlight?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UltimateHighlight</a> <a href="https://t.co/oJ6fBpsKoH">pic.twitter.com/oJ6fBpsKoH</a></p>— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) <a href="https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1237899859534811137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>
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[Drink IRON City]

TOTALLY agree slash and with 10 1st rounders, I EXPECT this "D" to perform.

One of my concerns is how much different the "D" will be called once BEN is playing as per TOMLIN.





Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

TOTALLY agree slash and with 10 1st rounders, I EXPECT this "D" to perform.

One of my concerns is how much different the "D" will be called once BEN is playing as per TOMLIN.





Salute the nation

If it isn't broke don't fix it. I hope they take the same approach as a non-Ben led team.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[Tibs]

TOTALLY agree slash and with 10 1st rounders, I EXPECT this "D" to perform. One of my concerns is how much different the "D" will be called once BEN is playing as per TOMLIN.

I think this D will be even more cranked up and ready to go, with Minkah & Bush now firmly in place heading into their 2nd season with us, and a hopefully healthy Stephon Tuitt up front.

 

[BLITZ]

this defense will be even better! give Mincah a training camp to truly learn our defense and he could be Troy like. just get Bud signed.

 

[skline00]

Temper your excitement with reality.

Will Bud Dupree stay ay his high level of play.

Will Stephen Tuitt come back to play?

Who will play nose tackle?

Can Ben play?

Who is going to step up as his go to receiver?

Can the RBs stay healthy and somewhat productive?

What about our TEs?

A lot of question marks.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Temper your excitement with reality.

BEER pong is fun..REALITY...topless beer pong is FUNNER...

Will Bud Dupree stay ay his high level of play.

The real question is will he be retained because his steady improvement contradicts regression.

Will Stephen Tuitt come back to play?

If he is healed he will play, so YES he will be back to play

Who will play nose tackle?

Probably a draftee or is allready on roster

Can Ben play?

HellA YES he can play, look at his HOF career the question should be at what level....... I think he will neede rust removed but then near old BEN play....

Who is going to step up as his go to receiver?

Dionte Johnson it's his for the taking, JuJu back into the slot and he will have something to say too !!!

Can the RBs stay healthy and somewhat productive?

This is a QUESTION asked every year, we will be OK with current stable but may add through draft... JUST need TOMLIN to curb the "run-em till the wheels fall of syndrone"

What about our TEs?

VANCE's contract will be re-worked to acommatade his staying and if not, then VANNETT will stay and with BEN, be a serviceable TE

A lot of question marks.

NO more than any other year so quit the chicken little impression, all is well.. And the sky is still up there.!

ALL good questions but nothing unusual for this time of year.




Salute the nation

 

[deljzc]

Very few things in the NFL remain "status quo" from year to year even when on paper everything is the same.

We statistically had an enormous amount of turnovers forced and those, historically, are hard to "count on" as a method of defense. Red zone success is another hit/miss stat from year to year. Yards and drive success rate are much better indicators of something that can be sustained.

We will see how we do.

 

[SteelerSask2]

The entire effort by both sides was woeful against the Pats. The defense had late game collapses against the Seahawks and the 49ers, but for the most part played exceptional after that point,

 

[Hines57]

The entire effort by both sides was woeful against the Pats. The defense had late game collapses against the Seahawks and the 49ers, but for the most part played exceptional after that point,

The first two games were pre-Minkah. The SF game was because it was hot out there (I was there) and the defense got gassed because the offense couldn't get first downs. Beyond that the defense played lights out.

 

[SteelerSask2]

The first two games were pre-Minkah. The SF game was because it was hot out there (I was there) and the defense got gassed because the offense couldn't get first downs. Beyond that the defense played lights out.

I was at that game too. The offense scored long TD's to Juju and Johnson. The Defense allowed TD's on the next drive. The defense couldn't beat the Jets and a resting Ravens team. All I'm saying is Butler and Tomlin didn't fix this defense. Minkah helped improve it a hell of a lot.

 

[squidkid]

i expect the defense to take a step or two back.
giving credit to butler and tomlin is kinda a joke based on the talent on that defense.
coach/scheme up a great defense with mediocre talent and i will be impressed

 

[Vader]

Very few things in the NFL remain "status quo" from year to year even when on paper everything is the same.

We statistically had an enormous amount of turnovers forced and those, historically, are hard to "count on" as a method of defense. Red zone success is another hit/miss stat from year to year. Yards and drive success rate are much better indicators of something that can be sustained.

We will see how we do.

Exactly right. You can put in unforced fumbles in that category as well. We also played some historically horrible teams (2 winless bungles teams, winless Miami team ETC).