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January 10th, 2021 was 238 days ago.
As we know, this was the final game of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2020 season which resulted in an ugly home-loss to the Cleveland Browns. Since then, a lot has changed in the Steel City. David DeCastro is gone. Maurkice Pouncey is gone. Steven Nelson is gone. Mike Hilton is gone. Vince Williams is gone. Matt Feiler is gone. Alejandro Villanueva is gone. Vance McDonald is gone. James Conner is gone. Bud Dupree is gone. After a 2020 season that showed so much promise early on, ultimately came to an abrupt end. As a result, General Manager Kevin Colbert and Head Coach Mike Tomlin were forced to spend the 2021 off-season in “re-build mode”. After the NFL Draft, rookie minicamp, OTA’s, training camp, four preseason games, and three waves of cuts, Steeler Nation is now ready to see all of the off-season work culminate into full-speed regular season action.
The 2021 Steelers squad is going to look much different than what we saw in 2020; we’ve known that for quite some time. But what we didn’t know was how Colbert and Tomlin would construct a new team with new faces. We already know who’s left the team since January. But how have they reloaded? With rookie stud running back, Najee Harris, bruising presumed rookie center, Kendrick Green, new sure-handed rookie tight end, Pat Freiermuth, new veteran inside linebacker, Joe Schobert, and new mega-leg punter, Pressley Harvin III — that’s how. All in all, we’ll see roughly 11 new names in starting roles across the board. Not to mention, a new offensive coordinator and coaches as well.
So, what does this massive re-build mean? On offense, it means a whole new attitude. This attitude starts with offensive line coach Adrian Flemm’s new squad in the trenches. We’ve already seen them in action in training camp and in preseason action, and they are bringing a mean streak back into Pittsburgh. That new attitude paired with Harris’ incredible skillset at running back, blended with solidified receiving and tight end groups, and led by a hungry veteran quarterback with a fresh offensive coordinator is what is going to be the defining difference in 2021. On defense, it means fresh health and a replenished depth chart. Don’t get me wrong, there are still things to be worked out in the secondary, but with the best defensive line in the NFL, partnered with one of the best linebacker corps in football, and topped with an all-pro safety and cornerback, the defense is primed to be its best in 2021. Steelers fans know defense wins championships and I expect to see that come to fruition this season.
In an off-season that’s had more questions than answers, scrutiny from major media outlets, and a major team-wide face-lift, it’s officially time. It’s time for the rookies to prove why they belong on the biggest stage in the world. It’s time for Coach Klemm’s new attitude and Harris to translate into a top-tier running game and move the ball at will against opposing defenses. It’s time for the defense to shut down offenses and bring back shades of the Steel Curtain. It’s time to start winning again.
It’s officially go time.
Here we go.
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
As we know, this was the final game of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2020 season which resulted in an ugly home-loss to the Cleveland Browns. Since then, a lot has changed in the Steel City. David DeCastro is gone. Maurkice Pouncey is gone. Steven Nelson is gone. Mike Hilton is gone. Vince Williams is gone. Matt Feiler is gone. Alejandro Villanueva is gone. Vance McDonald is gone. James Conner is gone. Bud Dupree is gone. After a 2020 season that showed so much promise early on, ultimately came to an abrupt end. As a result, General Manager Kevin Colbert and Head Coach Mike Tomlin were forced to spend the 2021 off-season in “re-build mode”. After the NFL Draft, rookie minicamp, OTA’s, training camp, four preseason games, and three waves of cuts, Steeler Nation is now ready to see all of the off-season work culminate into full-speed regular season action.
The 2021 Steelers squad is going to look much different than what we saw in 2020; we’ve known that for quite some time. But what we didn’t know was how Colbert and Tomlin would construct a new team with new faces. We already know who’s left the team since January. But how have they reloaded? With rookie stud running back, Najee Harris, bruising presumed rookie center, Kendrick Green, new sure-handed rookie tight end, Pat Freiermuth, new veteran inside linebacker, Joe Schobert, and new mega-leg punter, Pressley Harvin III — that’s how. All in all, we’ll see roughly 11 new names in starting roles across the board. Not to mention, a new offensive coordinator and coaches as well.
So, what does this massive re-build mean? On offense, it means a whole new attitude. This attitude starts with offensive line coach Adrian Flemm’s new squad in the trenches. We’ve already seen them in action in training camp and in preseason action, and they are bringing a mean streak back into Pittsburgh. That new attitude paired with Harris’ incredible skillset at running back, blended with solidified receiving and tight end groups, and led by a hungry veteran quarterback with a fresh offensive coordinator is what is going to be the defining difference in 2021. On defense, it means fresh health and a replenished depth chart. Don’t get me wrong, there are still things to be worked out in the secondary, but with the best defensive line in the NFL, partnered with one of the best linebacker corps in football, and topped with an all-pro safety and cornerback, the defense is primed to be its best in 2021. Steelers fans know defense wins championships and I expect to see that come to fruition this season.
In an off-season that’s had more questions than answers, scrutiny from major media outlets, and a major team-wide face-lift, it’s officially time. It’s time for the rookies to prove why they belong on the biggest stage in the world. It’s time for Coach Klemm’s new attitude and Harris to translate into a top-tier running game and move the ball at will against opposing defenses. It’s time for the defense to shut down offenses and bring back shades of the Steel Curtain. It’s time to start winning again.
It’s officially go time.
Here we go.
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
