After a 2014 campaign where the defense was far from the dominant unit fans have been accustomed to having over the years, the Pittsburgh Steelers head into the upcoming season with many questions and plenty of doubters.
That’s certainly fair. Despite of an 11-5 record good enough to win the challenging AFC North, it was the Steelers prolific offense that was largely responsible for that success. The Steelers defense never found a groove in 2014, ranking 17th in the league in both total yards allowed per game (353.4) and total points allowed for the season (368).
What was arguably most alarming was the sack total of 33, lowest for a Steeler defense since 1988. This lack of pressure exposed a Steeler pass defense that had five different starters at cornerback, and a lack of continuity at safety due to injuries and the shaky performances of both Troy Polamalu and Mike Mitchell.
Fast forward to 2015 — With mainstays like Polamalu, Ike Taylor and Brett Keisel all gone, along with long time defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau now in Tennessee, many fans are worried that the Steelers defense is going to be the Achilles heal of a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
I’m here to tell you let’s not give up on the Steelers defense just yet.
Going through the unit as a whole, there are plenty of questions, but you’d be hard pressed to find a team that does not have their fair share. Let’s look at the unit and list some reasons why it might be better in 2015.
Defensive line:
Starters Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt give the Steelers defensive line bookends that might just be among the very best in the NFL this year. Coming off a 7.5 sack season and emerging as a team leader, Heyward has the look of the next great Steeler DE in the mold of Keisel or Aaron Smith. Heyward’s ability to rush the passer should be better under new defensive coordinator Keith Butler, who has hinted we can expect different looks that will allow the ends to play a bigger role.
Tuitt heads into his second year as the unquestioned starter. Filling in for the injured Keisel late last season, Tuitt showed promise, and there is reason to believe he will be better in 2015. A big year might be on the horizon for Tuitt, mark it down.
Nose tackle will once again be manned by Steve McClendon, with Daniel McCullers likely to see some action. Though McClendon is no Casey Hampton, he’s been good enough to get the job done when healthy. McCullers, one of the biggest men in the NFL, is still a work in progress, but could be used to stop the run from time to time.
Linebackers:
Without question, the performance of the deep group will have much to do with the unit’s fate this season. Workout warrior James Harrison has rested much of the preseason, but when he has played, he’s been a force. It’s likely the team will temper his reps in the regular season, but it’s not a stretch to think he can be a significant piece.
Both Jarvis Jones and Bud Dupree will be given ample opportunity to provide the pass rush that eluded the Steelers last season. Clearly this is a huge year for Jones, and if he can play up to his first-round grade, the Steelers defense will be much better. Dupree’s role is a little more in question, and being a rookie means the Steelers might temper their expectations in year one. Arthur Moats gives the Steelers another option on the outside, but if he’s getting the brunt of the work, it might be a bad sign.
Lawrence Timmons and Ryan Shazier will key the Steelers defensive surge this year. Timmons is a known commodity and one of the better players at his position. Though he has been nursing a toe injury, Timmons should be healthy and be ready to lead the unit.
Shazier is my pick for most improved Steeler in 2015. Injuries slowed the rookie last year, but he’s too talented not to take a huge step forward this season. The Steeler do have two quality backups in Vince Williams and Sean Spence, but if Timmons and Shazier can stay healthy, look out for the pair to be among the best in the NFL.
Secondary:
This unit has taken a lot of criticism, much of it deserved. Cornerback will be a major question mark this season, but William Gay is undervalued and the addition of Brandon Boykin should help. The biggest question is can Cortez Allen put last season’s nightmare behind him and contribute as a quality starter? If he can, the trio of Gay, Boykin and Allen could be good enough.
After signing a lucrative free agent contract, Mike Mitchell was expected to be a welcome addition at free safety, yet ended up being a major disappointment. Mitchell believes health contributed to his struggles, and though an ankle injury may slow him down early this season, the Steelers are depending on his improved play.
Shamarko Thomas comes into the season as the starting strong safety and will attempt to replace one of the best ever to play the position in Polamalu. It would be foolish to expect Thomas to play at that level, but now in his third season the Steelers need him to be a quality starter. If not, the burden will be placed on veteran Will Allen.
Although the Steelers defense may not be up to the standards of let’s say, the 2008 unit, it has the pieces to be good enough to improve over last year’s substandard group. Plenty of things will have to fall into place, and key players need to stay healthy, but there is enough talent to help this team push towards a seventh Super Bowl championship.
