While all the talk leading up to camp has been about how good the Pittsburgh Steelers offense can be this upcoming season, there could be just as much talk about how much trouble the Steelers defense could create for the team if their young players don’t mature quickly.
The Steelers defense is loaded with young players and a new defensive coordinator in Keith Butler. On the surface that is a positive sign for the black and gold as the Steelers defense has needed an injection of youth for some time now.
But along with youth comes plenty of mistakes and breakdowns. That’s just the nature of the beast as young players become accustomed to playing at the NFL level.
Yet count Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin as one who isn’t worried about the team’s youth on the defensive side of the ball.
“Young and defense are two things that I like,” Tomlin told Bruce Radar of Wavy.com. “That’s not a change that you fear. We’ve got some guys that are working really hard and are really talented. Unproven, yes, but that’s why we play the game. I’ve been excited about watching them work and I look forward to watching them grow and grow together.”
While mistakes will happen along the way Tomlin may have cause to be excited as the likes of Cameron Heyward, Shamarko Thomas, Stephon Tuitt, Ryan Shazier, Jarvis Jones, all projected starters, all have been in the league fewer than five seasons.
Throw in rookies, Bud Dupree, Senquez Golson, Doran Grant and others that could play a big role right off the bat and Tomlin has reason to be excited.
The Steelers defense likely won’t be one of the better ones in the league this season and will more than likely struggle at times if they can’t fix the pass rush and secondary issues.
But there are pieces in place for this defense to start to grow as a unit and that has Tomlin excited more than anything.
We will find out how much youth will really impact the Steelers defense when they report to Latrobe for training camp on Saturday July 25.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
