When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ryan Shazier in the first round of the 2014 draft, the organization was confident that the inside linebacker with dazzling athleticism could make an immediate impact for a defense desperate for playmakers.
In fact, it did not take long for the Steelers to name Shazier a starter as rookie, the first to open the season on the defense’s first team since Kendrell Bell did so in 2001.
Unfortunately, the lofty expectations of making an impact as a rookie starter were dampened by knee and ankle injuries that limited Shazier to five starts for the season. Slowed by these ailments, Shazier would finish the stretch run of the season trying to help as a reserve clearly not playing at 100 percent.
Shazier returned for his second season healthy and focused on being the player the Steelers felt he could be before injuries ruined his 2014 campaign.
If Shazier’s dominant performance Sunday is any indication of what might be ahead in 2015, the Steelers might have the next in a long line of great linebackers to wear the black and gold.
In Sunday’s 43-18 win over the San Francisco 49ers, Shazier had his best game as a Steeler and was a force, racking up 15 tackles (11 solo), three tackles for loss, a forced fumble along with a fumble recovery.
Most impressive was the range and athleticism Shazier exhibited throughout. Unable to establish a rushing game, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was asked to use his legs to create offense, and Shazier, used throughout as a “spy” on Kaepernick, simply did not allow the athletic signal caller to break free.
Kaepernick is going to be seeing Shazier in his sleep this week, just as he did throughout the game at Heinz Field.
Defensive coordinator Keith Butler’s willingness to use Shazier’s athleticism more in the Week 2 game plan made quite a difference and it’s something Steeler fans should get used to based on the decision to flip Shazier from the “Buck” to the “Mack” linebacker position this off-season.
The “Mack” position was where Pro-Bowler Lawrence Timmons played the majority of his career. The position allows for more free lancing and coverage responsibilities, while the “Buck” spends much more time staying at home accumulating tackles as the primary run defender.
Switching the younger and speedier Shazier to the “Mack” position is a perfect fit, allowing him to display his natural attributes that could help him join Timmons as a Pro-Bowler sooner than later.
The switch will help Timmons also, as Timmons will be able to be the tackling machine he’s been all along, without being relied on to have to be as rangy and play hash to hash now as he approaches his 30’s.
Based on the incredible play of Shazier against the 49ers, it’s not a stretch to think the combination of he and Timmons might make for as good a set of inside linebackers in the NFL.
One misnomer in regards to Shazier is that he has a history of durability issues. Setting aside last year’s string of injuries, Shazier missed little playing time starring at Ohio State and has added nearly 15 pounds to help him deal with the rigors of the NFL season.
Finally, Shazier just turned 23 earlier this month, so it’s fair to say he’s maturing physically and should only get stronger, much like Timmons did after entering the NFL draft after his junior season at Florida State.
It’s clear that Shazier is on track to be a major component to the Steelers defense this season and should be in position to easily be it’s most improved player in 2015. If that improvement means more games like Sunday’s performance against the Niners, it could mean huge things for the Steeler defense desperate for disruptive playmakers.
