Defense is heart of Steelers
‘It’s just a great young core of good dudes you want to build your team around.’
ORLANDO, Fla. — Two years ago, almost the entire Steelers offense started in the Pro Bowl. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running backs Le’Veon Bell and Roosevelt Nix, receiver Antonio Brown and three offensive linemen — David DeCastro, Maurkice Pouncey and Alejandro Villanueva — represented the Steelers after they led them to a 13-3 record and their most recent playoff appearance.
Fast forward two years, and there isn’t a member of the offense here. DeCastro and Pouncey were named Pro Bowlers, but they begged off due to injuries. And truth be known, they likely made it this year based on their reputations.
The four Steelers that are here this week are defenders, which seems apropos for the 2019 season.
Defensive end Cam
Heyward, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, cornerback Joe Haden and outside linebacker T.J. Watt are representing a defense that was among the best in the NFL by season’s end. While the offense slumped, the defense soared. The Steelers led the NFL in takeaways (38), sacks (54) and finished in the top five in scoring defense (fifth), total defense (fifth) and passing defense (third).
Eight of the starting 11 on defense are 27 or younger. Only Haden, Heyward and linebacker Mark Barron are in their 30s. The rest are in their prime years or younger.
“There are a lot more who I think who should be here with us, as well,” said Watt, 25.
Cornerback Steven Nelson turned 27 Wednesday. Outside linebacker Bud Dupree and defensive linemen Stephon Tuitt and Javon Hargrave are 26. Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds are 23, and Devin Bush is 21.
Only Dupree and Hargrave are not under contract for next season, and the Steelers likely will place the franchise tag on Dupree to ensure that he will play for them in 2020.
“It’s just a great young core of good dudes you want to build your team around,” Haden said. “With Minkah and T.J. here, you have the back end and a pass rusher. They’re a big part of the organization moving forward. I’m just happy they’re so humble and not satisfied. They just want more. That’s what you want from your best players.”
The defense has come a long way in the past few seasons, and the young players are leading the way. Watt just completed his third season, and Fitzpatrick his second. He meshed seamlessly with the rest of the defense after he was acquired from the Miami Dol- phins in September.
“I’m excited about it,” Fitz- patrick said. “We had a lot of fun this year. We have a bright future together.”
“We’re young, and we have a lot of confidence,” Watt added. “We play with a lot of swagger. This past year, we had so much fun. It’s a lot better when you’re able to create those turnovers. We just want to be able to continue to build on that. Last year at this time, we were talking about getting those turnovers. Now we have to replicate that.”
They’re not resting on their laurels. It’s likely not a coincidence the four players that are here this week are the most studious members of the de- fense. Extra film sessions, classroom sessions with coaches early in the morning, whatever it takes to gain an edge. Watt, Fitzpatrick, Haden and Heyward are front and center in all that.
That’s why there is every reason to believe the defense can get even better next season. In addition to having some world-class talent, they have assembled a group of players that embraces the lessthan-glamorous work that it takes to become winners.
“I think to fully take over a game, to completely shut teams out,” Watt said, when asked the next step for the defense. “We didn’t get a zero on the board. We want to be able to shut teams out and control the game defensively. That’s what really sets defenses apart. You want to lay the goose egg on teams and help the offense out as much as we can.”
The defense, of course, can be aided by a better offense. That unit suffered this past season without Roethlisberger and became one of the worst in the league. In many ways, it’s amazing the defense was able to post the numbers it did because so much pressure was on it to win games every week. Even though the Steelers led the league in sacks and takeaways, Watt believes they can produce more if the offense can get them some leads next season.
“Getting pressure on teams,” Watt said. “We didn’t have a lot of leads to make teams one-dimensional and forced teams to pass. That alone will help. And, when you create pressure quicker, it doesn’t allow quarterbacks to go through their reads. If we can get pressure quicker, it will help every guy in the back end, as well.”
Haden knows that better than anyone. And he knows how precious his time is in the league with every passing season. He has just one playoff appearance in 10 seasons — in 2017. He wants to get back, and he doesn’t want the young players to take anything for granted.
In the free agency era, it’s hard to keep NFL units intact. That’s why Haden is imploring his teammates to seize the opportunity next season.
“We have a lot of young ballers,” Haden said. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to keep all of these guys. Bud starts balling. We have Mike Hilton coming up [as a restricted free agent]. … Minkah will be up. You can’t pay all these guys. You have to maximize these championship opportunities when you’re young and on rookie contracts.”