USA TODAY International Edition
Steelers defense aims for return to glory
Championship defense has a deeply rooted legacy in western Pennsylvania. Like the local steel industry, however, it was starting to feel like a relic.
But with a mixture of blossoming first- round talent, savvy veterans and eager rookies, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense has rebounded nearly as impressively as the city’s economy.
“There’s a responsibility because there’s such a history with this team, because you’ve had so many great players on all three levels,” defensive end Cam Heyward told USA TODAY Sports. “You’re like, ‘ Wow, I’m putting on a Steelers jersey.’ You want to live up to that and all the hype that comes along with it.”
That has been a challenge as the team transitioned from longtime coordinator Dick LeBeau to ex- linebackers coach Keith Butler in 2015 while mainstays — Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor and Larry Foote among them — retired or left. At the same time, the club was investing draft capital to infuse fresh talent, spending firstround picks on Heyward, linebackers Jarvis Jones, Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree and cornerback Artie Burns since 2011.
They haven’t reminded anyone of the Steel Curtain. And after annually ranking as one of the NFL’s 10 best defenses from 2000 to 2012, Pittsburgh hasn’t re- turned to that level. This season’s group, which finished 12th, is the highest- rated since 2013. That doesn’t do justice to how well the Steelers have played lately.
They are allowing the fewest yards ( 266) and points ( 14) per game among all playoff teams. During their nine- game winning streak, they have forced 18 turnovers, piled up 31 sacks and held five opponents to fewer than 275 total yards. All have averaged fewer than 200 passing yards.
“I mean, they’ve been dominant,” said New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who will get his second look this season at the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. “Very good in the secondary, dependable. Very good against the run. The linebackers are some of the best in the league. Big front, very physical; a very mentally tough team, wellcoached, great scheme. They pressure the quarterback.”
Brady was efficient ( 19- for- 26, 222 yards, two touchdowns) in a 27- 16 victory in Week 7.
Since then, new parts meshed. Burns and fellow rookie Sean Davis, a second- round strong safety, won starting roles. Dupree was activated from injured reserve after requiring surgery for a sports hernia in training camp. The team implemented more Cover 2 concepts. It learned how to play without its new leader, Heyward, whose season was ended by a chest injury. And two- time allpro linebacker James Harrison, 38, whose career seemed to be winding down, returned to the starting lineup and showed he could wreak havoc the way he did in 2008, when he was the NFL defensive player of the year.
“I think what you’re seeing is us really starting to settle in and come together as our core group,” safety Mike Mitchell said.
Shazier, who says he finally put nagging injuries behind him in his third season and learned to study film and quarterback tendencies with Ben Roethlisberger’s help, has emerged, intercepting passes in four consecutive games.
“I feel like I’m in the zone right now,” Shazier said. “Being a Steelers linebacker is just about toughness and intensity and wanting to be the best. It’s almost an unspoken rule, but everybody here knows when you get drafted high and play this position, you have to bring your A game every week.”
Now an old foe presents a new challenge as Pittsburgh tries to reach a record ninth Super Bowl. Brady is 9- 2 vs. the Steelers, including 4- 0 at Gillette Stadium.
“Brady’s on a different level,” Dupree said. “Even though he’s older, he’s still doing a great job.”
Mitchell is praying the defense can maintain its momentum and that the stage doesn’t prove too much for the rookies, who will surely be in Brady’s cross hairs.
“They’re very likable young guys that don’t say a whole lot, that want to learn,” Mitchell said. “I think when you’re that type of person, it makes ( veterans) want to share everything we have with you. That’s kind of the culture that we have here in Pittsburgh — older people grab the young guy, and we try to show them the way and help them get better.”
It sure seems to be working.