First-rounder Bush impresses quickly
Impacts game more than Buccaneers rookie counterpart Devin White
Devin Bush and Devin White will always be linked. They simply became known as “the Devins” throughout the predraft process because they were easily the top two inside linebackers in the draft this year.
Tampa Bay selected White with the No. 5 overall pick and the Steelers traded up 10 spots to take Bush with the No. 10 pick. On Friday night, they made their professional debuts together when the Buccaneers visited the Steelers for the preseason opener at Heinz Field.
Bush played the first half and finished with a team-leading seven tackles and added three assists. White finished with one tackle.
So there, the Steelers got the better Devin.
In reality, the Steelers won’t know for some time in Bush was the right pick, but he sure looked the part in his debut. He demonstrated some of the skills that made him one of the most desirable players in the draft. He diagnosed plays, used his speed to penetrate into the backfield and covered tight ends down the field in pass coverage.
“I had a lot of fun out there tonight,” Bush said. “First NFL game, the atmosphere was crazy.”
He had a few regrets. He stepped in front of a pass and almost had an interception, but the ball bounced off his face mask before he could get his hands in position to make the catch.
He also had a few passes drop in over his head down the seam when he was in coverage.
“I think I did decent,” Bush said. “I think the pick would have made it a lot better.”
Not many Steelers starters dressed for the first game of the preseason, but the two newest to the team did. Bush and veteran Mark Barron, who signed as a free agent in March, started at inside linebacker.
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and safety Terrell Edmunds were the only other regulars that started as Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, T.J. Watt, Bud Dupree, Joe Haden, Steven Nelson and Sean Davis watched from the sidelines.
Bush even got to experience running out of the tunnel and having his name announced as a starter. Even though a little more than 45,000 were in attendance the reaction from the crowd got Bush’s attention.
“I definitely see a lot of potential,” he said. “It’s definitely a football city, and I got to see that tonight.”
Barron, who comes to the Steelers after playing the past four seasons with the Rams, has been in and out of practice at training camp. He finished with one tackle and two assists. Vince Williams, who has been out with a hamstring injury, also did not dress.
“There are some things I can improve on,” Bush said. “Just some small stuff and understanding more.”
Coach Mike Tomlin was pleased with tthe rookie.
“I was less concerned with his productivity and more concerned about his demeanor, and I really liked his demeanor,” Tomlin said. “He was present, it wasn’t too big for him. He handled the communication responsibilities associated with his job. He was alert and those were good signs.”