For years, the Steelers defense has been built around its outside linebackers making plays and getting after the quarterback. But that has been evolving in recent seasons as more teams have gone to quick passing games. Their quarterbacks' three-step drops have made it difficult for edge pass rushers to get home.
So when Keith Butler replaced Dick LeBeau as the Steelers' defensive coordinator, the job description for the outside linebackers began to change — dramatically. They weren't asked to rush the passer quite as much. And they were asked to drop into coverage more.
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