LATROBE, Pa. -- Last season, the Steelers ranked sixth in the NFL in overall team defense, allowing 327.2 yards per game. On top of that, they ranked 10th against the pass — 231.1 yards per game — and sixth against the run, allowing 96.1 yards per game. And they led the league in sacks with 52.
Looking at those numbers, one would think this was a dominant defense.
But that's where those stats end and reality begins. Because this same unit tied for 16th with the Lions in allowing 22.5 points per game and, worse, generated just eight interceptions, 28th in the league, and recovered seven fumbles, tied for 19th.
Which is why, throughout OTAs, minicamp and now training camp at Saint Vincent College, the Steelers have emphasized taking the ball away.
"Obviously, I can only speak for the defensive side of the ball, but we just want to be bigger, faster, stronger," T.J. Watt was saying. "We want to fly around. We want to create more tackles, create more TFLs (tackles for loss), more splash like I always talk about, and just be very effective, be a top defense in the NFL.”
Beyond the mentality and schemes involved in executing this, the Steelers have beefed up their personnel, trading up 10 spots in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft to select inside linebacker Devin Bush. Alongside that pick, the Steelers signed Steven Nelson and Mark Barron as free agents, two players who should become instant contributors for the 2019 squad.
Add in the development of young safeties Terrell Edmunds and Sean Davis, plus the returning defensive line trio of Cam Heyward, Javon Hargrave and Stephon Tuitt, and it's easy to see how the Steelers' defense could and should improve this upcoming season.
Edmunds offered the following when I asked him what he was most excited to showcase in his second year:
It's something Ben Roethlisberger has already noticed.
"From the spring, I was excited," Roethlisberger was saying. "They were flying around. I know we’ve said things like that in the past, but just to see how fast guys are moving, covering from secondary guys to linebackers, d-line, ... it felt like even on a simple run play, where the way we play and coach is to let the runners run, right, so you can get some pursuit. It felt like all 11 guys on defense were getting to the runner, getting to a receiver.
"It just feels like there’s more energy over there, and I’m excited to see (it) — and I know they’re waiting to get pads on, because that is kind of the exclamation point to a defense. … But I’m excited for them, because they seem to be a really fast defense.”
Yeah, Mr. Roethlisberger. The defense was indeed excited to put on the pads:
Mark Barron with the hit-stick! @M_B_24
pic.twitter.com/p52Tg4KXnv— Steel Faithful (@Steel_Faithful) July 30, 2019
And early on, it's been more than just the hits. The team is energized after each play, coming together as a unit and celebrating each and every success. The energy has radiated to backup players as well, with Cameron Sutton and Brian Allen each snagging red-zone interceptions on Day 1 of training camp. Nelson has looked solid in coverage, while Bush got his hands on some balls and flashed his sideline-to-sideline speed the Steelers hoped for when moving up on draft day.
Altogether, there's a lot to be excited about with the Steelers defense in 2019. The mentality is in place. The players are upgraded.
Now, it's a matter of continuing the growth and carrying the early momentum into the regular season.
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