bradshaw2ben wrote: ↑Tue Jun 14, 2022 12:35 pm
And he did that with this defensive group at its peak and an offensive line that wasn't below the line. If you think 2019 is the parallel, I don't know what to tell you to break the spell. 2019's defense isn't walking through that door any time soon.
I was going to do a lengthy post about how this defense could be closer to 2019 but what the hell, why not start some of that here.
I think the defense can be much, much better this year and I feel last year was a flukey, weird anomaly.
True, the Steelers did not go out and spend high picks in the draft, but what I look at is that they did two things, went and got quality free agents and finally moved on from Butler and replaced him with Teryl Austin and Brian Flores.
In terms of the free agents, I include Witherspoon in this group of 6 players because he was traded for late and then sat unused and only got a chance to show what he could do late in the season.
Anyway, the six free agents, Witherspoon, Wallace, Jack, Avery, Kazee, and Ogonjobi. When was the last time we brought in so many free agents like that? And that are all relatively still young? Most are in that 27-28 year range, with Kazee be the oldest at 29?
They have collectively played in 394 games, have started 299 games.
They have combined for 1,397 tackles, 84 tackles for loss. They have combined for 28 interceptions, 101 passes defensed. Have combined for 12 forced fumbles and 7 fumble recoveries. Have combined for 35.5 sacks and 96 QB hits. They have a combined 3 TDs scored.
These 6 players also have playoff experience, having played in 19 games with 14 starts.
Too often over the years, I look at our team and it is this pattern where there are Super Star players and then a bunch of young, inexperienced players and not much in the middle. This middle class, this crucial part of a team is what helps to make a winning team, a playoff team, a championship team.
You can't have first round picks at every position. You can't go out in free agency and spend $80 million on a shutdown CB, or an OLB, or a T, every season either.
The middle class on this team has been neglected for a long time. This offseason they went and signed free agents to 2 and 3 year deals and that were very team friendly to boot.
Anyway, I look at the infusion of these 6 players into our defense this year as a big boost. They are not learning how to play the game, they are not learning how to best prepare their bodies for the NFL, not learning about nutrition, what to eat, how to work out, etc. They have already done all of that! They are still in the prime of their careers and we are in the position to still get some of their best football.
These six players can complement our star players, while also influencing the younger players as well.
Last season we had the likes of Arthur Maulet, James Pierre, and Tre Norwood, of Derek Tuzska and Taco Carlton, of Isaiah Bugs, Henry Mondieux, and Montravius Adams out there on defense getting snaps. Some of those players WERE the middle class. You can't tell me that our front office didn't do a hell of a job acknowledging that they weren't good enough and spent this offseason addressing it.
I can't wait for the season to start, this defense may be very, very good this year, we will see.
