A quick google search told me 1982 was the year Chuck Noll switched from the famed 4-3 Steel Curtain defense to a 3-4 scheme following the retirement of Mean Joe and LC Greenwood.
While that historic, philosophical change didn’t pay immediate dividends, our patience was rewarded with Cowher/Capers/LeBeau and the glorious Blitzburgh years.
Must See TV
Now?
I’ve become such a casual observer of our once beloved Steelers I’m not even sure what defense Tomlin is running out there.
To my untrained eye, it looks like Watt and Highsmith are 4-3 ends with Tomlin trotting out 3-4 ENDS to play defensive tackle???
Anyway
I know less about football…than anyone else in the world…but one thing I do know is in order win, you need to run the ball, AND…STOP THE RUN.
Thankfully, my degree of Give-A-Fuck- is way down. Otherwise, seeing Derrick Henry repeatedly given a 4 lane highway to run through would’ve cost me a TV.
Again, I’m just typing words because I enjoy writing about the offseason. What makes this post particularly difficult is I don’t even know what system Tomlin is implementing to accurately project defensive linemen to my once beloved team.
Totally clueless
But
I’ll take a stab at it anyway.
Free Agents (slim pickings):
• Milton Williams- “Muuuuth!” Uncle Miltie here drafted by the Eagles a round AFTER your boy Tomlin selected “Baby Gronk.” Good job, Mike.
• Tershawn Wharton- High energy wave player for the Chiefs. Dig him.
• Jonathan Allen- RTR. One time Bama stud released by Redskins. Big name, no more game.
• Javon Hargrave- I hope the Steelers avoid this reunion. Just tap into the deepest DL draft in over a decade and be done with it.
• BJ Hill/Sheldon Rankins- solid, nothing special poach from the Bengals
• Jarran Reed- Back to my beloved T-Town for an aging run stopper.
• Levi Onwuzurike- “Bless you” Thank you. Injury prone, undersized kneecap biter for Dan Campbell’s Lions.
• DJ Jones- Broncos defense was pretty damn good last season.
• Javon Kinlaw- 49ers bust had a mini-resurgence with the Jets last year.
• Tedarrell Slaton-“Hi, I’m Larry. This is my brother Tedarrell, this is my other brother Tedarrell.” BIG run stopper for the Pack. Cheap-ass Steelers type of signing.
“What a beautiful day for a ballgame…Let’s ‘DRAFT’ two”
• Kenneth Grant- Not sold on this Feldman Freak? Watch his games vs rival Ohio State.
• Mason Graham- Yes, I loathe scUM, but I LOVE the relentless motor of this former HS wrestling champ. Came to the Combine much smaller than advertised so perhaps he takes a draft day tumble.
• Walter Nolen- 5 star flip from Aggies to Rebs. Again, since I don’t know what scheme Tomlin is actually trying to run, I’m not sure he’s a scheme fit. My advice? Don’t overthink it. Just draft good football players.
• Derrick Harmon- Spartan turned Duck appears to be a Tomlin fit.
• Tyleik Williams- National Champ is an elite run stopper. I take him round 1 and feel great about it, but that’s just me.
• Alfred Collins- Big ass ‘Horn. Shawn Rogers clone. Limited athlete, elite run stopper.
• Shemar Turner- “LET’S GET READY TO RUUUUMBLE!” Whoa brutha! Drama favorite right here. Borderline out of control Aggie scrapper caught my eye trying to brawl the entire LSU offensive line in one of the more physical contests I’ve seen in a long time.
• TJ Sanders- Twitchy Cock offers scheme versatility which is extremely helpful when your coach doesn’t appear to have a scheme.
• Darius Alexander- “You’ll make a fine little helper. What’s your name?” “Charles Demar.” “Shut up, Geek.” Charles Demar’s boy representin’ the Rockets down in Mobile. Day 2 steal.
• Ty Robinson- The once legendary black shirt defense now feels like urban myth, but this corn-fed white boy was a Combine star. Dig him.
• Cam Jackson -Big ass Gator tested well at Combine last week. Twitter told me the Steelers dig him.
• JJ Pegues- “You’re lookin’ at the ‘Fridge, I’m the rookie, I may be large but I’m no dumb cookie…” Fun, versatile Rebel. Draws comps to the “Refrigerator” for his semi-impressive fullback skillset.
• Joshua Farmer- Florida State’s fall off a cliff was a 2024 storyline. Speaking of stories, this Farmer kid lost both his parents before he was 12. Tomlin=Moth to a flame.
• Ty Hamilton- Another National Champion I’d gladly add to the roster if I thought Tomlin had a clue as to how to use him.
• Aeneas Pebbles- Undersized Hokie I’d gladly add to the roster if I thought Tomlin had a clue as to how to use him.
• Jamaree Caldwell- Thick, stout Duck. Casey Hampton clone would’ve starred for Dick LeBeau. YOU SUCK, Tomlin!
• Omar Norman-Lott- Explosive Vol flashed down in Mobile.
• Jordan Phillips- Powerful Terp will love watching the Flintstones with Dino and Mike.
• Deone Walker- King Sized ‘Cat dominated my ‘Dawgs. TB said he’s lazy, so I jumped off this ship early.
• Vernon Broughton- Versatile ‘Horn offers pass rush juice.
• Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins- What a surprise, an undeveloped Georgia Bulldog. Better workout than production becoming far too common under the Kirby regime.
• Warren Brinson- ‘Dawg has prototype size but lacks coaching and production. Get your shit together, Kirby, ya barrel of monkey nuts!
• Nazier Stackhouse- The rare unathletic ‘Dawg but can stop the run.
• Elijah Simmons- Girthy Vol packs run stopping wallop in the middle. Sleeper pick right here.
• CJ West- Stout in the middle for Smith’s Hoosiers.
• Rylie Mills –“Sweetheart! Half Mick, Half Guinea! I’ll sing one in an Italian accent…” Shed blood and tears for the Fightin’ Irish, but missed their playoff run with a knee injury.
• Zeek Biggers- BIG, Feisty ‘Jacket. Jebrick’s guy impressed at the combine despite recovering from an emergency appendectomy last month.
• (There’s probably another dozen or so guys here that will get drafted, but I’m getting Geico-like finger cramps from all this typing).
Thanks as always for reading. Please comment on the defensive tackles you like and those you don’t. With such a deep class of DTs, I’d save my free agent dollars to help fill the MANY other holes on Head Coach Mike Tomlin’s roster.
