Pittsburgh Steelers Accept Execution Over Experience, Finally

Oct 5, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brice McCain (25) celebrates his interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9 at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers, and more specifically defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, have always favored “knowledge” and “experience” over ability.  Question that logic?  Just look at the last few seasons of young players on this roster who appear to need meaningful reps in practice and in game situations in order to break the barrier of being a starter versus a bench warmer.  Based on the piss poor play of certain defensemen over the last few weeks, injuries, and young inexperienced players stepping up, the Steelers might finally concede to execution over experience.

I think that’s key to focus in on when thinking about who is taking the field on Monday night versus the Houston Texans.  Take cornerback Brice McCain for instance.  According to Dejan Kovacevic (DK), McCain hinted that he was getting the start over the reeling Cortez Allen.  This is based on two factors – 1) Allen has sucked all season, especially when looking at that fat extension during the offseason, and he is ranked 103rd out of 103 corners on Pro Football Focus (not always the best litmus, but even if they were slightly off, being near the bottom is still pretty awful).  2) McCain has been a monster in practice.  He has been for several weeks per head coach Mike Tomlin’s comments, and his pick-6 in Jacksonville to seal a victory is just another check mark for why this guy could very well take the start over the veteran Allen.

I see you #91. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The topsy turvy defensive roster flip might not end there.  Based on poor play by Cam Thomas (another FA bust) and Brett Keisel (knee), rookie Stephon Tuitt might just see significant snap counts Monday.  Per DK, Daniel McCullers should also be “handed a helmet” and could see some time should Thomas, who is simply terrible at the NT position, continues to get out muscled in the middle.

If these three possibilities don’t excite you, then you obviously haven’t been watching the first six weeks of the season.  Finally, an opportunity for Steeler Nation to witness youth with athleticism and skills battle it out, rather than have them stand on the sideline and watch the old farts show them how to get out-played week in and week out – yeah, great lessons there.  One would hope that the Steelers would dial back some of the “complicated” play calling in order to increase the rate of success, but it doesn’t sound like it.  Let’s just hope that doesn’t shoot them in the foot, which they seem so good at this year.

This probable shift of the roster for this weekend makes me wonder how far would the Steelers be willing to go.  What if Shmarko Thomas were healthy instead of sidelined with a hamstring injury?  Would they go as far to concede to Troy Polamalu’s poor play and start Thomas over Polamalu?  If only.

Pay attention tonight, boys and girls.  If these young men take the field all at once, we might actually witness a defense and not the sorry collection of the AARP we’ve been seeing for the last three seasons.