We can’t sugar coat it: last week, the defense has a rough week. However, overall, things continue to look up for the defense . A few years ago one of the biggest “knocks” against the Steelers defense was that the veteran players were becoming “too old” to play effectively. It could be said that the Steelers waited too long to start to ease in rookies among the veterans; however, there is always a risk to continuity when you switch players out, particularly young, inexperienced players. Talent in LeBeau’s system (perhaps any system) is only part of the equation. Experience and player cohesion help that system work when you understand how everyone contributes and can count on that contribution. However, the Steelers understand that change must come and it is evident in the projected starting line up with week, particularly looking at the front seven.
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Ryan Shazier returns to the lineup and Stephon Tuitt, a much liked and discussed 2014 draft pick, is getting his first start. The post-draft analysis was pretty much positive about Tuitt. You can review Jason Brichta’s view from NPC a few months ago and Mike Mayock’s NLF Network comments on the former Notre Dame player’s potential. As a rookie, he remains a bit of an unknown because his play has been limited. He saw the most game play last week. LeBeau is not know for starting rookies, but injuries have a way of forcing the issue. I hate seeing Keisel’s season end like it has, but as Tomlin indicates about Tuitt:
"I feel like he’s had some positive improvements on the practice field over the course of this football season and really not a lot of opportunity to show it,” Tomlin said. “One man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity. The injury to Brett Keisel I think is going to provide a platform for (Tuitt) to display that improvement, and I look forward to him doing it.”"
On the depth chart, Tuitt is behind Cameron Heyward at Left Defense End (LDE), but with Keisel’s injury he has apparently gotten reconsidered and will go in ahead of Cam Thomas on the right. Heyward is having a decent year with 36 Tackles (23 solo) and 4 sacks while Thomas has 18 tackles (11 solo) and half a sack credited. This may not be a knock on Thomas with Keisel previously available. Thomas has also been in at NT on and off with McLendon’s injury.
It also looks like Jarvis Jones will be active, but there isn’t much information available on how many, if any snaps, he will get. His injury was significant and he is likely rusty, so his contribution may not be small, but getting him back on the field is a good sign for the defense.
McClendon had a full practice on Wednesday, but I haven’t seen anything about how much he will play. There was concern that his injury was “lingering” so starting Tuitt ahead of Cam Thomas may have more to do with needing Thomas at NT still than with any knock on his play at RDE.
It’s great to see younger, talented guys on the defense mixed with a bit of veteran presence. Keisel’s experience has meant a lot this year and bringing Harrison back to help be that presence as well seems to be working for the Steelers. I also think Timmons is having a great year and his experience is also valuable as a leader. His production alone this year should be noted: 99 tackles (68 solo) and 2 sacks. He’s up there with Luke Kuechly, of Carolina, who has 125 tackles and 3 sacks and Brandon Marshall of Denver with 100 tackles and 2 sacks. Let’s just suspend the argument about how tackles are recorded and tracked (yes it may be a flawed stat) and just acknowledge that Timmons is having another great year. Last year he had 126 tackles over 16 games with three sacks. Will the defense be more effective this week? Let me pull out my magic eight ball….ummm, yeah, hard to say. However, it is a positive development to see the younger starters (Shazier and Jones) getting healthy and back into the line-up while giving Tuitt a chance. Having two starting defensive rookies is certainly an anomaly for the Steelers, but maybe it is just what is needed. Timmons and Harrison are there to provide their experience, but the potential of the younger players is exciting too.
One last thought on Brett Keisel: On his show, Ike Taylor called him a ” yinzer” and I couldn’t agree more. Thanks to Brett for all he has been for the Steelers. He will always be on my list of favorites.
Let’s go Steelers and beat the Bungles this week!