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Steelers Butler Speaks, Slow Your Roll, That’s A Wrap

By Kim Myers

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The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their OTAs on Thursday afternoon and will just have the mandatory minicamp remaining of their offseason workout program before they break for the summer. While they put the finishing touches on their pre-training camp preparations we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Friday, June 12th.

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Butler on his defensive philosophy

Keith Butler spoke to the media after Thursday’s final OTA for the first time since taking the position of Steelers defensive coordinator earlier this year. He spoke about his desire to stay with the Steelers organization in spite of receiving job offers elsewhere and how he plans to put his own fingerprints on the Steelers defense.

After working under the legendary Dick LeBeau for the past eleven seasons Butler feels like he can merge LeBeau’s philosophy into his own to create a new defense for the Steelers. They will continue to play the base 3-4 defense, but as the PPG’s Ed Bouchette explains, according to Butler even that might look different.

"“There will be some things that are different, yes. There are some things we did well last year. We have to try to marry the things we did well last year and, maybe some things that we haven’t done before here, we’re going to try to do those.” – Keith Butler"

LeBeau’s 3-4 scheme primarily relied on the three linemen up front to eat up blockers and allow the linebackers to make all the plays, and get all the glory. The linemen hardly ever got sacks, and as a result not much recognition outside the fan base. Butler plans to employ the whole front seven in the pass-rushing and run-stopping duties.

"“We can’t let them always take up for the linebackers, or try to take people on for the linebackers; we have to let them play football, too. So, hopefully we can employ everybody in this defense, especially the front seven.” – Keith Butler"

That could be just crazy enough to work. With the Steelers questionable at best in their secondary at this point, a fully-involved and highly productive entire front seven could make some guys look awfully good in the secondary.

Slow your roll

Ben Roethlisberger has had some high praise for his offense so far during offseason workouts. He should, they had some pretty sweet numbers together last season and there’s no reason to think the good times can’t keep flowing on the offensive side of the ball.

However, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler points out, it’s tough to place the Steelers into Super Bowl contention based solely on their offensive prowess. That’s a valid point. There are major questions on the defensive side of the ball that won’t be answered until they’re up against real competition.

Anyone can look good running some routes with no pressure on them but can the Steelers defense shut anyone down yet? That will all depend on how good Butler can implement his defense and if that defense is good enough.

That’s a wrap

The Steelers wrapped up OTAs on Thursday afternoon and will return to the South Side next Tuesday for the start of their 3-day minicamp. They’ll break on the 18th and then they’re off till they report to the dorms in Latrobe on July 25th.

Hopefully, the Steelers wrap up the entire offseason program with minimal injury.

Next: Steelers Quiet Offseason

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