Steelers Story Lines, Coates Plans, Sean’s Story

The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially on summer vacation. They’ve wrapped up their minicamp and will head out to parts unknown for the next five weeks until reporting to the dorms of Saint Vincent for the Steelers’ 50^th season of training camp in Latrobe. While the Steelers are enjoying their summer break we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Wednesday, June 24^th.

Steelers Pre-Camp Defense Story Lines

The Steelers have some big question marks on the defensive side of the ball going into training camp this year. Ray Fittipaldo of the PPG gives us his top five story lines surrounding the defense going into Latrobe. The fifth is will the top draft picks live up to the hype. The Steelers have invested the past three first-round draft picks on linebackers.

It’s high time those linebackers make an impact on the team, don’t you think? It might be unfair to put that same pressure on Bud Dupree, but hey, he’s got to live up to the first-round pedigree too, why not start off that way?

The fourth story line would involve the secondary. The Steelers finished 27^th against the pass last year and gave up more big plays than anyone wants to remember. Can the rookies Senquez Golson and Doran Grant make immediate impacts? Will Cortez Allen redeem himself?

The third story line is about stuffing the run. The Steelers defense finished sixth in run defense but Fittipaldo suggests that ranking is misleading as they allowed 4.4 yards per attempt. The fact is there was a time when no one dared run against the Steelers and the point is to try to get them back there.

The other storylines will be can the Steelers get back to forcing turnovers and most of all just how much of the defensive philosophy will change under Keith Butler?

All around Coates

Some might have thought of the Steelers move to pick wide receiver Sammie Coates in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft a luxury that could have waited till the later rounds. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler explains that Coates intends to make himself indispensable to the Steelers, offering up to do anything asked.

"“I’m just trying to do everything I can to showcase that I’m an all-around guy who can play anywhere.” – Sammie Coates"

He’s going to have to separate himself from the pack if he wants to get on the field with his group of receivers.

Get to know Sean Spence

Since we already met our one and only free agent acquisition, Teresa Varley wants to re-introduce us to linebacker Sean Spence. Spence is entering his fourth year with the Steelers and hopefully his second season of full action.

When asked who his football mentor was he named Larry Foote, former Steelers linebacker now Arizona Cardinals coaching assistant.

"“Larry Foote. When I first came into the league he really took me under his wing. When I was hurt he came to see me in the hospital. He taught me the game even when I was hurt. I sat next to him in all of our meetings. I respect the person he is as a man, and as a father. I think that is what all men should strive to be, like Larry.” – Sean Spence"

His proudest NFL memory came last season.

"“My first NFL sack versus the Bengals. It was pretty cool. We were playing for the division and to contribute in a huge way was pretty cool.” – Sean Spence"

He’s got a pretty good feeling about Steelers fans as well.

"“Steelers fans are the best. I think when I really knew Steelers Nation was big is when we played against the Falcons and we ran out of the tunnel and it was like a home game and there were so many towels and the fans were going wild.” – Sean Spence"

Next: Steelers Vince Williams Strives for Greatness

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