Steelers News: Cowher, Tuitt, Turnovers

Oct 1, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt (91) and inside linebacker Sean Spence (51) celebrate a Spence sack against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Ravens won 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt (91) and inside linebacker Sean Spence (51) celebrate a Spence sack against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Ravens won 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Steelers players head into the offseason for recovery and the coaches head out to prepare for free agency and the draft.

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Steelers season never truly ends for Steeler Nation so while the offseason starts to heat up we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Thursday, Feb. 4th.

Not too much tinkering

More from Steelers News

Former Steelers coach

Bill Cowher

told

the Trib’s Mark Kaboly

that the Steelers are very close to being the team to beat in the NFL. This season the Steelers took a team that had some of their best players sidelined with injury to about three minutes away from the AFC Championship game.

"“I think they are very close. Easily, you can sit there and say if their young running back doesn’t fumble in that game that they could’ve beaten the Denver Broncos. They were a team that nobody really wanted to play. They have a great window of time with a young nucleus. Their quarterback still has many good years ahead of him.” – Bill Cowher"

They key, Cowher says, to reach the postseason goals is to not tinker too much with a good thing. He made a lot of changes during his fifteen years as head coach of the Steelers and he experienced the good and bad that comes with knowing when you have a good thing going and sticking with it.

Do it Tuitt

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says the Steelers can target cornerbacks, safeties and defensive tackles in the draft. One thing that gives them flexibility on the draft is how well defensive end Stephon Tuitt played in his sophomore season.

The combination of Tuitt and Cameron Heyward on the defensive line means all the talent and flexibility that a first and second round draft pick give you. They certainly need to add depth but the upside is that Tuitt is only going to get better.

Takeaway

The Steelers’ defense surprised a lot of people this season and one of the areas where they excelled was in takeaways. They led the league in red zone takeaways with seven and Mike Prisuta details how timely those turnovers were in helping the overall defense.

Next: Still Curtain Interview with Brett Keisel

The defense finished No. 30 in passing yards allowed and No. 21 in overall yards allowed but No. 11 in points allowed and that was because when a team came into the red zone against the Steelers they took the ball away rather than let them score.