It is secure to say that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is happy with what he has seen from his protection by means of three weeks of coaching camp. He not too long ago shared his optimism in a uncharacteristically daring means.
“We really feel actually good concerning the prospects of this group,” Tomlin stated Tuesday on 102.5 WDVE, through Sports activities Illustrated. “We gotta write that story, however we have got sufficient expertise, we have got sufficient schematics to do massive, massive issues. And once I say massive issues, I am speaking about historic issues.”
Tomlin’s optimism is actually comprehensible. This offseason, the Steelers got down to make enhancements towards the run and of their communication on the again finish after yielding 299 speeding yards of their remaining sport of the 2024 season, a 28-14 loss to the Ravens within the wild-card spherical of the AFC playoffs. Based mostly on Tomlin’s feedback, it is clear that he feels that the Steelers have achieved these issues after which some.
Pittsburgh’s defensive acquisitions this offseason embody doable future Corridor of Fame defensive backs Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey and fellow veteran defensive backs Juan Thornhill, Chuck Clark and Brandin Echols. The Steelers additionally acquired promising rookies in defensive linemen Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black and outdoors linebacker Jack Sawyer. These new acquisitions have joined a protection that already contains former Defensive Participant of the 12 months T.J. Watt, former Professional Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen, and All-Professional defensive sort out Cam Heyward.
Not surprisingly, the play of Pittsburgh’s protection was one among the primary takeaways throughout the first week of coaching camp. One of many issues that stood out instantly was the Steelers’ utilization of Ramsey, who will begin at free security however will get to perform a little little bit of every part. Ramsey’s fast impression throughout camp included an interception of Aaron Rodgers throughout the group’s third follow.
Together with Tomlin, Pittsburgh’s protection has made a fast impression on new Steelers receiver DK Metcalf, who not too long ago gave the unit the final word praise.
“I feel they’re one of the best protection I’ve ever seen,” Metcalf stated. “They’re some canines on the sector and I tip my hat to them as a result of they arrive to work day-after-day. We have no selection however to get higher.”
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Bryan DeArdo
Tomlin is aware of a factor or two in the case of teaching traditionally dominant defenses. In 2002, he was the defensive backs coach on a Buccaneers protection that recorded a Tremendous Bowl file 5 interceptions throughout their win over the Raiders. That Buccaneers’ protection featured 4 future Corridor of Famers.
In 2008, Tomlin presided over a Steelers protection that was No. 1 within the NFL in scoring, passing yards allowed and third down and purple zone effectivity. That protection featured Defensive Participant of the 12 months James Harrison (who returned an interception 100 yards for a rating in that 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl) and future Corridor of Fame security Troy Polamalu.
Whereas this 12 months’s protection has the potential to do historic issues, there are some reliable considerations. Particularly, age is a query mark as Pittsburgh has 4 starters over the age of 30, together with the 36-year-old Heyward, who’s at present staging a hold-in. Conversely, Harmon, Black and Sawyer must overcome the proverbial rookie wall.
Tomlin not often makes daring claims like this, and one memorable one backfired. He made headlines throughout the 2017 season when he stated that his group “ought to win all of it” previous to Pittsburgh’s Week 15 showdown with the Patriots. The Steelers then misplaced to New England earlier than getting upset by the Jaguars within the AFC divisional spherical.
It is secure to say that Steelers followers hope that Tomlin’s newest prediction ages higher than that one. If that occurs, it might not solely end in a traditionally good protection, it might additionally result in the Steelers snapping their eight-year drought with no playoff win.
