Saturday, February 22, 2025, 12:50AM |  27°
MENU
Advertisement
Bud Dupree is confident about what the Steelers defense can accomplish in 2017.
MORE

The young Steelers defense plans on 'being great' in 2017

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

The young Steelers defense plans on 'being great' in 2017

It has been five years since the Steelers defense ranked No. 1 in the NFL — for the fourth time in six seasons — a reign not even the great Steel Curtain defenses of the 1970s could match.

Their dominance crumbled faster than the Berlin Wall. A steady decline began in 2013 when the Steelers defense collapsed from No. 1 the previous year to No. 13, then to 18 and then to No. 21 for the 2015 season.

The people who fueled those defenses got old and departed; some, like Troy Polamalu and their beloved coordinator Dick LeBeau, unwillingly. It was like watching someone slowly carving up a Rembrandt.

Turnovers and sacks declined, as did the reputation the Steelers had built on defense for more than 40 years.

But as today’s Steelers prepare to report to Saint Vincent College Thursday, their defense would seem to be in its best shape in quite some time and may actually be headed toward dominance again.

“We’re going to be a good defense this year,” linebacker Bud Dupree said. “We plan on being great.”


Mike Mitchell delivers a hard hit on Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)

End Cam Heyward returns to that defense after missing half of last season because of a chest injury that required surgery. With him comes the steady reasoning of someone who has been in the middle of the transition from those No. 1 defenses.

“We have a defense that can accomplish a lot, but if we don’t put it on the field, it doesn’t count for anything,” Heyward said.

Despite Heyward’s absence, and the time it took three rookie starters to assimilate into that defense, they climbed off the mat to a No. 12 NFL ranking. Team president Art Rooney II said they need to pressure the quarterback more, but their 38 sacks ranked ninth in the NFL last season even without Heyward, their sack leader the previous two years.

There is evidence that the multi-talented Steelers offense will not be required or asked to carry the defense anymore.

“I think we’ve made some progress, I think we took some strides last year to become a better defense,” said Mike Mitchell, entering his fourth season as their starting free safety. “But if we’re not No. 1, we’re not good enough.”

Mitchell, who joined them as an unrestricted free agent through Oakland and Carolina, knows the reputation that preceded his arrival.

“I think those guys were top three for five, six, seven years in a row. It’s on our walls everywhere, the standard it’s the standard. That’s such a true statement. Until we’re winning Super Bowls on a consistent basis and we’re in the top thee on a consistent basis, we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

The work putting the pieces in place has taken time, mostly through the draft. Other than Mitchell and cornerback Ross Cockrell, every starter on defense either was drafted by the Steelers or signed in James Harrison’s case as an undrafted rookie.

“I think we have the right group of guys to work the right way to be successful,” Mitchell said.


2017 training camp calendar

The defense that accurately was called old and slow by Warren Sapp, has been replaced by a younger, leaner group of players. Harrison, 39, and Mitchell, at 30, are the oldest starters; the rest are in their 20s.

Their defensive line is strong with ends Heyward and Stephon Tuitt and Javon Hargrave at nose tackle.

Their linebackers, other than Harrison, are young. They drafted T.J. Watt in the first round to rotate with Harrison on the right outside and ultimately replace him. Bud Dupree is on the left. Ryan Shazier, who made his first Pro Bowl last season, is a budding star inside.

Their top two rookie draft picks from last year bolstered their secondary with cornerback Artie Burns and safety Sean Davis.

Coordinator Keith Butler believes the three rookies from last season should improve and with the help of Watt and maybe a few other newcomers, his defense can boost the Steelers toward more success in 2017.

“Our young guys are going to have to help us in that regard in terms of our draft choices and the guys who played well for us last year,” Butler said. “The rookies last year got to continue to develop. And if they do, hopefully we’ll improve enough to take that next step.”

Their only real starting lineup change comes next to Shazier at inside linebacker, where veteran backup Vince Williams replaces departed Lawrence Timmons.

“Vince has been around here for a long time,” Butler said. “We expect him to play well for us.”

A few newcomers aim to strengthen them at cornerback, which has been a weakness for years. Those include rookie Cam Sutton and veteran free agent Coty Sensabaugh. Senquez Golson, their second-round draft choice in 2016, will give it another try in his third season to get on the field.

“I think it’s all about just taking steps forward,” Heyward said. “I think a lot of guys progressed and I think we just have to continue to do that.”

It certainly looks as though the Steelers defense is back on track, but one thing remains to be done.

Said Dupree, “It’s all about just going out and actually doing it.”


 Ed Bouchette's 2017 Steelers camp roster breakdown:


Complete roster also can be found here.

Ed Bouchette: ebouchette@post-gazette.com

First Published: July 21, 2017, 9:01 p.m.

SHOW COMMENTS  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Must Read
Partners
Advertisement
Bud Dupree is confident about what the Steelers defense can accomplish in 2017.  (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt works through drills during rookie minicamp May 12.  (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story