Power Rankings: Top Post-Draft Defenses (11-15)
Oct 20, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (43) hits Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tandon Doss (17) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 19-16. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers 7-9
Last Season’s Rankings: #13 Overall Defense (337.6 total yards per game allowed) #9 Passing Defense (222.1 passing yards per game allowed) #21 Rushing Defense (115.6 rushing yards per game allowed)
Last Season
For the Steelers, 2013 was both a curse and a blessing. On one hand they lost Jerome Harrison, but on the other they were able to draft LB Jarvis Jones out of the University of Georgia. Even with those improvements the Steelers failed to make the top-10 in defense, ranking 13th overall. Don’t get me wrong, 13th overall is still pretty good, however for a once feared defense, 13th is a bit average. What surprised Pittsburgh fans and NFL fans was that the usually stout Pittsburgh front seven was not as good as we thought, allowing 18 rushing touchdowns (ranked 27th), 4.3 yards per carry (21st) and sacking the QB 34 times (25th). With their veteran line backing corps virtually obliterated by free agency, the Steelers will have to look towards their rookies and backups to pick up the slack.
Run Defense
I would be lying to you if I didn’t say that the 2013 Steelers’ rush defense was the worst in recent years. 2014 still is filled with ambiguity as the Steelers lost many players to free agency. In the off-season LBs Larry Foote (113 tackles, four sacks and four tackles for loss in 2012) and LaMarr Woodley (36 tackles and five sacks) joined DT Ziggy Hood (39 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one tackle for loss) by signing with new teams in the off-season. Now while at first one may be inclined to slam the Steelers’ 2014 run defense, we must take a look back and realize the talent they lost and the talent they gained. For instance, they have gained solid LBs in rookie Ryan Shazier (129 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 20.25 tackles for loss per season in his final two seasons in college) out of Ohio State and Arthur Moats (54 tackles in 2013) from Buffalo. As well, the Steelers did select Jarvis Jones out of the University of Georgia who was able to record 40 tackles, three tackles for loss and four passes defended during his rookie season. I believe the young combination of Jones and Shazier should pay dividends for the Steelers in 2014. Don’t forget though, LBs Lawrence Timmons (126 tackles, three sacks, six tackles for loss and five passes defended) and Jason Worilds (63 tackles, eight sacks, and two tackles for loss) will be returning along with DE Cam Thomas (23 tackles and four tackles for loss with the Chargers in 2013), DT Steve McLendon (33 tackles) and DE Cameron Heyward (59 tackles, five sacks, two tackles for loss and seven passes defended). As well if new addition Cam Thomas can’t perform his duties adequately, there is always DE/DT Stephon Tuitt who was recently drafted out of Notre Dame.
For many people that are directly immersed in the 2014 NFL Draft (me included), many have overshadowed the talent and skill of Notre Dame’s other defensive tackle, Stephon Tuitt. Sure, Louis Nix has been getting all of the attention this off-season, however it is Tuitt who should be ranked higher on the totem pole than he currently is. Tuitt, born in the crucible of Monroe, Georgia, has known the south (a football heavy region), for the majority of his life. At Monroe High School, Tuitt made a name for himself as a dual-sport athlete at Monroe, playing both Basketball and Football.
Recruited by Notre Dame, Tuitt went on to play in nine games his freshman season (starting three of them), while recording 30 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and five QB hurries. The next season for Tuitt was perhaps the season that defined his collegiate career. As a sophomore at Notre Dame, Tuitt was able to register 47 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles and nine QB hurries. In Tuitt’s junior season at ND, he was able to record 49 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 7.5 tackles for loss and 13 QB hurries while defending two passes returning an interception back for a touchdown. Nominated for the Bednarik Award Watch List, Tuitt was a beast against 19th ranked USC on October 19th as he went on to record two sacks two QB hurries and seven total tackles as the Fighting Irish went on to win 14-10 over the Trojans. Although Tuitt wasn’t as productive as his sophomore season, he was still a force to be reckoned with this season.
Where Tuitt is so dominating is in his pure size, unnoticed ability and quickness. Behemoth doesn’t even begin to describe the kid out of south Georgia. At 6’5″, 304 pounds, people were definitely surprised when Tuitt was able to run a pre-draft 4.92 40-yard dash time. Every time off the ball Tuitt shows surprising skills and ability to get to the QB even as a defensive tackle. If he was a bit slimmer and shorter, Tuitt would be deadly as a defensive end in the NFL, however at defensive tackle is where he is best; rushing the passer, batting the ball down and be a sure-handed tackler. Another great thing about Tuitt at this year’s draft is his great character and attitude. As a sheriff in Georgia, Tuitt’s mother raised him well and thus will surely translate to Tuitt’s play on the football field. If any NFL team is looking for a strong and built defensive tackle to help with run support, Tuitt is your guy (he benched 31 225-pound reps at the combine).
With Tuitt and a host of young talent, I think that the Steelers are still strong in 2014. The key truly is the way their defensive line plays. If Thomas and McLendon can play up to par in 2014, who knows what this Steelers’ squad is capable of.
Pass Defense
Last season the Steelers defense wasn’t horrendous, however there could have been some improvements to make the team better overall. For example, Pittsburgh ranked 18th or around that position in most defensive categories in 2013. On the passing side of the ball, the Steelers were actually pretty potent at times, ranking ninth best in the league in yards and seventh in touchdowns (222.1 yards allowed per game along with 21 passing touchdowns allowed). At other times, however, they were not as potent. Their 10 interceptions ranked third-worst in the league last season. The combination of CB Cortez Allen (13 passes defended and 51 tackles), William Gay (nine passes defended and 63 tackles) and Ike Taylor (12 passes defended 63 tackles) were solid in their own rights. SS Troy Polamalu was the same old Troy Polamalu, recording 11 passes defended, 69 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions and five forced fumbles in 2013. FS Ryan Clarke will not be returning to Pittsburgh in 2014, however. In the off-season Clarke took his talents to Washington to join the Redskins (or whoever they’re called these days). No fear though, the Steelers were able to add FS Mike Mitchell from Carolina to their secondary. In Carolina, Mitchell was able to record 66 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four interceptions and eight passes defended.
In the grand scheme of things, I believe that the Steelers do have a solid secondary, especially at the CB position. Even though Clarke will be gone off to Washington, I think that Mitchell will be equally adequate as Clarke. Or maybe even better.
In The End
Now some may question why I have the Steelers where they are located despite losing so many guys in the off-season and the answer is simple. While their defensive line nor line backing corps may not be the same, I believe that even though Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier are young and inexperienced in the NFL, they can pull the weight of this defense. I think that the secondary with Mike Mitchell and all of the wonderful Steeler corners will be top-10 in the NFL next season. The key for the Steelers is to get pressure on the QB with some outside rushing as well as making plays on defense. Polamalu should help with some of those turnovers, however the Steelers need a group effort to make 2014 a year to remember.