Pittsburgh Steelers 2015: Can The Butler Do It?

When you think about the Pittsburgh Steelers and their storied history, inevitably it’s usually about defense.

From the “Steel Curtain” to “Blitzburgh,” the Black and Gold usually bring it on this side of the ball…and then some. It’s the main reason that this franchise has won more regular-season games (423) and more division titles (21) since the merger than any other franchise.

Not to mention a record-tying eight appearances in the Super Bowl and a unprecedented six Vince Lombardi Trophies.

In 2014, it was more about the B’s than the D. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tied for the NFL lead in passing yards (4,952). Running back Le’Veon Bell finished second in the league in rushing (1,361) and total yards from scrimmage (2,215). Wide receiver Antonio Brown became the first Steelers’ player ever to lead the NFL in receptions, his 129 catches the second-most in a season in league annals.

Now head coach Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh brain trust are hoping another “B” can help the Steelers recapture that big-play ability on the defensive side of the ball that was so big a part of the team’s offensive success this past season.

Linebackers coach Keith Butler has been with the organization since 2003, the year before LeBeau returned to Pittsburgh for his second stint with the team. LeBeau was secondary coach and then defensive coordinator during Bill Cowher’s first five seasons as head coach.

Prior to his arrival in the Steel City, Butler was linebackers coach with the Cleveland Browns from 1999-2002. Ironically, he was with the Browns the last time they reached the playoffs (2002), which eventually proved to be a 36-33 loss to Pittsburgh in the Wild Card Round.

Dec 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) pressures Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) as he throws an incomplete pass during the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Now the pupil becomes the teacher as LeBeau and the Steelers have parted ways. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has the latest on Tuesday’s announcement regarding Pittsburgh’s new defensive coordinator.

Butler is hoping that the influx of young talent at his position is the catalyst for another successful run. Veteran inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons was named to his first Pro Bowl this season and has been a versatile player for the team for the last eight seasons. In each of the last two drafts, general manager Kevin Colbert added linebackers Jarvis Jones (2013) and Ryan Shazier (2014) in the first round, both who were plagued by injuries this past season. Meanwhile, don’t be surprised if the Steelers address their secondary early and often in April.

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Back to Butler, who will look to reverse a recent trend that has been hard to ignore in recent seasons. In 2010, the Steelers led the NFL with 48 sacks and the team forced a respectable 35 turnovers. Those numbers have dropped considerably the last four years in which Pittsburgh has totaled no more than 37 sacks (in 2012) and managed no more than 21 takeaways (in 2014) each of those seasons.

From 2008-10, the Steelers made two Super Bowl appearances in those three seasons and totaled a combined 146 sacks in 48 regular-season games. Over the last four years, LeBeau’s defenders amassed 139 sacks in 64 contests.

Along with LeBeau’s departure, there figure to be some other changes on the defensive side of the ball. What does the future hold for veteran safety Troy Polamalu, who’s played 12 seasons (time flies) and cornerback Ike Taylor, the latter slated for free agency?

No matter the personnel, the Steelers defense will have a little different feel to it compared to the last decade or so. And Butler hopes to serve notice sooner than later that the team’s defense is back to its intimidating ways.

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