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I really wanted Sean Lee that year. Worilds was decent for a while, but got a franchise tag for a year ( A mistake ) and said so long I'm retiring.
young defense
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I really wanted Sean Lee that year. Worilds was decent for a while, but got a franchise tag for a year ( A mistake ) and said so long I'm retiring.
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The fact that Spence ever even played a game after his injury ought to take him off the list of bad picks. In fact, when DL left, he brought Spence over to his new team.
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Watch: Mike Tomlin And Keith Butler’s Blend Steelers’ Defense
http://www.Invalid Link - Check SN ...-tomlin-keith-butlers-blend-steelers-defense/
http://www.Invalid Link - Check SN ...-tomlin-keith-butlers-blend-steelers-defense/
Steelers' Stephon Tuitt mature beyond his peers
By Chris Bradford cbradford@timesonline.com 6 hrs ago 0
Steelers Bills Football
Bill Wippert/The Associated Press
Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt, right, celebrates after sacking Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, bottom left, during the first half of Sunday's game in Orchard Park, N.Y.
PITTSBURGH – When Cam Heyward went down in Week 10, it could have been a mortal wound to the Steelers. Judging by the defense’s previous performances sans Heyward, their fate appeared doomed.
Against Miami and New England, the Steelers were gouged for a combined 362 rushing yards. Against Dallas, with a one-armed Heyward trying to play through a pec injury that ultimately ended his season, Ezekiel Elliott scored twice in the final two minutes.
Well, it turns out, rumors of the Steelers’ death may have been greatly exaggerated.
Since that loss to the Cowboys dropped them to a precarious 4-5, the Steelers have managed to turn their season around despite Heyward’s absence. They have won four in a row, thanks in large part to a defense that has leaned heavily on youth.
And, hard to believe, fewer are younger than Stephon Tuitt.
Though he is a “grizzled” and “savvy” three-year vet, Tuitt is just 23 years old. Yet he's three months younger than rookie lineman Javon Hargrave and just five months older than rookie safety Sean Davis.
Like a lot of players on the Steelers’ 11th-ranked defense, which has seven starters age 25 or younger, including three rookies, Tuitt also had to grow up quickly. It’s a knowledge that he imparts on some of his lesser-experienced teammates.
“I know about that too as well,” said Tuitt, who started four games as a rookie in 2014 and 14 games last season. “It’s helped me to help guide them, to show them that, ‘Hey, I did this before. This is what we can do.’ Just having fun doing it and having a good time.”
Tuitt might not be the vocal leader Heyward is, but he’s taken on an expanded role on and off the field. The Steelers have used Tuitt on different ends, but the results have been the same. Over the last five games, Tuitt has produced a Heyward-like 3.5 sacks and 13 tackles to go along with a pair of forced fumbles.
“A lot of people looked at me to be able to control the game, control the line, control the front and stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback,” Tuitt said. “(With) one person down, (I’m) the next guy that’s been here for a while and played, so, everyone sort of looks at me.”
Since Heyward went down, Tuitt has looked like the Pro Bowler the Steelers envisioned when they used a second-round pick on him two years ago.
“Tuitt’s been coming on hot, whether it’s been in the run or the pass,” Heyward said. “I think he’s really stepped up, which we all we needed him to do.”
Likewise, the Steelers defense, once thought to be a liability, is now approaching a legitimate weapon. During their current winning streak, they have 18 sacks, seven takeaways and, perhaps most importantly, have stopped the run. The Steelers’ run defense now ranks fourth in the NFL and has allowed a miniscule 61.75 yards per game over their past four games.
“Guys just doing their jobs,” explained Heyward. “I think the execution has picked up a lot better. We got more pressure on the quarterback from numerous amount of people, then we’ve got more turnovers because of it.”
Tuitt is pleased, but far from satisfied with what the Steelers have accomplished to date.
They haven’t done a great job closing out their last two opponents, giving up a late touchdown against the New York Giants and 13 fourth-quarter points to Buffalo last week. And there remains the not-so small task of clinching a playoff berth beginning with this week’s AFC North game at the Cincinnati Bengals.
“It’s funny everybody saying we’re playing good football, but we know there’s a lot we can do better,” said Tuitt. “That’s perfect because, you know what, we’re playing how we need to play December football to get these wins. And then, when it’s time for the playoffs, (if) we keep working hard, and we get in there, we’ve got to take it up another notch.”
Just Tuitt
A look at the ages and experience of the seven defensive starters under age 25:
Pos Player GP Exp Age
DE Stephon Tuitt 43 23 3
CB Ross Cockrell 35 25 3
LB Ryan Shazier 31 24 3
LB Bud Dupree 20 23 2
CB Artie Burns 13 21 R
S Sean Davis 13 23 R
DE Javon Hargrave 12 23 R
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/s...cle_02fbe13e-c24b-11e6-bdc8-0b5cabc72b96.html
By Chris Bradford cbradford@timesonline.com 6 hrs ago 0
Steelers Bills Football
Bill Wippert/The Associated Press
Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt, right, celebrates after sacking Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor, bottom left, during the first half of Sunday's game in Orchard Park, N.Y.
PITTSBURGH – When Cam Heyward went down in Week 10, it could have been a mortal wound to the Steelers. Judging by the defense’s previous performances sans Heyward, their fate appeared doomed.
Against Miami and New England, the Steelers were gouged for a combined 362 rushing yards. Against Dallas, with a one-armed Heyward trying to play through a pec injury that ultimately ended his season, Ezekiel Elliott scored twice in the final two minutes.
Well, it turns out, rumors of the Steelers’ death may have been greatly exaggerated.
Since that loss to the Cowboys dropped them to a precarious 4-5, the Steelers have managed to turn their season around despite Heyward’s absence. They have won four in a row, thanks in large part to a defense that has leaned heavily on youth.
And, hard to believe, fewer are younger than Stephon Tuitt.
Though he is a “grizzled” and “savvy” three-year vet, Tuitt is just 23 years old. Yet he's three months younger than rookie lineman Javon Hargrave and just five months older than rookie safety Sean Davis.
Like a lot of players on the Steelers’ 11th-ranked defense, which has seven starters age 25 or younger, including three rookies, Tuitt also had to grow up quickly. It’s a knowledge that he imparts on some of his lesser-experienced teammates.
“I know about that too as well,” said Tuitt, who started four games as a rookie in 2014 and 14 games last season. “It’s helped me to help guide them, to show them that, ‘Hey, I did this before. This is what we can do.’ Just having fun doing it and having a good time.”
Tuitt might not be the vocal leader Heyward is, but he’s taken on an expanded role on and off the field. The Steelers have used Tuitt on different ends, but the results have been the same. Over the last five games, Tuitt has produced a Heyward-like 3.5 sacks and 13 tackles to go along with a pair of forced fumbles.
“A lot of people looked at me to be able to control the game, control the line, control the front and stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback,” Tuitt said. “(With) one person down, (I’m) the next guy that’s been here for a while and played, so, everyone sort of looks at me.”
Since Heyward went down, Tuitt has looked like the Pro Bowler the Steelers envisioned when they used a second-round pick on him two years ago.
“Tuitt’s been coming on hot, whether it’s been in the run or the pass,” Heyward said. “I think he’s really stepped up, which we all we needed him to do.”
Likewise, the Steelers defense, once thought to be a liability, is now approaching a legitimate weapon. During their current winning streak, they have 18 sacks, seven takeaways and, perhaps most importantly, have stopped the run. The Steelers’ run defense now ranks fourth in the NFL and has allowed a miniscule 61.75 yards per game over their past four games.
“Guys just doing their jobs,” explained Heyward. “I think the execution has picked up a lot better. We got more pressure on the quarterback from numerous amount of people, then we’ve got more turnovers because of it.”
Tuitt is pleased, but far from satisfied with what the Steelers have accomplished to date.
They haven’t done a great job closing out their last two opponents, giving up a late touchdown against the New York Giants and 13 fourth-quarter points to Buffalo last week. And there remains the not-so small task of clinching a playoff berth beginning with this week’s AFC North game at the Cincinnati Bengals.
“It’s funny everybody saying we’re playing good football, but we know there’s a lot we can do better,” said Tuitt. “That’s perfect because, you know what, we’re playing how we need to play December football to get these wins. And then, when it’s time for the playoffs, (if) we keep working hard, and we get in there, we’ve got to take it up another notch.”
Just Tuitt
A look at the ages and experience of the seven defensive starters under age 25:
Pos Player GP Exp Age
DE Stephon Tuitt 43 23 3
CB Ross Cockrell 35 25 3
LB Ryan Shazier 31 24 3
LB Bud Dupree 20 23 2
CB Artie Burns 13 21 R
S Sean Davis 13 23 R
DE Javon Hargrave 12 23 R
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/s...cle_02fbe13e-c24b-11e6-bdc8-0b5cabc72b96.html
Certainly. That's why Golson, a second round choice in 2015, wasn't one of the aforementioned three.
21 guys from that draft started the year on IR. There were only 35 players across ALL rounds cut not exclusively for health reasons...still only 13.7%
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I just think for the 1st time in a long time we have a lot to be excited about on defense. Like I said earlier, I like when our offense does well, but to me Steeler football will always be about defense. Our defense has been in decline since 2008. 3 rookies starting on defense AND playing well is exciting. add in the other younger guys and we have a great chance to be great again on defense. and that is huge.
Davis and Burns are a big reason as to why we are playing well the last several weeks
Davis and Burns are a big reason as to why we are playing well the last several weeks
Jason was Mr. Invisible v.2, but at least he was smart enough to get the hell out of the game before he got hurt, because Tomlin sure wasn't going to give up on him.
Sure Spence came back from an injury. Wonderful. Doesn't change reality, though. His contributions with the Steelers were limited, and he's not exactly lighting the world on fire in Tennessee, with 44 tackles and 1 sack in 13 games.
Totally agree. Can't wait to see these guys develop.
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I think he had become a starter when he tore up the knee. And it looked to be career ending.
zmetkler
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He tore up his knee in preseason his rookie year and was on IR for two full years. Played a little bit last year and was serviceable but they opted to let him go. He's playing somewhere else, I forget where.
Really? Spence had become a starter?
From stillcurtain.com back in 2012:
Sure, the Steelers took an Inside Linebacker in Round 3. But according to Butler, Sean Spence figures to be more of a Weakside “Mack” player due to his svelte size at the moment (5’11” 231 lbs.), his speed, and his nose for the football. In addition, Spence will likely see most of his playing time on Special Teams while he tries to learn the Steelers’ complicated Defense, as most current starters did at the beginning of their careers.
I think you're mistaken. Larry Foote was the starter at the buck position, and Spence most certainly wasn't going to start instead of Timmons at the mack.
You missed my report above on his mediocre production with the Tennessee Titans.