Steelers will need to "turn back the clock" to be successful in 2023
The Pittsburgh Steelers have always wanted to play through the identity of physicality on both sides of the ball. But recent editions of the team have lacked the force in the rushing attack and the staunch support from the rush defense. But according to a former NFL player, that could be changing, with the 2023 […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers have always wanted to play through the identity of physicality on both sides of the ball.
But recent editions of the team have lacked the force in the rushing attack and the staunch support from the rush defense.
But according to a former NFL player, that could be changing, with the 2023 version of the Steelers getting back to their roots:
Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks co-host the Move The Sticks Podcast and are a part of NFL Media. On their most recent episode, Brooks who was a former player and scout in the NFL had a clear take on why he thought the Steelers would be better this season:
"To me, this is a turn-back-the-clock version of the Steelers," said Brooks. "Meaning, you know when you were in Baltimore, (speaking to former Ravens scout Daniel Jeremiah) it was never about the Steelers offense. It was always about their defense, their toughness, and the way they found a way to end it."
"You guys played a bunch of 17-13, 13-10 games. And I'm not saying that the Steelers are going to live like that, but this is going to be a team that wears you down on both sides of the ball with their physicality and toughness. Then offensively, it just needs to be superb execution so they can win a bunch of close games."
Now there's two ways of looking at this quote. Let's start with the glass-half-full approach:
Brooks believes the Steelers' defense can be one of the best in the league, potentially adding to their top-10 defensive finish in 2022. And outside of some question marks in the middle, the other two levels of the defense have stars in their respective units with All-Pro defender(s) T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
And while Brook's didn't mention them, the offseason additions of players like Elandon Roberts, or the drafting of big corners like Joey Porter Jr. and Cory Trice speak to his hypothesis, as the team wants to hit you downhill in the run game and bully the wideouts on the perimeter.
But the pessimistic or glass-half-empty version of his quote is that he thinks the offense can improve, but not their own, and not to the degree where they are lighting up the scoreboard.
And perhaps that version of the offense is a year away, or maybe even it surprises people, and Pickett and Canada make the leaps they both will have to as QB and play-caller this season.
But no matter which way you view it, the Steelers have put the league on notice this offseason. Their intentions are clear this year:
Get back to the Steeler way.
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