Tag: Steelers Defense

Steelers DE Stephon Tuitt hits career milestone vs. Colts

Tuitt is quietly making his mark as part of the Steelers dominant defense.

You never know what you have until it’s gone. The Steelers knew exactly how this felt when defensive end Stephon Tuitt went down for the 2019 season in Week 6 with a torn pectoral.

It didn’t take long for Tuitt to make his presence felt this season. From the moment he registered his first sack of the season in Week 1 versus the Giants, he was back.

In Week 8, Tuitt was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his harassment of Lamar Jackson. He finished the game with two sacks, nine total tackles (three for loss) and three quarterback hits.

Tuitt has recorded at least a half-sack in each game but six this season and added another on Sunday versus the Colts. And with that, Tuitt hit the first double-digit sack season of his career.

The Steelers and the Los Angeles Rams (DT Aaron Donald, OLB Leonard Floyd) are the only two teams that have two players who rank Top 10 in sacks.

[vertical-gallery id=483224]

[lawrence-related id=484789]

Pittsburgh Steelers to defend Colts’ Philip Rivers with ‘pretty severe’ turf toe

Steelers defense will take on a less-than-100-percent Rivers on Sunday. He suffered a turf toe injury Week 11 but has not missed one game. 

Philip Rivers did what no franchise quarterback ever wants to do — jumped teams in the final years of his career.

In the same 2004 NFL draft class as Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Rivers spent 16 seasons with the Chargers before signing with the Colts in free agency this offseason.

The 38-year-old has been more than reliable for the Colts this season. He’s completed 68.67 percent of his passes for 3,735 yards, 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Tomorrow, the Steelers defense will take on a less-than-100-percent Rivers. He suffered a turf toe injury Week 11 but has not missed one game.

“I can’t get him to talk with me about it,” shared Colts head coach Frank Reich on Sirius XM NFL Radio about his injury. “But I talked to the trainers, and he’s still not 100 percent, but he’s getting better every week.”

“It was a significant toe injury. The degree was pretty severe. He really fought through it hard. We’re at the stage now where hopefully we continue this upward trend.”

Despite the serious injury, which often keeps a player out of action for several weeks, expect Rivers — and the Colts — to be trouble for Pittsburgh. Unlike the Steelers, the Colts have not yet clinched a playoff berth. They need a win in Pittsburgh to clinch a playoff berth with help from a Ravens or Dolphins loss.

[vertical-gallery id=484225]

[lawrence-related id=484402]

 

Steelers new EDGE Cassius Marsh says he’s ‘grateful for this opportunity’ with Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in need of veteran depth and they got just that on Wednesday.

With injuries piling up, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a shortage of experienced veterans and addressed some of that need on Wednesday. The team announced the signing of defensive lineman Cassius Marsh from the Indianapolis Colts practice squad.

Marsh, now in his seventh season, opened the season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he registered nine tackles (seven solo), two hurries and a quarterback hit in four games (one start). He logged five solo tackles and a hurry in three games with the Colts after being activated as a COVID-19 replacement. According to Colts Wire, Indianapolis’ defensive line is nearing full strength, and there likely would not have been a role for him on the active roster.

The Seattle Seahawks selected the UCLA product in the fourth-round of the 2014 NFL draft. In 91 games (nine starts), Marsh contributed 14 sacks, 173 tackles (25 for loss), five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 29 quarterback hits and 121 hurries. He’s been utilized heavily on special teams during his career, logging 1,607 snaps.

Pittsburgh marks the seventh stop for Marsh, which also includes the Arizona Cardinals (2019), San Francisco 49ers (2017-18) and New England Patriots (2017).

Marsh’s versatility makes him a perfect fit in Pittsburgh. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s spent most of his career at left and right end, but he’s also seen plenty of snaps at outside linebacker.

Currently listed at defensive end on Pittsburgh’s roster, at 6’4, 245 pounds, Marsh projects as more of an EDGE, or outside linebacker, in the Steelers system. He’s nearly identical to Alex Highsmith in stature. Marsh is likely to rotate off the right edge with Highsmith and Ola Adeniyi and spell T.J. Watt on the left.

Football is in the blood of the Marsh family. Cassius’ father, Curtis Marsh Sr., played the 1997 season with the Steelers at wide receiver. His brother, Curtis Marsh Jr., was a cornerback who last played for the Denver Broncos in 2015.

Marsh will be wearing No. 49.

[vertical-gallery id=483559]

[lawrence-related id=483531]

Steelers’ T.J. Watt explains what a difference-maker DE Stephon Tuitt is

Tuitt missed the Ravens game after being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list but is expected to play Monday versus Washington.

It’s been a tough week for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense after linebacker Bud Dupree was lost for the season with a torn ACL. But the unit got some good news on Saturday when defensive end Stephon Tuitt was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

“It’ll be huge to have him back,” T.J. Watt said in a press conference on Saturday. “Tuitt is a phenomenal player in both the run and the pass. He makes the defensive front go. We’re getting a key player back, and I’m excited to play alongside him this week.”

Third on the team in sacks with a career-high seven, Tuitt is enjoying a stellar season. He’s also logged 31 tackles (seven for loss), two forced fumbles and two batted passes.

[vertical-gallery id=483224]

[listicle id=482761]

Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster credits defense for redeeming ‘sluggish’ offense vs. Ravens

Thanks to their defensive effort, the Pittsburgh Steelers managed a “W” versus the Baltimore Ravens.

Like a broken record, it’s been said week after week: A win is a win, no matter how ugly.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were visibly disappointed in their performance against the depleted Baltimore Ravens, and for good reason.

The game should’ve been a blowout, but instead it came down to the wire.

“We played sluggish, we had a bad start. Our defense saved our [expletive] again,” said a frustrated JuJu Smith-Schuster in a postgame press conference. “… In the next 12 days we got three games, and it is what it is. We just got to go out there and play.”

Tremendous defensive plays in the first half — a pick-six from cornerback Joe Haden and a pass breakup in the end zone by Minkah Fitzpatrick on the final play before halftime — are what won the game for Pittsburgh.

The Steelers offense, which has been solid for most of the season, played uninspired football.

“Wide receivers not catching balls, not making plays when they’re supposed to be made, going down in the red zone not putting points on the board,” Smith-Schuster said when asked about their deficiencies.

The offense will have a chance to redeem itself in just four days when Pittsburgh hosts the Washington Football Team on Monday.

[vertical-gallery id=482474]

[listicle id=482691]

Pittsburgh Steelers defense tops in league turnover margin

The Steelers aren’t likely to eclipse their 38 turnovers from 2019, but they’re doing a stellar job so far.

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense isn’t likely to eclipse its 38 turnovers from 2019, but they’re doing a stellar job so far.

With 15 interceptions and six fumbles, the defense has 21 takeaways through 10 games. The Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are behind them with 19 each.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin recently addressed his team’s success with takeaways. “We not only talk about it, but we drill it,” he said in a press conference. “We are just going to keep working in that regard. We recognize that the turnover element of play is significant and something that we have to continually work at.”

Tomlin spoke highly of the job cornerback Cam Sutton did in place of Mike Hilton. In Hilton’s absence, Sutton forced a fumble in the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals matchups.

“I can’t say enough about the effort of the guys,” said Tomlin. “Cam Sutton has forced a fumble in the last three football games, and that is the guy that doesn’t play every snap of defense. He’s more of a situational defender. I can’t say enough about his awareness and his willingness to put that on tape and how it builds and encourages others to do similar things.”

When it comes to how Ben Roethlisberger and the offense operates knowing their defense can get the ball back at any moment, Tomlin said it’s more than talking the talk. “It goes beyond conversations. It’s about action, and we start every Wednesday workday with ball handling and ball security drills for those that throw it, catch it and run it.”

“It’s just a part of our culture,” he said. “Just like pursuing and working to take care of the ball on the other side. We believe that those two things work hand-in-hand, and discussions are just the very beginnings of it. We have to make sure our actions match our words, and, as a staff, we are working extremely hard to do so from a drill standpoint in our week’s prep.”

The Steelers have had plenty of prep time for their upcoming opponent, the Baltimore Ravens. The defense will look to continue forcing turnovers Tuesday night.

[vertical-gallery id=482474]

[listicle id=482509]

Steelers defense holds Jaguars without a touchdown

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense took over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

We knew the Jaguars were bad and that it was very likely the Steelers defense would show them up. But who would’ve thought they’d be held without a touchdown?

Pittsburgh limited rookie quarterback Jake Luton to 151 yards passing and picked him off four times. On the one drive the Jags made it to the red zone, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick picked off Luton.

It was Week 4 of 2019 when the Steelers last kept their opponent from the end zone in their 27-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

[vertical-gallery id=481968]

[lawrence-related id=482048]

Despite missing 5 games, Steelers CB Mike Hilton is in top 5 of total pressures

Hilton has been impressing with his versatility this season, and his absence is noticed.

Mike Hilton has been sorely missed among the Steelers defense since injuring his shoulder in Week 5 versus the Philadelphia Eagles.

Hilton isn’t shy about showing off his versatility and is significantly better in pass rush than coverage or versus the run.

Pro Football Focus grades him 62.6 in run defense, 61.4 in coverage and 88.0 pass rush. As Steelers Wire noted a few days ago, Hilton’s absence is a big reason why Pittsburgh has played more zone in recent weeks than they’ve been known for this season.

Per PFF, Hilton is currently ranked second in total pressures among cornerbacks. I’m actually not seeing a corner who has more pressures than Hilton, who has eight (three sacks, two hits, three hurries). Arizona’s Byron Murphy is next with six, followed by Tampa Bay’s Sean Murphy-Bunting and the Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey tied with five.

Hopefully, we’ll get some good news on the Hilton front this week, but I’d much rather he sit versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pittsburgh will need him at 100 percent for the final six games, which will be a rough stretch.

[vertical-gallery id=481670]

[listicle id=481665]

One area newly-acquired Steelers LB Avery Williamson should reinforce for Pittsburgh’s defense

If Williamson’s career is any indication, his acquisition will pay dividends.

Devin Bush, the anchor of the vaunted Steelers defense, has been out since Week 6, and his loss left a gaping and noticeable hole.

No one thought a single player, even a rotation, could make up for his loss. While Robert Spillane has played admirably in Bush’s place, the Steelers knew it was time to get serious.

[lawrence-related id=480787]

The day before the trade deadline, Pittsburgh made the announcement it was acquiring 7-year veteran Avery Williamson.

What area can Williamson’s talents help shore up?

While Williamson has both metrics against the pass and the run, his strength certainly lies with the run. Per Pro Football Focus, for his career, the linebacker grades at 70.0 run, 51.0 pass rush, 30.5 coverage.

Between weeks 1 and 9, the defense had allowed just 3.4 yards per attempt inside the tackles (6th), according to Next Gen Stats. They need to continue that high level of production of between-the-tackles runners, which is where Williamson can be best used as reinforcement.

Here’s what Williamson’s inside run defense snaps look like:

  • Left: 1,282
  • Right: 1,459
  • Total tackles: 299
    • Only missed one tackle this season; 21 for career

Though nothing has been reported on Williamson playing this week, I would imagine he will play. He was activated Week 9 versus the Cowboys but never set foot on the playing field. Sure, he’s still getting antiquated with Pittsburgh’s playbook. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t make much sense to trade for a player and not get him involved as quickly as possible — especially in this of a critical role.

[vertical-gallery id=481312]

[lawrence-related id=480774]

What can LB Tegray Scales bring to Pittsburgh Steelers?

Here is a glimpse at what Scales can potentially bring to the Steelers linebacker corps.

On Tuesday, Pittsburgh hosted linebacker Tegray Scales for a visit. On Wednesday, he was signed to the practice squad.

Scales came in for a visit and not a workout because the team was already acquainted with his skillset. The 6’0 linebacker signed a futures contract with Pittsburgh in January 2019 but was cut after the preseason.

What can Scales bring to the team should he be elevated to the 53-man roster? We looked to Pro Football Focus to see the contributions he brought last preseason.

 

Here is a breakdown of Scales’ PFF grades:

2019 Steelers preseason

Week 1 vs. Buccaneers

  • 44 snaps: 4 run, 3 pass, 25 coverage
    • Defense: 29.4
    • Run: 67.3
    • Pass rush: 68.2
    • Coverage: 28.6

Week 2 vs. Chiefs

  • Defense: 59.8 | 0 run, 3 pass, 6 coverage
    • Run: –
    • Pass rush: 54.1
    • Coverage: 63

Week 3 vs. Titans

  • Defense: 91.8 | 1 run, 4 pass, 3 coverage
    • Run: 60.0
    • Pass rush: 91.2
    • Coverage: 62.9

Week 4 vs. Panthers

  • Defense: 59.3 | 10 run, 3 pass, 5 coverage
    • Run: 80.2
    • Pass rush: 88.8
    • Coverage: 27.7

Overall

  • Defense: 50.0 | 120 snaps, 15 run, 13 pass, 39 coverage
    • Run: 83.1
    • Pass rush: 91.3
    • Coverage: 28.0

[vertical-gallery id=481312]

[listicle id=481245]