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Steelers minicamp: O-line seeks another level

Ramon Foster and the Steelers' line stuck like glue through most of 2014. -- GETTY

Steelers minicamp: O-line seeks another level

by • Coverage •

BY DAN SCIFO

The Steelers’ offense ranked No. 2 in the NFL in 2014, but the line, not so long ago considered among the leakiest and most injury-prone in the league, has slowly transformed into one of the best, paving the way for Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell and others to shine.

And now, as they head into the 2015 season?

“We had a good year, but there were a lot of things we could’ve done better,” Maurkice Pouncey was saying Thursday on the third and final day of minicamp on the South Side. “We’re just trying to grow. We have to keep working every day, staying humble and realizing the sky is the limit.”

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Steelers minicamp: Learning the playbook

Ryan Shazier acknowledges having plenty left to learn about life in the NFL. -- GETTY

Steelers minicamp: Learning the playbook

by • Coverage •

BY DAN SCIFO

It wasn’t easy to step into the Steelers’ defense and make an immediate impact under Dick LeBeau, and new defensive coordinator Keith Butler has made multiple changes to address that in hopes of simplifying Xs and Os for youngsters.

But he apparently isn’t going overboard in that regard.

“That would be pigeonholing the whole team,” Cam Heyward was saying Wednesday on the second day of minicamp on the South Side. “We want everybody to catch us. We want everybody to be on the same speed so we can all play fast. It’s up to the younger guys to study their playbook and grasp the concepts.”

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Coverage: Who leads Steelers’ defense?

Lawrence Timmons and the linebackers take turns on the dummies. -- GETTY

Coverage: Who leads Steelers’ defense?

by • Coverage •

BY DAN SCIFO

The Steelers’ defense, for the majority of the past decade, has been defined by its leadership. And as new veterans settle into leadership roles with this year’s team, hints of the old guard continue to shine through.

“I saw how Troy (Polamalu) embraced guys, Ike (Taylor), especially, how he embraced guys,” Mike Mitchell was saying on Day 7 of OTAs Tuesday on the South Side. “I want to be a guy that helps the younger guys. I’m trying to be a guy that leads by example. I’m not an old guy by any means, but I have a lot of experience and I want to be able to share that with the younger players.”

He’ll certainly get his chance after the team drafted rookie defensive backs Senquez Golson, Doran Grant and Gerod Holliman to fill the void left by the retired Polamalu and Taylor, in addition to the loss of Brice McCain to free agency.

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Coverage: Steelers bolster needs, speed

by • Coverage •

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Ohio State corner Doran Grant, the Steelers’ fourth-rounder, runs out a Scouting Combine drill in February. — GETTY

BY DAN SCIFO

Entering this NFL Draft, defense clearly was the Steelers’ top priority after losing four starters — Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, Brett Keisel and Jason Worilds — to retirement.

They addressed that need, while also stockpiling speed.

The final numbers showed Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin selected two linebackers, two cornerbacks, a defensive end and a safety to make for six defensive picks against just two on offense, a wide receiver and tight end. But a deeper look shows their top four selections also were among the fastest at their position at this year’s scouting combine: First-round pick Bud Dupree was the third-fastest linebacker. The cornerbacks, Senquez Golson and Doran Grant, both posted top-eight 40-yard dash times. Third-rounder Sammie Coates, the wide receiver, was clocked at 4.43 in the 40.

“The way they’re playing the game now, it’s a track meet,” Joey Porter, the Steelers’ outside linebackers coach, said. “I think we’re addressing some of the problems we had.”

Their picks also have pedigree.

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