It wasn’t the prettiest game for the Steelers defense, but there were a number of promising spots throughout which show the potential of this year’s unit.

Yes, I’m aware that Scott Tolzien, and not Andrew Luck, had a solid performance against a number of first team players. I’m not going to dig into that, as it was obvious that several big plays were the root cause of missed tackles or blown assignments. You can only hope those things are corrected as the season continues.

What I’m going to examine today is a handful of instances of what Pittsburgh’s defense could look like with the regular season right around the corner. Enjoy!

Run Stuffers

You would think Stephon Tuitt, a defensive end, went completely unblocked here.

But he didn’t.

In fact, Tuitt (bottom) blow past his assignment with ease, while the fullback is unable to pick up his block as well.

Javon Hargrave also collapses the pocket, but even if Tuitt and Hargrave are picked up, T.J. Watt quickly reads the play and shoots into the backfield as well.

This play is incredibly promising for a team that has always predicated itself on being proficient at stopping the run.

Shazier’s Awareness

Man coverage what?

Ryan Shazier makes difficult plays look routine with his athleticism. This play is starting to become Shazier’s calling card, as he disguises his coverage in the middle of the field and shifts into position, reading the pass play intended for Colts TE Jack Doyle, and coming up with the interception.

Another heads up move on this same play: Shazier baseball slides at the end, preserving his health during a preseason game.

Gay Covering Tight Ends

I noticed something I hadn’t noticed in the Steelers previous preseason games this past weekend: more defensive back sub packages.

In more than one instance the Steelers used an additional defensive back, be it an extra cornerback or safety, on the field in lieu of their traditional and/or hybrid nickel packages.

Here, the corners are Coty Sensabaugh, Mike Hilton, Artie Burns, and William Gay. Safeties Sean Davis and Jordan Dangerfield are also on the field as the Colts spread out to an empty set. Tyler Matakevich moves down to the bottom of the screen to cover a running back, but what I want to highlight here is the Steelers use of CB William Gay in this situation.

Gay lines up on TE Jack Doyle, and unlike the Shazier playing zone coverage above, Gay is in man coverage all the way to breaking up the pass at the end.

Cam Sutton’s Debut

Saturday was also a milestone for Cameron Sutton, as the Steelers third round draft pick made his preseason debut.

Even though it was in the second half, what really stood out to me with Sutton, versus that of Ross Cockrell and Coty Sensabaugh, was his aggression toward the ball. Rather than be reactive, Sutton is proactive on this pass breakup, which is even more impressive considering the play was extended while Colts QB Stephen Morris is forced out of the pocket; Sutton had to stay with his assignment throughout and does, forcing fourth down.

Overload Blitz

Here’s a throwback to the Dick LeBeau days carried over to current defensive coordinator Keith Butler‘s playbook.

Anyone watching can immediately recognize that Vince Williams is creeping up to the line of scrimmage, stacked with outside linebacker Arthur Moats, to show a blitz.

James Harrison starts at an inside linebacker position, which we all know isn’t his strength. Safety Jacob Hagen shows a shallow position and backs off into help, as Harrison rushes through the left side along with Moats and Williams.

The pressure proves too much, but what’s most impressive in this play is DE Tyson Alualu taking his man and single-handedly setting the edge (Moats does the same on the opposite side.)

L.T. Walton (96) grabs a double-team in center of the line, which allows Alualu and Moats to collapse the pocket, forcing the quarterback (Morris) into the waiting clutches of Williams and Harrison, who are each credited with a half-sack.