What were the Steelers missing against the Packers?
I strongly dislike writing leading headlines, but there was no other way to phrase this one: What were the Steelers were missing against the Packers?
Some smart alecks on social media will likely read that as a question and say things such as “tackling” or “defense”. While some of those answers aren’t necessarily wrong, they’re missing the bigger picture: this is the preseason and several Steelers starters were sitting on the bench in this game.
That’s what made me write this response. I’m fairly tired of listening to or reading kneejerk reaction o exhibition workouts (under the guise of a “real” game). A number of players who were in the game Thursday night played so the coaches could evaluate their talent. The staff may want to see someone fighting for a roster spot respond against better talent early on than wait for them to have their way with the “JV team” late in the fourth quarter.
On the flipside, that also meant three Green Bay quarterbacks, all with regular season starting experience (Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley, and DeShone Kizer) had their way with a mix-and-match smattering of first-team, second-team, and soon to be no-team defenders.
Let’s take a look at what the Steelers defense should look like in the regular season and why missing these players against the Packers is a stark contrast to what you will see in the opener.
Cameron Heyward
Is there any bigger name to list here?
Heyward led the Steelers with 12 sacks in 2017, was named to the Pro Bowl, and is the team’s defensive captain.
Do you think he makes a big difference? Well, that’s a rhetorical question: because he does.
All we have to do is go back to the 2016 season when Heyward was placed on IR and see how much of a blow it was to the Steelers defense then. That means Heyward play a good portion of any game will help tip the scales in the Steelers favor.
T.J. Watt
Seven sacks, a boatload of QB pressures and a knack for splash plays is what Watt brought to the field every Sunday during his rookie season.
He also demolished his competition last preseason, starting with two sacks in his first game ever.
Do I even have to ask if he would be a difference maker when he’s in the lineup?
Joe Haden
A former two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Cleveland Browns, Haden has been working the “veteran privilege” angle this preseason as well, sitting out both of the team’s first two games.
Haden has two things he didn’t have last year already: 100% health and a full offseason to workout with the Steelers. He’s head-and-shoulders the top cornerback on the roster, which also means a great deal.
Sean Davis
Davis has played nickel corner and strong safety in his three seasons with the Steelers; playing in every game and hardly ever missing a snap.
That experience sees his transition to the free safety spot this year. But with Davis out of the lineup, Morgan Burnett had to shift over to the free safety position from strong safety, where he’s expected to start.
First-round draft pick Terrell Edmunds manned the strong safety position against the Packers and had both good and bad flashes. However, the shift to cover for Davis is disruptive enough when teams aren’t using full game plans and vanilla defensive packages. In other words, his absence had an effect on the D’s play Thursday.
Mike Hilton
Using the word disruptive another way, that would describe Hilton’s play to a “T”.
The Steelers sat Hilton Thursday. That meant no DB blitzes from the slot corner, who has plied his trade at getting to opposing quarterbacks and sticking like glue to wide receivers.
Conclusion
With three players in the secondary sitting out and two from the front seven on the bench, is it a wonder what we witnessed?
Preseason games don’t count for a reason. When you already have second and third options “starting” in the game, you have to lower your expectations. A better barometer for the Steelers 2018 season will be their upcoming “dress rehearsal” game against the Tennessee Titans. Most, if not all of the starters (who are healthy) should play anywhere from one to two quarters in that game.
If they stink up the stadium in that game, then, and only then, should we have some concerns. However, also keep in mind it’s still the preseason: and even if it were not, one bad regular season game does not define an entire 16-game season.
