stillers4me
05-31-2015, 09:31 AM
It was one play during the course of a long season, but for rookie defensive end Stephon Tuitt, it represented so much more. After weeks of being unsure and frustrated at his steep learning curve in the Steelers defense, it finally clicked on a chilly Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field.
It was Week 15 against Kansas City, and a playoff berth was on the line. The Steelers were clinging to a four-point lead late in the third quarter, but the Chiefs were driving and threatening to go ahead.
It was second-and-7 on the Steelers 28, and Tuitt was aligned over the right guard. He rushed and split a double team to apply pressure on quarterback Alex Smith. Once Smith dumped the ball off in the flat to running back Jamaal Charles, Tuitt sprinted down the line in pursuit and leveled Charles, who fumbled. Linebacker Vince Williams recovered, and the Steelers marched down the field to score a touchdown for a 17-6 lead in an eventual 20-12 victory.
The play was a turning point in the game that clinched a playoff berth for the Steelers, but it also represented a turning point for Tuitt’s first season in the NFL...........
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/05/31/Time-for-second-year-defensive-end-to-step-Tuitt-and-help-Steelers-defense/stories/201505310107
read more @
It was Week 15 against Kansas City, and a playoff berth was on the line. The Steelers were clinging to a four-point lead late in the third quarter, but the Chiefs were driving and threatening to go ahead.
It was second-and-7 on the Steelers 28, and Tuitt was aligned over the right guard. He rushed and split a double team to apply pressure on quarterback Alex Smith. Once Smith dumped the ball off in the flat to running back Jamaal Charles, Tuitt sprinted down the line in pursuit and leveled Charles, who fumbled. Linebacker Vince Williams recovered, and the Steelers marched down the field to score a touchdown for a 17-6 lead in an eventual 20-12 victory.
The play was a turning point in the game that clinched a playoff berth for the Steelers, but it also represented a turning point for Tuitt’s first season in the NFL...........
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/05/31/Time-for-second-year-defensive-end-to-step-Tuitt-and-help-Steelers-defense/stories/201505310107
read more @