polamalubeast
08-17-2015, 11:49 AM
Offensive coordinator Todd Haley got many of his starters out of the second preseason game against the Jaguars after one series. Most other starters exited after the second or third series and played a maximum of 20 snaps.
Keith Butler’s starters aren’t getting the same treatment. The new defensive coordinator played many of his starters deep into the second quarter and one of them into the third quarter against the Jaguars.
It was all by design. Butler said his young players need the game experience to improve.
Inside linebacker Ryan Shazier, who missed eight games last season as a rookie, has played 68 snaps in the first two preseason games, including 41 Friday night in Jacksonville. Second-year defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt, who did not ascend to a starter’s role until late last season, has played 50 snaps, including 27 against the Jaguars. Third-year safety and first-year starter Shamarko Thomas played 36 snaps on Friday after missing the first game with an injury.
“Those guys need to play,” Butler said Sunday afternoon. “They need the experience. We were hoping to get Shamarko more snaps [in the first preseason game], but he was hurt. We need to get Mike Mitchell some snaps, the guys that are new to this defense. The defense, there are some new things in the defense, but the new guys need to play. The only way for them to get better is for them to play.”
read more
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2015/08/17/Steelers-notebook-Keith-Butler-letting-young-defense-play-in-preseason/stories/201508170062
Keith Butler’s starters aren’t getting the same treatment. The new defensive coordinator played many of his starters deep into the second quarter and one of them into the third quarter against the Jaguars.
It was all by design. Butler said his young players need the game experience to improve.
Inside linebacker Ryan Shazier, who missed eight games last season as a rookie, has played 68 snaps in the first two preseason games, including 41 Friday night in Jacksonville. Second-year defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt, who did not ascend to a starter’s role until late last season, has played 50 snaps, including 27 against the Jaguars. Third-year safety and first-year starter Shamarko Thomas played 36 snaps on Friday after missing the first game with an injury.
“Those guys need to play,” Butler said Sunday afternoon. “They need the experience. We were hoping to get Shamarko more snaps [in the first preseason game], but he was hurt. We need to get Mike Mitchell some snaps, the guys that are new to this defense. The defense, there are some new things in the defense, but the new guys need to play. The only way for them to get better is for them to play.”
read more
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2015/08/17/Steelers-notebook-Keith-Butler-letting-young-defense-play-in-preseason/stories/201508170062