Keith Butler informed the team he is retiring

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Defenses under Tomlin....https://www.pro-football-reference.c...es/TomlMi0.htm

Not shabby.

Agreed, but the Tomlin haters are gonna spin things that he needs to give up his input or playcalling or whatever it is that he does on the Defensive side of the ball. Just think of how sensible that is that fans with little or no technical knowledge of defensive football gameplanning or play calling, have a better idea of what successful NFL coaches should be doing.

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At some point it needs to be asked why Butler kicked this particular rock over. He could've just said typical coach cliches in his interviews. But it appeared he took to the local sports radio interview circuit with the goal of getting this "information" out there. One has to wonder why?

The pessimist in me says it so Butler can take credit for the positives and avoid blame for the negatives and burnish his legacy a bit. Not uncommon upon retiring to try and frame the narrative about your career in the most positive light.

The optimist in me says its just Butler musing out loud about this or that and it really doesn't have an agenda behind it. Provides context to the answer of who he thinks will succeed him as DC.

I think its a bit of both. He wants people to know that he was the DC and gameplanning, but that Tomlin made calls and some of those 4th quarter collapses by the defense......wasnt me. But at the same time just talking out loud about Austin getting a shot because he knows the framework of gamplanning during the week, but not making calls.

At the end of the day, if Austin is the DC, then I am OK with it. I dont think there needs to be a radical change in defensive structure, but the talent needs to be better and younger.

[Mojouw]

Agreed, but the Tomlin haters are gonna spin things that he needs to give up his input or playcalling or whatever it is that he does on the Defensive side of the ball. Just think of how sensible that is that fans with little or no technical knowledge of defensive football gameplanning or play calling, have a better idea of what successful NFL coaches should be doing.

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I think its a bit of both. He wants people to know that he was the DC and gameplanning, but that Tomlin made calls and some of those 4th quarter collapses by the defense......wasnt me. But at the same time just talking out loud about Austin getting a shot because he knows the framework of gamplanning during the week, but not making calls.

At the end of the day, if Austin is the DC, then I am OK with it. I dont think there needs to be a radical change in defensive structure, but the talent needs to be better and younger.

Well said. And that seems entirely too logical and realistic to be anything but the truth.

3 key players on defense and things look really encouraging. They need an outside CB, an ILB (or 3) and another impact player - regardless of position.

I said in another thread somewhere or other, that i think they need an injection of speed on defense (actually on both sides of the ball, but another topic).

[Born2Steel]

At some point it needs to be asked why Butler kicked this particular rock over. He could've just said typical coach cliches in his interviews. But it appeared he took to the local sports radio interview circuit with the goal of getting this "information" out there. One has to wonder why?

The pessimist in me says it so Butler can take credit for the positives and avoid blame for the negatives and burnish his legacy a bit. Not uncommon upon retiring to try and frame the narrative about your career in the most positive light.

The optimist in me says its just Butler musing out loud about this or that and it really doesn't have an agenda behind it. Provides context to the answer of who he thinks will succeed him as DC.

OR...Maybe it's a message to younger up and coming position coaches that this is a good structure to learn under with a HC that is involved in helping and not a finger pointer/blame shifter. These defenses were not bad under Tomlin/Butler/Lebeau. Could be Butler giving credit to the glue. DC #3 should experience the same success.

[Born2Steel]

Well said. And that seems entirely too logical and realistic to be anything but the truth.

3 key players on defense and things look really encouraging. They need an outside CB, an ILB (or 3) and another impact player - regardless of position.

I said in another thread somewhere or other, that i think they need an injection of speed on defense (actually on both sides of the ball, but another topic).

I honestly think the Loudermilk pick was for quality DL depth early with hope he moves right in when Cam calls it quits. I really like what he's shown so far.
CB is a mess right now. Do we go with an outside technique guy, an inside slot guy, a more versatile guy with both techniques? Would really need to draft in the 1st/2nd round to have a shot at that. Luckily Safety seems pretty solid all around.
I just don't know if to give up on Bush or wait and see if he's better at TC. Was Schobert struggling due to play around him or was that who he is? What will Buddy Johnson's role be this year? Marcus Allen seems to be the utility player that does just enough to earn his place every TC.

[Born2Steel]

Isaiahh Loudermilk college film breakdown after the draft...
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...lers-film-room

I think he has already progressed beyond the expectations in that breakdown. I'm pretty sure it was unexpected to lose Alualu AND Tuitt for the season. I thought Loudermilk did pretty good for a rookie thrown into the fire.

[polamalubeast]

The run defense need to be much better in 2022...What was the biggest problem,DL,ILB,both?

[Born2Steel]

The run defense need to be much better in 2022...What was the biggest problem,DL,ILB,both?

Yes, you are correct. #32 in run defense is not acceptable.

1. The biggest problem, at least by my opinion, was the loss of Tuitt and Alualu. The downgrade of our DL allowed for blockers to more easily reach the second level.

2. The 2nd biggest problem, at least by my opinion, was having no real 'thumper' in our LB room. I think there is still a place for guys like VW and Dirty Red on defense.

3. The 2021 Steelers' defense got abused by teams that could go 3 wide 11 personnel. That committed 5 guys to pass defense which leaves a 7/8 to 6 man advantage to the offense. Refer to 1&2 as to why that worked against us.

[Mojouw]

I honestly think the Loudermilk pick was for quality DL depth early with hope he moves right in when Cam calls it quits. I really like what he's shown so far.
CB is a mess right now. Do we go with an outside technique guy, an inside slot guy, a more versatile guy with both techniques? Would really need to draft in the 1st/2nd round to have a shot at that. Luckily Safety seems pretty solid all around.
I just don't know if to give up on Bush or wait and see if he's better at TC. Was Schobert struggling due to play around him or was that who he is? What will Buddy Johnson's role be this year? Marcus Allen seems to be the utility player that does just enough to earn his place every TC.

Isaiahh Loudermilk college film breakdown after the draft...
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...lers-film-room

I think he has already progressed beyond the expectations in that breakdown. I'm pretty sure it was unexpected to lose Alualu AND Tuitt for the season. I thought Loudermilk did pretty good for a rookie thrown into the fire.

I was hopeful with the Loudermilk pick because I loved watching the dude play while he was at UW. But I did not expect him to do as well as he did. In fact, his ceiling looks higher than almost anyone outside of the Steelers thought.

My father made the point that Heyward didn't start until his third season. Played sparingly and learned his craft. I had forgotten that. I think the Steelers are going for something similar with Loudermilk. It just didn't work that way due to injury.

Long story short...I am now super excited to see what his true ceiling as a player is.

[teegre]

Loudermilk even looks like Heyward.

[Mojouw]

I think this also needs mentioning, since this thread is now more than a bit derailed, both Loudermilk and Adams are going to keep getting chances to play on Sundays from this coaching staff. Why? They both are non-stop in their pursuit to the ball. Both players run with seeming maximum effort until the whistle. Something the Steelers have always wanted from their DL. And, honestly, this was the number one thing I figure got Loudermilk a look from the team during the draft process.

Anyways...carry on.

[teegre]

Without adding a blue-chip D-lineman, this defense will be only slightly better than it was this past year. Loudermilk will progress, and Adams will become more comfortable with our system. In turn, the defense will be better (because those two will be better)… but, not as good as we are accustomed to fielding.

[Mojouw]

Without adding a blue-chip D-lineman, this defense will be only slightly better than it was this past year. Loudermilk will progress, and Adams will become more comfortable with our system. In turn, the defense will be better (because those two will be better)… but, not as good as we are accustomed to fielding.

Unless a 100% pot committed and rehabilitated Tuitt returns. There is your blue-chip D-lineman.

Can not really do much about strategizing for your off-season agenda until that decision is made. By whomever needs to make it.

[Orion]

i cant help but wonder why adams was on a practice squad. he was a quality college player and from what we have seen i find it hard to believe he isnt better than a lot of guys on active rosters. he is certainly an upgrade over buggs and davis.

[teegre]

i cant help but wonder why adams was on a practice squad. he was a quality college player and from what we have seen i find it hard to believe he isnt better than a lot of guys on active rosters. he is certainly an upgrade over buggs and davis.

He was a mid-season pickup. We stole him off of the Saints’ practice squad.

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Unless a 100% pot committed and rehabilitated Tuitt returns. There is your blue-chip D-lineman.

Can not really do much about strategizing for your off-season agenda until that decision is made. By whomever needs to make it.

IMO, it’s more likely that Ben plays next season (than Tuitt does).

[HollywoodSteel]

IMO, it’s more likely that Ben plays next season (than Tuitt does).

Really? You think it’s a done deal for sure? I guess I don’t have enough information to guess at the odds, but I think there’s got to be a non zero chance that Tuitt’s physical injury is healed, and mentally he’s in a place where he decides that playing football is really the best thing for him. He’d be walking away from not only a lot of money, but a focus that perhaps helps take him away from the emotional pain.

Maybe I’m being too optimistic.

[teegre]

Really? You think it’s a done deal for sure? I guess I don’t have enough information to guess at the odds, but I think there’s got to be a non zero chance that Tuitt’s physical injury is healed, and mentally he’s in a place where he decides that playing football is really the best thing for him. He’d be walking away from not only a lot of money, but a focus that perhaps helps take him away from the emotional pain.

Maybe I’m being too optimistic.

Mathematically-speaking: yes

Metaphorically-speaking: no

[Born2Steel]

Tuitt has $14M remaining on the table for next season(roughly). He's made over his career $40M-$45M(roughly). I don't get nearly that many zeros on my paycheck so I cannot bring any wisdom to the discussion. $14M may not be much of a consideration if he's really done.