Steelers defense focused on getting back to teams standard after disappointing season

The are known for having exceptional defenses. Players like Julio Teheran Jersey Troy Polamalu, , Joe Greene and more have been shaking up offenses throughout the franchise's history.With each new generation of Steelers players, they strive to reach the level of those before them. Now it is guys like , , and who hope to be feared by offenses around the league.Last season, the Steelers were 20th in points allowed and surrendered the most rushing yards in the league. For the first time since 2017, the Steelers were not in the top six for yards allowed, finding themselves in the 24th spot.It was not exactly the year the defense wanted to have, and this year the unit is focused on getting back to being a cla sic Steelers defense. Defending Defensive Player of the Year Watt spoke about the expectations in Pittsburgh."As a Pittsburgh Steeler defender, it's just that much more Greg Maddux Jersey important for us to take pride in everyone that came before us and uphold the fact that the standard is the standard. At the end of the day, when the back is against the wall, when it's a two-minute drill, when the game is on the line, we want to be on the field," Watt said ( ). "That's the mentality we have to have to be a hard-nosed defense, and that's why we're here to build that type of tradition, that type of standard for the season."The defense last year was not where they wanted it to be, with Watt commenting on the "unacceptable" number of 100-yard rushers they allowed in 2021. Pick Six Newsletter Crafted By The Best NFL Experts Get the day's big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pre sing sign up, I confirm that I have read Eddie Mathews Jersey and agree to the and acknowledge Paramount's . Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error proce sing your subscription. With such legends coming before them, there could be pre sure on the players that could backfire. Heyward says he does not look at it as pre sure, but what the team standard is."When you come to the Pittsburgh Steelers, you're known for your defense. That wasn't the case last year, so going forward it's put up or shut up. If we're going to win these games, it's got to come down to us," he said. "But that comes with the standard we are charged with upholding. It's not pre sure. It's Jackie Robinson Jersey what's expected."The Steelers are "based on defense," new senior defensive a sistant/linebackers coach Brian Flores said. "Its roots and foundation is defense," Flores said. "It's stopping the run and rushing the pa ser and keeping the score down. Any outsider can look at that and, if you peel back the layers, that's who the Steelers are and that's who we want to be and what Adam Duval Jersey we want to be. But there's a proce s to doing that."Teryl Austin, who was promoted coordinator after three seasons serving as senior defensive a sistant/secondary coach, said he appreciates Flores giving an outsiders view as someone just getting to Pittsburgh.The Steelers' season was cut short after a lo s to the in the wild-card round.
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