Steelers Defense

[NorthCoast]

I understand it's all about the changes on offense this year but there are a lot of changes on defense as well. A remade secondary and ILB group.

Here's Ourlads projected depth chart:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2pXo1Uf][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2pXo1Uf]capture1[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/191750946@N04/]R W[/url], on Flickr

Trice as the backup to Jackson is a bit scary if his knee doesn't hold out. And even if it does, will he still have the mobility/speed?

Good to see Thompson moved up. I thought he showed something in limited snaps last year.

Good to see Benton moved into starting position.

LILB has a scary lack of depth as well. Queen goes down and you are relying on a guy that might not even make it through camp. And the #3 backup is junk in coverage.

Anyway, for as many questions on Offense, there are just as many on defense.

[WindyCitySteel]

Wilson will be the swing inside LB if Holcomb can't play. I think our ILB depth is as good as it has been in a long time.

[Northern_Blitz]

Wilson will be the swing inside LB if Holcomb can't play. I think our ILB depth is as good as it has been in a long time.

I think ILB depth was also very good last year (maybe better depending on how the rook turns out)...and we still ran out of guys

[Northern_Blitz]

I understand it's all about the changes on offense this year but there are a lot of changes on defense as well. A remade secondary and ILB group.

Here's Ourlads projected depth chart:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2pXo1Uf][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2pXo1Uf]capture1[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/191750946@N04/]R W[/url], on Flickr

Trice as the backup to Jackson is a bit scary if his knee doesn't hold out. And even if it does, will he still have the mobility/speed?

Good to see Thompson moved up. I thought he showed something in limited snaps last year.

Good to see Benton moved into starting position.

LILB has a scary lack of depth as well. Queen goes down and you are relying on a guy that might not even make it through camp. And the #3 backup is junk in coverage.

Anyway, for as many questions on Offense, there are just as many on defense.

Hopefully we don't get gutted up the middle of the D again this year (or on the outside).

My guess is that Sutton will be the first guy in at outside CB if someone goes down.

Looking forward to see what ILB and SS look like once they start actually playing.

[Buzz]

Wilson will be the swing inside LB if Holcomb can't play. I think our ILB depth is as good as it has been in a long time.

I think Wilson is gonna be so good, they're gonna need to scheme up ways to get him on the field more
at least I would hope they would

[WindyCitySteel]

I think Wilson is gonna be so good, they're gonna need to scheme up ways to get him on the field more
at least I would hope they would

Teryl Austin said in the same interview that Queen would play every snap, but also that they want to work in Wilson as the dime LB. June talk.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I think ILB depth was also very good last year (maybe better depending on how the rook turns out)...and we still ran out of guys

There is no possible way, in a salary cap sport, to have enough depth at one position to withstand what the Steelers went through at ILB last season. I see tremendous talent from top to bottom on the depth chart, but if the team goes through the same injuries at the position, it won't be enough.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Trice as the backup to Jackson is a bit scary if his knee doesn't hold out. And even if it does, will he still have the mobility/speed?

Good to see Thompson moved up. I thought he showed something in limited snaps last year.

Good to see Benton moved into starting position.

LILB has a scary lack of depth as well. Queen goes down and you are relying on a guy that might not even make it through camp. And the #3 backup is junk in coverage.

Anyway, for as many questions on Offense, there are just as many on defense.

There may be questions on D, but they are nowhere near as critical. The questions you brought up on D are about depth and whether the backups are ready in case the starter goes down. On offense the questions are who is the starting WR opposite Pickens? What will happen with two rookie starters and a position change on the line? Can either new QB step up as the starter? How will the offense look under a new OC?

FWIW, my biggest question on D, and one that wasn't mentioned, is can Cam come back and contribute at the age of 35, after missing 6 games and then playing like crap when he returned last year?

[Iron City Inc.]

The Depo had a article by Kozora where he was drinking the Kool Aid on Payton Wilson. It's a rare thing for him to get excited about anyone without the pads on and really rare in June after only some OTA's. Alex is a real good talent evaluator. Lots of positive vibes seem to be around this '24 Steeler roster.

[Northern_Blitz]

There is no possible way, in a salary cap sport, to have enough depth at one position to withstand what the Steelers went through at ILB last season. I see tremendous talent from top to bottom on the depth chart, but if the team goes through the same injuries at the position, it won't be enough.

I fully agree with you.

[Northern_Blitz]

The Depo had a article by Kozora where he was drinking the Kool Aid on Payton Wilson. It's a rare thing for him to get excited about anyone without the pads on and really rare in June after only some OTA's. Alex is a real good talent evaluator. Lots of positive vibes seem to be around this '24 Steeler roster.

I think he's the most interesting of the draft picks for sure.

Hope he can stay healthy. Because it sounds like he's good at football.

[Oviedo]

When the biggest concern is about the backups, WE ARE OK!!!

This could be the most talented defense we have had in a very long time

[Buzz]

Teryl Austin said in the same interview that Queen would play every snap, but also that they want to work in Wilson as the dime LB. June talk.

If Wilson is as good as I think he'll be, he should be starting before long.

[NorthCoast]

When the biggest concern is about the backups, WE ARE OK!!!

This could be the most talented defense we have had in a very long time

How many of those backups ended up starting for multiple games last season? In fact, how many backups of backups started games last season? Point is, chances are they will be on the field this season.

[WindyCitySteel]

Our biggest concerns about depth should be at WR, CB, S, and IDL. Pretty solid everywhere else.