Keith Butler Promises To Add ‘Wrinkles’ To Pittsburgh Steelers’ Defense
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense needs a retooling like perhaps no other team in the NFL. This offseason, the task of restoring one of the most historically feared defenses to a new prime falls to fresh defensive coordinator Keith Butler. Butler is a rookie in name only, finally appearing in the spotlight after staying relatively hidden as the team’s linebackers coach for over a decade.
Under Butler’s tutelage, the Steelers crafted the finest collection of linebackers in the league, including Joey Porter, James Farrior, James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons. But with fans who demand extreme success on an annual basis, Butler seems to realize that stacked rosters on paper must translate into tangible championships, and soon.
In what should prove the ultimate case of baptism by fire, Butler will enter the 2015 season armed with two infinitely-skilled prospects in Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier, as well as a raw but talented D-line and a secondary begging for fresh blood.
In a recent press conference, Butler confirmed the team would be sticking with the bare bones of a 3-4 zone blitz scheme developed and refined under the great Dick LeBeau, but he would also look into “adding a few wrinkles” to the unit, taking advantage of “talented and fast linebackers that can cause havoc in the backfield.”
Talk is, ultimately, cheap, but Steeler Nation has to love what it’s hearing so far. For too long, Pittsburgh has wallowed in the self-perpetuating narrative that its defense is simply far too intricate and complex to accommodate young players. This sport is a young man’s game, and Butler appears driven to find the newest x-factor that will turn the Steel City into a dominant force once again.
Jonathon Natsis covers the NFL and the Pittsburgh Steelers for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnHollywood92, ‘like’ him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
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