LeBeau likes what he has

Coordinator Dick LeBeau already has begun the process of integrating the new faces into the defensive system. Five of the Steelers nine draft picks were defensive players, and the team also signed three defensive players as unrestricted free agents. LeBeau recently talked about some of those additions as well as how the defense might increase its number of interceptions in 2014:

Q. What does Mike Mitchell bring to the defense?
A. Well, I like him. I like Cam Thomas also, and we picked him up from San Diego. They’re both solid veterans. Mike Mitchell is fast, very fast, a good solid tackler (and) an excellent blitzer. I looked at quite a bit of his tape during the free agency period. and you had to look pretty far to find any weaknesses. I think we have a really quality player there.

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If we can use all of this talent on both sides of the ball. Play as a team (and stay healthy) I think we have a legitimate shot at number 7. I said it and I'm not backing down. Of course I'm pretty   sure I say this every year but this year it feels different. I think we will be hungry and pissed about the last 2 seasons. Because of these last 2 years pretty much everyone will write us off and we will play with a chip. 13/3!!! That's my bold prediction.

solardave wrote:

Of course I'm pretty   sure I say this every year but this year it feels different. I think we will be hungry and pissed about the last 2 seasons.

That's what is great about being a Steelers fan during the past few decades ... coming into every season, I feel we have a legitimate chance to at least be a playoff team. We don't make the playoffs every year, of course, but it's been a long, long time where we entered a season and I thought, "Short of a miracle, there's absolutely no possible way we're going to make the playoffs." We just came off back-to-back 8-8 seasons, and I doubt there are too many Steelers fans who would be shocked if we won the Super Bowl this year. As Steelers fans, we're spoiled. But I don't mind being spoiled.   

This year is different. With Shazier crazy speed, paired with Timmons, Woirlds in a contract year, and Jarvis coming into his own in his second year, our LB core is deadly. Add Mike Mitchell to the secondary for immediate impact (pun intended), and our defense has upgraded, no doubt. Combine that with a finally healthy O-line under the tutelage of O-Line master Mike Munchak and offensive weapons in the leading yardage receiver from last year, a speedy 2nd year WR who has looked solid in camp with all fingers straight, a healthy Heath, and a legitimate 6 4" WR redzone threat in Bryant, and I like the look and feel of this team far more than I have in the last few years.

   

Drizztbob wrote:

This year is different.  With Shazier crazy speed, paired with Timmons, Woirlds in a contract year, and Jarvis coming into his own in his second year, our LB core is deadly.  Add Mike Mitchell to the secondary for immediate impact (pun intended), and our defense has upgraded, no doubt.  Combine that with a finally healthy O-line under the tutelage of O-Line master Mike Munchak and offensive weapons in the leading yardage receiver from last year, a speedy 2nd year WR who has looked solid in camp with all fingers straight, a healthy Heath, and a legitimate 6 4" WR redzone threat in Bryant, and I like the look and feel of this team far more than I have in the last few years.

   

Drizz, you forgot to mention your favorite cornerback ... Ike.   

Yes gentlemen!  Solardave, I agree 100% with you.  I think something feels different this year too.  I'm super excited about Shazier (Wally, you may have to make me a new sig -- I may retire my Hines Ward sig) and Mike Mitchell.  Actually, I'm excited about all of our rookies and the addition of Munchak.

How many days until we play against the Brownies and that turd Manziel?

GO STEELERS!!!!! 

Gingerchip wrote:

Wally, you may have to make me a new sig -- I may retire my Hines Ward sig

  

Remind me during the season when we can get some good pics of Shazier in his game uniform.

^^^ Ohh gosh Wally^^^   I hope you didn't hit the floor too hard.  I know, it seems impossible for me too.  When Hines decided to marry someone else -- well you know the saying "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"   

Actually, Hines will remain my Facebook picture (I couldn't just completely wash him away...  

I just think it's time for me to switch to a defensive player!

Gingerchip wrote:

I just think it's time for me to switch to a defensive player!

I'm noticing a pattern.   

Wallace108 wrote:

Gingerchip wrote:

I just think it's time for me to switch to a defensive player!

I'm noticing a pattern.   

   After all defense does win championships. But offense gets you off your seat.  

Wallace108 wrote:

Gingerchip wrote:

I just think it's time for me to switch to a defensive player!

I'm noticing a pattern.   

  

Wallace108 wrote:

Drizz, you forgot to mention your favorite cornerback ... Ike.   

  I'll kill you Wally...