The Steelers defense has often been led and defined by the play of its linebackers, and linebackers coach Joey Porter knows this as well or better than anyone else. Porter is one of a long list of dominant Steelers linebackers and knows what it takes to be great at that position.
That's why it's significant that he speaks so highly of first-round pick T.J. Watt this early in Watt's career. Porter wouldn't heap praise on a rookie unless he is special and has been dominant during training camp. That's especially true considering one of Porter's former teammates and an all-time great, James Harrison, is the player Watt is ultimately going to replace.
Monday, Porter doubled down on his belief in Watt when he told the Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette that Watt will be the starter and play the majority of the snaps. He said Harrison will be reduced to a "relief pitcher" role and there won't be a rotation.
"Now it'll be 48 (Bud Dupree) and 90 (Watt), and they'll just play until they're tired. And when they get tired, somebody will come and relieve them. But it won't be 'This is your series and this is the next one's series.' We don't have to do that," Porter said. "It's like when (LaMarr) Woodley and Harrison were in their heyday, there was no reason to pull them off. When me and (Jason) Gildon were out here, there was no reason to pull us off. Now we finally have that. I mean, so, we're not going to stunt their growth and pull them out when they're not doing anything wrong. We're going to let them play."
No disrespect to Harrison, the heart and soul of Steelers defense for almost as long as he has been a starter, but this is the best news to come out of camp. Harrison is a competitor and probably isn't completely on board with the idea of becoming a reserve, but to quote Charles Barkley, "Father Time is undefeated."
Harrison's best days are behind him, and Watt is just getting started. The Steelers missed in 2013 with their first attempt to replace Harrison by drafting Jarvis Jones, but it appears they got it right this time. Watt's development is one of several reasons there is a buzz starting to develop about the Steelers defense again.
Watt was dominant Friday night against the Giants, recording two sacks. That doesn't mean he is a lock to end up in the Hall of Fame, and maybe it was beginners luck. He did, however, show a lot of the qualities that sold the Steelers on him coming out of Wisconsin. He has a high motor, and it was on full display Friday. His versatility was evident in that he rushed the passer and dropped into coverage. He played on special teams as well.
Porter said this is the first time in a number of years that the Steelers don't need a rotation at outside linebacker because Dupree and Watt have proven they are the best players for the job.
"I know the old guy (Harrison) wants to play, but at the same time it's hard to get in there if those guys are doing the job," Porter said. "If they're doing their job and they're playing at a high level, the understanding is understood. You don't have to explain anything that you can see right there on tape."
If Watt is as good as he seems to be, this defense has a chance to take a huge step forward from last season. Dupree and Watt give the Steelers two high-pedigree pass rushers on the outside, and that's a common trait of the Steelers' best defenses.
Those two will give the Steelers the ability to put pressure on quarterbacks with young, fresh legs and youthful energy. That will help the Steelers pass defense and it will also enable the inside linebackers to drop into coverage more.
The aging of the Steelers defense is one of the biggest reasons they went 8-8 in 2012 and 2013 and missed the playoffs both seasons. The rebuilding process has been slow but steady and has begun to pay dividends. They added Ryan Shazier and Dupree in 2014 and '15 and new blood in the secondary with Artie Burns and Sean Davis _ and also along the defensive line with Javon Hargrave.
One of the final pieces of the puzzle was an outside pass rusher to replace Harrison, and it seems like they have found that in Watt. If he has a big impact this season, the Steelers might just have a championship-level defense again.
