NFL
By: Melo Williams
The Steelers head into Week 2 (1-0) after winning a hard fought AFC North battle against division rival Cincinnati Bengals. The win came at a detrimental cost though. Pittsburgh lost defensive star T.J. Watt most likely for the remainder of the season after tearing his pectoral muscle. Replacing Watt isn’t an easy task to do but the Steelers have an experienced linebacker crew by committee that can maintain that defensive pressure.
Before we jump in the linebackers huddle of the Steelers defense, Brian Flores must be mentioned before we move any further. Against Cincinnati, the Steelers linebackers were all active, understood their assignments, stayed disciplined and made plays all afternoon along with Watt. I’m not saying Steelers defense wasn’t disciplined last season, however you can tell the defense has bought into Coach Flores knowledge about defense as a whole. The linebackers are privileged with more knowledge than most by being coached by Flores who is considered one of the best defensive minds in the NFL, but he’s also one of the best linebacker coaches in the league. Mike Tomlin hired Brian Flores as the Steelers’ Senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach for many reasons. Tomlin has said there was many ways that Flores would help the Steelers and him and those contributions would be significant.
Knowing Watt is gone for the foreseeable future the standard of the expectations is going to be the standard of what’s expected from the linebackers as it is at all times with everyone but someone has to step up and lead from the linebackers. That someone is OLB Alex Highsmith. Third round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Week 1 against the Bengals Highsmith posted nine total tackles (six solo), two Tackles for A Loss, three sacks, four QB hits, six hurries and a forced fumble. Having T.J. Watt lined up on the other side make certain things maybe more easier to do, against Cincinnati though Highsmith was winning the one on one matchups he should’ve won creating opportunity for Watt and Cam Heyward to create havoc winning their battles.
After the Steelers decided not to re-sign LB Bud Dupree who signed a 5-year $85 million deal with the Tennessee Titans in 2021, the Steelers was all in on Alex Highsmith. Highsmith growth and development has improved year after year consistently since being drafted so much, Coach Mike Tomlin feel the Steelers coaching staff and front office has once again made the right personnel decision. It’s unfortunate Watt won’t be on the field, but Highsmith will now get to learn more personally from linebackers coach Brian Flores that will help him from a leadership standpoint on balancing when and when not to, knowing he can only do his job and believe in the other guys that they do theirs. Some knowledge he may have not gotten if Watt never tore his pectoral. Even if it’s only one year that Highsmith is coached up by Flores, it’s going to be wisdom that will last a career that just can’t be easily found or heard.
During the press conference Tuesday Tomlin said he thinks it’s a natural maturation process that Highsmith is going through. “His second year, he moves into a starting role and does an admirable job there. A varsity job there. And so, I think it’s reasonable to expect that he’s going to continue to improve in the ways that he’s done that since he’s been here.” “I don’t know that anyone of us is shocked by the performance. As a matter of fact, I think most of us are expecting it to continue. Tomlin added, “You’re not going to get three sacks each and every week, but he’s a good player and he’s a man to be reckoned with for sure.”
Highsmith had the best game of his young NFL career by far. Playing in 33 games in three seasons with the Steelers, Highsmith has totaled 82 solo tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, and 1 interception. Steelers fans and coaches expectations of Highsmith has increased. That’s just how it is in Pittsburgh. Fair or not. No Alex Highsmith can’t duplicate what T.J. Watt brings with his level of play but if Highsmith can continue to bring what he does best and leave it all on the field, the Steelers defense can still be one of the best defenses in the NFL with the brain trust of Mike Tomlin, Teryl Austin, and Brian Flores.
