Southern Question 2021: Can the reinforcements cure the ailing defensive disease?

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2021 season is underway and they are hoping for a better result than last season. After starting 11-0, they finished the year 1-4 in the regular season, and then lost in the Wildcard Round to the Cleveland Browns, opening 0-28 in the first quarter.

They have lost a large number of key players during the season, such as Maurkice Pouncey, Bud Dupree, Alejandro Villanueva, David DeCastro, Mike Hilton and Steven Nelson, but they have also made significant additions as the months have passed. past, especially Boys Turner, Melvin Ingram, Joe Schobert and Ahkello Witherspoon. They also added Najee Harris, Pat Freiermuth, Kendrick Green and Dan Moore Jr., all of which are starting.

There’s not much left to do but play games at this point. Even if they play them poorly. However, they still have a lot to learn, such as what Matt Canada’s offense will be like in a given week, or how the new primary and secondary offensive line will play out.

These are the kinds of questions among many others that we explore every day and will continue to do. Football has become a year-round pastime and there’s always a question. There is rarely a definite answer, but this is the place for you to explore the topics we cover through all their uncertainty.

Question: Will defensive reinforcements save the day?

The Steelers just gave up most of the points they allowed for about three and a half years, and that was a real offense at the time, who seemed to be doing it to everyone on a weekly basis. The Los Angeles Chargers are a good youth team, but you expect to be able to keep them under 30, at a minimum, if you consider yourself a good team.

Pittsburgh allows 41, instead including a last-minute touchdown with an inflated communication in the back, allowing a 53-yard forward touch that would prove to be the winner. game. But one can’t help but think about the absences out there.

For example, free safe Minkah Fitzpatrick will often play the role that seventh-round rookie Tre Norwood played in the aforementioned play. Norwood has played well this year, but he’s not one of only two safe All-Pros for the first team.

And any game that doesn’t feature TJ Watt becomes a tagline compared to what it looks like with him. The coaches had to flip Alex Highsmith to the other side just to get him away from Rashawn Slater on the left to get any pressure. Watt should have worn Storm Johnson’s hand like a hat.

Add people like Ahkello Witherspoon to play because Joe Haden is out, and you have less than ideal circumstances. But how much of a difference will it make to bring those players back? I think that’s the question a lot of Steelers fans are asking right now. Yes, that’s the three Pro Bowlers you’re getting back, including two of the best in their positions, but will it be enough? Hopefully we can get an answer next week.