Thursday, Steelers Defensive Coordinator Keith Butler lamented the lack of splash plays through the first four games. His players most responsible for those kinds of plays – TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick - most certainly agree since that's what they do.
Or at least they did in 2020. Fitzpatrick had 4 interceptions (one for a TD), forced a fumble and recovered another. Watt forced two fumbles, picked off a pass, knocked down 7 more and had 15 sacks.
They also agree that trying to force the issue isn't the way to go.
"It's not us trying to force turnovers or force people to give us the ball," Fitzpatrick agreed. "It's us being in the right position, it's us putting pressure on the quarterback, it's us catching every pass that comes to us, it's us punching at the ball when we're supposed to."
"That's what causes turnovers," he continued. "It's not us trying to do this or trying to do that. It's us doing our jobs and getting everything that comes to us."
Not surprisingly, Watt echoed that sentiment. "Just do what you do to the best of your ability, not try to do too much," he concurred. "The opportunities will come, it's just a matter of when they do come whether we can seize the opportunity and make the most of it."
Fitzpatrick still kicking himself over a play he didn't make in Green Bay that nay have turned the tide early. With the Steelers leading, 7-0, late in the first quarter, he failed to come up with an interception and 9 plays later the Packers tied the game.
It wouldn't have been an easy catch but Minkah felt he could have, maybe even should have. "Could, should the same thing," he said. "It's a tough catch but it's something I've gotta have. I've made that play in the past, I gotta make it."
Yet, Fitzpatrick knows he – and his teammates – can't become impatient since that might make things worse. "(We can't be) trying to do anything extra 'cause that's when you get beat for big splash plays."
Watt, again, is on the same page. "Getting turnovers is never easy. We just need to find ways to create splash and get more hands on the ball."
When it comes to this Sunday's opponent that may be a tougher chore, at least if Teddy Bridgewater is able to start for the Broncos. "Super efficient quarterback," Watt assessed, "gets the ball out relatively quickly, doesn't drop too deep, doesn't drop too shallow, knows what he needs to do."
He says Denver's backs and receivers also make it difficult. "You don't see many guys being able to get the ball out, second-effort punches or anything like that against this team," Watt pointed out. "They definitely preach ball security."
Finally, Fitzpatrick says it's not just the Steelers players who must be patient. Fans must be, too. "It's still super early," he said. "We just finished the first quarter (of the season). "Everybody's in panic (mode), crazy like we lost every single game.
No, just the last three. Fitzpatrick, Watt and the Steelers really don't want to make it four.
