PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Even with the changes, Steelers Pro Bowler Minkah Fitzpatrick says the Steelers defense is better than he would have thought it would be at this point in the offseason.
A team that led the NFL in interceptions lost safeties Terrell Edmunds and Arthur Maulet, corner Cam Sutton, changed both middle linebackers and added two corners, a defensive lineman and outside linebacker in the Draft.
"There's a lot of new faces in the secondary, in the defense," Fitzpatrick said Wednesday. "When you have new faces, there is a lot to learn. There is communication, there is learning the actual defense, there is the chemistry. Learning how each other sees the game and sometimes that can take a while."
Fitzpatrick is surprised how quickly it is coming together in the secondary. It's not by accident. The Steelers added guys in safety Keanu Neal, corners Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan that combine for 24 years of NFL experience. They also talked before voluntary workouts started about having a high attendance for OTAs. Fitzpatrick said with the rare exception of a family issue, he's pleased to have everyone at all of the practices.
"Now it's finding that chemistry, learning how to truly communicate," Fitzpatrick said. "Learning how each other sees the game. I think we are doing a really good job with it. We are ahead of the game. We are definitely are ahead of where we thought we would be, which is exciting."
Minkah said it's really not too much different working with Damontae Kazee as he moves more into Edmunds spot. He said they will have a rotation with himself, Kazee and Neal. He said they are still figuring it out and it will be a little different, although not that much from last year.
Both rookie corners, Joey Porter, Junior and Corey Trice, have impressed Fitzpatrick with their eagerness to learn.
"They are guys that are long, fast and physical," Fitzpatrick said. "That's what we need on the outside. Guys that can defend the fade route, defend the deep ball and be slow down receivers."
Then they have a future Hall of Famer in Peterson. He said they've clicked so well early on that coaches are telling them to bring the talk down a little bit so all can understand what they are saying. As Fitzpatrick said they find themselves talking high-level stuff. He said Peterson will allow the defense to move around and not be stagnant, which is just what he wants.
"I wanted to become more advanced in my IQ and the understanding of the game," Fitzpatrick said of his work this offseason. "I've been sitting down a lot and breaking down a lot of film. I'm just trying to advance my football IQ. I like to be in the right position, but I also don't want to be a robot. I don't want the quarterback to know where I'm at. I want to be able to make plays that are made from my IQ."
A leader by example, Fitzpatrick is usually, if not the last, one of the last players off the practice field. He takes every drill seriously. He works on receiver drills or kick catching drills when the first team defense is getting a break. He doesn't stop learning.
"I think we have the perfect balance of vets and younger guys," Fitzpatrick said. "You have the vets that set the standard and the younger guys that bring the energy, the juice to the every day. It's a great combination."
"I think we are ahead of last year or at least of where I thought it would be."
