PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There was no splash from the Steelers inside linebackers last year. After spending 26.3 million in the offseason to change it, they are starting to get a return on their investment.
The combination of Devin Bush, Myles Jack and Robert Spillane combined to get tackles, but ONE sack, NO turnovers and nine tackles for loss—all season. They did nothing special to impact the game. Already this season the Steelers matched that sack, have a pair of forced fumbles and 11 tackles for loss.
"I think they're getting better every week, and I thought last week probably as a unit was their best week together" said Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "You felt them, they were physical and fast. They made some splash plays. They were all over the field as a unit."
"We just got a group of guys that understands what it takes to play in the division and they willing do whatever it takes," said first-year inside linebackers coach Aaron Curry. "They are not going to back down from any challenges, whether I challenge them, Coach T or their opponents."
Against the Ravens the middle linebackers combined for 23 tackles (19 solo), four tackles for loss, a sack, two quarterback hurries and a pass defended.
"I thought everybody played awesome," said Cole Holcomb. "I was telling the guys in the locker room. That was fun, that was back to being a little kid fun. It's fun when everybody is making plays. You look up every single time, it's someone else."
Holcomb had a foot injury that ended his 2022 season with Washington, he had 69 tackles in just seven games before being shut down. His last full season in 2021 with the Commanders-149 tackles, two interceptions, seven passes defended and a couple of forced fumbles.
He's just part of what has been a three-guys-for-two-spots rotation with Elandon Roberts and Kwon Alexander. Holcomb is the most all-around LB of the group. Roberts is the downhill thumper. Last season in Miami, Roberts had a career-high 107 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks. Years ago, Alexander led the NFL in solo tackles with Tampa Bay, he still has the ability to make impact plays and the speed to get from sideline to sideline.
Curry said it's a credit to the players for the maturity level to understand that everyone has a skillset that can be used for the team advantage. They get while they want to be on the field all the time, there is a plan that is best for the team.
"Players understand to make the best of what they get and they don't worry about what they don't get," Curry said. "They give us the effort to win ballgames."
"That's really what we kind of envisioned when we got those three guys, that all three of them would do a great job for us in their particular roles," Austin said. "And I thought last week was a sign of that growth."
"I feel like we are really starting to understand the communication aspect," Holcomb said. "How everybody plays and how to play off each other."
"Pittsburgh has been known for its inside and outside linebacker. The defense as a group. Trying to bring that mentality back"
"We can build a lot on it," Alexander said. We are just taking it one step at a time. We are going to keep the same routine. "We look forward to get back playing."
