PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – As there was so much to discuss with the offense this week, the defense, while not perfect, made some plays. A couple of those by rookie corner Joey Porter, Junior. Will we see more of him? How did the Steelers get to a place to lead the NFL in fumbles? What about the play of the safeties and Alex Highsmith's big week.
Increased Porter?
Fans are anxious to get Porter involved more in the defense. Mike Tomlin said after the game he would grow his role as he was ready for more.
So, is Porter ready for more or still a third down guy?
Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said that's where they are right now, he's still a third down guy.
"We'll continue to see if he can continue to do things well," Austin said. "There's a possibility of expanding his role, but like we said, that's kind of all the same things we've talked about all year. As he gets better and gets more snaps, if he earns it, then we'll give him more reps."
Fumble spike
Last year the Steelers forced nine fumbles on the season, this year seven in two games, leading the NFL.
"I think we've emphasized it," Austin said. "We were doing it. We knew we were down on it, so we wanted to make it a part of our process in terms of creating turnovers. We were getting our hands on the ball. We were getting plenty of interceptions, but we weren't knocking the ball loose. I think we've really concentrated on getting the ball loose from runners by knocking it out of their hands, and it's starting to show. We've got to continue to do it."
Safety dance
Austin praised the job the safeties did dealing without Minkah Fitzpatrick for nearly an entire half. They even moved Elijah Riley back to safety, a position he hadn't played in camp and had played sparingly before. Austin said having Riley with the team for a whole year, through the offseason really gave them confidence he could fill that role.
"Those guys did a great job," Austin said. "I think our guys do a great job in terms of staying prepared, staying ready, being the next man up so we don't miss a beat. I think that was pretty evident. Obviously, you're not going to replace Minkah in terms of what he brings to the team, but those guys did a fine job in terms of coming in, making the plays they had to make, and helping us get out of the stadium with a victory."
AFC Defensive Player of the Week
With his interception return for a touchdown and forced fumble leading to the TJ Watt game-winning touchdown, Alex Highsmith named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Austin not surprised at the third-round pick's improvement, he credited his work and it started showing up in 2022.
"I think Alex felt that last year," Austin said. "Even last year before camp he was telling everybody he was going to get double digit sacks that year, and he did. He could see his growth and the kind of things he was doing and the path he was on. So, now that you have that, you have a guy that's really confident, and he achieved that goal, and now he's on to bigger and better goals."
"Pair him with T.J., that's a really good combination of those guys playing together. Obviously, it helps us because, when you have two guys that can control the edge like that, that makes it hard for offenses.
"I just want to be a guy that is around the ball, putting the team in the best position to win because that is what matters most," Highsmith said. "We know splash plays adds a lot of juice, gets everyone fired up. Gets the fans fired up. We just want to make those plays week-in and week-out."
