PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There is excitement over a couple of new players the Steelers added on defense. Is it a player that the newcomer to watch?
Larry Ogunjobi
The defensive lineman was added 20 days after Stephon Tuitt officially retired. The 28-year-old started 16 games for the AFC Champion Bengals last season with a career-high seven sacks and a career-high 12 tackles for loss. Before moving south, Ogunjobi had 21.5 sacks in 63 starts with the Browns.
Chris Wormley was the only established veteran on the defensive line and Ogunjobi can be more than just a guy, but a difference-maker.
Levi Wallace
The loss of Joe Haden opened up a job at starting corner. Whether Ahkello Witherspoon or Cam Sutton start on one side, arguably Sutton is a more valuable nickel. There is competition and a good opportunity to start. That's where the two-year, $8 million contract for Levi Wallace comes in. The 6', 179-pounder started all 52 games he played over four seasons in Buffalo. The 27-year-old intercepted six passes, two each the last three seasons and had 30 passes defended.
Myles Jack
Moves had to be made after finishing dead last in stopping the run last season. So a big change at middle linebacker as Joe Schobert was released and run stuffer Myles Jack brought in from Jacksonville for two-years, $16 million. He played 88 games with the Jags over six seasons and is still 26-years-old. Three times he totaled over 100 tackles, 19 career tackles for loss, three interceptions, 15 passes defended and four fumble recoveries.
None of those three are the Steelers most important defensive newcomer. That is reserved for the man that really influenced Jack signing in Pittsburgh, Brian Flores.
"That's really the main reason I came here is because I knew I was going to get coached up," Jack told 93.7 The Fan. "With Coach Flores, he's a head coach. For me to have him on a one-on-one basis and coach up the linebackers, I think it's stealing for me. Any question I can ask, he has an answer. It's great coming from what I'm used to."
Initiating a class-action lawsuit against the NFL for discriminating against him and other Black coaches in the hiring practices, the Steelers deftly signed Flores as a defensive assistant in February. Before becoming the Dolphins head coach, the 41-year-old was known as one of the best defensive coaches in the game.
"I'm trying to help in any way I can," Flores said. "If that's linebackers. If it's getting water, I'll get water. Whatever it is to help the team win, that's what I'm about. Helping guys get better, doing whatever I can, to me that's coaching."
"When you have a guy, I equate it to a player that has a lot of talent," said Steelers Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin. "You use those talents, you don't try to harness it and keep it one spot."
"He's been doing a lot of things for us. He's been working linebackers, secondary, D-line because he brings a wealth of knowledge. You don't want to stifle that. I'm excited about him. We will see how we use him going forward, but I know for a fact he will be nothing but a help."
"There's been great conversation," Flores said after Steelers off-season workouts. "The guys in the room are from different backgrounds with different ideas, different ways of thinking. It's an opportunity to learn."
"Hopefully I'm bringing something to the table that can help in a small way. At the end of the day, we all have to come to an agreement and get that information to the players and try to execute."
It's a defense that did some great things in 2021, now with Flores on board he can help take them to another level.
