LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – It’s a position completely revamped for 2023, including a new coach. First-year inside linebackers coach Aaron Curry says the growth and development has been critical. Now with the weekend off before heading into game week, that foundation formed at St. Vincent College of ‘all ball, all the time’ has allowed his group of new Steelers to get to know the defense.
It’s not just what the fans see on the field, but he believes the communication outside of team drills is also important. Curry saw the middle linebackers go and spend time with other position groups just to try and be on the same page. He says that understanding is paying off and will continue as the season kicks off.
Not only were Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts new to the team, they then added nine-year veteran Kwon Alexander to the mix a few days into camp. Curry loves Alexander’s preparation and process he brings to the Steelers. He called him a pro’s pro in just how he gets ready for practices and games.
Alexander also brings a fierceness to his game. It’s not that there weren’t already big hits from Roberts and Mark Robinson, but Alexander’s are noteworthy. He only had a pair of tackles in the first action at Tampa Bay, but I bet you remembered them.
“Big hits and violence always matter in football,” Curry said. “The timing is what is more important and safety is even more important than that. From my playing days, a big hit can get guys going. It brings juice to the crowd, brings juice to the team. It allows guys to play with passion. As long as we are doing it safely and properly. I do think it has a huge role in playing defense.”
Roles are something that are constantly being worked out during this camp. How much guys will play and how the combinations work could be fluid during the season, a game or even a quarter. Curry said he’s been impressed with all of them, even the relatively inexperienced Robinson and wouldn’t rule out Robinson being a factor this season. Saying he’s doing a really good job with his process, finishing with 11 tackles in the preseason. Robinson also says he’s progressed telling 93.7 The Fan he’s learned a lot from the three veterans.
Playing time can divide teams, especially when it’s tight competition. That’s where Curry said Mike Tomlin steps in to set the ground rules for how it will work with the inside linebackers.
“From the top down, Coach Tomlin does a really good job of managing those conversations,” Curry said Wednesday. “We set a standard here for everybody, regardless of the position, that everything is going to be competitive. Our job is to put the best players on the field.”
It’s a big reason Curry took the job with the Steelers. The opportunity to learn from Tomlin. When asked what he has learned, he turned that question around to say what he hasn’t learned.
“He’s a tremendous leader and tremendous coach,” Curry said. “He’s taught me stuff indirectly and directly from an organizational standpoint, from schematics, from positional value. All types of things he’s showed me how to lead a group of men. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.”
It's a trait he believes he’s always had, but what Curry said makes it work for Tomlin is transparency.
“Most people think that guys run away from transparency,” Curry said. “People love it. You know exactly what you are going to get from him. You know he’s going to give you the truth-hard truths, good truths. He’s always consistent with his attitude and energy.”
“What I love about football, there is no gray. You either executed it or you didn’t. Just having a leader that does it openly with everybody regardless of status or regardless of role on the team helps me continue to stay in my transparency and truth in coaching.”
He’s right, there is no gray. It’s about wins and losses. The middle linebackers provided no splash plays in 2022, no hits that jacked up a team or crowd. Curry is confident in his guys not only tackling, but says they will be outstanding in coverage.
Transparency is coming for the group with the regular season clearly in the horizon.