LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – While watching the game tape, Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said he saw a dichotomy in their play. He saw some good, the mistakes were big. There were communication issues at times with the younger guys and all played with pretty good effort.
Now it’s about cleaning that up against Buffalo on Saturday.
Asked about a number of players, what Austin said about each of their performances against the Texans.
LB Payton Wilson
The leading tackler in the first preseason game Austin said Wilson’s performance was good, what they thought.
“When you watch his college tape, he was a run and hit guy, he’s around the football a lot,” Austin said Sunday. “Nothing changed when he got here in Latrobe and he took it into the stadium—so that’s pleasing. And the nice thing is, I thought he did a good job and he’s got a lot of room for improvement, and he’ll continue to do to that.”
DT DeMarvin Leal
Austin noted that the third-year defensive lineman has always been a good athlete, but this year he’s been in really good shape as well and it’s paid off in camp. He had a sack and a tipped pass on Friday.
“I'm excited to see how that carries forward into the season, because I think he can be a guy for us,” Austin said. “He plays inside, he plays outside, he rushes, he covers, he does it all, so I think some of the stuff we were excited about in year one, after year one, are really coming to light now.”
CB Joey Porter
In his second year they have a good feeling of how he can play, but the penalty flag followed him on Friday. Austin noted it’s always been a thing for Porter and they are diligent in their work to correct it.
“We are just going to continue are job to coach him up and continue to try to help him cut those out, and then it’s his job to take that coaching and get it better. So, he’ll do it,” Austin said. “He’s just got to show it on tape.
DB Beanie Bishop
He called the undrafted rookie a feisty little guy saying he did some good things after four solo tackles against Houston.
“He's got a way to go in his game, but I think he's right in the competition in terms of being in the hunt to be a starting nickel, so that's a good thing,” Austin said. “But we’re going to let this play out for the next couple of weeks and well see where he shakes out.”
OLB Kyron Johnson
Austin said what jumped out about the third-year outside linebacker was his speed. He has some natural ability to put pressure on the quarterback. Now it’s about rounding out his game to do more things well.
“I think he made a nice play at the last part when they were trying to kill the clock, tackling the jet sweep, and so he does have some splash plays, he’s just got to overall I think just show a little bit more consistency in his play,” Austin said.
DT Isaiahh Loudermilk
Consistency is the word to describe the fourth-year Steeler. You know what you are going to get day in and day out. He had a batted pass and a couple of nice rushes on Friday.
“I'm excited about ‘Milk’ in terms we know he gives us good depth,” Austin said. “He’s strong and steady and I hope he continues to improve his game, but we know what we got when he put him on the field.”
S DeShon Elliot
Breaking habits from past defenses is one of the challenges with the new safety, although the Steelers DC said he’s done a good job and has been really physical.
“He’s a willing learner, he's a good pro, and think he brings a level of physicality that we like,” Austin said.
DB Thomas Graham Jr.
He’s had a couple of interceptions during training camp and Austin says you see the former Chicago and Cleveland defensive back always around the football whether it’s blitzing or in coverage.
“The bottom line in our business, if you’re playing and getting difficult assignment all you want but if you don’t make any plays then you aren't very good for us,” Austin said. “We need guys that are able to make plays, make tackle for losses, get turnovers, all those different things and he’s shown the ability to do that.”
LB Jacoby Windmon
Another outside linebacker trying to improve and make Austin feel better about the depth at the position after the retirement of Markus Golden. Austin says the 6’2” undrafted rookie from Michigan State has the ability to play inside and outside.
“I think when you watch him play, he’s got really good instincts, he has a really good feel for the game, he’s a good communicator, and he gets himself around the ball,” Austin said. “So, he helped himself, I thought, this week.”
DB Ryan Watts
The arrow is pointed up for the 6’3” defensive back, Austin liked his run and tackle ability and he shown a hunger for it. He’s moving and playing corner and safety which steepens the learning curve, but they like his baseline game
“He's a heck of a kid,” Austin said. “He works his tail off, so I think he'll get it and end up being a pretty good player for us at some point.”
DE Logan Lee
The sixth-round pick from Iowa is playing up-and-down the line and is not only strong, but smart.
“He's pretty stout and you'll see that sometimes that guys come down they don't really knock him out or knock him off the ball, so that's a good start for him, and I think once he gets his feet under him and learn hell have the ability to possibly contribute,” Austin said.
Now it’s about making sure they don’t make the same mistakes they made against Houston and leading up to being better when it counts.