Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 05.21.26
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Christopher Carter
11:58
I mean, there are times you can find a late veteran. But it is slim pickings at this stage. I think people in general just want to see moves being made all the time. That's just not realistic.
Pittfan
11:59
Hi Christopher. What do you think of Slay talking about how the Steelers (Tomlin) taught their defense to play backwards? He mentioned something about relying on the defensive linemen to knock down passes. That and not being able to stop the run were inexcusable for a high paid defense. When players speak out on these matters are they disgruntled? I do think it's interesting the new DC is preaching communications.
Christopher Carter
12:06
Hello!

Darius Slay came off a bit bitter about his coverage complaints. Joey Porter Jr. and James Pierre put up some of the best coverage numbers in the NFL last year when Slay wasn't on the field, which suggests he was much more the problem than anything else.

Also, plenty of defenses use defensive linemen to swat passes as a strategy, so I'm not sure that's a legitimate complaint? Jalen Carter just swatted 7 for the Eagles last year and Jalen Carter had 6 in the same season for them, Zach Allen had 6 for the Broncos as well, Maxx Crosby had 6 for the Raiders.

Defenses often make that part of their strategy when they have athletic, big and long defensive lineman who can pull it off. Yet another complaint by Slay that didn't make sense.

The Steelers' run defense wasn't great but it ranked 13th in years and 15th in Y/A. They also were the best run defense when Derrick Harmon was healthy, which I think shows how good of a draft pick he was.
12:08
If you ask me, those are the ramblings of a disgruntled player who didn't like how his career ended and now has sour grapes over it. Could be wrong, but Slay is in a tough spot to point the finger anywhere else but himself after how he got cooked a lot last year.

As for communication and Patrick Graham, you should see a piece from me about that coming out very soon.
Mike in Virginia
12:08
Obviously Gainwell had a good year last year, but I felt like it came at the expense of seeing more Warren who I also feel is explosive. What do you think the snap count looks like this year with Rico in the fold now?
Christopher Carter
12:08
I'd expect Rico Dowdle to get a decent share of the snaps and the touches at RB. He just won't be the primary 3rd down back the way Kenneth Gainwell was.
Mark from Cali
12:09
Hi Chris. Thank you for the chats. It appears from what I have read, and from multiple chats, there is almost an assumption Bernard is the guy, and Wilson probably not. It is so early, so what are you guys seeing? Thank you.
Christopher Carter
12:10
Roman Wilson has been getting a decent amount of reps with the first team offense along with Germie Bernard, so I wouldn't count him out just yet. But there's no denying they drafted a WR in the 2nd (and tried to in the 1st) so that they could have an immediate impact. So I do think Wilson has the steeper hill to climb.
Bud
12:11
Good morning Chris do you know if they  have moved Benton from nose, tackle?
Christopher Carter
12:11
Based off the portions of OTAs practice we were able to report on what we saw, that has not happened.

Which was why I thought it was odd the team didn't go for one of the better nose tackle prospects on day 2 of the draft. Because I do think Benton would benefit from being a 3-tech.
Dpreble001
12:13
Chris, herbig's draft status in his class was an inside lb. Could steelers sign him use him Anand spell highlights and tj,to justify paying him,market value
Christopher Carter
12:14
In Herbig's last year at Wisconsin, he played 462 snaps on the edge and 11 at inside linebacker.

I think those who classified him as an ILB were doing so because they weren't sure if his size would hold up. And I think you saw the impact of that as he had to learn how to play the run differently than other edge defenders as he doesn't have the raw power to turn back OTs with just his hands.

But he's certainly made himself into an NFL weapon on the edge, and I see no situation they remove him from that role outside of to disguise things in the defense like they occasionally do with Watt. Expect Herbig to get paid.
12:16
That's all for today folks! Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the rest of our coverage!

I should have a piece coming out soon about how the players see Patrick Graham's efforts to improve defensive communication, and we'll have more insights coming all throughout OTAs. See you soon!
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