Steelers News: Terrell Edmunds becomes a huge factor in the success of the Steelers’ defense

With the 2019 NFL Draft in the rear view mirror, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2019 season is fast approaching, and the news surrounding the black-and-gold is far from over. As the team now turns their attention to more offseason workouts, OTAs and minicamp, there is no shortage of news.

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2018 first round draft pick, Terrell Edmunds, will have a crucial role in the success, or failure, of the team defense in 2019.

Let’s get to the news:

• Terrell Edmunds wasn’t supposed to play as much as he did in 2018, yet here we are. Morgan Burnett couldn’t stay healthy, and Edmunds became the iron man of the Steelers’ defense. He will need to take a big step forward in 2019 for this defense to come full circle.

Carter’s Classroom: Edmunds’ versatility key

By: Chris Carter, DKPittsburghSports

Defensive coordinator Keith Butler needs players who can erase different kinds of offensive threats in today’s NFL. That’s why Terrell Edmunds is a key cog in what the Steelers’ defense needs to become in 2019.

Here’s a quick dive into why Edmunds is vital to how the defense performs:

Edmunds’ 966 snaps in 2018 were the second most on the team and were more than 92 percent of all defensive snaps on the season. No rookie had done that for the Steelers, even with players like T.J. Watt and Artie Burns playing more than 70 percent of defensive snaps in their rookie seasons.

I wrote about Edmunds’ level-headed approach to his rookie season, despite playing multiple NFL MVP quarterbacks like Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, Pat Maholmes and Tom Brady. His calm assessment of offensive schemes and his assignments to counter them on the field showed the potential to be a major leader for the Steelers’ defense.

Combine that with the versatility he brings to the field and you have the reason why he saw so much time in 2018, and why he will be a major component to 2019’s defense.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Bud Dupree knows he could, and should, be better. Hopefully he is able to finish some of the plays which present themselves to him in 2019.

Bud Dupree: The plays are there, I have to finish

By: Josh Alper, ProFootballTalk

Dupree had 5.5 sacks last season and has 20 sacks over his first four NFL campaigns. He said last week that he believes those numbers can go up if he can just do a better job of finishing when chances come his way.

“I had a big opportunity last year to be in the conversation and I didn’t close the plays,” Dupree said, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I’m always in position. The plays are always there; it’s on me to finish those plays and easily have double-digit sacks. I’m trying to go out and reboot and finish those plays this season.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• T.J. Watt had a tremendous season in 2018, but could there be more left for him in 2019 and beyond? According to him he is looking for more ‘splash’ this season.

T.J. Watt looking for more splash this year

By: Josh Alper, ProFootballTalk

Watt also saw a rise in quarterback hits and forced fumbles, but he feels he could have done even more. Watt said this week that his goal for the coming season is to make an even bigger impression on opposing offenses.

“More splash. More plays,” Watt said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I think I left a lot of plays out there. I feel like I definitely got into a rhythm toward the end of the season and got more comfortable in all aspects of the game, not just the pass rush.”

Watt said he feels “way more comfortable” on the left side now that he has a year under his belt and that he has “more moves” at his disposal than he did a year ago. Given how productive he’s been thus far in his NFL career, that bodes well for the defense in Pittsburgh.

To read the full article, click HERE

• No OTAs Monday for the Steelers. Instead, they did some “team bonding” at Top Golf in Pittsburgh.

Building a team bond

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

“It’s always fun to see young guys thinking we are going to practice on a day like this and their faces light up when Coach (Mike) Tomlin says it’s team building today,” said Ramon Foster. “It’s good because you get to see guys outside of the building. As big as a team we are, it’s good to keep guys close in a non-football atmosphere.”

Tomlin has made it an annual tradition to give the players a day off during OTAs, a day committed to team building where fun is the only thing on tap. This year they changed things up, going to Topgolf for the first time, a choice that was popular with the players.

“It’s great. I think if you expect them to work cooperatively together they have to get to know one another in informal activities,” said Tomlin. “We provide them a platform for that. I think guys just generally enjoy themselves.

“This is a key time for forming those bonds, but there is never a bad time for that. That is one of the reasons I still like that we are committed to go away to training camp when others aren’t. I feel like that opportunity in that secluded setting is also a good opportunity for those type of things.

“The guys get competitive. It doesn’t surprise me. Hopefully it doesn’t get too bad today.”

To read the full article, click HERE

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