Steelers News: Is the Steelers’ defense going to be their calling card in 2019?

The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to the gridiron this week when they reported back to training camp. With practices underway, the news surrounding the black-and-gold is just starting to heat up. As the team returns from their summer break, we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until the season starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at if the Steelers defense, not the offense, will be driving the team back to the postseason in 2019.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense has been their calling card for years, but is the defense on the verge of taking over the reigns?

With LeVeon Bell, Antonio Brown gone, will ‘D’ again be Steelers identity?

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

For each of the past five seasons, the Steelers have had a better ranking in total offense than in total defense. How rare is that for a franchise far more identified for its defense? The Steelers’ ‘D’ ranked higher than its offense 58 of the previous 74 seasons, according to pro-football-reference.com.

But is the defense ready to reclaim its role? The gap seems to be beginning to close.

The Steelers ranked sixth in yards allowed last season (the offense, fourth), and by far the biggest additions to the roster were on defense: free-agent signings Mark Barron and Steven Nelson and No. 10 overall draft pick Devin Bush.

The offense lost two All-Pro talents in Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell.

Can the defense make a leap to one of the league’s best?

“Yeah,” outside linebacker Bud Dupree said, “because of the additions … We’ve kind of all meshed together.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Don’t look now, but Matt Feiler is running away with the right tackle position.

Steelers’ Matt Feiler pulling away with starting right tackle job

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

It was billed as the lone winner-take-all starting position battle during this Pittsburgh Steelers training camp.

But has Matt Feiler’s strong play on the practice fields of Saint Vincent already rendered the Steelers’ starting right tackle verdict moot?

The man with perhaps the most input into that decision smiled when asked that question.

“You know,” new offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett said, “Matt’s done a heck of a job in camp. He’s competed at a high level, and he’s done everything he can do. In my mind right now he’s leading the pack at the starting right tackle position.

“With that being said, the competition is not over yet — we haven’t played a preseason game yet.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• For those expecting to see the team challenge Chris Boswell in the preseason, it seems as if he will just split time with Matthew Wright.

No extended look for Boswell in preseason opener

By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

A big part of the Steelers’ struggles in 2018 could be summed up in the issues placekicker Chris Boswell suffered through.

A year after making 92 percent of his field goal attempts and earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl, Boswell was miserable in 2018, making just 65 percent of his field goals. His 12 misses -- including five PATs -- were among the worst in the league and were just one fewer than he had in his first three seasons combined.

The Steelers put Boswell on notice late last season that his job could be in jeopardy by working out three veteran kickers before sticking with the struggling incumbent.

They also have given rookie Matthew Wright solid opportunities to beat out Boswell for the placekicking job throughout the offseason and into training camp here at Saint Vincent College.

Apparently, that will continue into their preseason opener Friday night against the Buccaneers. Mike Tomlin said Wednesday the team will alternate placekickers in the game against Tampa Bay, giving each man presumably equal opportunity to show what they can do in a game setting.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Social Media Madness