Steelers News: If Minkah Fitzpatrick moves around, someone else must move with him

It has been a one-of-a-kind offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. Unable to attend most player pro days and participating in the NFL’s first virtual draft, the Steelers keep pushing forward toward a return to football activities. Just because the Steelers are unable to hold their typical OTA’s doesn’t mean we stop providing you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over throughout the offseason!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at whether the option to move Minkah Fitzpatrick around in the secondary is more about him or how it affects other members of the secondary, as well as an article from former BTSC editor Jeff Hartman.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Steelers may be better off leaving ‘well enough’ alone in the secondary

Minkah Fitzpatrick’s game isn’t broken, so Steelers need not fix it

By: Mark Madden, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

When safety Minkah Fitzpatrick wanted out of Miami, he said the Dolphins moved him around the field too much.

Now that he’s made first-team All-Pro with the Steelers, Fitzpatrick would like to spend time at “corner or linebacker, whatever it may be, that’s what I’m going to do.” Fitzpatrick isn’t fanatic about that quest, but he’d clearly like to do it.

Fitzpatrick was involved with seven takeaways during his first seven games with the Steelers last season. But that number dipped to one takeaway in the season’s last seven games as Fitzpatrick’s part of the field became a no-fly zone. Fitzpatrick was targeted just seven times in the Steelers’ last eight games.

Fitzpatrick’s intent is noble: He wants to make plays. Few safeties could effectively handle the hybrid-type role that Troy Polamalu mastered. Fitzpatrick might be able to.

But there’s no need for Fitzpatrick to do that.

The Steelers have 10 of 11 starters back on defense, and also top nickel Mike Hilton. They finished fifth-best among NFL defensive units in yards allowed and fifth-best in points allowed. They led the league with 38 takeaways.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• A full breakdown of the Steelers Week 1 opponent by former BTSC editor Jeff Hartman

Steelers 2020 Breakdown: Week 1, Giants

By: Jeff Hartman, DK Pittsburgh Sports

Even during these uncertain times, it is the NFL which seems determined to keep their 16-game regular season intact. The dates might change, but the league doesn’t want to lose any games in the 2020 regular season.

Will fans be in the seats for these games?

MATCHUP

Opponent: Giants

2019 record: 4-12

Overall history: 44-30-3 for Giants

Last 4 games: 3-1 for Steelers

Opening line: Steelers (-3)

Date: Monday, Sept. 14

Time: 7:15 p.m.

Place: East Rutherford, N.J.

FREE-AGENT LOSSES

Antoine Bethea, S (team option declined)

Alec Ogletree, LB

Kareem Martin, LB

RETIREMENTS

Eli Manning, QB

Rhett Ellison, TE

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Steelers defensive lineman Tyson Alualu discusses life at home with his five children

Alualu is learning along with his kids

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

When Tyson Alualu has to take part in the Steelers virtual zoom meetings, he goes to the bedroom and locks the door.

No, he isn’t trying to protect secrets from anyone. That isn’t it at all.

He is just trying to find a place where he knows nobody will run into the room in the middle of a meeting, screaming, yelling or just looking for a hug.

“I kind of stay in the room upstairs and make sure I lock they the door because they are always running in, making noise not knowing what I am doing,” laughed Alualu.

The ‘they’ he is referring to are his kids.

All five of them.

Alualu and his wife, Desire, have five kids, Tyree, Dereon, Tydes, Tyten and Tyson. And you know what that means these days. Five kids to homeschool. Tyree is in the eighth grade, Dereon in the sixth grade, Tydes in the third grade, and Tyten and Tyson are preschoolers.

“It’s been a challenge, but more so for my wife,” said Alualu. “Thankfully we live in an area where the school is great. They each got an iPad. They log in every morning at 8 a.m. and do their work throughout the week. You gain better respect and an understanding for teachers during all of this.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• BTSC articles you may have missed

Is Lawrence Timmons still an option for the Steelers?

The rejected alternative onside kick option wasn’t a bad idea

Justin Layne may hold the key to the future for the Steelers secondary

Is Jordan Berry a lock to make the Steelers roster in 2020?

With the 2021 draft class looking to be deep at quarterback, the Steelers could look to land their QB of the future

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