Behind the Steel Curtain - Everything you need to know about Steelers second round pick Stephon TuittA level-headed news-discussion site with a sense of history and communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47293/steel_curtain_fave.png2014-06-18T10:27:27-04:00http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/rss/stream/54658092014-06-18T10:27:27-04:002014-06-18T10:27:27-04:00Steelers sign Tuitt to four-year deal
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<p>All nine of the Steelers draft picks are now under contract. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> announced Wednesday Stephon Tuitt, their second-round draft pick in 2014, has signed a 4-year contract. Terms of the deal were not released by the team but <a target="_blank" href="http://overthecap.com/nfl-rookie-salary-cap-2014.php">Over The Cap estimates it to be</a> a total value of $4.6 million with a $1.672 million signing bonus.</p>
<p>With Tuitt signing, all nine of the Steelers' draft picks are under contract. The team is estimated to be around $6 million under the 2014 salary cap.</p>
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<p>Tuitt, a defensive tackle and end at Notre Dame, was the 46th overall pick in the draft - one in which the Steelers selected defensive players with their first two picks. Ohio State linebacker <span>Ryan Shazier</span> was the first pick at No. 15 overall.</p>
<p>Tuitt has a reasonable chance to compete for a starting position, although rookie defensive ends typically haven't seen the field under defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. The team drafted defensive ends in the first round in 2009 and 2011 (<span>Ziggy Hood</span> and <span>Cameron Heyward</span>, respectively) and neither were the team's Week 1 starter. Hood saw time that season after an injury to starter <span>Aaron Smith</span>.</p>
<p>Tuitt has less in front of him than either Hood or Heyward did. He'll likely compete with <span>Cam Thomas</span>, a veteran free agent signing this offseason, but Thomas was signed to be a utility player, not a starter.</p>
<p>With $6 million in cap space still available, and minicamp practices Wednesday and Thursday, the Steelers have a little time left to see what Tuitt has. His progress in the OTAs and minicamp portion of the offseason schedule will determine whether the team feels the need to bring in a veteran defensive end before or during training camp.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/6/18/5820816/steelers-sign-contract-stephon-tuitt-terms-details-salary-cap-2014Neal Coolong2014-05-14T07:20:26-04:002014-05-14T07:20:26-04:00Tuitt to wear No. 91 for Steelers
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<p>Steelers second round pick Stephon Tuitt will wear the number of one of the franchise's great players. We should remember Smith for his greatness on and off the field, but let Tuitt become his own player. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Steelers&src=hash">#Steelers</a> have given Stephon Tuitt <span>Aaron Smith</span>’s 91. If he is half the player and person, they will be getting a good one</p>
— Dale Lolley (@dlolleyor) <a href="https://twitter.com/dlolleyor/statuses/466329915999416320">May 13, 2014</a>
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Clearly, the quick comparison is to <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> great Aaron Smith. The nostalic, emotional side of fans will want to make it out to be the team sending Tuitt a message of what's expected of him - as if it's remotely fair to ask him to have an Aaron Smith-like career.</p>
<p>Smith was one of the best 5-technique defensive ends, and he earned that praise in an era in which 5-technique defensive ends did not play the position in college routinely. I heard Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells say "pro teams are only good as the players the colleges give them." What he meant by that is if colleges are passing the ball a lot (like they are today), they're going to give them a ton of wide receivers (like they did over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">2014 NFL Draft</a>).</p>
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<p>When Aaron Smith, a defensive tackle at Division II Northern Colorado (now in the FCS), was drafted by the Steelers, he had to learn the 5-technique position, which is a hybrid between the 3-technique (tackle) and 7-technique (end) with more emphasis on gap control. Taking on either the tackle or guard play-to-play and occupying, in Smith's case, two gaps is a big responsibility.</p>
<p>I agree with the veteran O-R writer Dale Lolley. If Tuitt is half the player or person as Smith, the Steelers made a phenomenal selection in the second round. But if the Steelers, or more importantly, their fans, expect Tuitt to replicate either of those things, it's simply unfair.</p>
<p>Let's let Aaron Smith be remembered for who he was and what he brought (and continues to bring) to this organization, and let his play on the field and conduct off it be his legacy, not his number.</p>
<p>Let's let Tuitt become his own player, rooting for and hoping he has his own taste of greatness. Certainly, though, that No. 91 should remind him players with less achieved quite a bit, and his payback is full buy-in to what this team is trying to get him to accomplish.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/5/14/5716300/steelers-rookie-jersey-numbers-stephon-tuitt-2014-nfl-draftNeal Coolong2014-05-12T13:38:26-04:002014-05-12T13:38:26-04:00Why Tuitt fell to Steelers
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<p>Despite a strong finish to the season, Stephon Tuitt's stats failed to match his 2012 numbers after recovering from an offseason injury. After falling out of the first round, the Steelers picked up what could later prove to be a second round steal.</p> <p>Stephon Tuitt's drop was the Steelers' gain.</p>
<p>Once considered a first round draft choice, Stephon Tuitt's draft stock hit a speed bump after it took about half of the 2013 season to recover from his offseason hernia surgery.</p>
<p>Tuitt's prolonged recovery led to his misleading decline in statistics from 2012. Tuitt tallied 12 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in '12 as compared to 7.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss in '13. He also forced three fumbles in '12 compared to just one in '13.</p>
<p>The 6'6'', 322 pound defensive linemen did finish the season on <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000304962/article/notre-dames-stephon-tuitt-dominates-in-pinstripe-bowl">strong note</a> that included a four-tackle, 1.5 sack effort in Notre Dame's win over Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl.</p>
<p>Despite his late season surge, Tuitt was still available when the Steelers were up with the 46th pick in the draft. The Steelers-looking to improve their defensive line-gleefully snatched up the former Irish linemen that recorded 21.5 sacks in three seasons in South Bend.</p>
<p>The Steelers selection of Tuitt has received praise from many draft analysts that includes Mike Mayock, who broadcasted many of Tuitt's college games as NBC's color analyst for Notre Dame's home games.</p>
<p>"Boy does this pick make a lot of sense for Pittsburgh," Mayock said on NFL Network. "Remember Brett Keisel, who has played that position for the Steelers at a high level but will probably retire. Tuitt has first-round talent. He can play inside or outside. When healthy he's explosive. I've had an opportunity to watch this kid play at Notre Dame for the last three years. He can stack and shed to make a tackle."</p>
<p>The Steelers opportunistic acquisition of Tuitt is just another example of what has made them the model franchise in the NFL for so many years. It he does indeed realize his potential, the acquisition of Tuitt could be remembered as one of the best steals of the '14 draft for any team.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/5/12/5710272/injury-slowed-down-tuitt-to-start-2013Bryan DeArdo2014-05-10T09:19:04-04:002014-05-10T09:19:04-04:00Steelers depth chart: How the picks fit on roster
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<p>All three of the Steelers' picks through three rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft will probably see snaps every game. Here's a rundown of how they will contribute to the current depth charts at each position. </p> <h5><span>After making a surprise pick in the first round of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">2014 NFL Draft</a>, the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> took an obvious one in the second, and shocked their fan base in the third. </span></h5>
<p>The additions of linebacker Ryan Shazier, defensive end Stephon Tuitt and running back Dri Archer fill in a few spots of need in terms of development, or create situation-based advantages.</p>
<h5>Round 1 - 15th overall pick: ILB Ryan Shazier</h5>
<p><b>Current Depth Chart - </b> <span>Lawrence Timmons</span>, <span>Vince Williams</span>, <span>Sean Spence</span>, <span>Terence Garvin</span><br><b>Value - </b>Shazier is a freakishly fast Run-and-Hit kind of linebacker, the one Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was hoping to get when he drafted Spence in 2012. Provided Spence is back to his pre-injury level of speed, the possibilities of what they can do in terms of coverage subpackages is enough to keep defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau in the lab all summer. Shazier can be penciled in as a starter now, but he'll still have to prove himself against the run - an area the Steelers still value as the greatest area of emphasis on defense.</p>
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<h5><b>Round 2 - 46th overall pick: DE Stephon Tuitt</b></h5>
<p><b>Current Depth Chart - </b><span>Cameron Heyward</span>, <span>Cam Thomas</span>, <span>Nick Williams</span>, <span>Brian Arnfelt</span><br><b>Value - </b>There's a huge level of drop-off from Heyward and Thomas to Williams, Arnfelt and now, Tuitt, so as far as competing for playing time, Tuitt is probably a bit ahead of the usual curve for players the Steelers draft at defensive end. He can also help in subpackages, similarly to how Shazier can be used. His position flexibility can be considered valuable in those areas. Moving McLendon and Heyward around to exploit the depth of their physical characteristics will come in handy.</p>
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<h5><b>Round 3 - 97th overall pick: RB Dri Archer</b></h5>
<p><b>Current Depth Chart - </b><span>Le'Veon Bell</span>, <span>LeGarrette Blount</span><br><b>Value - </b>It's tough to see how Archer could fill in as anything but a package player and return man. His biggest attributes are his speed and agility and that's certainly not a bad combination to have. But the real risk is the team will give a game-day helmet to a player who might get two touches a game, and, short of keeping five running backs (including fullback <span>Will Johnson</span>) on the roster, he can't be expected to carry the ball between the tackles. As the Steelers saw with <span>Chris Rainey</span>, it's not exactly difficult to see the 5-foot-8, 175-pound running back entering the game to catch the ball. It can be keyed on very simply without drawing strength away from any other area.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014-nfl-draft/2014/5/10/5702984/steelers-draft-picks-day-1-day-2-roster-depth-chartNeal Coolong2014-05-10T06:56:01-04:002014-05-10T06:56:01-04:00The Standard is The Standard: Tuitt and Archer
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<p>Big thumbs up for Stephon Tuitt. Shocked and confused looks for Dri Archer. Neal Coolong and Lance Williams go over the team's second and third round picks. </p> <p>To say BTSC managing editor Neal Coolong and Lance Williams were confused over the Dri Archer pick was an understatement.</p>
<p>But both were very enthusiastic about the addition of Notre Dame defensive end Stephon Tuitt.</p>
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<p>While the night ended on what seems like a departure from the vision of the first two rounds, the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> come out of the first three rounds of the draft with an unexpected haul of speed and athleticism. The remainder of the draft will still provide Pittsburgh with more of the depth they need, and those needs are fairly clear - because they're many of the same needs they had when the draft started.</p>
<p>That draft continues through Saturday, starting at noon ET, and will have rounds 4-7. Undrafted free agency launches immediately after that.</p>
<p>Coolong and Williams discuss that, and the Archer pick, in their most recent edition of The Standard is The Standard. Click on the link below to listen.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4434931/The_Standard_Is_The_Standard_-_2014_NFL_Draft_Day_2.mp3">The Standard is The Standard - Day 2 reactions</a> <br id="1399719211632"></p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/btsc-on-demand/2014/5/10/5702810/steelers-podcast-2014-nfl-draft-reactionsDale Grdnic2014-05-10T06:14:44-04:002014-05-10T06:14:44-04:00Steelers Film Room: Stephon Tuitt's heavy hands
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<p>The Pittsburgh Steelers get a versatile and powerful defensive end to add to the retooling of their defense. </p> <p>Stephon Tuitt is a prototypical 5 technique defensive end. What is exciting about this pick is that Tuitt should be able to step in and contribute right away. This first clip is an example why.</p>
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<p>3-4 defensive ends do not line up in track stances and explode off of the ball like a sprinter coming out of the blocks. Instead, Steeler defensive ends oftentimes throw their hands and hips forward, This allows them to play the gap inside of them and outside of them. To play this technique, you have to be powerful. Tuitt is certainly that. Moreover, he has extremely heavy hands. You often see Tuitt "rag doll" the offensive lineman as you see on this clip. Tuitt is a stout man, and he shows it on the next clip.</p>
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<p>Tuitt shows two things here: awareness and power. Awareness is something that <span>Ziggy Hood</span> really struggled with, and I wrote about his struggles. Because Hood never seemed to "get it" his power and explosiveness never really came through on film. It is one thing to be a strong athlete, it is another thing to play like one.</p>
<p>Tuitt is never going to lead the NFL in sacks. He is not a quick-twitch guy. But, Tuitt is an athlete. A drill that every defensive line coach in the NFL does is the figure 8 drill. The drill is exactly what it sounds like. You make the player run in a figure 8 pattern. What you want to see is if the defensive lineman can dip his inside shoulder and turn the corner. If I am lining up on the outside shoulder of an offensive tackle, it is not a straight line to the quarterback.</p>
<p>Sounds easy, but if you are nearly 6-foot-6 inches tall and over 300 pounds, you often have stiff ankles and hips. Watch Tuitt on this play:</p>
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<p>Inches count in football. You have to run this stunt as tight as possible. The inches that you can gain by being athletic could be the difference between a sack and a completion. Tuitt runs this T-E stunt well. Under the tutelage on John Mitchell, I expect Tuitt to get even better with his pad level. But, the ability is there.</p>
<p>As Neal wrote in his original breakdown of Tuitt, ND played him all over the place. As I mentioned, he will not lead the league in sacks, but he had over 20 while playing in college. He has the potential, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> have the luxury of having a coach that is known for getting the most out of his players.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/steelers-film-room/2014/5/10/5701728/steelers-second-round-pick-breakdown-film-scouting-reportPaper Champions2014-05-09T21:52:24-04:002014-05-09T21:52:24-04:00Steelers DL coach: 'It's time to start over'
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<p>Stephon Tuitt marks another transition along the Steelers' defensive line. His new position coach, John Mitchell, says it's time to begin again. </p> <p>PITTSBURGH -- The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> took another step in revamping their future on defense by selecting Notre Dame end Stephon Tuitt with the 46th overall pick in the second round during the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NFL Draft</a>.</p>
<p>The 6-foot-5, 303-pound Tuitt joins ends Cam Heyward and <span>Cam Thomas</span> and nose tackle <span>Steve McLendon</span> and <span>Hebron Fangupo</span> in the D-line's transformation. In the past few years, the Steelers parted with long-time players <span>Chris Hoke</span>, <span>Casey Hampton</span>, <span>Aaron Smith</span>, <span>Brett Keisel</span> and <span>Ziggy Hood</span>.</p>
<p>"I had some guys who were here for a long, long time,'' Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell said. "When you have guys who have played for you for 12 or 11 years and lose those types of guys, now you've got to start over. A lot of those guys that I had, we grew up together.</p>
<p>"So, the transition now, you get some young guys in and haven't had a lot of time under their belt. So, it's going to take a little farther to go. ... There are three things I look for when I evaluate a player. One, can this player stay on his feet? Two, is he physical? And three, will he run to the ball?</p>
<p>"A lot of guys put a premium on how a guy rushes the passer, but in this league if you do not stop the run you don't have a chance to win many football games,'' Mitchell added. "And the thing that I like about Stephon is that he can stack. He can shed, and he can run to the ball.''</p>
<p>Tuitt, who won't turn 21 until May 23, said it was exciting and a blessing to be able to play for the Steelers defense.</p>
<p>"I can't wait to get there and help this team and be part of this organization that not a lot of players get the chance to be part of,'' Tuitt said. "(So), I feel great. I'm comfortable with all the coaches there. I believe in them, and they believe in me. So, I can't wait to be coached by them and learn the system.''</p>
<p>Tuitt already made a notable play at Heinz Field. In Notre Dame's game there last year against Pitt, eventually a <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Panthers</a> victory, Tuitt and Pitt quarterback Tom Savage collided on a short-yardage play early in the game. Officials ruled that Tuitt targeted Savage, even though both players lowered their heads. Savage to get the first down and Tuitt to stop him. Tuitt was ejected.</p>
<p>"I made a play like defensive players are supposed to do,'' Tuitt said. "I made sure an offensive player didn't get a first down. As a defensive player, I think that's the worst call in America.''</p>
<p>Mitchell noted that two injuries hampered Tuitt. A hernia prior to last season slowed Tuitt for half the games, and a foot injury (a fracture was found at the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine" class="sbn-auto-link">NFL Combine</a>) limited his various workouts. But Mitchell still called him a dominant player and "one of the best defensive linemen in college football (in 2012) when he was named a first-team All-American by several sources.</p>
<p>Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is thrilled that Tuitt and first-rounder Ryan Shazier can pad the club's defensive depth.</p>
<p>"We're getting quality players and quality depth,'' Both of these players, if all develops as anticipated, will get a whole lot of playing time. Sometimes, in the past, we've been in a position where our draft choices don't necessarily have to play for a year or so. But that's not the case in this situation.</p>
<p>"Our depth is challenged, and we've got two excellent football players who are going to add depth if not become quality starters right away. So, we're really pleased with these choices. ... You've got to have some big guys out there, no matter how much of a speed package you have out there. If the opponent is playing extra wide receivers on first down, that's a spread formation.</p>
<p>"But they run the ball a lot,'' LeBeau added. "So, third-down-and-long situations when they're in a passing mode ... you've always got to have some power on the field. (And) a big guy like Tuitt suits that purpose no matter what the down and distance is, because he has value on all downs.''</p>
<p>LeBeau noted that Shazier is "the fastest linebacker in this draft and will instantly become one of the fastest in the league, so he'll make us faster right away. And the two defensive linemen (Tuitt and Thomas) will make us a bigger and stronger team, so we really like these acquisitions.''</p>
<p>LeBeau also was asked if a cornerback could go to the Steelers soon.</p>
<p>"I think there are still some good cornerbacks out there, but I feel good about the corners that we have,'' LeBeau said. "(And) we have more numbers there than some people realize, and we might have some great players already on our roster. But they just haven't had a chance to show us that they're great.''</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/5/9/5701810/steelers-draft-second-round-stephon-tuitt-notre-dameDale Grdnic2014-05-09T21:21:45-04:002014-05-09T21:21:45-04:00The need on D is speed
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<p>A push for defensive athleticism started in free agency has continued into the draft. The additions of Stephon Tuitt and Ryan Shazier, the Steelers have created depth and versatility that's been missing for a long time. </p> <p>There was a pass-less <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Titans</a> defense that put together a 13-play all-run drive, scoring a rare touchdown in an otherwise dismal game to start the season.</p>
<p>There was <span>Adrian Peterson</span> running through London like he was the sprinting equivalent of Roger Bannister, seemingly able to run without being stopped.</p>
<p>There's whatever the hell former <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Raiders</a> quarterback <span>Terrelle Pryor</span> did.</p>
<p>The message this offseason? The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> noticed those plays. They noticed a lacking defensive front seven and they were going to do something about it. Instead of bolstering their franchise quarterback with security and older players on the offensive side of the ball, they were going to invest on defense (free safety <span>Mike Mitchell</span>, defensive end <span>Cam Thomas</span>).</p>
<p>And the message in the last 24 hours? They ain't dun yet.</p>
<p>The Steelers went after athleticism specifically within in their defensive front seven, eschewing the popular notion they needed a cornerback with one of their two top-50 picks and a wide receiver with the other.</p>
<p>What they needed was defensive playmakers at positions of versatility. Ryan Shazier gives them loads of versatility in sub packages as well as their base defense. He will likely start opposite <span>Lawrence Timmons</span> as the Old and Slow Steelers turned into the Hit and Run Steelers.</p>
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<p>Stephon Tuitt, the team's second round pick (No. 46 overall) gives them a player who could play, depending on need, nose tackle or defensive end in base packages, and could rush from a 3-technique positions or a 7-technique position in sub packages. Pairing him with <span>Steve McLendon</span> and <span>Cameron Heyward</span> creates a fearsome combination of speed and strength the team simply did not have last year.</p>
<p>Probably not the year before, either. In fact, the last time the Steelers had multiple defensive linemen and linebackers with the kind of speed and strength as a collective group may have been a time when a Chin patrolled the sideline and the Steelers were hurting from the Tommy Maddox Era.</p>
<p>Or, to put it another way, they may have just added another Cameron Heyward and Timmons. If they can get them on the field at the same time, heads would roll.</p>
<p>The slow reaction of age may be replaced with the same one of inexperience but the team's first, second and third priority is to get that athleticism translated into production on the field.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014-nfl-draft/2014/5/9/5701672/steelers-2014-draft-picks-status-updateNeal Coolong