Behind the Steel Curtain - John Mitchell Boot Camp: Video breakdowns of the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineA level-headed news-discussion site with a sense of history and communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47293/steel_curtain_fave.png2014-07-08T14:37:08-04:00http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/rss/stream/55931312014-07-08T14:37:08-04:002014-07-08T14:37:08-04:00John Mitchell Boot Camp: Tuitt's technique
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<figcaption>Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Our final installment of John Mitchell Boot Camp breaks down Stephon Tuitt, a player with excellent technique for his level of experience, and a player who could compete for a starting position by the end of this season.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> selected defensive end <span>Stephon Tuitt</span> in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft not because he has the athletic ability of first round pick <span>Ryan Shazier</span>.</p>
<p>What got him drafted is his technique.</p>
<p>In the final installment of "John Mitchell Boot Camp," we break down Tuitt's college tape, pointing out examples of that technique, which is highlighted by outstanding strength. While Brett Keisel may be just a phone call away, Tuitt has the opportunity in training camp to show he's capable of learning the defense well enough the Steelers could trust him in their base package.</p>
<p>If not, Keisel may be brought back, but even if he is, Tuitt very well could end up this team's starting defensive end by the end of this season.</p>
<p>High praise for the rookie, but regardless of how his rookie season ends, he has loads of potential and is further along in his development than other defensive ends who played their rookie seasons in Pittsburgh.</p>
<h5>John Mitchell Boot Camp</h5>
<p><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/steelers-film-room/2014/6/1/5770846/steelers-film-breakdown-cameron-heyward-2014-defensive-line">Part I - Cameron Heyward</a><br><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/steelers-film-room/2014/6/3/5777696/steelers-video-film-breakdown-cam-thomas-nfl-free-agency-2014">Part II - Cam Thomas</a><br><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/steelers-film-room/2014/6/19/5826410/steelers-dan-mccullers-news-updates-roster-chances-video-play-breakdown-highlights">Part III - Daniel McCullers</a></p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/steelers-film-room/2014/7/8/5881497/steelers-stephon-tuitt-starting-defensive-end-2014-nfl-draft-video-breakdown-analysisNeal Coolong2014-06-19T22:55:08-04:002014-06-19T22:55:08-04:00John Mitchell Boot Camp: Working Dan McCullers
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<figcaption>Joe Sargent</figcaption>
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<p>The Tennessee Shade Tree has lots of technical issues he may end up having to work out on the practice squad, but it's clear why the Steelers drafted him in the sixth round.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> selected Tennessee defensive lineman <span>Daniel McCullers</span> in the sixth round of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">2014 NFL Draft</a>.</p>
<p>The question is, was he taken too high or too low?</p>
<p>His technique is too high, but his expectations are low enough he could impress in training camp. His size clearly gives him an advantage but his Pterodactyl-like wingspan makes him an intriguing utility lineman.</p>
<p>In the clips we break down, we see McCullers stay too high but display a good sense of awareness of what offenses were doing, and enough quickness to be able to make something of a play. Granted, these are more cherry-picked plays, but in them it's clear why many thought McCullers could go as high as the fifth round.</p>
<p>They also show why he didn't go earlier than the sixth.</p>
<p>Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell has his work cut out in McCullers, and while odds would favor the Tennessee Shade Tree spending a year on the practice squad, many outstanding Steelers defensive lineman begin as late draft picks or practice squad players. He's one of the key players to watch in training camp, beginning July 25 in Latrobe.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/steelers-film-room/2014/6/19/5826410/steelers-dan-mccullers-news-updates-roster-chances-video-play-breakdown-highlightsNeal Coolong2014-06-03T21:10:53-04:002014-06-03T21:10:53-04:00John Mitchell Boot Camp: Working Cam Thomas
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<figcaption>US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Thomas moves well laterally and plays with good strength at the point of attack. We break him down in three different games from last season in the latest edition of our video series John Mitchell Boot Camp.</p> <p><em>This is Part II of a four-part video series highlighting <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a>' defensive linemen and what defensive line coach John Mitchell has to work with this season. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/steelers-film-room/2014/6/1/5770846/steelers-film-breakdown-cameron-heyward-2014-defensive-line">Watch Part I: Cameron Heyward</a> here, and look for the other two to be released soon. </em></p>
<p>The Steelers signed ex-<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">Chargers</a> defensive lineman <span>Cam Thomas</span> with the idea he can play in multiple positions across the Steelers' front line. For a relatively low price, the Steelers acquired a versatile player with good lateral movement and enough strength to be able to move interior linemen and help occupy blockers. This will leave the Steelers' athletic linebackers and safeties free to pursue the ball.</p>
<p>In many ways, Thomas is exactly what the Steelers needed. While there have been alleged issues with his conditioning in the past, he can contribute at a high level on a 15-18 snap basis, and give the Steelers a much-needed shot of variety up front.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/steelers-film-room/2014/6/3/5777696/steelers-video-film-breakdown-cam-thomas-nfl-free-agency-2014Neal Coolong2014-06-01T21:23:00-04:002014-06-01T21:23:00-04:00John Mitchell Boot Camp: Working Cam Heyward
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<figcaption>Justin K. Aller</figcaption>
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<p>Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell is one of the best in the business. The Steelers are looking at him to resurrect a dominant Steelers defensive line in 2014. His star pupil? Cameron Heyward, who we break down here.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> are in a transition this season from an older, more familiar defensive line. It's the perfect opportunity for one of the best position coaches in the game to instill his knowledge on the contributors of the Steelers' future.</p>
<p>In Part I, we focus on defensive end <span>Cameron Heyward</span>, who, incidentally, played a 3-technique plenty often in 2013, perhaps as part of the reason why he exploded onto the scene as one of the Steelers' best players this season.</p>
<p>Heyward has Pro Bowl written all over him after a dominant third year, and he could climb to even higher heights, for the reasons we illustrate in the video.</p>
<p>It's a four-part series, and we'll focus on three other Steelers' defensive linemen as the Steelers gear up for the second wave of OTAs practices, beginning Tuesday in Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>Part II will be up this week, look for it, and make sure to "like" and "share" and all those other cool social media things.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/steelers-film-room/2014/6/1/5770846/steelers-film-breakdown-cameron-heyward-2014-defensive-lineNeal Coolong