Steelers Now
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward made an interesting comment after Sunday night’s lopsided loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. It appears communication issues are still a major problem for the defense.
“I’m not looking for an excuse. I’m looking to play better. We talk about it, but do we really know what we’re doing play in and play out? Heyward said. “Do we trust the guy next to us? Offense, defense, do we trust each other to be in the right spot to make plays?”
Heading into Week 11, it’s certainly not an encouraging sign if players still don’t know their assignments. Communication issues have plagued the Steelers on defense for the last several years. Coaches and players repeat themselves that it will get ironed out, but it keeps on popping up for some reason.
All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt made it clear in his postgame interview that the defense can’t live off turnovers. That’s also been a common theme for the defense. If the defense is not creating a slew of turnovers like they did against the Indianapolis Colts, they often lose.
“Inconsistent as it could be, too much up and down,” Watt said. “We can’t continue to live and die by turnovers as a defense, we need to get off the field. We need to stop the run. Critical third downs, need to do a better job.
“On those days you’re not able to get the ball, you bow up on those big time third down situations and get off the field. We weren’t able to do that.”
Heyward echoed Watt’s statement.
“Couple of times we could’ve got off on third down. Ball up in the air. We didn’t convert to get off the field on turnovers,” Heyward said. “just got to keep punching at the ball. It’s not always going to be as easy what we want, but you have to find ways to get the ball back.
“I think that comes down to trusting the man next you is going to do their job. It’s not about just being a super hero and making some extravagant play. Lock in play in and play out. Trust the guy next to you and just get it done.”
The Steelers are 29th in total offense, and 28th in total defense. For being the highest-paid defense in the NFL, they certainly have not lived up to expectations.
“Good defenses spend a lot of time on the bench, and we haven’t been doing that enough in totality this year,” Watt said.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting for this story.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Cam Heyward Makes Jarring Statement after Embarrassing Loss to Chargers
