Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Derrick Harmon with the Baltimore Ravens in mind. Derrick Henry had trampled Mike Tomlin’s team in a playoff game a few months before, signaling a dire need for a bolstered defensive front.
“Skillset-wise, we knew he’d be able to do all the things we’d ask him to do,” Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said Thursday before practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “How fast that happens, that’s usually up to the player.”
On Sunday night, the Steelers will ask Harmon to help stonewall Henry with the season at stake. His coaches and mentor believe he’s up to the task.
Harmon has totaled 25 combined tackles, two sacks, a fumble recovery and a pass defended. He missed his team’s first clash with the Ravens due to a knee injury. Baltimore ran for 217 yards in that one, with Lamar Jackson, Keaton Mitchell and Henry leading the way.
Since returning from that ailment, Harmon has played a large role in shoring up the Steelers’ ground defense.
“I’m going out there and playing ball. That’s what I’ve been doing my whole life,” Harmon said Wednesday. “Playing football to the best of my ability and helping my team win games.”
Heading into his 28th regular-season matchup with John Harbaugh’s team, Cam Heyward has been around much longer. Harmon grew up admiring Heyward’s game and has soaked up his advice throughout his initial Steelers campaign. Ahead of Sunday’s de facto playoff game, Heyward offered a few words of wisdom to his protege about the bitter rivalry.
“Bring your kick-ass,” Heyward said. “We’ve got a game to play, and Derrick is well-equipped for it, but these (games) have always been just both guys bludgeoning each other, taking shots and it comes down to the fourth quarter.”
Austin credited veterans like Heyward for Harmon’s accelerated adjustment. Heyward pointed to Harmon’s smarts.
“Derrick’s definitely ahead of the game,” Heyward said. “He plays with strong hands, understands the playbook a lot better than a lot of rookies, and I just think he’s got a good feel for the game this early on. It definitely helps having him out there. It makes our rotation a lot bigger and he can disrupt a lot of the game, too.”
“For me, I feel like I’m smart (with knowing) the playbook,” Harmon said. “You have to be that in this league. You have to know formations and know (where) offenses are trying to attack you at. I feel like that helps me in my game a lot.”
Harmon hasn’t paid attention to the defense’s statistical differences when he’s been on the field as compared to when he hasn’t. He’ll continue to use a simple approach, and the Steelers will be happy to have him in the fold.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Final Exam: Is Derrick Harmon Key to Stopping Physical Ravens?
