Steelers finally get look at starting defense

PITTSBURGH – Ready or not, it’s time for the regular season.
Following a five-game preseason, the Steelers should have a pretty good idea of what kind of team they’ll take to Gillette Stadium Thursday night to open the NFL season against the defending-champion New England Patriots.
Because of injuries and veterans being given days off during six weeks of training camp and preseason games, the Steelers rarely fielded what figures to be their 11 defensive starters during many practices, let alone preseason games.
It added up to a disappointing preseason, especially on defense. The Steelers allowed 66 points and more than 1,000 yards in their final two games.
That should change today when the Steelers hold their first practice for Thursday’s regular-season opener.
Safety Mike Mitchell, linebacker Lawrence Timmons and defensive end Stephon Tuitt are expected to return to practice for the first time in weeks. Mitchell has been dealing with hamstring and ankle injuries, Timmons had turf toe and Tuitt an ankle sprain.
The defense was expected to be a work in progress for the Steelers under new coordinator Keith Butler, but there was little visible progress in the preseason.
“We worry very little about reputation or expectation,” Tomlin said Saturday. “It’s more about results. You can get yourself in trouble by finding too much comfort in reputation, or worrying about it. I’m excited about getting going with this group. We obviously have some questions that need to be answered with them, but they will answer them soon enough.”
The defense faces a stiff test at New England against longtime Steelers foil Tom Brady. The Patriots’ four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback has a 5-2 record against the Steelers. In those seven games, Brady has completed 68 percent of his passes for 2,316 yards, 18 touchdown passes and just three interceptions. His passer rating of 109.7 against Pittsburgh is his third-highest against any team.
Brady has done a lot of that damage against Pittsburgh defenses that were among the best in the NFL. The current defense is coming off a season in which it was 18th in both yards and points allowed.
The Steelers have felt all along that they would play against Brady, even though he was facing a potential four-game suspension from the NFL for his alleged role in the deflation of footballs before last season’s AFC Championship game. A Federal judge lifted the suspension last week, clearing the way for Brady to play.
“It’s no surprise to the defense. That’s how we’ve prepared,” said Steelers cornerback Cortez Allen.
All the preparation the Steelers did for Brady hasn’t always helped. Brady has picked apart some of the franchise’s best defenses.
This time, Brady will be playing against a defense that will be working together for the first time.
“Time will tell the story with us,” Tomlin said. “As guys etch out roles and we find cohesion and rhythm, we are trying to do what is required to win in this stadium this week. We will let our work speak for itself as we continue on our journey.”
The Steelers signed veteran cornerback Ross Cockrell, a fourth-round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2014. Cockrell appeared in seven games for Buffalo. He was released by the Bills last week. … The Steelers released 18 players and placed two others on the Waived/Injured List to get down to the NFL requirement of 53 players. Released were running backs Jawon Chisholm and Josh Harris, defensive linemen Matt Conrath, Ethan Hemer and Mike Thornton, safeties Jordan Dangerfield, Alden Darby and Gerod Holliman, offensive linemen Reese Dismukes, B.J. Finney and Doug Legursky, cornerbacks Kevin Fogg and B.W. Webb, linebackers L.J. Fort, Shayon Green and Howard Jones and receivers Shakim Phillips and Jarrod West. Offensive linemen Kevin Palmer and Mitchell Van Dyk were waived injured. … The Steelers can add at least one player today after they place center Maurkice Pouncey on injured reserve with a designation to return. Legursky is a candidate to return. … NFL teams can sign players to their practice squad today. … Running back Le’Veon Bell, who is suspended for the first two games of the season, and wide receiver Martavis Bryant, suspended for the first four games, do not count against the Steelers’ roster.