While Ryan Shazier and the Pittsburgh Steelers continue preparing for a much anticipated 2017 season, lingering bitterness remains over how their season ended in New England. With the exception of an eight minute span in the third quarter of that game, the Steelers managed to hold their own against the eventual Super Bowl champion Patriots. During those critical minutes of the third quarter, it became painfully obvious that the Steelers had no answers for the best quarterback in NFL history. There was no comfort to be taken in the fact that Tom Brady carves up just about every defense he faces. There was even less satisfaction in advancing to the AFC Championship game without several of their best players.
Ryan Shazier and Vince Williams Are Ready to Lay Down the Law
The reality is that the Steelers were just not good enough to get where they wanted to go, which is a bitter pill to have to swallow. Immediately after their season ended, Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin began addressing deficiencies in their young defense. One of the first decisions made was entrusting Vince Williams with the starting middle linebacker spot beside Shazier, letting Lawrence Timmons walk away via free agency. Further proof of the Steelers faith in Williams was displayed by not drafting a middle linebacker, or signing one in free agency.
Last season, Shazier gave everyone an extended preview of his immense talent, which can be attributed to remaining healthy for the vast majority of the season. During his best stretch of the season, Shazier recorded an interception in four straight games. In that same span he also led the team in tackles. Shazier also led the league in fewest yards allowed following initial contact with the ball carrier. Perhaps that is because he hits with the force of a Mack truck. Playing like he was shot out of a cannon, Shazier owned the middle from sideline to sideline, playing his position in much the same fashion as Troy Polamalu played safety. Heading into his fourth NFL season, Shazier is becoming a leader who brings the fire to the Steelers defense. If there is a better inside linebacker in the NFL, Shazier is making it hard to identify him.
Shazier brings the fire to the defense, while Williams brings the ice. When it comes to hitting someone, Williams is as cold blooded as they come. While he hasn’t started very many games during his four years with the Steelers, Williams lays the lumber with the best of them when he does. In his two starts during 2016, against the Chiefs and the Jets, Williams led the defense with 24 tackles and rang up two sacks. It was the first time ever that he led the team in tackles, and recorded a sack in back-to-back games.
Much like Shazier, only with a bit more of an attitude, Williams pursues ball carriers like the Terminator stalked Sarah Conner, only Williams finishes his prey off. The only notable weakness in Williams game to this point has been in pass coverage, which he has evidently been addressing this off-season, through reps, and by trimming down to increase his quickness and speed. Apparently Colbert and Tomlin believe enough in him and his efforts, because they didn’t address the position in either the draft or through free agency.
I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the outstanding job that Timmons did during his time with the Steelers. As reliable as he was, Williams is ready to take over, and may prove to be an upgrade. Through heart and hard work, Vince Williams tends to play better than the sum of his talents. According to defensive coordinator Keith Butler, “He has been here a long time, and we expect him to play well for us”.
Nobody expects more out of Williams than Williams himself, who has been chomping at the bit waiting for this opportunity. Don’t expect him to hold anything back. Ryan Shazier and Vince Williams, “Fire and Ice,” both have an on field demeanor that compliments each other perfectly. Shazier may be the quiet one out of the two, but he definitely brings the heat. Williams plays like a cold-blooded assassin, always looking to lay someone out. Together, Shazier and Williams are looking to lay down the law and help lead the Steelers back to the Super Bowl. Beware to all teams who dare sleep on them, because if you do, you are in for a brutal awakening.
