Why Keith Butler Was Perfect Hire for Steelers Defense

There is certainly something to be said for less is more. When the Pittsburgh Steelers announced that long-time defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau was going to resign, there could have been temptation to look outside the franchise and try to lure in an outside candidate. Instead, the Steelers did exactly what the Steelers do, and promoted linebackers coach Keith Butler to be the new defensive coordinator.

In the days since multiple outlets, including NFL.com, sent out the tweet announcing Butler had gotten the job, the conversation has been about whether or not the Steelers made a prudent move in letting LeBeau resign.

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.@Steelers appoint new defensive coordinator: http://t.co/FHc6rqpaYw pic.twitter.com/1pR0ffF8Nb

— NFL (@nfl) January 13, 2015"

Count me among those who are firmly in the camp of being ready for a change. Now, we have to temper our enthusiasm since the replacement is an 11-year disciple of LeBeau, but there are three areas where there is real hope for the future with Butler in charge.

Obviously all of these are assumptions, but they are areas where this defense has struggled. I’m not only talking about on the field, but from a personnel standpoint as well.

Making cornerbacks a priority

No one knows for sure how much say LeBeau had or didn’t have when it came to personnel choices. The true division of power between the Steelers coordinators, head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert is a secret guarded more than the recipe of an Everlasting Gobstopper.

Nick Wass/Getty Images

Nevertheless, the decision-makers for the Steelers have felt that drafting cornerbacks early wasn’t a prudent choice.

Keep in mind, the last cornerback the Steelers drafted in either of the first two rounds was Bryant McFadden back in 2005. And if you want the last first-round cornerback, you have to get in the Wayback Machine and land in 1997 when the Steelers drafted Chad Scott.

I have to believe that after the dip in defensive rankings the past two seasons that Butler is going to press the issue with Colbert and Tomlin in hopes of getting some legitimate talent at cornerback.

There are eight or nine cornerbacks in the upcoming draft that will go in the first two rounds. If Butler wants to imprint on the Steelers fanbase in a hurry, he should use one of those first two picks on a potential star cornerback. 

New defensive scheme/philosophy

When Bob Labriola of Steelers.com spoke to Butler this week, he asked him what his plan was for the defensive system. Here’s a great quote from Butler that gives hope for the upcoming season:

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I would consider myself a whatever-it-takes-to-win guy. If it’s a 3-4, that’s fine, if that fits your players. I think you have to be able to fit your defense around the players you have. With what offenses are doing nowadays in the National Football League, they’re playing a lot of three wide receivers and a tight end and a running back, for the most part. In those situations, we’re going to be in kind of a 4-3 anyway, but we’re still going to be able to run the 3-4 also. It gives you a little bit more versatility, I think.

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It is time that the Steelers make a concerted effort toward a real hybrid scheme. LeBeau lived and died with the 3-4 and had the personnel that fit. Unfortunately, when offenses started to spread the defense out, the lack of playmakers was really exposed.

Again, this points to the draft, but just like cornerback is a top priority, adding a hybrid pass-rushing defensive end/linebacker is vital as well. And I’m not talking about another 235-pound college defensive end.

Commitment to a hybrid defensive approach is great news. However, it will require bringing in a player or two that can truly anchor at defensive end while still effectively rushing the passer. This will also give Butler the opportunity to be much more aggressive in coverage and pressures.

A youth movement on defense

The Steelers are on the cusp of a real youth movement on the defensive side of the football. There is a real possibility that the Steelers roster could drop a significant number of aging veterans. Here’s a potential list:

• Brett Keisel, DE (36)
• Ike Taylor, CB (34)
• Troy Polamalu, S (33)
• James Harrison, LB (36)
• Will Allen, S (32)

That’s five players over the age of 30 who could be jettisoned and will likely be replaced by players much younger. Bringing Butler in now during this kind of transition gives him a clean slate to build from and gives these players a single point of contact in terms of their top defensive coach.

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

There is a lot of untapped potential on this roster on defense. Perhaps the combination of all those aging defensive players leaving and Butler’s attitude of doing whatever it takes to win (per the Labriola interview), will mean these young guys will get a real shot.

So to summarize, the Butler hire is a win for three reasons. First, a potential change in emphasis toward cornerback in the draft. Second, a new hybrid defensive system. Third, a youth movement that will give Butler a real shot to turn this defense around quickly. The 2015 season can’t get here soon enough!