Sometimes success simply comes down to timing. Nine games in to the 2016 season, that’s a reality that leaves Bruce Arians smiling and the Steelers struggling to find Cameron Heyward’s replacement….
…The summer of 2014 saw the Steelers take a bumper crop of young defensive lineman bristling with potential to training camp. Their promise was so strong that it took a contract offer from Bruce Arians and a Brett Keisel plane ride towards Pittsburgh West to motivate Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin to bring him back.
- Steelers Nation cheered The Beard’s return, and Brett Keisel delivered on the field as the youngsters got apprenticed on the practice squad.
Everyone remembers the week 7 Steelers victory over the Houston Texas as Martavis Bryant’s breakout game, but it was Brett Keisel’s stunning 16 yard pass deflection and interception that gave Pittsburgh a two score lead. Yes, the Beard was back in a big way, but alas, timing holds the key to this story.
Today, Bruce Arians’ poaching Josh Mauro of Pittsburgh’s practice squad in 2014 stings with the loss of Cameron Heyward. Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
Three weeks later on November 13th, few noticed when the Bruce Arians and Arizona Cardinals poached defensive end Josh Mauro off the Steelers practice squad. On the next Monday night, Brett Keisel defensed two passes and made critical stops to help the defense close out the win against the Tennessee Titans. Later that week, the Steelers practice squad got raided again, this time by Kansas City Chiefs who signed nose tackle Nicholas Williams.
- This second practice squad raid in as many weeks aroused more interest, but few worried, because of how well Brett Keisel was playing.
Unfortunately, Brett Keisel’s tore his triceps in his very next, and ultimately last game against the Saints. Instead of promoting young defensive lineman they’d been grooming, Pittsburgh had to turn to Clifton Geathers….
…IF only Bruce Arians had held off two more weeks.
Ghosts of Steelers Practice Squad Poaching Return to Haunt
But Bruce Arians didn’t, and he made a smart move in signing Josh Mauro, who started two of five games in as a swing lineman Arizona in 2014, started four games in 2015, and 7 in 2016. In that time he’s registered a sack, defensed 3 passes, and forced two fumbles.
Not a bad resume.
To be fair, Ricardo Mathew’s performance in San Diego during the same time span was perhaps a little better, but Mauro is younger and on the rise, while Mathews is pushing 30 and is a career backup. For his part, Nicholas Williams has played less frequently in Kansas City, and his numbers look less impressive, but he’s still holding down a job in the NFL for a contender.
- Either way, neither man can offer help to the Steelers when they need it.
Even with Cam Heyward at full heath, the Steelers defense was teetering on the edge of an abyss. Now, with Heyward out for the rest of 2016, the only question is how deep a decline will the Steelers defense suffer?
In addition to Mathews, the Steelers have L.T. Walton and can promote either Johnny Maxey and Caushaud Lyons. Those may not turn out to be bad options, but it appears ghosts of Steelers practice squad poaching have returned to haunt them….
…Although he certainly didn’t plan it that way, Bruce Arians may finally gotten his revenge on Art Rooney II.
