After trading for Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins, the Pittsburgh Steelers have seen a shift in their defensive secondary. Assistant General Manager Andy Weidl highlighted Ramsey’s impact during training camp, noting his leadership and influence on younger players.
“I think you see it at camp,” said Weidl. “I think he really enjoyed training camp, just observing him and watching him pour to the younger players, the defensive backs.
“A guy like that, when he gives his time, his wisdom, to younger players, they see how his approach is, it’s a great example. I would imagine the young players see that guy and his reputation, his ability, and you want to do stuff like, if you can.”
Weidl emphasized Ramsey’s effect on team attitude and performance. “Jalen Ramsey is a Hall of Fame player,” Weidl said. “He’s a Hall of Fame talent coming out of Florida State. Know him very well. Not only is he gifted physically, his ability, his speed, his athleticism, his ability to accelerate, close, play the ball.
“But, also his mindset. He’s an elite football IQ guy. He has a positionless quality to him, where he can line up in different positions on the defense and play at a high level.
“I think Jalen Ramsey, he is a vicious player. You watch him hit; watch the mentality he plays with. He is aggressive. He’s a violent hitter. That mindset becomes contagious. Guys like that, an elite talent like that, elite football IQ in the physicality that he plays with, that becomes contagious. I’ve seen it different places. We have a physical group to begin with and adding a guy like that is just great. I think it just becomes even more contagious to the room when you bring a guy with that mindset and that ability.
“We saw an opportunity there to get a guy like him. Credit to (General Manager) Omar (Khan) for pulling the trigger on that. Chuck (Clark), Juan (Thornhill), they played a lot of football. They have over 70 starts each in the NFL. They both have a high football IQ and a willingness to tackle and play physical. So those guys, Malik (Harrison), he’s a heavy-handed downhill player in the second level. Our draft picks obviously bringing those guys in.
“We needed to improve the physicality of our team. We all saw how the season ended last year. We had to get stronger up front, we had to get bigger up front and infuse youth. We felt we did that. We’ll see, time will tell.
“Seeing these guys keep growing, every day we learn a little bit more about them. We want to be big, physical, smash the run, and rush and cover, get the defense off the field, get the ball back to the offense.”
Attention has also turned toward rookie running back Kaleb Johnson from Iowa after his preseason debut against Jacksonville Jaguars where he carried eight times for 20 yards.
Coach Mike Tomlin addressed Johnson’s development: “I just want to see him trust himself more,” said Tomlin. “I want to see him play more instinctually, trust his talents. That’s reasonable to expect between the first experience and the second experience.”
Johnson echoed this sentiment about adapting as an NFL rookie: “I’m more comfortable,” said Johnson.” Getting out there last time just getting my feet wet and getting used to new atmosphere…So it should be better…It just comes to me being comfortable and going out there doing what I need.”
Weidl noted Johnson’s progress through training camp: “He’s a hard worker,” said Weidl.” He runs to challenge…It’s just starting point last week first game for young guy…There are some good things build off…A lot rookies we want growth from week one week two…That’s realistic expectation with Kaleb.”
Weidl added why Johnson was drafted: “I think his ability vision instincts ability run into loaded box find crease explosive plays ability break tackles…The power ran with longer game went stronger got…Young guy good size good instincts good feel really fits outside zone scheme Arthur Smith runs there’s alignment there…We thought arrow up guy lot upside.”
On offensive line development after starting two rookies last season—center Zach Frazier and guard Maron McCormick—the team now sees improvement due in part to increased experience alongside veteran Isaac Seumalo and Broderick Jones; Troy Fautanu returns after injury but benefited from mental reps.
“I think every day they go out there together they get better,” said Weidl.” I think they have right mindset…It’s culture they’re developing like want be shape do together…
“As young group you want watch grow together anytime can continuity as those guys come up gain experience work together it’s only going serve them well serve our team well…
“We know players drafted know people drafted relationship game as Coach Mike Tomlin often talks about football maturity…They have football character love game…Exciting watch these guys grow together.”
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