Personalized coaching a big change for Steelers LBs

New defensive coordinator Keith Butler coached the linebackers for the past 12 years for the Steelers despite the major differences between playing inside and outside in the 3-4 defense. One of the first things Butler did upon being named defensive coordinator was splitting the linebacker coaching duties between Jerry Olsavsky and Joey Porter, both former Steelers who played in the defense.

Everyone involved believes the change has made the staff much more efficient.

“There is a lot more time,” Butler said. “They can talk specifically to the inside linebackers or outside linebackers. So they can cover a little bit more than I did. When I coached the linebackers I always tried to give them a concept, an overall view of what was going on with the defense and why they had to do the things they were doing, and how they fit within the scheme of the defense. Now, they can be a little more personable and give a little bit more detail about their assignments.”

Porter, who played under Butler from 2003-06, said the new system streamlines operations for the coaches and gives the players the chance to receive more individual coaching.

“I think it works well,” Porter said. “I have my guys the whole meeting just to talk with them about what the outside linebackers are doing. And [Olsavsky] has his guys to discuss what the inside linebackers are doing. So, I actually think we get a lot more done because I don’t have to stop and talk about the inside linebackers during my meeting.

“When the middle and outside linebackers are together, you can only cover so much. When I just have my guys, we just talk about their responsibilities and what they have to do. I only need to grade two guys at a time, as opposed to four guys. In the game, it’s easier for me to focus on two outside linebackers. We cover more, we get more done and it works well. Especially, when it comes to teaching the young guys, I get so much more done.”

*Steelers defenders referred to former defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau as “Coach Dad” because he developed close relationships with them. Butler said it’s important for him to cultivate close relationships with all of his players and to be honest with them.

“It’s important that they know I care about them and want them to do well, and be successful, and be fair to them and be honest,” Butler said. “That’s the biggest thing for me: honesty. I’ve always appreciated that from coaches I have had, so I am going to be honest with all of them. Sometimes they won’t like that honesty but brutal honesty is a lot better than trying to hide something.”

*Butler said playing against Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Co. this spring and summer will help the defense grow.

“You can’t know until you start playing games,” he said. “Everybody looks good in shorts. Everybody has heard that phrase. Until you start playing games, you really don’t know how good of a team you have. How good is the secondary? What can you do with your secondary? Everybody is going to have weaknesses on defense. The best thing for us right now is that we are practicing against one of the premiere offenses in the league. Going against them every day is only going to make us better. If I can see us getting better against those guys, then I feel pretty good about where we could be as a defense.”

*Porter reiterated that 37-year old James Harrison will have limited snaps.

“He’s a professional,” Porter said. “He’s been in this league a long time, and it is what it is. I’m not here to make a deal with anybody. I’m here to coach my position. No matter the situation, he knows I have his best interest in mind, and I’ve said it before. He knows where we’re at and he’s going to give me what I ask him to give me.”