蘑菇视频

Sep 6, 2019 By Jim Wexell for The 5 min read

PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger talked about adjusting “almost mid-snap” against the New England Patriots, and that goes double for defensive playcallers trying to read Tom Brady while he’s reading them.

The Steelers have been embarrassed before by Brady in this exact situation.

In 2015, the Patriots raised a banner during prime time on opening night and the Steelers lost with some glaring communications issues.

“Yes, a lot,” remembered Cameron Heyward. “Whether it’s getting lined up, not getting the right call to the right side, … short yardage, getting beat to the flat. We always talk about that. Those were all critical things that really stand out in the game.”

Things improved last year. The Steelers believe their ability to keep their defensive disguises until very late in Brady’s processing was the key to a 17-10 win.

Inside linebacker Vince Williams — while not the best coverage fit for the passes Brady likes to throw to his running backs — made sure everyone was in the right place and on the same page.

But there’s a new signalcaller for the Steelers.

Yes, Williams will be on the field for some thumping when the Patriots line up with two running backs, but rookie Devin Bush will be the Steelers’ primary defensive signalcaller.

While Bush is a better coverage match-up against the Patriots, can the Steelers trust that he’ll get everyone in the right place and on the same page in his first NFL game?

“I will,” said Heyward.

“He looks comfortable out there at practice so I have no questions about him,” said T.J. Watt.

Bush says he’s ready. He said communications have been “the biggest point throughout this week of preparation. … Communication is the No. 1 thing.”

It was back in 2001, Brady’s first season as a starter, when Bush’s father, Devin Bush Sr., lined up against the Patriots as a strong safety for the Cleveland Browns. Brady completed 19 of 28 passes on his way to a 27-16 win about two months before winning the first of his six Super Bowl rings.

Has Bush Sr. given Bush Jr. any tips on playing Brady?

“He just told me he’s the real deal,” said Bush Jr.

Bush Jr. has met Brady. Both are Michigan men, and Brady came back to talk to the Wolverines before their 2016 opener against Hawaii. Michigan won, 63-3.

“That was pretty cool,” said Bush. “But he didn’t give too much out.”

At least nothing that Bush can use Sunday night in Foxboro.

How well is he doing this week with all of the mental prep?

“I think I’m doing pretty good with it,” Bush said. “Obviously there’s always room to get better, but I keep going day by day, keep studying film, keep making my checks and getting more comfortable within my checks and the game plan. It all leads to Sunday.”

Physically, Bush has been a revelation for the Steelers, who’ve missed his kind of lateral speed since Ryan Shazier was injured late in 2017. Bush is quick into the flat and that will mean plenty against a Patriots team that loves to throw to James White and Rex Burkhead out of the backfield.

“I’m all good,” Bush said. “I just want to get better.”

At what?

“At everything.”

“I like the way he carries himself as a young guy,” said Steelers guard David DeCastro. “I remember those days. It’s a whirlwind. It’s a tough year, a lot of stuff’s going on in your life, and not just football. All this stuff is new, all this new kind of tension and whatnot. I’m sure it’ll be a lot of fun for him to go against a guy like Brady first game.”

DeCastro chuckled as he said that last sentence. But he didn’t chuckle out of sarcasm.

“I think he’s a smart player,” DeCastro said of Bush. “And he’s got some good players, a pretty veteran group, around him. I don’t think that’ll be an issue. He’s smart. You can see how he plays the game, too. He’s very savvy already.”

“I think he is ready,” said Steelers tight end Zach Gentry, who played with Bush at Michigan. “That’s not a normal thing to say. I don’t think a lot of people are normally confident in a rookie doing that, but I’m definitely confident in him knowing the defenses. He’s so cool, calm and collected under pressure. He’s just a playmaker who knows what to do all the time.”

This Michigan man’s generating plenty of confidence, even within the Ohio Staters in the crowd.

Although, Heyward did say he doesn’t consider Bush to be a Michigan man this weekend.

“Devin’s with Ohio State right now,” Heyward said. “He didn’t win versus us, so he’s got to be with us. I don’t know what Brady’s record is (against Ohio State) but hopefully we’ve got a couple of Ohio State guys putting him on his back.”

That might not play well in Ann Arbor, but Pittsburgh would love it.

NOTES

Free safety Sean Davis missed his third practice of the week Thursday with an ankle injury. His likely replacement would be Kameron Kelly, a 6-2, 205-pounder the Steelers signed out of the Alliance of American Football spring league and finished second by one in training camp interceptions.