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The "chimera" of Mike Tomlin is about to become a reality.
Tomlin, who had personally oversaw Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steeler's new security guard, before the NFL draft in 2018, knew that Alabama's former star player would be eliminated as soon as Pittsburgh would be at quarterback with the 28th choice. Fitzpatrick was finally chosen by the Dolphins with the 11th overall pick, while the Steelers picked another security, Terrell Edmunds, who is currently the team's strong safety.
Sunday less than a week after exchanging for himTomlin will start Fitzpatrick for the third week game in Pittsburgh, San Francisco. Fitzpatrick will start alongside Edmunds, while the Steelers are trying to rebound after a 0-2 start.
"I've been to Tuscaloosa twice," said Tomlin about his preliminary contact with Fitzpatrick, via Ray Fittipaldo of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "There was a sense of availability amongst us about his character and his football skills, all of which had been ticked before the draft, and we were excited to get the ### ### ### ####################################################################### 39, one of the best protections in this class.Now we have a Grand Table tandem, they will grow together. "
The Steelers abandoned their first and fifth round picks in next year's draft, as well as a sixth-round draft pick in the 2021 draft, to acquire Fitzpatrick, a versatile defenseman who has played several positions for Miami. In addition to the Fitzpatrick acquisition, the Steelers also received the Dolphins' fourth round pick in the 2020 draft and a seventh round pick in the 2021 draft.
Tomlin said Sean Davis – Davis' injury was placed in IR Tuesday as he deals with a torn labrum – is one of the main reasons the Steelers traded against Fitzpatrick. Tomlin also said that Fitzpatrick's versatility was one of the major factors involved in their decision. And although the Steelers plan to explore Fitzpatrick's many talents at one point, he is currently focusing on free security.
Pittsburgh may have done it even though Davis – who is in the final year of his rookie contract – was in good health. As Tomlin mentioned on Tuesday, the Steelers have long coveted his skills. And after seeing his defense cut by Tom Brady and Russell Wilson in the following weeks (Brady and Wilson had 75% of their passes for 640 yards and six touchdowns without any choice), the Steelers were forced to take drastic action. . .
"That's a guy we needed," said a team source at Post-GazetteGerry Dulac shortly after the announcement of the broadcast of the agreement on social media Monday night.
The Fitzpatrick acquisition provides tangible and intangible benefits. While the Steelers have a talented 22-year-old defenseman and he remains just under three years in his rookie job, Pittsburgh also said he would not throw the 2019 season despite the placement quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. at the end of the IR season Monday. Despite the loss of Big Ben and their first three games, the Steelers, trading against Fitzpatrick, showed that they still had confidence in the composition of the team.
Fitzpatrick will not solve everything, of course. Mason Rudolph, who made his regular season debut in the NFL last Sunday, will have to play well beyond his years if the Steelers hope to play a playoff spot. The Pittsburgh Running and complimentary receivers will also need to wake up after two nights of sleep. Above all, the Pittsburgh defense will have to improve its game after being one of the worst units in the league so far.
The contract for Fitzpatrick also represents the philosophical foundation of the Steelers on how to build a championship team. Pittsburgh has never won a Super Bowl without an All-Pro caliber security. They won four Super Bowls in the 1970s, followed by Donnie Shell and Mike Wagner. They won their last two Super Bowls with Troy Polamalu, a future Hall of Fame member who was the greatest security of his time.
The Steelers hope to have their next security title back, which may allow them, at some point, to win a seventh Vince Lombardi trophy.
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