PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There may not be anyone on the Steelers that works harder in practice than safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. To that point, probably not surprising that Fitzpatrick said Monday about the Steelers’ workouts.
“Right now there are certain things that have to change,” Fitzpatrick said. “How we move throughout the week. Whether we get more reps in practice. Whether it’s going at a faster pace during walk-throughs.”
“That’s just my personal opinion, we haven’t really discussed it (meaning from the coaches). A lot of people feel the same way.”
Combine this with what Joe Schobert said a couple of weeks ago about practice habits and it appears there is an issue with how the Steelers approach and/or execute their three weekly practices.
Fitzpatrick noted a couple of times they are down multiple players. He was quick to state he wasn’t making excuses.
He is correct, several key players have missed-Fitzpatrick (1 game), Joe Haden (3), TJ Watt (2), Alex Highsmith (1), Robert Spillane (1 & more with knee injury suffered Sunday), Stephon Tuitt (11, on injured reserve), Tyson Alualu (9, on injured reserve).
Is this the reason though for giving up 82 points in the last two games?
“Multiple reasons, we are down guys,” Fitzpatrick said. “We have a lot of new guys, new faces playing for us this year. I still think we can be to our normal standard. Everyone out there has to step up, play well, play fast, do their job. Right now we are not doing that, clearly.”
“We have to figure out what is going on, diagnose it, make the necessary changes and keep it moving. We are a talented defense and we are a team that should be playing at a high caliber; especially at this point in the season.”
A player the Steelers traded a first-round pick for, Fitzpatrick is second on the team in tackles, but just one interception-yesterday as one that is hard to remember due to the outcome. The 25-year-old has no sacks, two passes defended and one forced fumble.
The former All-Pro said he watched film on his own after getting back last night. You could tell this season is wearing on him and it should. They are far below fans, media, their own expectations.
“It’s surprising to everyone, everyone knows it’s not our normal standard,” Fitzpatrick said. “We are down a lot of guys, I’m not making excuses. I’m stating facts. We are down a lot of guys, we are beat up, we are young. We are still finding our identity while missing some people, which can be hard to do. Which you see.”
Asked if there is a quick fix, these likely the most alarming comments given the Steelers situation.
“I’m not sure,” Fitzpatrick said asked if changes will work fast. “Once we implement them, we will know.”