Former Steelers linebacker Chad Brown knows all about the Steelers’ “next man up” mentality.
He was part of it with Bill Cowher. It has continued with current head coach Mike Tomlin.
Brown was replaced by Jerry Olsavsky for five games in 1995 when he was injured. The team went to Super Bowl XXX. Then Brown moved to outside linebacker when Greg Lloyd got hurt in 1996. And Olsavsky again filled the void at inside linebacker, starting 13 games. They won the AFC Central.
Appearing on 93.7 The Fan Tuesday, Brown co-signs on the Steelers’ initial plan to stick with unheralded backup Robert Spillane as a replacement for injured starting inside linebacker Devin Bush.
“For the Steelers, it’s such a different situation than some of the other teams in the league,” Brown told “The Fan Morning Show.” “They’ve essentially played the same style of defense for almost 30 years. So when someone is asked to come in and be that next man up, it’s not as if they just grab some random person.”
Granted, the Steelers certainly have tweaked how their 3-4 operates since Brown left for the Seattle Seahawks in 1997. They aren’t in the base defense as often since teams pass more frequently these days. They also rely on the defensive ends — in this case, Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward — for a lot more pass pressure than they did when Brown was on the roster.
But one thing remains the same. The Steelers do stick to a “body type” to fit both the inside and outside linebacker positions.
That’s part of what made Brown unique. At 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, Brown totaled 17 sacks at inside linebacker his first three years in Pittsburgh, before switching outside in ‘96 to replace Lloyd. Then he made the Pro Bowl, totaling 13 sacks in his one year as a starter at right outside linebacker.
Brown says part of the reason the Steelers will show faith in Spillane is that he fits that mold of inside linebacker the team likes.
“Players who the Steelers front office finds fit a well-known prototype for those particular positions,” Brown continued.
The 6-foot-1 Spillane is two inches taller than Bush. And he’s a little bit lighter at 229 as opposed to Bush at a compact 234.
That could be an issue this week as the Steelers attempt to deal with Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry.
He’s 6-foot-3, 245 pounds. But also has breakaway speed.
“A lot is written and said about his size, his stiff arm, his power and those things, and all of those things are true,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “The damage that he does when he gets in open space — that he’s able to couple those attributes with sprinter’s speed — is just ridiculous.”
Brown — who had the national radio call of the game between Tennessee and Houston last week — echoed those concerns for Steelers fans.
“Do not let him get a head of steam. I have never seen a man that big hit that type of top speed. His ability to run away from an entire defense is something I have never seen before. The ability to do that is unparalleled.
“Once he gets two steps of steam, it’s a very difficult matchup for linebackers in the hole because he has some shiftiness to him.”
Henry ended up with 264 yards from scrimmage en route to a 42-36 victory.
So, enjoy the baptism by fire, Robert.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
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