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As we all now have to wait two weeks until the Super Bowl Cameron Sutton Jersey , it seems to be an appropriate time to not just sit back and complain about what could have been in 2018, but what needs to change to make 2019 special.First, I do believe the 2019 Pittsburgh Steelers can be a special team, but not if they continue with the status quo. In today’s article I focus on the defensive side of the ball, and what needs to change to make sure the outcome next season doesn’t duplicate this season and missing the playoffs altogether.Before digging deep into the specific changes, I decided to handle this series with a worst-case scenario type attitude. In other words, I am assuming Morgan Burnett gets his wish and is released, and the Steelers try to re-negotiate a new deal with Bud Dupree in lieu of his 5th year option.With that said, let’s roll up our sleeves...we have some fixin’ to do.CoachingWell, where do we begin? Do you have the rest of the week? There are some glaring issues with the coaching staff, and the fan base is wondering if the minor changes which have taken place will ultimately help, or continue to hurt, the Steelers’ defense. At a time when everyone, and their brother Bud Dupree Color Rush Jersey , thought Keith Butler would be getting fired at season’s end, here he is back for 2019. Oh, but wait — there’s more! After firing Joey Porter the team has reportedly decided to put Butler himself in charge of the outside linebackers in lieu of bringing in a new coach to help.The Steelers’ made some defensive coaching changes this offseason, and also made some additions which make fans wonder what the defensive coaching will look like in 2019. The addition of Teryl Austin to help assist with the defense, and primarily coach the secondary, combine with Butler focusing on the linebackers again makes you wonder if they will have almost a dual coordinator look in 2019.Either way you slice it, one fact remains as the team heads into next season. If this defense is going to resemble anything close to a championship level unit, the coaching needs to be better.PersonnelThe personnel, from a player standpoint, is something which might seem to be a never ending uphill battle, but I disagree. Looking at the defense from top to bottom, when talking about starters I feel this defense is just a few players away from being a more complete group.Clearly the decline of Artie Burns has the Steelers thinking cornerback in some way, shape or form this offseason. The gaping hole left by Ryan Shazier continues to be a Grand Canyon type gap in the middle of the defense. Morgan Burnett, who was signed to be the nickel and dime backer https://www.steelerssportshop.com/Vince-Williams-Jersey , now says he wants a chance to play safety and wants to be traded. Some might say Vince Williams is a liability, but if he is paired with the right linebacker partner he truly can thrive. In other words, while there are clearly needs on the defensive side of the ball, I don’t think they are as dire as many might suggest. Add a cornerback, safety, inside linebacker and maybe some help on the edge and this defense could be legit. The only other needs would be depth along the defensive line.No, the sky isn’t falling from a personnel standpoint, in my opinion.Game PlayWhile the personnel department might not be as bad as many think, the on field portion of this equation certainly has some issues. The Steelers’ inability to take the football away is the most glaring issue, but tackling continues to plague this Keith Butler unit. After spending the vast majority of training camp focusing on tackling, did it really improve? I would say no. The angles defenders take, mainly Terrell Edmunds, are enough to make fans cringe. This defense just needs to improve the basics to really see some improvement across the board. Tackle better. Play better angles. Catch the football when you have the opportunity to take the ball away. Sometimes it is that simple.OverviewThe Steelers’ fan base loves to hate on the coaching staff, and they certainly deserve their share of the blame. However Joe Gilliam Jersey , they aren’t the ones on the field missing tackles and dropping would-be interceptions. This defense does have potential, but it will be up to everyone from the General Manager down to the players to reach the totality of that potential. Will it happen? I could, but if recent history is any indication of the offseason plan, both in free agency and the NFL Draft, fans have every right to remain skeptical. With that said, this Steelers defense did have some highlights this season, mainly in the sack department. T.J. Watt posted a 13 sack season, the team tied for the NFL lead in sacks with 52, and have produced 108 sacks the past two seasons. But the hard truth is this defense just didn’t make enough plays to get this team to the postseason. Can it be fixed? Absolutely, and fans better hope it gets rectified soon! PITTSBURGH (AP) — It's been an uneven rookie season for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington, but he may be needed for a bigger role nonetheless.JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh's leading receiver, is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at New Orleans, and if he can't play JuJu Smith-Schuster Color Rush Jersey , the Steelers expect Washington to help fill the void.Smith-Schuster, who has 95 receptions for 1,274 yards, left Thursday's practice with a groin injury. He did not practice Friday and did not speak with reporters. Antonio Brown, second on the Steelers with 90 catches for 1,112 yards and a team-best 13 touchdowns, was optimistic about Smith-Schuster's availability. "I think he'll be there for us," Brown said.Meanwhile, Washington will look to continue his recent upswing.Pittsburgh picked Washington in the second round of the draft with the hopes that the former Oklahoma State star could take over as the team's primary deep threat for Martavis Bryant. However, Washington struggled through most of the season.Washington had just five catches for 49 yards and a touchdown during the first four weeks. He only had eight receptions for 77 yards and a score through 11 weeks and was called out by Ben Roethlisberger for a drop at Denver in Week 12.Washington was inactive at home the following week against the Los Angeles Chargers. It was the second time in six weeks Washington was a healthy scratch, but he has since rebounded."You can't come in here and seek comfort," Washington said. "You have to keep working each and every day and things will get better."And it has for Washington. The rookie earned praise from Roethlisberger after he established career highs with three receptions and 65 yards in last Sunday's win over the New England Patriots."He just needs confidence in himself because I have confidence in him," Roethlisberger said. "I wouldn't throw him the ball if I didn't believe in him, so it looks like his confidence is coming back https://www.steelerssportshop.com/Martavis-Bryant-Jersey , which is important."Washington's confidence was most evident during a leaping 32-yard grab in single coverage ahead of Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty. Washington also broke free for a 24-yard catch-and-run later in the drive."It was a lot of excitement just because it was a big catch and it's something that everybody's going to look back on and remember," Washington said. "You just gotta keep moving forward and making plays. You can't dwell in the past."Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner expects more of the same from Washington down the stretch."Now, you get a little taste of it and you can even see the excitement in his eyes," Fichtner said. "Some of that confidence goes, too, with your quarterback. You make a couple plays like that and now all of a sudden it warrants more opportunity, because that catch he made on the sideline was not an easy grab."Washington said he's becoming more comfortable in the Steelers' offense and he was happy to contribute to the win over New England. He doesn't expect a drop-off if he has to fill in for Smith-Schuster against the Saints."Nothing changes," Washington said. "Like they always tell us, you have to learn how to play every position. It's not just one position. You have to learn every position and the concepts."NOTES: Pro Bowl RB James Conner will miss his third straight game with an ankle injury sustained Dec. 2 against the Chargers. Rookie RB Jaylen Samuels rushed 19 times for 142 yards, while also hauling in two passes for 30 yards, against New England.