What I Am Most Thankful For On This Christmas Day: Minkah Fitzpatrick

Ever since I first started watching the Steelers back in 2008, my favorite aspect of American Gridiron Football was Defense. Given the fact that, statistically, the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the greatest ever, it was truly a great starting point for me to watch not just the Steelers but also discover more about the NFL. During that season though, a man on the team wearing #43 would soon become my favorite Steelers player of all time; that player's position becoming my favorite position at the time the same.



Since then, while my interests in positions have changed, I still viewed having an Elite Safety a high priority over an Elite Corner. Yes, the corners themselves can nullify one's best weapon; assisting the entire defense by placing coverage to that corners opposite side. However, as I began to notice the rival of #43 by the name of Ed Reed during the pinnacle of the Steelers/Ravens rivalry, I noticed that, while both players would revolutionize the NFL forever, Ed Reed's position and style of play would likely be in greater demand.



Fast forward to today and one can make the argument that the Single High, Deep Centerfielding Free Safety is the most important position on the back end in today's NFL. Due to the current structure of NFL Offenses taking more and more advantage of the middle part of the field, Free Safeties with the aforementioned capabilities are now a must for many NFL teams. One team that has longed strayed away from this though is the Steelers. Rather, Pittsburgh was attempting to implement this via Sean Davis. However, after seeing his 2018 Campaign and him being injured to start the season; Terrell's lack of development also, the team was left with an 0-2 record to start the season. Something had to be done.



On Septemebr 16th, 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers would make a trade that would not only change their history but also save their season. That day, they traded for Minkah Fitzpatrick, a defensive back from the University of Alabama.








Since the acquisition, both Minkah and Pittsburgh have altered not just their current fortunes but also their future ones as well. Minkah is now playing the position he was destined to play after showcasing his immense talent and seemingly limitless potential after playing that very same position for the majority of his Sophomore Season at Alabama. Pittsburgh now has not only discovered a revolution that will change their philosophy of what a Free Safety of Minkah's talents can do for them. Pittsburgh has found their rightful heir apparent to the man that would cause havoc during his time in Pittsburgh; codename being H.O.T.H. (Heir To The Hair). Such an immediate impression by Minakh did not go unnoticed either;









Now, as we, #SteelersNation, sit here today enjoying our wonderful Christmas Day with our family and/or friends, I wanted to take the time to write to you all that, while I received plenty for Christmas, family time being the absolute best present, Pittsburgh acquiring Minkah Fitzpatrick was the biggest Christmas Gift I have received as a Steelers fan. He has been nothing short of incredible.




To that end and, before we conclude today, it would be most appreciated if you could take some time out of your Christmas Day to watch this wonderful breakdown by Pro Football Focus Analyst Solomon Wilcox. He does a great job breaking down what the Steelers Defense was without Minkah and what the defense has become. It will not disappoint.. of that I am certain!







Once again, thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed! Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!! Until next time everyone, be safe and take care!!





Go Steelers!!

 

I think Troy in his prime was more impactful to our defense than minkah is now, but that’s not to discredit mink it’s just Troy was phenomenal

 

Great Stuff. Although I naturally hated the rival team I respected the Ravens D and Ed Reed and cast. He didnt have blazing speed but he was a playmaker with that gifted sense going back to Miami in college.

Some of the best rivalry games since I have been fallowing the Steelers since 1977 were those Raven Steeler low scoring battles which was a defensive purists dream.

Of course I cant validate but the style of football the Steelers and Ravens were playing were so violent that the rules of safety changed which make the Ronnie Lotts and John Lynchs and Steeler greats shake their head.

 

I think it’s too early for a Fitzpatrick vs Polamalu comparison. But I like the path Fitzpatrick is headed on

 

Not a vs. comp a assure you.


Just wanted to see if some thought that Minkah is the H.O.T.H. many of us were longing for.

 

So far so good. Seems like a leader of the defense to me. At a young age to boot.

 

Troy did things all over the field to sway games. I love the mink but just a different skill set.