Former Pittsburgh Steelers middle linebacker, Vince Williams joined the Arthur Moats experience with Deke podcast on Monday evening where he discussed many Steeler related topics. Not only did Williams discuss his former playing days, but the four-year NFL starter also talked about how his decision to retire planned out and how this new look Steelers team may look this upcoming season and beyond.
Stacey Revere / Getty Images
Now that Ben Roethlisberger has retired, there is going to be a completely new culture in Pittsburgh. Although it is an end to an amazing era, this is a change that I think most of Steeler Nation saw coming sooner rather than later. With 11-year NFL veteran Maurkice Pouncey retiring in 2020 and Roethlisberger having taken his final snap in last season, that leaves back to back years in which a leadership role was left unfilled within the Steelers offensive unit. Although Williams did make a name for himself on the opposite side of the ball, he spoke about who he sees filling that role for not only the upcoming season, but for the possible foreseeable future. Although he is just going into his second year, that guy is Pro Bowler, Najee Harris.
"I think he [Najee Harris] has the opportunity to do something special, because he is a leader. His leadership capabilities, I think he has a great football culture. I think he is a leader. I think he is a team first type of guy, and I think that is going to pay dividends for that entire offense really.”
The Steelers have put a lot of faith in Harris’s abilities already in his young career. In his first career NFL year, Harris rushed the ball over 300 times (307 to be exact) and posted 1,200 rushing yards on the dot. Not only did the coaching staff utilize him as a rusher out of the backfield, but the rookie saw himself catching 74 total passes for over 460 yards. The Steelers didn’t shy away from giving the NFL world a potential glimpse of what the future offense could look like for the Steelers, putting the rushing game first, with Harris at the helm.
Williams went on to give a little bit more insight as to what exactly he sees in Harris that gives him the impression that the young star is the type of leader this organization needs. Having not shared the field with Harris at all, Williams chose to compare his leadership style with another Steelers legend that he had the pleasure of sharing the field with.
“I think he is the type of guy that you can build around, not only athletically, but also culturally and I think that is going to be huge for the Steelers because they are kind of missing that now.”
“He gives me kind of those Hines Ward type of vibes. He smiles, he’s kissing the babies, but then he keeps it real in the interviews. He speaks true, he works hard, he is dedicated to his craft, he’s no nonsense. I think that is going to be big, I think that's what the Steelers need on the offensive side of the ball.”
There is no doubt that while in the black and gold, Hines Ward made a significant impact as not only a fantastic NFL receiver, but as a leader as well. Anyone who watched Ward play on Sunday's knows exactly what I mean when I say that he embodied what it meant to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. Although change is coming, Williams, as well as the Steelers organization, know exactly what they are getting from Harris and we have heard nothing but praise about him all off-season. Williams got the pleasure of seeing Ward's leadership abilities up close, and clearly he was confident enough to make the comparison between the two. We can only hope Harris continues to prove him right.
Do you think Ward and Harris's leadership styles compare? Do you like the comparison Williams made? Comment below.
#SteelerNation
