Steelers' Patrick Peterson Has Strong Question For Young Players: "When You Have An Opportunity, Why Are You Not Taking Advantage?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are suffering from a problem that is vastly larger than losing games. Losing games is a consequence of the cancer of attitude that has permeated the team. There are a number of players on the team who are still working as hard as ever, playing with as much grit and determination as possible. Those players, like T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Cameron Heyward, Jaylen Warren, and Chris Boswell (to name a few), make a huge difference, but it is not enough to carry the team with so many missing players. The team has been decimated by injuries on both sides of the ball and at several key positions including quarterback and safety. Head Coach Mike Tomlin is pulling players off the practice squad and starting third-string players to fill the voids. 

Veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson is in his first season in Pittsburgh after playing 12 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings. He recently questioned the effort of some of those replacement players. Through the first 15 weeks of the season, Peterson has found himself moved all over the defense. His attitude has been tremendous and he is willing to go wherever he is needed on the field to make an impact.

Peterson also co-hosts a podcast with his cousin and former Steelers cornerback, Bryant McFadden, called All Things Covered. They recap each game and discuss what went right and what went wrong. McFadden asked Peterson about a quote from Tomlin from his most recent press conference. Tomlin said that the team is playing "fundamentally poor football" and McFadden asked how they can overcome this. Peterson said that a lot of it is because they have to incorporate so many backup players. He questions some of their motivation. 

"It just goes back to guys honing in on their responsibilities. Guys really taking accountability on the opportunity that's at hand. Mac, you've been in a locker room before, you hear guys all the time, 'I wish I was on the team, what I can do to help the team?' But when their time comes, [looks around as if at an empty room and shrugs] are you helping the team? You wanting to be there so bad, but are you helping the team?"

Peterson might be on the back end of his career now, but he has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL during his time in football. He has played in eight Pro Bowls and has been a three-time All-Pro. He said that he thinks sometimes players get lured in by the money they can make and by the "perks of football." He shared that he is trying to mentor some of these younger players and get them more motivated. He said he hates losing so much, the losses weigh heavily on his heart. He doesn't think everyone else approaches the game in the same way. 

"When you have an opportunity, why are you not taking advantage of your opportunity? Guys think the window is so wide open that they lose sight of what's really at hand. The game can be taken away from you in the blink of an eye. The window is small. The opportunity that you have, you have to take advantage of, you can't waste no time. So that's what I want to continue to harp on to these young guys. How much does the game mean to you? How much does winning mean to you? How much does being detailed mean to you? How much does being the reason we won the game mean to you?"

Peterson will get yet another shot to reach some of these backup players this week as the Steelers will be without star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick due to injury and now Damontae Kazee as a result of his suspension for the remainder of the season. The Steelers are scrambling to find players to patch the holes. 

On the roster, they have long-time special teams player Miles Killebrew, and Trenton Thompson, who was elevated from the practice squad earlier this season. Thompson had an interception during the win against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12. 

Steelers Have To Overcome Injuries

Tomlin has said in the past that in his opinion, the big difference between starting players and backup players is opportunity. It would be hard to make that argument with what we are currently seeing. Since linebackers Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander went out with season-ending injuries weeks ago. 

The loss of those key players has reverberated throughout the defense. This group went from being one that basically won a game in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns when they scored two defensive touchdowns, to one that couldn't find a way to stop Gardner Minshew. 

"We have to come together. Having so many guys jumping on this moving train that haven't been in those meetings, those day-one installs, understanding the nuances of the defense, or the communication standpoint of it. We are playing the best game at the highest level," said Peterson.

Peterson added that it is easy to say these guys will be "plug and play," but the reality is that they can't run all the same plays as before. The loss of Alexander and Holcomb hurt and it has made a big job for the defensive coordinator, coaches, and veteran players to get these players up to speed. 

They have a responsibility to set those newer players up for success because they are all they have, there is no other choice. But in return they have to see those backup players giving all they have to the team, leaving it all on the field. 

The one thing you can't teach is heart and it does feel like the Steelers aren't currently playing with a lot of heart. While the names on the backs of the jerseys might be different, this team has faced adversity before. One thing you could always count on was for them to scratch and claw every second of every game. They need to get ramped up for the Bengals and get back to that fighting spirit. 

What do you think about Peterson's comments? How do the veterans and the coaches pull together so many new players and get them all on the same page? Click to comment below.

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