Despite ups and downs this season, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin likes the job linebacker Patrick Queen has done in the middle of the defense. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Austin offered high praise.
“I think he’s played well,” Austin said via a team-issued transcript. “He’ll tell you, he’s pretty critical of himself in that regard. He’ll tell you he’s not where he wants to be. He’s a really good player. He keeps getting better. I just assume he’ll continue to grow and be really impactful for us.”
Queen’s season has featured ebbs and flows. A tough beginning with admitted poor effort, a strong middle against New England, Minnesota, and Cleveland, and regression the last month. In many ways, his play has mirrored the Steelers’ season.
Missed tackles have been the biggest problem of the season. Our Josh Carney has charged Queen with 18 of them through nine games, nearly matching his total from a season ago. Though Queen is on the field for every snap and has more opportunity, his 21-percent missed-tackle rate is also far too high. He was especially poor against the Chargers, missing four of them in the loss.
Using leaguewide data slightly different than our own, Pro Football Reference marks Queen down for a 16-percent missed-tackle rate. That ranks 10th among all players this season with at least 40 tackles and fifth among linebackers.
“When you look at missed tackles, you watch them,” Austin said. “It usually starts with your initial angle. Then it starts with making sure you get your feet on top of the ball carrier, having your eyes in the right place. When you watch it, when guys miss tackles, they overrun it, get their eyes in the wrong place, they’re seeing it wrong. I don’t question our guys’ willingness to tackle.”
Queen has shown a want-to but the results must be better. Where Austin sees improvement is Queen’s role as the quarterback of the defense, the central communicator fed the play call that’s delivered to his 10 teammates.
“I really like the way he’s kind of taken charge of the group in terms of being the quarterback,” he said. “Because he calls plays, he talks all the stuff, he makes all the checks. It’s really good. He’s done an outstanding job.”
Communication does appear better, especially since the first two weeks of the season. Queen being in his second year with the Steelers has created comfort and a veteran-laden squad has helped. Still, the bar must be raised high for a player of Queen’s salary and expectations. Signed to be one of the best linebackers in football, his play hasn’t consistently reached that mark.
Austin is likely offering extra praise because, as he noted, Queen is his biggest critic. But if his play doesn’t even out and ascend, Pittsburgh will enter the offseason with questions about Queen’s future with the team. Or at the least, feel some buyer’s remorse.
Recommended for you