Devin Bush's Comment About Facing Vaunted Patriots Offense Will Hype up Steelers Fans
By Scott Rogust
The Pittsburgh Steelers start their 2019 campaign on a challenging note, as they face the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. While the Steelers lost two stars on offense in Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, the Patriots gained Demaryius Thomas and Josh Gordon (again).
Steelers rookie linebacker Devin Bush is in for a huge challenge in his NFL debut, but he's not faltering under the pressure. In fact, he's not nervous whatsoever.
Steelers first-round pick Devin Bush on if there will be any nerves for him playing his first real NFL game against the Patriots: “I don’t really get nervous.”
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) September 4, 2019
Smile.
“I’m not trying to be all cocky or anything. I’ve just got a lot of confidence.”
That's what Steelers fans want to see out of their rookie: brimming with confidence.
Pittsburgh was enamored with Bush, so much so that they traded up to the tenth-overall spot to select the Michigan linebacker. Why is that so important? It's due to the Steelers never trading up in the NFL Draft, and they used one of the picks acquired from the Oakland Raiders in the Antonio Brown trade.
Devin Bush's speed and range to defend perimeter runs is something this defense has been missing since Ryan Shazier's injury. Steelers are going to be faster and more versatile at LB and in the secondary this year. Night & day difference. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/RmyQvh1NZ7
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) August 30, 2019
Bush is filling in a massive void left by Ryan Shazier, who suffered a major back injury. The rookie exudes tremendous speed for a linebacker, and is the equivalent of a heat seeking missile, with his target being the ball carrier.
Facing a Tom Brady-led Patriots offense would make a majority of rookies sweat, but not Bush, who's more than ready and confident for the challenge.