Before Vince Williams put pen to paper and signed a new four-year deal on Thursday, he was focused on Saturday's preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field, a game that will be the final warmup for the regular season for the starters.
"It's real important, it will help us build some continuity going into the regular season," said Williams. "It will be a good chance for us to go out there as a full unit for the first time."
Williams likes what he has seen from the defense so far, from OTAs, to minicamp, training camp and now the preseason. And he has no doubt they will be ready to go when they open the regular season on the road against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 9.
"Now, it's really just gelling together," said Williams. "We have to be ready to go the first week of the regular season. We still have some time. We are doing a great job. We made some tremendous strides during camp. We still have some time to put all of the pieces together, but I am pretty sure we will be ready to roll."
Williams take on this year's defense is simple.
"I think we are going to be a top defense," he said.
And the key to that?
"We just have to tackle better," said Williams. "We have to make more secure tackles. Having a better understanding of it. have more desire to do it. And just more practice. Just get more opportunities."
Just for kicks: Chris Boswell came through time and time again for the Steelers in 2017, and he will have the opportunity to continue to do so for a few more years as he was signed to a new five-year contract. Boswell shared his feelings quickly, as did Cam Heyward.
School days: It's back to school Steelers style for many of the players kids, who like everyone else shared that first day of school picture.
