Welcome to the terrible take, a daily segment telling Steeler Nation what's on our minds.

I'm Melanie Freelander.

As Training Camp got underway this past week, there were a lot of reasons to feel optimistic about this team.

And I do. I'm looking forward to seeing some of the... to feel optimistic about this team.

And I do.

I'm looking forward to seeing some of the former rookies make a jump in the second year,

particularly quarterback Kenny Pickett and wide receiver George Pickens.

But there's one area that I have significant concerns and that's on the defensive side of the ball.

I'm not talking about any particular player or even any specific position group.

Heading into the 2023 season, one of the biggest question marks in my opinion for the Steelers defense is communication

It all starts up front the Steelers completely revamped the inside linebacker group and Mark Robinson is the single returning player there.

Newcomers Colt Holcomb, Elandin Roberts and Kwan Alexander who had his first day with the team today

are veterans who bring experience but need to learn the playbook and get to know the defensive

tackles and outside linebackers. One of them will be wearing the helmet with the green dot

and be responsible for play calls, essentially the quarterback of the defense. And then there are the defensive backs, another group with a number of new potential starters.

Star Safety Mink of its Patrick is returning, of course.

So is DeMonte Casey, although he is currently wearing a boot after an ankle injury yesterday.

Cornerback Levi Wallace has one year with the Steelers under his belt already.

Beyond that, it's veteran Pro Bowl Patrick Peterson.

Certainly not new to the game but he is new to

defensive coordinator Terrell Austin's game plan. And it's looking like he plans to

move Peterson around in multiple positions adding another level of

...