Keith Butler Steelers Linebacker Coach New Dc./butler Stays In Pitts (Merge)

[Balzer40]

I don't have a link but I just heard Schefter on ESPN say the Colts will hire Keith Butler as their new DC. Thoughts.

[WSnotch]

I can hardly believe him anymore. lol

[Smonroe]

I don't have a link but I just heard Schefter on ESPN say the Colts will hire Keith Butler as their new DC. Thoughts.

Yeah, just heard that too. Kind of came out of nowhere. The Steelers did have good LBs!

[MTC]

Great news! Steelers linebacker core is one of the best in the league.

[Wyld1]

I heard it on ESPN as well.

[PatMcAfeeFan]

Here's his bio http://www.steelers.com/team/coaches/keith-butler/086430f2-c1eb-446d-b74b-64edfc5bf796

[Smonroe]

This is from Wiki - pretty funny in retrospect:

"Butler began his coaching career at Memphis in 1990, coaching linebackers and later expanding his role to cover defensive ends and special teams by 1997. He was the architect of a surprise 3-4 defensive scheme which led to the U of M's shocking 1996 upset of the #6 Tennessee Volunteers, led by junior quarterback Peyton Manning. "

[WSO]

Considering they have had a top 5 LB core for some time, this is good.

[GoColts8818]

So we hired a Ravens DC and he's raiding the Steeler's coaching staff...

Hunh didn't see that one coming...

[Balzer40]

Seems like the Colts want to get away from the "soft" label they have been given over the last 10+ yrs..

[YOUR GM]

Just when I was ready to curse him for the Arians hire, he redeems himself with this move. Great hire! I'm getting excited about next season already!

[JWF]

Dont know much about him but he seemed to do a good job with the Steelers LBs. (obviously...lol).

3-4 here we come.

[Bleedin Blue]

Seems like the Colts want to get away from the "soft" label they have been given over the last 10+ yrs..

I'm all for it. Smash mouth football with a quality QB...now we just need a great RB.

[Restored]

Really starting to believe what Pagano said about having the best coaching staff in the leauge.

[Balzer40]

Really starting to believe what Pagano said about having the best coaching staff in the leauge.

Yeah, Im loving the new staff. Hopefully now he finds a great special teams coach and we'll be good to go. Really looking forward to next yr..

[Smonroe]

Butler was supposed to take over for LeBeau, if he ever retired.

I love the idea of smash mouth on the D side, and fast paced, pass first on the O side.

[Smonroe]

Yeah, Im loving the new staff. Hopefully now he finds a great special teams coach and we'll be good to go. Really looking forward to next yr..

Absolutely. I can't remember when we had decent STs.

[MTC]

@AdamSchefter

RT @RossHollebon: Chuck Pagano, Bruce Arians and Keith Butler were all on Butch Davis' original staff in Cleveland together in 2001.

[Fatboyslim11]

I didn't expect him to leave the Steelers. I thought he was in line to replace LeBeau as the DC.

[1959Colts]

I like this hire.

Last season the Cardinals tried to land Butler but the Steelers wouldnt allow them.

He was projected to replace Dick Lebeau when he retires.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Keith-Butler-content-with-Steelers.html

[coltfaninnewyork]

Love it coaches with historically great defenses.

[1959Colts]

Heres a good read:

http://nicepickcowher.com/2012/01/14/keith-butler-still-playing-the-waiting-game-with-the-steelers/

[JColts72]

Now to get players to play smash mouth defense; finally away from softness and good bye Cover 2. With Luch at QB, plan is for defense to keep us in the games. 3-4 D here we come! Butch Davis or Morty as QB coach next?

[The Fish]

Stiller fan is going to strongly dislike ...This is a better hire than the OC.

[hawkeyes]

So we hired a Ravens DC and he's raiding the Steeler's coaching staff...

Hunh didn't see that one coming...

Very odd indeed, but I guess they all have a history together at some level.... That best staff in the NFL that Pags spoke about in the presser is starting to come together!

[Coltswarriors]

Looks to be true. He was the Steelers LB coach from 2003-2011. He helped make a good group there.

Bob Kravitz tweet:

Talk about a culture change in Indy. Got Pitt's O coordinator Arians, now it looks like Pitt guy Keith Butler as DC -- 3-4 defense on theway

[haseo15]

Thats amazing news, the steelers kept giving him more money the past like 4 years so he would not leave. He was their coach in waiting to become the steelers Defense coordinator when Lebeau retired. I'm really liking the hires so far, maybe Pagano was not lying when he said the "Best Coaching Staff". I never thought Bulter would leave Pittsburgh, thats how high everyone thinks of him. The Steelers LB's consistently are top 3 in the League every year.

[Coltsman1788]

Stiller fan is going to strongly dislike ...This is a better hire than the OC.

LOL yeah...I happily invited one from the OC thread to discuss.

[CCH]

LOL we get a Ravens HC and he's hiring all the Steelers coaches...sabotage? But the Steelers historically have great linebackers. Great hire.

[OllyDawes]

3-4 Defence looks imminent...

Can Nevis play NT effectively? Do we have 3-4 DE's? Does Freeney fit the system?

Gonna be an interesting time here.

[JColts72]

Freeny may not even come back with 14 mil owed, for 3-4 Mathis is the guy to resign.

[MLawRunner]

Yet another coach with a goatee. I love the hire, very excited about what our defense could be looking like in a couple years.

[Restored]

Freeny may not even come back with 14 mil owed, for 3-4 Mathis is the guy to resign.

Freeney can restructure and the coach even said that he doesn't see a problem if Freeney and/or Mathis are put into a situation where they have to stand up and rush.

[haseo15]

I can see us going LB second round if Zach Brown is available, with this hire now.

[MLawRunner]

3-4 Defence looks imminent...

Can Nevis play NT effectively? Do we have 3-4 DE's? Does Freeney fit the system?

Gonna be an interesting time here.

I think Nevis is too undersized to be a true NT. The knock on him in the draft discussions last year was that he was an electric player with a great motor, but undersized for defensive tackle (that's why we could nab him in the third round).

[MLawRunner]

I can see us going LB second round if Zach Brown is available, with this hire now.

I completely agree, and I think that would be a nice pick - I like Brown.

[YOUR GM]

3-4 Defence looks imminent...

I'm thinking more of a hybrid, myself. Pagano will still have a major say in what scheme we run and he seems more flexible than he does a purist, one way or another. Regardless what we run, strong linebacker play has been missing from this team for awhile, and Butler should improve what we have and have the eye to recognize new talent where available.

I'm amp'd, eitherway!

[CCH]

Pat Angerer has to be happy. I expect a big year from him.

[jbaron04]

We have to draft poe now in second

[doogansquest]

Arians may be a sign we keep Manning. He was his QB coach from 98-00 if I'm not mistaken.

I'm all for it. Smash mouth football with a quality QB...now we just need a great RB.

No we don't. We just need 2-3 servicable RB's. That's all that's required in this league anymore. RB's are a dime-a-dozen.