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Melvin Ingram is bringing the “Mamba Mentality” to the Metal Metropolis. Shortly after signing with the Steelers, the 10-year veteran revealed that he would ditch his No. 54 jersey in lieu of No. 8. Ingram is at the moment the one Steelers’ defender who has taken benefit of the league’s new guidelines concerning jersey numbers.
Throughout his first assembly with the native media, Ingram defined his determination to alter jersey numbers. A part of Ingram’s determination was influenced by Kobe Bryant, the NBA and Los Angeles Lakers legend who died in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
“It is a new place for me,” Ingram stated, through ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “New place, new begin. Nonetheless the identical me although. First time I ever performed soccer, my quantity was 44. 4 + 4 is 8, and Kobe (Bryant) is certainly one of my favourite athletes. Kobe yr.”
Ingram is hoping to do what Bryant did 5 occasions throughout his 20-year profession: win a championship. The signing of Ingram definitely helps the Steelers’ odds at competing for a championship in 2021. The Steelers signed the previous Professional Bowl outdoors linebacker to assist replenish their move rush after shedding Bud Dupree in free company. The transfer must also take a number of the consideration off All-Professional linebacker T.J. Watt, the league’s chief in sacks in 2020.
Watt did not cover his pleasure when requested about Ingram becoming a member of the Steelers’ huddle. Watt, who referred to as the two-time Professional Bowl participant “one of many premier move rushers within the league,” stated a number of occasions that he was an admirer of Ingram’s work throughout his years with the Chargers. Watt would watch Ingram whereas additionally conserving his eye on his youthful brother, former Charger and present Steelers fullback Derek Watt.
“I’m excited,” Watt stated throughout Pittsburgh’s first week of coaching camp, through Steelers.com’s Teresa Varley. “I labored with him through the Professional Bowl. … He is only a participant that has quite a lot of go off the road of scrimmage. He is obtained an exceptional spin transfer and simply seeing him in individual, he’s a colourful man and I’m excited to work with him.”
The 18th total choose within the 2012 draft, Ingram’s breakout season came about in 2015, when he recorded double-digit sacks for the primary time whereas additionally forcing three fumbles. After tallying a career-high 5 pressured fumbles in 2016, Ingram was chosen to his first of three consecutive Professional Bowls in 2017. Whereas accidents restricted his availability (he appeared in simply seven video games) and productiveness final season, Ingram stated he feels “like a child” as he enters his tenth season within the NFL.
“I like soccer, and my physique feels nice,” Ingram stated on Saturday, through Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Overview. “I had an harm final yr, however that is a part of the sport. It is a bodily sport. Proper now, I am 100, 200% wholesome. I really feel wonderful.”
Like Watt, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had a optimistic Professional Bowl expertise with Ingram. That have undoubtedly contributed to Pittsburgh’s curiosity in signing Ingram simply earlier than the beginning of coaching camp.
“We have seen him quite a bit over time,” Tomlin stated, through Jim Wexell of Metal Metropolis Insider. “We’re respectful of his physique of labor. However not solely that, we had been accustomed to him within the draft. He is a kind of guys that match the profile. We studied him and obtained to know him by means of the Draft course of, and often, these are the blokes that we find yourself doubling again to and having an curiosity in after they’re accessible in free company. So it makes the method a straightforward one.
“We additionally had the chance, I feel in ’17 after we coached the Professional Bowl, we had him down in Orlando and actually obtained to know him some in that setting as effectively. So we felt actually comfy that he could be a straightforward match as a person and as a participant.”
Tomlin stated it is too early to decipher Ingram’s position inside Pittsburgh’s protection. Ingram may begin over second-year OLB Alex Highsmith, who performed effectively after Dupree went down with an harm late within the 2020 season. Ingram may be requested to offer high quality snaps behind Watt and Highsmith. Regardless, Ingram will certainly make an impression on Quincy Roche, the one outdoors linebacker chosen by the Steelers on this yr’s draft.
Ingram additionally brings with him a want to make it to professional soccer’s summit after arising quick throughout his run with the Chargers. That demeanor is embraced by Watt, who has not been shy about his championship ambitions.
“He is an incredible man and an incredible participant,” Watt stated. “I’m excited to have him right here. I’m excited to have extra depth, have a man like Melvin in our rotation, in our room. A man that I’ve watched quite a lot of over time. A man that I can study quite a bit from too. Excited to have extra depth, excited for our crew.”
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