Tyson Alualu Joins Pittsburgh Steelers
It looks like defensive lineman Tyson Alualu really liked what he saw when he visited the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday because he has decided to stay.
The Steelers have announced that they have signed Alualu to a two-year deal in an effort to bolster their pass rush. The deal's financial terms were not released.
"As soon as you walk in the building you get a sense from talking to the people, it's real genuine. Just a place that loves to win, so I would love to be a part of that. Just excited about this opportunity," Alualu said in a statement via the team's official website. "Whatever the coaches want me to play, whatever position, I am just willing to play anything to help out, help this team. They are so close to always being in the Super Bowl. I just want to be a part of that," he continued.
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Alualu is versatile enough to play any position on the defensive line and he should fit quite well with the Steelers. He should provide depth at the defensive end and tackle positions. Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt should be the starters at the defensive end positions while Javon Hargrave starts at nose tackle. Alualu can back up all three of them.
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Alualu in the first round of the 2010 National Football League (NFL) draft. In fact, he was the 10th overall pick that year, but he never developed into the player the Jaguars thought he would become.
Alualu may not be an All-Pro talent, but he is a durable player who has never missed a game due to injury in his seven seasons in the league. He was a healthy scratch for the Jaguar's first two games last season, though, and those were the only games he has missed in his career. Alualu had 37 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 14 games (10 starts) last season.
