Like the Steelers defensive line as a whole, Keeanu Benton strives to be better than just good enough

Like his more senior position mate, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton was smarting despite entering the bye week at 6-2 after last week’s victory against the New York Giants.

“They got over 100 yards rushing,” Benton said, referring in large part to Tyrone Tracy’s 145 yards on 20 carries.

“How I have been raised in this game, especially as a D-lineman, I pride myself in stopping the run. So when a team gets over 100 yards, it definitely gets under your skin a little bit.”

Benton’s words mimicked that of defensive captain Cameron Heyward in the aftermath of a 26-18 win that, in their mind, was marred by runs of 45, 26 and 17 yards — the former of which resulting in by far the longest touchdown of the season against the Steelers.

That two of the Steelers’ best defensive linemen could be so self-critical even in defeat made position coach Karl Dunbar swell with pride.

Pride, say, of a father.

“I am annoyed (by the Giants’ rushing), so they should be annoyed,” Dunbar said. “When Daddy’s not happy, they shouldn’t be happy.

“When (opponents) run the ball in between the tackles, that eats at me. And I’m gonna let my pet peeves be known to them, so it should eat at them.”

The Giants game just before the Steelers’ idle week was largely emblematic of the defense’s season overall: good enough to win, making plays, getting results … but leaving something to be desired.

“I mean, we have been producing,” Benton said last week, in contemplation, “but there’s a lot more meat on that bone.”

Not unlike the overall play of Benton, the second-year defensive tackle who for the most part picked up where he left off toward the end of his rookie season — playing well — but also not the breakout star everyone from outside observers to coach Mike Tomlin predicted for Benton in Year 2.

“I think I’m better out there now than this point last season,” Benton said from his locker just prior to leaving UPMC Rooney Sports Complex for the long bye weekend. “My mind was a lot more clear coming into this year, and it’s been a lot better and smoother than last year, for sure.

“I kind of knew the things I wanted to work on and try to prove, and I think I am still improving each week. But I think there are parts in my game where I need to take another step. We are coming around those corners, but there’s a lot more work to be done.”

Benton’s raw stats through eight games (five starts) include four batted-down passes, 16 tackles (nine solo) and a fumble recovery. Though he does not have a sack, Benton’s pass rushing has disrupted: five QB hits and the fifth-best pass rush grade among NFL interior defensive linemen by Pro Football Focus.

“I never get into all of the internet stuff,” the 6-foot-4, 309-pound Benton said, “but the people who coach me, and myself, and the people who know what they’re talking about, they can (evaluate me).

“I feel like my position is more about domination than, really, stats and numbers and stuff like that.”

The No. 49 overall pick in last year’s draft, Benton ascended quickly to the role of the No. 3 defensive tackle for the Steelers behind the venerable Heyward and another proven veteran, Larry Ogunjobi.

He’s got a long way to go to establish the reputation of either of that duo, but Benton has the talent and mindset to thrive in the NFL for years to come.

“The thing that I see now is consistency,” Dunbar said. “You saw (the ability) he had in college at Wisconsin — that’s why he was a second-round draft pick. But I think he’s maturing, and he’s around some guys who are teaching him how to do things at the NFL level, and the consistency is really the most important thing.”