We all know Tomlin wanted to switch to a 4-3 all along

[hawaiiansteel]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/img/logo_triblive.gif

Polamalu, Keisel key to holding defense together

November 1st, 2011
by Scott Brown

So this was Mike Tomlin’s plan all along.

Have three of his four starting linebackers go down with injuries so he could finally implement the defense he was weaned on.

We all knew it was a matter time before Tomlin went back to his roots, and he said at his weekly news conference that the Steelers may indeed use some 4-3 alignment against the Ravens.

It is the same defense many fans feared Tomlin would bring with him from Minnesota when the Steelers hired him in 2007.

Not that there should be concern that the 4-3 the Steelers may use Sunday night is anything more than a temporary response to an emergency situation. Nor is there as much of a difference between a 4-3 and 3-4 defense as some might think.

The Steelers will, in fact, show the Ravens multiple looks throughout the nationally televised game at Heinz Field. And they figure to play a lot of nickel given their strength at defensive back and the versatility that Troy Polamalu provides.

Polamalu, as he has done at various times this season, could line up almost like a linebacker and cover the tight end in passing situations. The Ravens will also be mindful that Polamalu is a threat to blitz from anywhere on the field.

Defensive end Brett Keisel is also the key to holding the Steelers’ defense together following a rash of injuries at linebacker.

The 6-6, 285-pounder has been playing at a high level since returning from an early knee injury, and Polamalu may be the only player on the Steelers’ defense that is more versatile than Keisel.

Keisel is a good enough pass rusher to give the Steelers push off the edge if they employ a 4-3 alignment. is also athletic enough to play standing up if the Steelers need to use him as a linebacker in a 3-4 alignment.

http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/201 ... -together/ (http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/2011/11/01/polamalu-keisel-key-to-holding-defense-together/)

[DukieBoy]

Great that we are unpredictable on defense. It complicates the opponents' preparations and game planning. I like hearing Talk about the diverse possibilities we may throw into the game.

[Pahn711]

:roll: Leave it to the Trib to revive the far-fetched. C'mon guys :wft get real.

I watched the same press conference he did, and just because Tomlin mentions having a defensive end switch to outside linebacker in case of injuries does not imply that they will make a full defensive shift to the 4-3, even for one game.

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers' new compensation plan

Tomlin suggests defense could look different than usual Sunday when Baltimore comes to town

Wednesday, November 02, 2011
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/images/201111/lebeau1102b_330.jpg

Defensive coordinator D!ck LeBeau may have to work even more magic than last week.

No LaMarr Woodley. No James Farrior. No James Harrison.

Problem.

Defensive coordinator D!ck LeBeau, whose bag is full of tricks and treats, may have to pull many of them out this week. The meeting room for Steelers linebackers could move to a Red Cross tent. Such is the state of their injuries that coach Mike Tomlin talked Tuesday about the possibility of playing all kinds of different defenses Sunday to compensate.

It's not a good time to be losing your best linebackers when the Baltimore Ravens come to Heinz Field for a rematch and perhaps the showdown that ultimately will determine the AFC North Division champion.

But Tomlin declined to list any of his linebackers as "out" for the game Sunday night when he reviewed his injured players and their prospects.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, however, reported that Woodley will miss the game this week and might not play until Nov. 27 because of the hamstring injury that forced him out of the fourth quarter of the 25-17 victory Sunday against New England. Woodley leads the AFC with nine sacks after sacking quarterback Tom Brady twice.

The Post-Gazette also reported that Farrior might miss a month with a torn calf muscle. And Harrison took to Twitter to say he will practice but not play this week after missing the past four games with a broken orbital bone.

At least, second-year backup Jason Worilds, who has missed the past four games with a thigh injury, will practice and might return to uniform Sunday. If so, that would give the Steelers six linebackers, assuming Harrison is unable to play.

Without Harrison, three of the four starters were backups to open the season, and Lawrence Timmons will have moved from his regular job at inside linebacker to Harrison's spot on the right outside. The other three starters -- Larry Foote and Stevenson Sylvester inside and Worilds or rookie Chris Carter on the outside.

They adapted well the past week, as the linebackers were part of an effort that limited the Patriots to season lows in points (17) and yards (213). But Woodley also was part of that for three quarters and had two of their three sacks.

"We are getting good, solid contributions from guys putting their hand in the pile and showing us, at the very least, that they are competitors," Tomlin said of the fill-ins.

He also suggested they will not look outside of their team for help, such as signing a free-agent linebacker. They have no linebackers left on their practice squad after signing Mortty Ivy from there Saturday. He said they still have flexibility on defense.

"We might be capable of playing with four defensive linemen," Tomlin said. "We are not going to leave anything out. What we do know is that our answers generally are in-house. So, if we are out of in-house linebackers, then some of those answers might have to be in the D-line."

They have several options available:

• Versatile end Brett Keisel could move to linebacker with rookie Cameron Heyward taking his spot at end.

• They could turn to a six-man secondary, which they used often against New England.

• They could form a four-man line of tackles Casey Hampton and Chris Hoke/Steve McClendon and ends Keisel and Ziggy Hood and play a 4-3 defense with Foote at inside linebacker and Timmons and somebody on the outside.

"Or 4-2," Tomlin suggested. "Or one of the many variations we have. We are very multiple defensively, usually in response to offensive packages, but, sometimes, your personnel may dictate otherwise.

"I am just saying that, at this juncture, we are open to all potential possibilities in terms of dealing with our situations and that we are not going to go grasping at straws outside of our building in terms of addressing it."

More injury news

Tomlin only ruled out one player, offensive guard Doug Legursky, who will miss his third game with a dislocated big toe.

Some other updates:

• Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders is dealing with his mother's death and a left knee injury from the game Sunday. Tomlin said the team will evaluate his knee "at some point."

• Wide receiver Hines Ward should return to practice Wednesday after missing his first game since 2007 with a sprained ankle.

• Hoke, who has missed the past two games with a "stinger," will be limited in practice.

• Tomlin did not include on his injury list three players he said were hurt Sunday: cornerbacks Ike Taylor (shoulder, stinger) and Keenan Lewis (shoulder) and offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle).

Quick hits

• After Woodley was hurt Sunday, Timmons moved from right outside linebacker to left, and Carter entered and played on the right. A series later, it was Timmons back in his spot on the right side and Carter on the left.

"Chris Carter was going to be uncomfortable regardless, so you might as well make Lawrence comfortable; [that] was the thought process there," Tomlin said.

• William Gay has started the past seven games at left cornerback, replacing Bryant McFadden after the opener. For the first time, the Steelers official depth chart reflects that, listing Gay as the starter after showing McFadden there for eight games.

• Baltimore's defense leads the NFL in fewest yards allowed, and the Steelers are No. 2. Nevertheless, Tomlin did not think the two were close.

"I am not ready to, at least, put us in the conversation with the Ravens defense," Tomlin said.

"We are not even close to doing what they are doing right now. Maybe statistically, but the way they are generating splash plays sets them apart."

Sunday

• Game: Steelers (6-2) vs. Baltimore Ravens (5-2), Heinz Field.

• When: 8:20 p.m.

• TV: WPXI.

• Line: Steelers by 3.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11306/11 ... z1cVuJJhVd (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11306/1186780-66.stm#ixzz1cVuJJhVd)

[StarSpangledSteeler]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/img/logo_triblive.gif

Polamalu, Keisel key to holding defense together

November 1st, 2011
by Scott Brown

So this was Mike Tomlin’s plan all along.

The Steelers will, in fact, show the Ravens multiple looks throughout the nationally televised game at Heinz Field. And they figure to play a lot of nickel GIVEN THEIR STRENGTH AT DEFENSIVE BACK and the versatility that Troy Polamalu provides.

http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/201 ... -together/ (http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/2011/11/01/polamalu-keisel-key-to-holding-defense-together/)

It's just kind of funny how our DB's apparently went from "sucking" to a "strength" in 9 months. This is about scheme. When LeBeau lets them be aggressive, they look pretty good. The ten yard cushion puts them at an extreme disadvantage.

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers will have to get creative on defense this week

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on November 2, 2011

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/b-keiselbeard.jpg?w=140


The Steelers defense showed against the Patriots that it can throw the occasional change up.

Pittsburgh played far more press man coverage against New England than usual, and cut down on their zone blitzes. It worked perfectly.

The Steelers may have to throw something offspeed again this week against Baltimore because of personnel. Their entire 3-4 scheme could be tweaked.

“We might be capable of playing with four defensive linemen,” coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. “We are not going to leave anything out. What we do know is that our answers generally are in-house. So, if we are out of in-house linebackers, then some of those answers might have to be in the D-line.”

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports LaMarr Woodley will miss Sunday’s game against Baltimore. James Harrison indicated on Twitter that he is likely out, although his agent thought differently on Monday. Inside linebacker James Farrior is almost definitely out, and reserve outside linebacker Jason Worilds is questionable.

The Steelers adapted well last week, but they had Woodley available for most of the game. They could consider moving Brett Keisel to linebacker or simply play a base 4-3 or 4-2 front.

It’s not an ideal way to enter a rivalry game, but the Steelers showed last week they are capable of succeeding with a different gameplan than usual.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... this-week/ (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/02/steelers-will-have-to-get-creative-on-defense-this-week/)

[Shawn]

Heyward and Hood are also athletic enough to get pressure from a 4-3 DE spot.

[costanza2k1]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/img/logo_triblive.gif

Polamalu, Keisel key to holding defense together

November 1st, 2011
by Scott Brown

So this was Mike Tomlin’s plan all along.

The Steelers will, in fact, show the Ravens multiple looks throughout the nationally televised game at Heinz Field. And they figure to play a lot of nickel GIVEN THEIR STRENGTH AT DEFENSIVE BACK and the versatility that Troy Polamalu provides.

http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/201 ... -together/ (http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/2011/11/01/polamalu-keisel-key-to-holding-defense-together/)

It's just kind of funny how our DB's apparently went from "sucking" to a "strength" in 9 months. This is about scheme. When LeBeau lets them be aggressive, they look pretty good. The ten yard cushion puts them at an extreme disadvantage.

Well we don't have Anthony Madison and BMac out there...I believe those guys aren't good cover guys ;)

[Pahn711]

It's just kind of funny how our DB's apparently went from "sucking" to a "strength" in 9 months. This is about scheme. When LeBeau lets them be aggressive, they look pretty good. The ten yard cushion puts them at an extreme disadvantage.

Ike Taylor took several years to come into his own. If you look at it that way, the development of William Gay and Keenan Lewis is right on schedule. It was definitely about scheme last game, but that hasn't been the case all season.

[hawaiiansteel]

Beaver County Times

Steelers may make some defensive manuevers Sunday

Wed Nov 2, 2011.
By Mike Bires mbires@timesonline.com

http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/timesonline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/e4/4e433071-0bc5-589a-8478-15726c368e88/4eb0a357ee81e.preview-300.jpg

PITTSBURGH -- As injuries decimate their linebacker corps, the Steelers may resort to desperate measures. Maybe they’ll even line up with a 4-2 front defensively this week.

With James Harrison, James Farrior and LaMarr Woodley expected to miss Sunday night’s game against Baltimore, the Steelers only have five healthy linebackers. One of them is undrafted rookie Mortty Ivy, who was promoted from the practice squad Saturday.

“So we have a few injuries to sort through,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “But you know, we don’t worry about those things. We will build our plan around healthy men, and the standard will be the standard for those guys.”

Woodley, who’s tied for third in the NFL with nine sacks, is the latest linebacker to go down. He pulled a hamstring in this past Sunday’s win over New England. After the game, he vowed that he’d play against the Ravens. On Tuesday, he tweeted “not to count him out.”

But that’s wishful thinking. Woodley could miss the next two games.

Rookie Chris Carter, a fifth-round draft pick, will probably start a left outside linebacker if the Steelers don’t use a 4-2 front that Tomlin suggested.

At left inside linebacker, James Farrior may miss the next two games with a torn calf muscle that’s obviously more serious that initially diagnosed. This past Thursday, Farrior said he’d play against the Patriots. On Friday, he was listed as questionable. On Sunday a few hours before kickoff, he was ruled out.

Second-year pro Stevenson Sylvester started in Farrior’s place but didn’t play a lot of snaps because the Steelers had six defensive backs on the field for at least half the game.

And then there’s right outside linebacker James Harrison, who’s missed four games with a fractured eye orbital. Although he’s been cleared to resume practice starting today, Harrison used his Twitter account to say that “Saw the doctor today but looks like I won’t be playing this weekend ... worse case scenario, I’ll be back after the bye.”

After the Ravens game, the Steelers play in Cincinnati next week. After their bye, they travel to Kansas City for a Nov. 27 Sunday night game.

With Harrison out, right inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons has moved with Larry Foote starting at Timmons’ spot inside.

The situation at linebacker is so precarious that defensive end Brett Keisel may play some snaps at linebacker. Keisel is agile enough that he’s at least taken some snaps at practice at linebacker.

The Steelers are hoping that backup linebacker Jason Worilds returns from a hamstring injury that’s sidelined him the past four games. But even if Worilds can’t go, Tomlin isn’t sure if the Steelers would make a roster move.

“What we do know is that our answers generally are in-house,” Tomlin said. “So if we are out of in-house linebackers, then some of those answers might have to be in the D-line. We might be capable of playing with four defensive linemen.”

As far as the possibility of going with a 4-2 defense — four defensive linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs — Tomlin said “I’m just saying that at this juncture, we are open to all potential possibilities in terms of dealing with our situations and that we are not going to go grasping at straws outside of our building in terms of addressing it.”

In other injury news: G Doug Legursky is still out with a dislocated toe; WR Hines Ward (ankle) will be back at practice after missing the New England game; WR Emmanuel Sanders has a knee injury and is at least as questionable. He is also dealing with the death of his mother; NT Chris Hoke (stinger) may return to practice today after missing two games.

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/local ... 3acf9.html (http://www.timesonline.com/sports/local_sports/steelers-may-make-some-defensive-manuevers-sunday/article_2e8b0d56-94dc-5f27-9559-1cffc823acf9.html)

[RuthlessBurgher]

What is with this fascination over the mystical "4-2" defense this week?

Get a clue writers...this isn't radical change...it's called the nickel defense. Every team uses it every game every week. Do these people turn off their TV sets on 3rd downs?

[hawaiiansteel]

Dejan Kovacevic chat transcript

By Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Thursday, November 3, 2011


James_Costa Rica: Dejan, what is the key to winning the game for the Steelers despite missing three starting linebackers? Does Ray Rice run for 150+ this week?

Dejan Kovacevic: Maybe the most heartening thing to come out of the Steelers' practices this week is that Jason Worilds is back on the field. Sounds crazy, but that allows Lawrence Timmons to stay on the inside, which could be key. Rice isn't a run-around-end back. He'll go between tackles, and the Steelers simply couldn't afford to have just Larry Foote in there with experience.

They have to stop the run. If you stop the run, then Joe Flacco is reduced to being Joe Flacco rather than what he was in Week 1.

Mattysteele: We are hearing a lot a talk about the Sterlers D playing a 4-3 and using our big D lineman in that package. And considering the success we had with man to man what are you hearing the Steelers D will look like with or injury issues and new found success.

Dejan Kovacevic: If they do that, it would be the ultimate surprise twist. The mere fact that Mike Tomlin raised it publicly as an option would strongly suggest they've at least considered it. And why not, with both of the star outside linebackers -- James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley -- possibly out? The 3-4 is drawn up to suit their skills.

Still, I'll be as surprised as anyone to see a 4-3 after all these years. That changes what everyone is doing, including an effective defensive line.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 65136.html (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_765136.html)

[Pahn711]

What is with this fascination over the mystical "4-2" defense this week?

Get a clue writers...this isn't radical change...it's called the nickel defense. Every team uses it every game every week. Do these people turn off their TV sets on 3rd downs?

The media is trying its hand at sensational story writing by eluding to a more full-on, radical transition to the 4-3 in this game. I'm not buying it, and Harbaugh isn't either, as he indicated today.

[fordfixer]

What is with this fascination over the mystical "4-2" defense this week?

Get a clue writers...this isn't radical change...it's called the nickel defense. Every team uses it every game every week. Do these people turn off their TV sets on 3rd downs?

The media is trying its hand at sensational story writing by eluding to a more full-on, radical transition to the 4-3 in this game. I'm not buying it, and Harbaugh isn't either, as he indicated today.
So what did he say? Link?

[Pahn711]

What is with this fascination over the mystical "4-2" defense this week?

Get a clue writers...this isn't radical change...it's called the nickel defense. Every team uses it every game every week. Do these people turn off their TV sets on 3rd downs?

The media is trying its hand at sensational story writing by eluding to a more full-on, radical transition to the 4-3 in this game. I'm not buying it, and Harbaugh isn't either, as he indicated today.
So what did he say? Link?

Days of diversions, distractions, duplicities
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Gene Collier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Meanwhile in Maryland, Ravens boss John Harbaugh not only doesn't want to think about any of that, he doesn't care to believe that anyone other than Timmons, James Farrior, James Harrison, and LaMarr Woodley will turn up wearing those black throwbacks in prime time. Which is totally his prerogative, but he couldn't leave well enough alone.

"They'll play the same defense," Harbaugh said somewhat dismissively Wednesday. "If they're not in there, they'll put other guys in there. They'll be playing the same positions, they'll just have different numbers. We'll have to block 'em just as well. They'll be very good players, and, if it's [the starters] wearing those numbers, we'll have to block those guys. That's really how you look at."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11307/11 ... z1chARwnsj (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11307/1187091-66.stm#ixzz1chARwnsj)

[fordfixer]

What is with this fascination over the mystical "4-2" defense this week?

Get a clue writers...this isn't radical change...it's called the nickel defense. Every team uses it every game every week. Do these people turn off their TV sets on 3rd downs?

The media is trying its hand at sensational story writing by eluding to a more full-on, radical transition to the 4-3 in this game. I'm not buying it, and Harbaugh isn't either, as he indicated today.
So what did he say? Link?

Days of diversions, distractions, duplicities
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Gene Collier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Meanwhile in Maryland, Ravens boss John Harbaugh not only doesn't want to think about any of that, he doesn't care to believe that anyone other than Timmons, James Farrior, James Harrison, and LaMarr Woodley will turn up wearing those black throwbacks in prime time. Which is totally his prerogative, but he couldn't leave well enough alone.

"They'll play the same defense," Harbaugh said somewhat dismissively Wednesday. "If they're not in there, they'll put other guys in there. They'll be playing the same positions, they'll just have different numbers. We'll have to block 'em just as well. They'll be very good players, and, if it's [the starters] wearing those numbers, we'll have to block those guys. That's really how you look at."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11307/11 ... z1chARwnsj (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11307/1187091-66.stm#ixzz1chARwnsj)


Thanks :tt1

[Pahn711]

Unless I suddenly dozed off during the Tomlin press conference this week, all I heard him say was that if enough linebackers couldn't play, "the answer would be in-house" and they would substitute in defensive ends in certain situations. The media took that and ran with it.

Maybe Tomlin was trying to strategically place some doubt into the equation, and after the shake-up last week against the Patriots, it might have some credibility for fools.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Unless I suddenly dozed off during the Tomlin press conference this week, all I heard him say was that if enough linebackers couldn't play, "the answer would be in-house" and they would substitute in defensive ends in certain situations. The media took that and ran with it.

Maybe Tomlin was trying to strategically place some doubt into the equation, and after the shake-up last week against the Patriots, it might have some credibility for fools.

http://www.cmdln.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/PityTheFool.jpg