Re: Best Steelers Defense?
I don't know yet. We had some seriously great defenses in the 90's. Straigh ball hawkers and we were still getting a ton of sacks. Plus they would score a td every now and then to help out. This D hasn't done that yet, but you can't discount how "easy" they make it look and how good of a position they put our offense in constantly (only for them to go 3 and out).
Re: Best Steelers Defense?
It would be interesting to see how some of the stats line up but I think this D is on pace to best any of the 90s.
Re: Best Steelers Defense?
I dunno...we had some awesome defenses under Cowher. There were plenty of times our D was #1 in ypg, rush ypg, pass ypg and scoring all at the same time.
But this defense is SCARY good!
Re: Best Steelers Defense?
It's key that B.W. LeBeau has had a group of db's to work with for some time now. You may have noticed all you "cushion" and "bend but don't break" complainers that we are NOT giving up big plays. Of course, it never hurts when blitzes actually DO get to the QB quickly.
Ike, Bmac and Deshea have been solid and Gay is turning out pretty swell too I'd say. Troy is Troy and Clarke is smart and I'm sure loves playing for Bad Word. Sawed off and Killswitch seem like above-average back ups imo.
Woodley has absolutely blossomed this year and silverback is in his prime right now. Foote and Farrior know LeBeau's stuff inside out and don't seem to make mental mistakes. Not to mention Timmons makes a great play or two each game it seems. Also, Frazier made the play of tthe game last night.
A healthy aaron smith and keisel, throw in Hoke as a decent back up to Big snack and yeah, we have the makings of a GREAT D. Hell, even Eason makes his presence known from time to time.
Re: Best Steelers Defense?
Best sack totals I could find were 55 in 1994 and 51 in 1996.
I think we have a chance to beat both this year over the next 8 games. We have 32 after 8 games so over the next 8 games we would need to average 3 per game.
Re: Best Steelers Defense?
[quote=Mel Blount's G][color=#FF0000]It's key that B.W. LeBeau has had a group of db's to work with for some time now. You may have noticed all you "cushion" and "bend but don't break" complainers that we are NOT giving up big plays. Of course, it never hurts when blitzes actually DO get to the QB quickly.[/color]
Ike, Bmac and Deshea have been solid and Gay is turning out pretty swell too I'd say. Troy is Troy and Clarke is smart and I'm sure loves playing for Bad Word. Sawed off and Killswitch seem like above-average back ups imo.
Woodley has absolutely blossomed this year and silverback is in his prime right now. Foote and Farrior know LeBeau's stuff inside out and don't seem to make mental mistakes. Not to mention Timmons makes a great play or two each game it seems. Also, Frazier made the play of tthe game last night.
A healthy aaron smith and keisel, throw in Hoke as a decent back up to Big snack and yeah, we have the makings of a GREAT D. Hell, even Eason makes his presence known from time to time.[/quote]
I have no problem admitting to being one of those guys. I think there are times the corners need to come up and take away some of the short stuff the offenses take from us...if anything to stop a drive, help with field position, get the D off the field so they can take a breather, etc.
I believe BMac and Ike are good enough to play tighter to the line without giving up the big play consistently. It doesn't have to be on every play, but it doesn't have to be the other way on every play either.
Re: Best Steelers Defense?
[quote=Oviedo]Best sack totals I could find were 55 in 1994 and 51 in 1996.
I think we have a chance to beat both this year over the next 8 games. We have 32 after 8 games so over the next 8 games we would need to average 3 per game.[/quote]
IIRC, we had 55 sacks in 2001 also. This defense is great. We may be the 1st team to EVER lead in yards allowed per game and be #1 against the rush, and the pass. That is just gross!
Re: Best Steelers Defense?
[quote=SteelerNation1][quote=Oviedo]Best sack totals I could find were 55 in 1994 and 51 in 1996.
I think we have a chance to beat both this year over the next 8 games. We have 32 after 8 games so over the next 8 games we would need to average 3 per game.[/quote]
IIRC, we had 55 sacks in 2001 also. This defense is great. We may be the 1st team to EVER lead in yards allowed per game and be #1 against the rush, and the pass. That is just gross![/quote]
Right now this defense is #1 in overall yardage, #1 in pass yardage, #3 in rush yardage, #2 in scoring, and #1 in sacks through the first half of the season. Remember, this is all against the toughest schedule any team has faced in the past 30 years. :tt2 :Steel :tt1
Re: Best Steelers Defense?
Don't forget about Timmons. The kid is coming in and making some sick plays out there.