The Hole In Steelers Defense

[NorthCoast]

Middle of the field.... It's something that feels like it has been around for the last 10 years.

It must be schematic because the players have changed over the years and yet the results are the same.

The positive view, it can only get better when you're already the worst...

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2qr9QPd][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2qr9QPd]defense-breakdown (2)[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/191750946@N04/]R W[/url], on Flickr

[LPMAN]

It's definitly schematic. Other teams look for ways to get their skill position players matched up vs our linebackers. Until we get a Luke Kuechly type ain't changing. If we have extra DBS in teams run up the middle. If we have lots of linebackers in teams throw over the middle.

[NorthCoast]

It's definitly schematic. Other teams look for ways to get their skill position players matched up vs our linebackers. Until we get a Luke Kuechly type ain't changing. If we have extra DBS in teams run up the middle. If we have lots of linebackers in teams throw over the middle.

Thought Queen was supposed to be that guy in the middle?

[WindyCitySteel]

It's definitly schematic. Other teams look for ways to get their skill position players matched up vs our linebackers. Until we get a Luke Kuechly type ain't changing. If we have extra DBS in teams run up the middle. If we have lots of linebackers in teams throw over the middle.

Yup, teams have been killing us with 12 and 13 by putting their #1 WR in the slot for our dime LB to cover. Our only answer to that has been "play better".

[Northern_Blitz]

My guess is that at least part of this is a strategic choice for us.

Every week, we seem to severely limit the opposing team's biggest passing threat. My guess is that we do that by taking away routes down the sideline.

So we force more passes to the middle of the field (and hopefully try to limit big plays here too).

Force long drives. Make this generation of QBs march down the field on longer drives. Give TJ and company more plays to make some splash.

Maybe the data tells a different story, but that's what it feels like to me when I'm watching it.

[NorthCoast]

My guess is that at least part of this is a strategic choice for us.

Every week, we seem to severely limit the opposing team's biggest passing threat. My guess is that we do that by taking away routes down the sideline.

So we force more passes to the middle of the field (and hopefully try to limit big plays here too).

Force long drives. Make this generation of QBs march down the field on longer drives. Give TJ and company more plays to make some splash.

Maybe the data tells a different story, but that's what it feels like to me when I'm watching it.

6 total INTs on the outside, 4 INTs in the MOF. In the middle, Trice has one, Kazee has one, Bishop has one, and Elliot has one. Where is Fitz in all this??

[Captain Lemming]

My guess is that at least part of this is a strategic choice for us.

Every week, we seem to severely limit the opposing team's biggest passing threat. My guess is that we do that by taking away routes down the sideline.

So we force more passes to the middle of the field (and hopefully try to limit big plays here too).

Force long drives. Make this generation of QBs march down the field on longer drives. Give TJ and company more plays to make some splash.

Maybe the data tells a different story, but that's what it feels like to me when I'm watching it.

Reminds me of a story told to me by former Patriot/49er tight end Russ Francis. He used to TEAR UP our legendary 70s defenses. Well he is from close to where I am from in Hawaii (went to the same high school as my wife).

TO THE ORIGINAL POINT here;
He said the Steelers focused on outside receivers and the run and gambled that you couldn’t beat them with your tight end so he would go off on us.

Patriots best 70s team was 76, the best steel curtain defense ever. Patriots dropped 30 on us and Russ had over half of his teams receiving yards and a score.

[url]https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197609260pit.htm[/url]

Dude had some awesome stories, particularly about Jack Lambert being an absolute psycho when the refs couldn’t see under the pile.

Said Lambert literally bit his leg like an animal. Russ was very athletic but had a “soft” reputation so Jack was trying to get into his head.

He said that they eventually got to be buddies as Lambert would go to work the Probowl in Hawaii every year and Jack was one of the players Russ would take around town.

[Northern_Blitz]

6 total INTs on the outside, 4 INTs in the MOF. In the middle, Trice has one, Kazee has one, Bishop has one, and Elliot has one. Where is Fitz in all this??

I also think it's surprising that Minkah hasn't had more ints.

[Eich]

I keep reading that Minkah is being avoided by QBs.