Essex: It’s scheme, not talent, on defense

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Yep.

Cowher too.

Neither of them were / are elite Xs and Os guys.

They are guys who's primary skill is getting players to buy in (a super-important skill for HCs IMO).

Exactly, and I don't need my HC to be the best X's and O's guy, but if he isn't, he has to know to hire them, and then effectively manage them. The interesting thing about both are that they may have had more job security than almost any HC in the NFL the last 30 something years so I can't believe that the reason is fear of an assistant gunning for their jobs.

[Northern_Blitz]

We couldn’t stop the run late in the season last year with Minkah.

Its the scheme.

I am not saying that there aren't scheme issues.

I'm saying that two very big issues we have (tackling and explosive pass plays) are two things that got significantly worse this year.

Potentially because we got rid of a player who was elite and both of these things (even though he wasn't getting splash plays...which he was being paid to do).

[Northern_Blitz]

Exactly, and I don't need my HC to be the best X's and O's guy, but if he isn't, he has to know to hire them, and then effectively manage them. The interesting thing about both are that they may have had more job security than almost any HC in the NFL the last 30 something years so I can't believe that the reason is fear of an assistant gunning for their jobs.

Strongly agree.

I think we did a better job on offense with Smith.

I would be excited if we got an elite DC and gave him more power over the D. But I don't think it will happen.

[hawaiiansteel]

I would be excited if we got an elite DC and gave him more power over the D. But I don't think it will happen.

We had Flores.

But he left and Austin stayed because Flores wants to run the defense and that doesn't work with Tomlin so heavily involved.

[LPMAN]

I am not saying that there aren't scheme issues.

I'm saying that two very big issues we have (tackling and explosive pass plays) are two things that got significantly worse this year.

Potentially because we got rid of a player who was elite and both of these things (even though he wasn't getting splash plays...which he was being paid to do).

I know you mean Minkah, but i think of Elandon Roberts gone the most when i think of our inside run defense woes.

[Eich]

We had Flores.

But he left and Austin stayed because Flores wants to run the defense and that doesn't work with Tomlin so heavily involved.

That was a HUGE mistake. It may have a serious impact on Tomlin's legacy.

[WindyCitySteel]

How much of the defense is getting rid of Minkah.

Last year the Steelers were among the top 3 teams in the league in best (fewest) missed tackle rate and explosive pass plays.

Minkah didn't make many splash plays. But he was an elite tackler and single high safety (played more single high than almost every team in the league and gave up among the fewest explosive pass plays).

It's only 2 games, but we're currently one of the worst teams (highest) for missed tackle rate and explosive pass plays (actually explosive plays in general...I think worst in the league per Terrible Podcast).

I wasn't a fan of the trade because we got older and I didn't think J Smith was a WR2...and that he was essentially interchangeable with PF (but older). But I was hoping that bolstering the CBs on the team would mean that we'd play more tight coverage and give our edge rushers more time to make a play (I think we had among the shortest time to throws for offenses playing against us to neutralize TJ).

So far hasn't happened. But the secondary is pretty beat up currently.

As much as people want a QB, most of the coming draft class looks like crap so far. If the Steelers trade up, it should be for Caleb Downs.

[Northern_Blitz]

We had Flores.

But he left and Austin stayed because Flores wants to run the defense and that doesn't work with Tomlin so heavily involved.

While I would have loved to have Flores as a DC, I don't think it was ever the plan for him.

It's better for a defensive minded guy who wants to be a HC to go and coach under an offensive minded HC.

FWIW, I will always credit Rooney for allowing us to hire Flores while he was in the middle of a lawsuit against Rooney's extended family.