Tomlin doesn't believe defense has gotten too old

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Re: Tomlin doesn't believe defense has gotten too old

Players 30-33 years old are not too old to play sports. That is the age that most of the guys are that people are saying are too old. The question is the injury factor. Unless a player has been supernaturally fortunate, by the time the player in that age range makes it to 30-33, they've had a significant injury or so, and the effects tend to linger.

So, I think that makes them a little more susceptible to injury or wearing down during the season. That is the main reason I strongly dislike the idea of an expanded season.
But I don't think Tomlin is in denial at all. The Steelers have been adding young players to the roster, but some of them do need to see the field a little faster.

Farrior sure looked like he slowed down last season to me. And Harrison had a significant performance drop in the second half of the season. Perhaps both of them had injuries we didn't know about. But both are in their 30s. Can we expect players like Aaron Smith and Troy to have fewer injuries at this point in their careers--or more?

Players 30-33 may not be too old to play, but they're too old to be on the field as much as LeBeau has them on the field. I think that was a major factor in last season's fourth-quarter collapses.

[ANPSTEEL]

Re: Tomlin doesn't believe defense has gotten too old

Players 30-33 years old are not too old to play sports. That is the age that most of the guys are that people are saying are too old. The question is the injury factor. Unless a player has been supernaturally fortunate, by the time the player in that age range makes it to 30-33, they've had a significant injury or so, and the effects tend to linger.

So, I think that makes them a little more susceptible to injury or wearing down during the season. That is the main reason I strongly dislike the idea of an expanded season.
But I don't think Tomlin is in denial at all. The Steelers have been adding young players to the roster, but some of them do need to see the field a little faster.

Farrior sure looked like he slowed down last season to me. And Harrison had a significant performance drop in the second half of the season. Perhaps both of them had injuries we didn't know about. But both are in their 30s. Can we expect players like Aaron Smith and Troy to have fewer injuries at this point in their careers--or more?

Players 30-33 may not be too old to play, but they're too old to be on the field as much as LeBeau has them on the field. I think that was a major factor in last season's fourth-quarter collapses.

Farrior certainly looked like he was losing a step last season- lets hope it was a reflection of him trying to do too much- that caused him to be out of position & a step behind.

In respect to Harrison, I read in a couple different places that he was playing with a serious arm injury (I want to say torn bicep-) but that was never confirmed by him or the team. If he was actually injured, that would definitely impact his performance- and we can only assume, once healthy, he'll be back to form.