Loss of Aaron Smith Cause of Poor Run D

[Shawn]

Re: Loss of Aaron Smith Cause of Poor Run D

Hood has not yet demonstrated that he is as good as Aaron smith was in his glory days. Hood has not played this season as well as he did in the second half of last season. Still, Hood has played better than Smith this season.

Yet the Steelers had their best run D in decades last season...Smith out...Ziggy in. Coincidence?

Um, yeah. I'm agreeing with you. Hood should have been the starter at the beginning of this season. Just made a point about Smith in his glory days being better than Hood at this stage of his career. But, to be clear, Hood was at least as good if not better than Smith last season. And, this season, for what it is worth, Hood has not stunk as badly.

Oh you won't hear me disagree there. Smith in his prime might be a top 5 3-4 DE ever. Hood is nowhere close to that yet. When Bellicheck glows about a player on another team...there is something to be said about that player.

[dirt]

Re: Loss of Aaron Smith Cause of Poor Run D

I also hear stuff about Hampton not getting the job done or he is gunshy now because of the chop blocks, why not try Hoke or McClendon ?

I'm surprised to say this..... but Hampton has been the better of the 3 d-lineman this year IMO.

I will say that I would like to McClendon in there a lot more to spell big snack. I think McClendon has a future on this team and possibly as a starter. He needs to see some more playing time.

That may be the case, but Hampton hasn't looked that good either. The entire d-line does not look strong or in shape. So much for that "experience" advantage the Steelers would have coming in after the lockout...