Time For A Change?

[TD386Steel]

Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau showed off yet another wrinkle, a 4-2-5 configuration in which outside linebackers LaMarr Woodley and Chris Carter came off the field. Yes, it was a four-man line for the Steelers.
“Something new, something new,” Woodley said. “It worked the few plays I saw it.”


Interested to know who the front four where?


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[Slapstick]

According to the site-that-shall-not-be-named, it was Hood, Hampton, Heyward and Keisel...

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Is Ta'amu active on game days? I was really pumped up when we drafted him, felt we were lucky to get him where we did, but haven't heard much at all about him through camp, preseason, and now.....whats the word on him?

[Slapstick]

Is Ta'amu active on game days? I was really pumped up when we drafted him, felt we were lucky to get him where we did, but haven't heard much at all about him through camp, preseason, and now.....whats the word on him?

He's usually inactive...Hampton and McClendon are the active NTs...you don't need three...

[Eddie Spaghetti]

the coaching staff probably knew Ta'amu was going to need a year to get acclimated. Some here will foolishly say that this is another example of lebeau not rushing players onto the field. I read somewhere they basically have to rebuild him from the ground up.

[TD386Steel]

According to the site-that-shall-not-be-named, it was Hood, Hampton, Heyward and Keisel...

Thanks for info, Nice to see they are trying to find ways to get more pressure and sacks

[Oviedo]

According to the site-that-shall-not-be-named, it was Hood, Hampton, Heyward and Keisel...

Sounds like a great 4-3 line to me. Eventually move Hood inside and put Woodley at DE.

[lloydroid]

Is Ta'amu active on game days? I was really pumped up when we drafted him, felt we were lucky to get him where we did, but haven't heard much at all about him through camp, preseason, and now.....whats the word on him?

Word is he is clearly no where near being ready to play in the NFL. Hope he improves. I was amped when they drafted him too, but he was FAIL so far.

[Slapstick]

Ta'amu was a 4th round pick and clearly an investment for the future...

A big, space-eating 3-4 NT is a very useful commodity...with Hampton in the last year of his contract, it makes absolute sense to invest a 3rd day pick and spend a year getting him ready...

The Steelers are not a crappy team that needs a 4th round pick to come in and be an immediate contributor...with 2 capable NTs on the roster already, Ta'amu doesn't need to be thrown into the fire...

[RuthlessBurgher]

Since when is a 4-2-5 formation revolutionary? It's called a standard nickel defense, and teams have been using in for decades. We tend to rotate pass rushers in and out to keep everyone fresh, so just because Woodley and Carter were on the sideline and Hood, Hampton, Heyward and Keisel were all in at once, that makes this something new? Okey dokey...

[flippy]

Since when is a 4-2-5 formation revolutionary? It's called a standard nickel defense, and teams have been using in for decades. We tend to rotate pass rushers in and out to keep everyone fresh, so just because Woodley and Carter were on the sideline and Hood, Hampton, Heyward and Keisel were all in at once, that makes this something new? Okey dokey...

But Lebeau usually goes light on the ends with LBs. I've always thought we should go bigger up front in the nickle to get more of a push and handle the run better. I like the idea of having a guy the size of Keisel and Heyward on the ends because sometimes Woodley/Harrison while great at what they do, are often going to get swallowed up by the ends.

[skyhawk]

But Lebeau usually goes light on the ends with LBs. I've always thought we should go bigger up front in the nickle to get more of a push and handle the run better. I like the idea of having a guy the size of Keisel and Heyward on the ends because sometimes Woodley/Harrison while great at what they do, are often going to get swallowed up by the ends.

They got more pressure on Sanchez WITH Wood and Carter especially after the 1st Q. Unrelated observation: I don't think Keisel has really showed up yet this year.

But yes, the 4-2-5 is a nickel D and we have seen it for the last 20 years under Lebeau. And they have used Harrison and Wood on the outside. They just get rid of fat ass on non running downs. I don't think definitions really matter, sometimes even in the 4-2-5 there is only ONE downed lineman and everyone else is standing up and moving around.

[skyhawk]

And I do think Woodley and Harrison get swallowed up by the ends more these days because the rules have clearly changed to slow them down. They are allowed to hold more. If not for that they would each be getting 15 sacks per year and in the passing oriented league there's no way the NFL is going to allow that.

[TD386Steel]

At the site that is not to be named Tomlin talks about The Big Nickel package they choose to use against the Jets, that it provides versatility for them and allows them to match up from a personal standpoint and have a big body presence. He also says that they can use 3 corners and 1 safety in that base package. Tomlin claims there are more packages on the way for the season, because they have to have a variety. Good read encouraging info.

[Oviedo]

And I do think Woodley and Harrison get swallowed up by the ends more these days because the rules have clearly changed to slow them down. They are allowed to hold more. If not for that they would each be getting 15 sacks per year and in the passing oriented league there's no way the NFL is going to allow that.

That is because they are both bullrushers who get into the body of the OT. More and more that OT can hold them without a penalty. As we see with Starks and some of our own players it is much harder to deal with a speed rusher off the end. Holds are much more obvious and get called more. IMO I think in upcoming drafts if we are staying with the 3-4 we need to get some real speed guys for the outside rush. Plus the speed probably would also help in pass coverage.