The Steelers blitz OR lack thereof ....

[Sword]

You are right on..this is one of the big things that is wrong with our defensive play calling..

[Slapstick]

I also rewatched the Dallas game. Let me add a little perspective; the Steelers were down to their 4 and 5 CBs in a game where the opponent was 8th in the NFL on offense. Despite this fact, the Steelers were in front and in control of this game late until the AB fumble. As I rewatched his return it was clear that had he not fumble, he had a lot of room to run and could very possibly had scored. This one play change the outcome of the game in my opinion because the defense had actually begun to slow Dallas down and forced a kick on the previous series.

Of course, this is ignored because it doesn't fit into the anti-LeBeau agenda...

[raycafan]

Hey Slap, I am not anti DL. I just am wondering why the dynamics of the defense as seemed to change. Some say age, some say injuries which I am sure is part of it. But to me it seems the scheme is not the same as it once was. I wonder why?

[Slapstick]

Hey Slap, I am not anti DL. I just am wondering why the dynamics of the defense as seemed to change. Some say age, some say injuries which I am sure is part of it. But to me it seems the scheme is not the same as it once was. I wonder why?

People have been complaining about the "LeBeau cushion" for years on this very board...for the last two years, our top two pass rushers have been less than 100% healthy, not to mention Polamalu this season, but our DBs have upgraded in coverage for the most part...

[supersteeler]

Lebeau isn't the problem with our D, and never was. Actually he is doing a tremendous job. Before the injury to Ike Taylor, Lewis and Cortez we had the #1 pass defense in the entire NFL.
Just think how good they would be with some good D-linemen, and Woodley@ 100 percent. Coaching takes you so far, you have to have the players.
Sorry, Heyward and Hood should be playing better for being #1 picks so we have to live with what we have.
If we could get Woodley back to where he was before his injuries we would be in good shape, those nagging injuries are hurting his play. Silverback on the other hand is making plays and getting better, we just don't have enough Silverbacks in our front seven.

However this winds up, I'm proud to be a Steeler fan and know they will give it their all win or lose. I will say this, if the Steelers win their next two and get healthy for the playoffs no team will want to play us.

GO PITTSBURGH!

[ikestops85]

Good to see that more and more fans are seeing that the defense doesn't work anymore and DL doesn't have any answers. His defense is predicated on pressuring the QB into making mistakes and constant pressure. That isn't happening anymore but we see the same defense rolled out every week with no ingenuity which should be easy from a "genius." Something as simple as moving Harrison and Woodley around, switching sides, stacking both on the same side, anything.

I've been saying for thre seasons that the league has DL figured out. Our decreasing sack and INT totals show that the big play defense we once were is now a a pop gun because opponents know exactly what to expect. QBs are no longer uncomfortable because they see exactly what they prepare for. Time for change.

What in the world are you talking about? Granted the defense started out the year bad but then DL did something you say he can't do. He adjusted to life without Troy and the defense was playing lights out with Will Allen and Ryan Clark as the safety tandem. They were on a streak and arguably playing like the best defense in the league.

Then Troy came back and things started to noticeably decline. Now, do you want DL to sit a healthy former defensive player of the year who is the second highest paid player on the team (I think) while we start a journeyman safety in his spot? Or do you start said star safety and let him play his way back into football shape? I think DL has done a tremendous job with the defense this year. Its probably been one of his greatest seasons as a coach.

[Oviedo]

What in the world are you talking about? Granted the defense started out the year bad but then DL did something you say he can't do. He adjusted to life without Troy and the defense was playing lights out with Will Allen and Ryan Clark as the safety tandem. They were on a streak and arguably playing like the best defense in the league.

Then Troy came back and things started to noticeably decline. Now, do you want DL to sit a healthy former defensive player of the year who is the second highest paid player on the team (I think) while we start a journeyman safety in his spot? Or do you start said star safety and let him play his way back into football shape? I think DL has done a tremendous job with the defense this year. Its probably been one of his greatest seasons as a coach.

Please point out where I said sit the "former defensive player of the year?" Guess I can't read my own typing. Former does mean in the past not the present correct? We are playing these games in the present not the past but I still never suggested sitting a specific player.