The Steeler's Problem???

[skyhawk]

Plus, I get the feeling that because the Steelers O was so inept, the other teams protected the ball more, and were less risk-taking, therefore giving an inflated rating of the #1 defense. Reminds me of the inept offenses of the late 1980's that ALSO had topped ranked D's.

[lloydroid]

Yeah, we failed in the rushing department with a 3 back system. A back has a hard time getting into a groove unless he has 20 or more carries, it wouldn't hurt to practice in pads either, but Goodell's rules prevent that physical brand of practicing that carries on to the field on game day.

I'm no fan of Goodell, but claiming it is "his rules" that prevent more practices with pads is probably not accurate. Was it not the players' association that fought to put that provision in during the collective bargaining agreement?

[lloydroid]

This! No back could get in a groove! I have been noticing this ALL season!

How can backs get in a groove when they ask to come off the field every time they have 2 consecutive carries (Dwyer)?

[skyhawk]

How can backs get in a groove when they ask to come off the field every time they have 2 consecutive carries (Dwyer)?

Yup! Pissed me off. WTF?

[SidSmythe]

How can backs get in a groove when they ask to come off the field every time they have 2 consecutive carries (Dwyer)?

Adrian Peterson rips off a 60 yarder and stays in the game.

[Dee Dub]

OK, we've sat on this board discussing things like:
- "our defensive system sucks" Despite ranking #1

Question...when you watched this defense did you really see a #1 ranked defense? Does not the fact that the Steelers played one of the worst opponent win-loss percentages in the league not have something to do with that? If all we do is look at statistics we can be deceived by the actual facts.

Was it number 1 ranked versus the lowly Raiders, Titans, Browns, Chargers, and Cowboys? All sub-par to below average teams.

[lloydroid]

Question...when you watched this defense did you really see a #1 ranked defense? Does not the fact that the Steelers played one of the worst opponent win-loss percentages in the league not have something to do with that? If all we do is look at statistics we can be deceived by the actual facts.

Was it number 1 ranked versus the lowly Raiders, Titans, Browns, Chargers, and Cowboys? All sub-par to below average teams.

It is deceiving. No way is this D truly the best in the NFL. I think points against is a much more meaningful stat to judge a D by, and basing rankings on that, SF, Chic., Seat., Denver and Hous. (by 1 point) are all higher ranking Ds and I would say that pretty much is a dead on ranking for what Ds I believe are better than Pgh. It doesn't matter if you give up some yards if the opponent isn't scoring. There is no way on Earth I'd put Pgh's D in the category of SF and Seat. They hit harder, get to the QB and have DBs who fly all over the place.