Could swithcing to a 4-3 really fix this much?

[bowldog]

Really, what was different about this season compared to others. Defense better than average, offense was average, injuries you can't control.

ANSWER = TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS AND MORE TURNOVERS

[Crash]

The turnovers are skewed.

How many turnovers in games with Batch and Leftwich?

Turnovers didn't make the Steelers defense give back points after Ben's offense scored.

Turnovers didn't make the Steelers defense blow 4th quarter leads at Denver (as I predicted in the summer they would), Oakland, and Tennessee.

The Steelers offense handed the defense TWO 10 point leads in Oakland.

And each time the defense went right back on the field, and gave up a touchdown to a washed up Carson Palmer.

[Slapstick]

When the Steelers give up big plays on defense or special teams and/or turn the ball over, they lose...period...

@ Oakland: turned the ball over twice (once on the 30 as previously stated) and gave up a long run to McFadden...

@ Tennessee: gave up a punt block that gave Tennessee the ball on the Pittsburgh one yard line...

Ravens @ Pittsburgh: gave up a punt return for TD

@ Cleveland: turned the ball over 8 times

@ Dallas: special teams turned the ball over at midfield, threw INT in OT that put Dallas into FG range

Bengals @ Pittsburgh: threw pick 6

The thing is, the defense improved over the course of the season...not good early, much better down the stretch...

The offense and special teams were prone to costly turnovers and got worse as the season progressed...

[Crash]

Go give back points don't matter? How many times did it happen when they started 2-3 Slap? 10? 12?

Pretty sad when I know LeBeau's weaknesses on defense better than he does.

Even sadder is when fans ignore it and look at their "rank".

Like I said, three times they scored TDs in Oakland. Three times the defense gave a TD right back.

There's your game right there. Period.

[Jigawatts]

You want to know how to solve the defense?

Invest in a juggs machine.

At practice, load this machine with footballs and point it in the direction of the defense.

[Crash]

They can't pick off passes playing 8 yards off on 3rd and 5.

"Tackle the catch"

[Jigawatts]

They can't pick off passes when the ball hits them in the hands.

[papillon]

We lost to the Ravens with our #2 QB, and without Antonio Brown. Let's be consistent now, the defense isn't the only unit who has injuries here.

We lost to the Bengals who made the playoffs when the O struggled

The defense was absolutely DESTROYED by Carson Palmer, who does NOTHING anymore except when it's garbage time. He's been a joke since his 2009 return.

And yet he always seems to play well against this defense.


[/COLOR]

I didn't mention injuries in any of my comments about the defense or offense, simply saying that the offense shoulders blame as well as the defense all year. The beginning of the year the defense was bad and offense was consistent, but not great. The second half of the year the offense was bad and the defense was consistent and at times good. What was bad all year were the special teams and they cost the Steelers at least one game and possibly two.

Ben had brain cramps at bad times, Woodley never showed up, Harrison tried playing himself into condition it took a long time, Miller, Timmons and Clark were good all year, Foote was consistent for the most part and sometimes bad, the offensive line was juggled all year, but managed to keep Ben clean for the most part. The single most detrimental element to the 2012 Steelers were the special teams. With average to above average STs the Steelers make the playoffs.

Pappy

[Crash]

I didn't mention injuries in any of my comments about the defense or offense, simply saying that the offense shoulders blame as well as the defense all year.

Absolutely.

But most only remember the 2nd Bengals game. The defense as usual, gets their free pass and sob stories.

[Oviedo]

I didn't mention injuries in any of my comments about the defense or offense, simply saying that the offense shoulders blame as well as the defense all year. The beginning of the year the defense was bad and offense was consistent, but not great. The second half of the year the offense was bad and the defense was consistent and at times good. What was bad all year were the special teams and they cost the Steelers at least one game and possibly two.

Ben had brain cramps at bad times, Woodley never showed up, Harrison tried playing himself into condition it took a long time, Miller, Timmons and Clark were good all year, Foote was consistent for the most part and sometimes bad, the offensive line was juggled all year, but managed to keep Ben clean for the most part. The single most detrimental element to the 2012 Steelers were the special teams. With average to above average STs the Steelers make the playoffs.

Pappy

I think you underestimate how the OL injuries and juggling hurt the running game. Everyone may hate hearing it but until we fix the OL we won't ever be better. Simply looking at where a player was drafted isn't a fix because it is what is happening on the field.

[Crash]

I don't think the OL is that bad.

It's the situations they are put in that kills them.

[steelfin]

I don't think the OL is that bad.

It's the situations they are put in that kills them.

Do you mean those situations when they are required to block?

[Crash]

Do you mean those situations when they are required to block?

When it's 2nd and 1 and we have the RB lined up 8 1/2 yards behind the LOS? It's not going to be hard to stop, especially when we run about 95% of our run plays between the tackles.

By the time the back gets to the LOS any hole that was open is already closed.

Too long developing running plays. Not enough pitches, and not enough runs outside the tackles to keep defenses honest.

[Oviedo]

I don't think the OL is that bad.

It's the situations they are put in that kills them.

You need an eye exam. We generate no push in short yardage and are inconsistent with run blocking and pass blocking on about 50% of the plays.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

If Tomlin ever planned to switch, the time is now.