Stopping the Run

[flippy]

In our 6 losses, we've given up over 100 yards rushing. In our 2 wins, we've given up less than 100 yards. Could the real problem be that we simply can't stop the run on Defense?

If we look at the difference in the front 7 since last year - it's Hampton, Harrison, and Foote. Have McClendon, Williams, and Jarvis killed the defensive front's ability to stop the run? Has this amplified the defensive problems we have?

I think tackling is the biggest problem. If we made tackles consistently, we'd probably be at least 4-4. If we made tackles and didn't turn the ball over, we'd probably be 7-1 right now.

If we could stop the runs, offenses would have to be one dimensional against us. And we could pin our ears back and go after the QB. And the pressure might lead to more turnovers?

[Slapstick]

If the Steelers didn't miss tackles and didn't turn the ball over, they probably would be doing much better...this is true....

They aren't nearly good enough to overcome self inflicted wounds...

[steelz09]

Screw stopping the run.... it's not important. It's a passing league, remember?

[flippy]

Screw stopping the run.... it's not important. It's a passing league, remember?

Lol. The funny thing is it's traditionally been a passing league as far as the Steelers were always concerned because no one could run on us, so why bother trying. And it's ironic that now that we can't stop the run, teams can all of a sudden pass so much more easily against us even though they've always been trying to pass against us all along.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

So far this season...

The Steelers rank 12th in the league in YPG allowed.

They are 4th in passing YPG allowed.

They are 31st in rushing YPG allowed.

Ordinarily, for a 2-6 team, that could be explained by teams blowing us out early and just running the ball all second half, but that has not been the case. On top of that, a huge chunk of that 210 passing yards against came last week when the D was hit for more than double their average.

Considering the D's inability to create a pass rush, the secondary has held up well so far this year. These numbers, and my eyes, tell me that the biggest problem is that this D cannot stop the run. The other issue is third down efficiency.

[Eich]

I think there's no question that our inability to stop the run has made everything else worse. This has become a defense that has no answer for anything. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass (short, medium and long) and we aren't tackling particularly well. I don't remember the last time we had a defense like this.

I don't lay all this on LeBeau. It's loss and lack of talent that's gotten us here. It's possible that a new coach with an all new scheme could make better use of the players we do have.

[Oviedo]

I think there's no question that our inability to stop the run has made everything else worse. This has become a defense that has no answer for anything. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass (short, medium and long) and we aren't tackling particularly well. I don't remember the last time we had a defense like this.

I don't lay all this on LeBeau. It's loss and lack of talent that's gotten us here. It's possible that a new coach with an all new scheme could make better use of the players we do have.

Is a lack of talent also an excuse for Haley? Was it for Arians? They both have had to deal with one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, plus not having a top RB.

My complaint with LeBeau is not what he does when he has his perfect fit and combination of players, its easy for any coordinator then. But what he hasn't done when he hasn't had just the right players is where he is failing. He continues to run the same old template like the actual skills of the players aren't a factor.

[flippy]

Is a lack of talent also an excuse for Haley? Was it for Arians? They both have had to deal with one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, plus not having a top RB.

My complaint with LeBeau is not what he does when he has his perfect fit and combination of players, its easy for any coordinator then. But what he hasn't done when he hasn't had just the right players is where he is failing. He continues to run the same old template like the actual skills of the players aren't a factor.

What's he supposed to do with what he's got? Switching this personnel to a 4-3 wouldn't work. Pressing WRs wouldn't work with a single high safety that can't cover.

I'm not buying that DL isn't trying to adjust. He's pretty much dropped Troy into the box to account for the lack of talent in the front 7. He's got the DLine trying to penetrate because the LBs aren't getting pressure and our DLine play can't hold their gaps.

And the biggest problem on this D is we aren't making tackles. What can Lebeau do to make these guys tackle better? I have a hard time believing that he went senile and that's the reason the D can't tackle. Players just aren't making plays.

The most basic principles of DL's D are stopping the run and tackling the catch to prevent big plays. And if guys on the field aren't doing either of these, the whole system breaks down. There's pretty much nothing any DC could do to look good if his guys aren't tackling.

[steelz09]

I know a lot of people will probably praise Foote and criticize V. Williams for our rush defense but the reality is that the inability to stop the run is most likely due to our poor NT play.

[steelsnis]

I know a lot of people will probably praise Foote and criticize V. Williams for our rush defense but the reality is that the inability to stop the run is most likely due to our poor NT play.

Agree about NT play. Although I do think losing Foote hurt the D way worse than anyone thought it would at the time.

I wonder if the future holds a lineup of Mclendon at DE, Fangupo at NT, and Heyward at the other DE. A 3-4 defense really needs a plugger in the middle, not a slasher which is why I wonder if Mclendon (who has shown some talent at getting into the backfield) might be better suited at DE.

[JDSteeler]

In our 6 losses, we've given up over 100 yards rushing. In our 2 wins, we've given up less than 100 yards. Could the real problem be that we simply can't stop the run on Defense?

If we look at the difference in the front 7 since last year - it's Hampton, Harrison, and Foote. Have McClendon, Williams, and Jarvis killed the defensive front's ability to stop the run? Has this amplified the defensive problems we have?

I think tackling is the biggest problem. If we made tackles consistently, we'd probably be at least 4-4. If we made tackles and didn't turn the ball over, we'd probably be 7-1 right now.

If we could stop the runs, offenses would have to be one dimensional against us. And we could pin our ears back and go after the QB. And the pressure might lead to more turnovers?

The days of stopping the run, and making teams one-dimensional are gone...atleast for now. 90 is not Big Snack, and 96, or 97 is certainly not Aaron Smith. 99 is getting old. The D-line is really
bad in my opinion. They don't play sound gap football, and get blasted off the line.

I have no idea where the Steelers get help at this point. I kinda like Arnfeldt, but he's not gonna get a hat this year, and I really want to see him play a little before the season is over...

JD

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Is a lack of talent also an excuse for Haley? Was it for Arians? They both have had to deal with one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, plus not having a top RB.

My complaint with LeBeau is not what he does when he has his perfect fit and combination of players, its easy for any coordinator then. But what he hasn't done when he hasn't had just the right players is where he is failing. He continues to run the same old template like the actual skills of the players aren't a factor.

I think that on the D, you can go play by play and it seems like a different reason almost every time.

For example, if you see a receiver, or a TE, or a RB running all alone, wide open, with nobody around him and he hauls in a pass, then either somebody blew an assignment or the scheme did not give the D a good matchup. That is mostly on coaching.

When you see a RB run into the line and into 5 sets of arms, yet he still always manages to push forward for the extra yard or two, or escape the shoddy tackling, then that is on the players.

Unfortunately, we have seen lots of both this year.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I know a lot of people will probably praise Foote and criticize V. Williams for our rush defense but the reality is that the inability to stop the run is most likely due to our poor NT play.

I agree steelz. I have said earlier in the year during the 0-4 run that there was a huge area at the front of the pocket that the QB has for safety. No pressure is coming from up the middle. The QB can step up, can see the field, can run away, and same goes for the RBs.

Close your eyes and think about some of the big runs that have come against the Steelers this year. I'll bet that you see 90% starting right up the gut. That was the value of Snack. There may not have been a ton of pressure up the gut, but there was nowhere to go there either, and any small opening was slowly closing up even more.

[flippy]

I know a lot of people will probably praise Foote and criticize V. Williams for our rush defense but the reality is that the inability to stop the run is most likely due to our poor NT play.

Not only that (which I think is a big factor), but also, DL has changed the system to better suit the talent on the Dline. It's become less about controlling the gaps and more about penetrating. Should we consider going back to the old system for the DLine even though it may not best suit the players? If so, I think there's a strong case to get some reps for Arnfelt and Fangupo who fit the mold of Smitty and Hampton better than the current lineup imho.

At the end of the day, I always come away thinking I'd run on the Steelers any time McClendon and Williams are on the field together.

[feltdizz]

IMO I always thought Hampton had a few season's left in him... is he too expensive?