It's way too early to worry about Jarvis Jones

[ikestops85]

The guy on the sideline has to call the play. I've never understood why Timmons is not used more for blitzing.

The guy on the sideline was asked that question during training camp last year. His answer was something like ...

"I can keep sending Timmons but what backer do I have to cover?"

It makes sense when you look at it from that perspective.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

The guy on the sideline was asked that question during training camp last year. His answer was something like ...

"I can keep sending Timmons but what backer do I have to cover?"

It makes sense when you look at it from that perspective.

Yes, but isn't that what makes a blitz a blitz? You send more players than they can block, and hope that the QB does not have time to find the guy who was left uncovered. Obviously it isn't quite that simple, as the Steelers play a zone behind the blitz, but same idea...sending more players creates more openings in thew zone, sending fewer rushers causes the zone to be manned, but the receivers will have more time to find the opening.

[Slapstick]

Yes, but isn't that what makes a blitz a blitz? You send more players than they can block, and hope that the QB does not have time to find the guy who was left uncovered. Obviously it isn't quite that simple, as the Steelers play a zone behind the blitz, but same idea...sending more players creates more openings in thew zone, sending fewer rushers causes the zone to be manned, but the receivers will have more time to find the opening.

Correct...

But, this has never been a gambling defense...very few defenses are...

Again, the idea is to get pressure with four rushers when possible...the principles of the 3-4 and zone blitz allow you to send different rushers every time, confusing the protection and leading to unblocked pass rushers...

When you don't have a good talent level in the NFL, no defense works...