Tackling The Issue?

[flippy]

I feel like a broken record bringing this up for a 3rd straight season, but is our biggest issue simply tackling?

We seem to have a team of guys that would rather hit someone on D than wrap up.

I've heard Lebeau getting a lot of flack for his D today and almost letting Cleveland come back. But when I think back to the game, I remember what seemed like missed tackles on nearly every single drive.

What can a coach realistically do when his players don't tackle guys? If guys were out of position all the time, I could see Dick getting his share of the blame. But who's to blame when guys just seem to whiff left and right?

[Slapstick]

Tomlin!!!!

[Oviedo]

I thought defensive coaches were supposed to develop and improve the talent.

[squidkid]

well, i know its not tomlins fault. nothing ever is.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I thought defensive coaches were supposed to develop and improve the talent.

I agree that coaches are responsible to put them in position to succeed, but missing tackles has to be on the players.

[feltdizz]

blame everyone...

[BradshawsHairdresser]

If you have a couple or three players missing tackles, it may be all on the players....when the whole team is whiffing, when the whole team (in flippy's words) "would rather hit someone on D than wrap up," then the coaches have to bear at least part of the blame. Not enough instruction or emphasis on proper tackling, not enough correction given for improper tackling.

[Iron City Inc.]

At half time did we believe our ability to tackle was in question? 27-3 at that point. Cleveland ran 64 plays and it seemed like we were out of gas at times in the 2nd half. Now we only have 5 d linemen on the team and one was inactive on Sunday. Only 4 d linemen in today's day of no huddle and 65-75 plays a game just seems like its to much to ask of only 4 linemen. Flacco attempted over 60 passes Sunday so I think we'll need to keep 5 active for Thursday and going forward. This may help some of our tackling issues.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Poor execution is usually the issue 90% of the time when things don't work out.

[skyhawk]

For tackling to be a problem in the Cleveland game you have to be in position to make one first. The D line got completely dominated in the second half. Meanwhile, Cleve brought three lineman and twice got sacks of Ben when they did.

If they don't improve play (in the trenches) this is gonna be another long and 8-8 season.