Can we finally place some blame on Lebeau's D?

[Slapstick]

Imagine what life would be like if Slapstick actually wasn't afraid to blame something other than Ben for the Steelers woes!

Yes. It is fear. Your keen insight has cut me to the core.

So, you're saying Ben's performance was awesome on Thursday night?

[Starlifter]

I don't presume to match my insignificant knowledge of football and the NFL with a guy who's been in the league over 50 years such as Coach Lebeau. However I think it's relevant to point out he himself has proclaimed his defensive philosophy and strategy have always been to stop the run first, prevent the big play second, and keep everything in front so you can wear down the opponent and eventually make a stop. By that standard, his units have failed to achieve those goals over the last 3 years.

So is it scheme? players? both? The only way to know for sure is either to replace all the players (impossible) or replace the DC (far easier). I don't think either is going to happen quite frankly so we will have to muddle through the first half of this year and see if the unit can gel together and once again become an impact unit. If they don't, it's more likely than not the Lebeau era (and it's no exaggeration to say it's been a spectacular era) is over.

If the steelers tank again this year and fail to make the playoffs - that heat will start drifting ever closer to tomlin. At that point, assistant coaches go first - no matter their pedigree.

[BlitzTo7]

Yes. It is fear. Your keen insight has cut me to the core.

So, you're saying Ben's performance was awesome on Thursday night?

See what I mean? Whenever someone brings up a bad performance from the defense, Slapstick always finds a way to bring it back to Ben and/or the offense. He even tries to derail threads specifically about the defense trying doing this.

[Slapstick]

See what I mean? Whenever someone brings up a bad performance from the defense, Slapstick always finds a way to bring it back to Ben and/or the offense. He even tries to derail threads specifically about the defense trying doing this.

I did not bring Ben into this thread. You did.

[BlitzTo7]

I did not bring Ben into this thread. You did.

Nope, you brought up the offense on the first page of this thread.

[Slapstick]

Nope, you brought up the offense on the first page of this thread.

Again, I did not bring Ben Roethlisberger's name into this thread...

I merely pointed out that the offense scored a whopping six points and turned the ball over twice...did that not happen?

[BlitzTo7]

Again, I did not bring Ben Roethlisberger's name into this thread...

I merely pointed out that the offense scored a whopping six points and turned the ball over twice...did that not happen?

Sure it did, but I think the author wanted to discuss the defense as they were hardly blameless in that game and overall have been trending downward since after Super Bowl XLV.

By all means make a thread intended to talk about the offense and I won't bring up the defense in it.

[papillon]

Football is the ultimate team sport, you can't discuss the defense without talking about the offense and vice versa. Each unit makes the other units job much easier, when one fails, the other has to pick up the slack. Neither unit for the Steelers is holding up its end of the deal since the first two quarters of the Cleveland game, in which the defense stopped the Browns and the offense scored a lot of points.

There are too many narrowly focused complaints IMO on the board, there seems to be the urge to focus on one player, one coach or one FO person. Right now, IMO, the Steelers are failing as a team, the coaching isn't good, the offense isn't playing well and the defense is definitely suffering, it's not a good scenario. However, it is the NFL and things can change overnight, Miami looked like world beaters a week ago, this week they lose to the Bills, The Pats looked horrible and this week they put a beat down on Minnesota, etc., it can change quickly.

Pappy

[Slapstick]

Too many people are focused on their own agendas and grinding their proverbial axes as opposed to discussing the team....

There are way too many chest thumping "I told you so" posts that do absolutely no good...

[Slapstick]

Sure it did, but I think the author wanted to discuss the defense as they were hardly blameless in that game and overall have been trending downward since after Super Bowl XLV.

By all means make a thread intended to talk about the offense and I won't bring up the defense in it.

1) If you actually read my first post on this thread, you will see that I did not absolve the defense of any blame....

2) If I want to start a thread complaining about the offense, I will...and, if you choose to participate, you can bring up the defense....a logical counterpoint does not scare me...

If you don't like my opinions, feel free to put me on your ignore list and be spared...I use it, and with the people I chose, I don't feel like I miss a damn bit of insight or relevant ideas....

[Mr.wizard]

Football is the ultimate team sport, you can't discuss the defense without talking about the offense and vice versa. Each unit makes the other units job much easier, when one fails, the other has to pick up the slack. Neither unit for the Steelers is holding up its end of the deal since the first two quarters of the Cleveland game, in which the defense stopped the Browns and the offense scored a lot of points.

There are too many narrowly focused complaints IMO on the board, there seems to be the urge to focus on one player, one coach or one FO person. Right now, IMO, the Steelers are failing as a team, the coaching isn't good, the offense isn't playing well and the defense is definitely suffering, it's not a good scenario. However, it is the NFL and things can change overnight, Miami looked like world beaters a week ago, this week they lose to the Bills, The Pats looked horrible and this week they put a beat down on Minnesota, etc., it can change quickly.

Pappy

Ya the offense didn't have a great game but they have looked very promising, guys are flying around making plays. The defense on the other hand looks like they are holding on for dear life on every position, they don't swarm, they don't attack, they just sit back get run over and hope the opposing offense stops itself.

[BlitzTo7]

1) If you actually read my first post on this thread, you will see that I did not absolve the defense of any blame....

2) If I want to start a thread complaining about the offense, I will...and, if you choose to participate, you can bring up the defense....a logical counterpoint does not scare me...

If you don't like my opinions, feel free to put me on your ignore list and be spared...I use it, and with the people I chose, I don't feel like I miss a damn bit of insight or relevant ideas....

It's not about "scaring" anybody, it's about not derailing threads.

[The Man of Steel]

That whole stat line about the Steelers defense forcing the least of turnovers of any other NFL team since 2011 pretty much tells the story of our D's ineptitude.

[Slapstick]

It's not about "scaring" anybody, it's about not derailing threads.

So, I cannot offer a differing opinion without being accused of thread jacking?

It's a public forum...if someone's opinion is unassailable or if topics/opinions are to be off limits, perhaps posting them on a public forum isn't the right place...

In any case, the Steelers have been outscored 50-9 over the last six quarters...neither side of the ball looks particularly promising at this point in time...

[Shawn]

I don't presume to match my insignificant knowledge of football and the NFL with a guy who's been in the league over 50 years such as Coach Lebeau. However I think it's relevant to point out he himself has proclaimed his defensive philosophy and strategy have always been to stop the run first, prevent the big play second, and keep everything in front so you can wear down the opponent and eventually make a stop. By that standard, his units have failed to achieve those goals over the last 3 years.

So is it scheme? players? both? The only way to know for sure is either to replace all the players (impossible) or replace the DC (far easier). I don't think either is going to happen quite frankly so we will have to muddle through the first half of this year and see if the unit can gel together and once again become an impact unit. If they don't, it's more likely than not the Lebeau era (and it's no exaggeration to say it's been a spectacular era) is over.

If the steelers tank again this year and fail to make the playoffs - that heat will start drifting ever closer to tomlin. At that point, assistant coaches go first - no matter their pedigree.

I believe it's a few things. I seen a major dip when our defensive leadership left. Hence, the reason JP was brought in to coach. With that loss there was a loss of "swag" or whatever you want to call it. There is no passion or confidence...they play as if they can't wait to go home. Every D has some questionable players and this one is no different. But, why is this Steelers D so bad? An elderly LeBeau no longer has anything fresh for these guys...they are bored, lack confidence and nothing short of a change at DC will change that. We need a young, innovative fired up coach who grabs a few face masks. We need to actually play our young talent. Cam should never sniff the field. We must start Tuitt and get some PT for McCullers. We have enough talent on this D to be better than average...possibly even good. A good coaching change, and a solid draft next year will go a long ways to curing our D woes. I just don't expect much to change this season.