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

[K Train]

What the Steelers secondary really needs is a couple of white cornerbacks. Maybe we could find a pair out there in the free agent market.

Jason Sehorn is available

[Slapstick]

But, you are enlightened and past your own filters?

Nah. Just when it comes to the Steelers, I don't have an agenda...I just want them to do well...

I don't hate Tomlin. I don't hate LeBeau. I don't hate Haley. I don't hate Gilbert, Allen, Troy, McClendon, Ben or any other player...I don't hate the Rooney family....

I do realize that "hate" is a strong word, so don't get hung up on the semantics...

All that doesn't mean that I think everything they do is automatically right...with back-to-back 8-8 seasons, that is clearly not the case....I just have no axe to grind...

[Oviedo]

Ike took a pay cut to return. Did the organization have a viable option to replace Ike?

What if there wasnt a legit NT to be had before Hampton was sent packing? Easier said than done to replace players.

They didn't over pay Woodley based on the information they had. At the time the arrow for Woodley was pointing upwards. No one could predict he would suffer injury after injury.

The jury still out on Cortez.

The signed Worilds as a stop gap. Maybe because there wasn't anyone available that was better? They don't owe him anything after this season.

As we can see it's been difficult to replace those old ass vets. It's never easy to replace good/great players.

Yet, we try to do the exact same thing we did when those "old ass vets" weren't old even when we don't have players with the same skillsets? Is that smart?

[Captain Lemming]

Nah. Just when it comes to the Steelers, I don't have an agenda...I just want them to do well...

I don't hate Tomlin. I don't hate LeBeau. I don't hate Haley. I don't hate Gilbert, Allen, Troy, McClendon, Ben or any other player...I don't hate the Rooney family....

I do realize that "hate" is a strong word, so don't get hung up on the semantics...

All that doesn't mean that I think everything they do is automatically right...with back-to-back 8-8 seasons, that is clearly not the case....I just have no axe to grind...

Yes thats the point.
Heck I can call it when someone does stupid.

For example DL ALWAYS overcompensates for running QBs ability to run and they throw for bukku yards on us ever since young inaccurate Mike Vick. I put the blame for the Denver playoff loss to Tebow SQUARELY on DL
Conversely I dont like how quickly we leave our base defense fearing the pass which sets us up to be GAUGED by big runs. I have made this particular criticism recently.

However, I lay blame on him for "schematic" mistakes which are FAR OUTWEIGHED by his overall excellence.

I dont blame him for the fact that our guys cant hold on to ints and cant hold the edge, cant hold the point, are too weak and slow to get to the QB, and DO NOT blame him when he has his subpar corners play off the receivers so as not to get TOASTED more than they already are.

I dont care WHO you bring in, scheme CANNOT fix the larger flaws in our defense.

[K Train]

Yet, we try to do the exact same thing we did when those "old ass vets" weren't old even when we don't have players with the same skillsets? Is that smart?

ive pointed out several times how they are not doing the same thing....you are simply assuming they are rather that observing what they are actually trying to do, which is quite different than the last 10 years

[Captain Lemming]

Yet, we try to do the exact same thing we did when those "old ass vets" weren't old even when we don't have players with the same skillsets? Is that smart?

Well we drafted to those skillsets (albeit poorly).
How does changing the scheme fix that?

Tell me OV how does going 4-3 improve our pass rush without a SINGLE speed rushing defensive end type player on the team?
How does THAT help Ike not DROP an easy int like he did against the Browns?
How does that make aging Troy not whiff on tackles near the LOS?

[Oviedo]

Well we drafted to those skillsets (albeit poorly).
How does changing the scheme fix that?

Tell me OV how does going 4-3 improve our pass rush without a SINGLE speed rushing defensive end type player on the team?
How does THAT help Ike not DROP an easy int like he did against the Browns?
How does that make aging Troy not whiff on tackles near the LOS?

If we don't have the right DE right now it's because we ignore them in the draft looking for conversion projects that aren't converting very well. You say we don't have a speed rushing DE, I say I haven't seen us with a SINGLE good, let alone elite, pass rushing OLB since Harrison was in his prime 3-4 years ago. Oh, and let's not even suggest the great hope in J Jones, the supposed best, most ready pass rushing OLB from the best conference in the nation.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Steel Mill's Dick Report:

[url]http://www.stillers.com/Article/View/7490dd91-8515-4714-9086-4160cb1d45af[/url]

[Oviedo]

Steel Mill's Dick Report:

[URL]http://www.stillers.com/Article/View/7490dd91-8515-4714-9086-4160cb1d45af[/URL]

Can anyone really disagree with anything said in that write up. Defense in decline for 3 years. Defense gets draft picks and free agent signings and it still isn't working but the answer is no talent. Sorry, but that is BS. The talent is being used wrong. How you may ask, given the delusion that Lebeau has adjusted and changed? The reality is that the D-line is still "occupying blockers" first and foremost versus attacking the QB in the new pass first and often NFL. Most of the time the 10 yard cushions are still there. The inside blitz has become extinct or those brain cells aren't working anymore in LeBeau's brain. Opponents completely nullify the so very predictable OLB pass rush by flooding their zones with a RB or TE or quick three second drops. It's not the talent, it is the lack of new ideas and innovation

[Captain Lemming]

If we don't have the right DE right now it's because we ignore them in the draft looking for conversion projects that aren't converting very well. You say we don't have a speed rushing DE, I say I haven't seen us with a SINGLE good, let alone elite, pass rushing OLB since Harrison was in his prime 3-4 years ago. Oh, and let's not even suggest the great hope in J Jones, the supposed best, most ready pass rushing OLB from the best conference in the nation.

Oh that is funny. We draft a player WE DONT HAVE TO CONVERT. Start him as a ROOKIE. And the same dude who rails forever about having to convert defensive ends and our not starting rookies thinks he has a point?

Then you mention James Harrison .....an UNDRAFTED DEFENSIVE END who we converted and wound up the best defensive player in the NFL. But.....he didn't start as a rookie, had to be converted, so that was a bad move?

THAT is how you can get talent late, not fighting every other team in the league to get the next 6'6" 260 guy who runs a 4.6 40 and will go top 5 in the draft.

James Harrison IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE of why we need to keep our scheme.

Watch out for converted DE HoJo on the practice squad. I say he winds up a better pro than JJ it just will take some time. I just wish he wasn't there for the taking.

[pittpete]

It is sad how posters keep pointing to 3 superbowls as proof that this scheme still works in the NFL.
Offenses are continually changing and so must defenses.
If you watch the defense on gamedays and think it isnt scheme based you may need to watch a game sober.
Soft cushions
No pressure
No turnovers
No aggression
Yes they have been sloppy
Yes they miss tackles
When was the last time you have watched a 3rd and long and said here comes the pressure or here comes a turnover.
I will say it again.
Unless LeBeau makes some changes he needs to give the reigns to Butler.
He is being selfish the longer he coaches this flat out boring defense or lack of.

[Captain Lemming]

The inside blitz has become extinct or those brain cells aren't working anymore in LeBeau's brain. Opponents completely nullify the so very predictable OLB pass rush by flooding their zones with a RB or TE or quick three second drops. It's not the talent, it is the lack of new ideas and innovation

We had 10 sacks from inside backers (Timmons 6 and Foote 4) as recently as the year before last.
Please name the extensive list of teams that did that in the last five years.

Inside pass rush is neither new nor innovative for DL.

[Captain Lemming]

It is sad how posters keep pointing to 3 superbowls as proof that this scheme still works in the NFL.

I point to the absence of SBs without DL myself.
Or possibly the fact that we were number one in defense half the time he has been a Steeler.

[hawaiiansteel]

Tomlin: Steelers defense must do better with 'fundamental things'

September 16, 2014
By Ray Fittipaldo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



The Steelers' Mike Mitchell dives to try to stop the Ravens' Owen Daniels in the third quarter of Thursday's loss in Baltimore.

Through the first two weeks of the NFL season the Steelers are among the worst teams in the NFL in rush defense, turnover ratio, tackling and discipline when it comes to taking penalties. They are 29th against the rush, last in the AFC in turnover ratio and they have amassed 20 penalties for 171 yards while missing 26 tackles.

“We just have to do a better job in some fundamental things,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday afternoon at his weekly news conference. “We have to take care of the football, tackling and playing penalty-free. If we do good fundamental things it will increase our chances of winning.”

When it comes to some poor individual performances by some of the team’s higher-paid players, Tomlin expressed confidence they will be able to overcome their problems. Right tackle Marcus Gilbert has allowed four sacks in two games, including two against the Ravens on Thursday. Tomlin said Gilbert, who signed a new contract before the start of the season, is not on a short leash.

“I’m not concerned about Marcus and his ability to rebound from that,” Tomlin said. “I expect him to come back fighting like Rocky.”

On his players getting called for unnecessary roughness twice against Baltimore, Tomlin said he is not overly concerned with his players and their ability to adapt to the newer rules on targeting the head.

“I’ve been pleased with our guys overall,” he said. “I don’t have major concerns about our guys and the player safety initiative. I have very little concern.”

When the Steelers travel to Carolina Sunday night it appears they will be close to full health. Tomlin said the only two players with medical issues are rookie running back Dri Archer (ankle) and nose tackle Steve McLendon (shoulder).

Veteran receiver Lance Moore, who missed the first two games with a groin injury, was a full participant in practice Monday.

“We’re going to watch that develop throughout the week,” Tomlin said. “It’s how his body responds to that participation. We’ll formulate a plan. He knows how to play football. When he gets out there we expect him to be a contributor.”

The Panthers are 2-0 after victories against Tampa Bay and Detroit. Quarterback Cam Newton sat out the opening-week victory against the Buccaneers but came back to lead the Panthers to a 24-7 victory over the Lions last week. He has been dealing with ankle and rib injuries.

“It starts with Cam Newton and the unique skills he has,” Tomlin said. “He can really throw the football and he’s really big, strong and athletic. He’s got a hand canon. He also has tremendous touch. He’ll back-shoulder throw people. He’ll throw people open. He’s mobile. He doesn’t necessarily look to run. He looks to extend plays.”

The Steelers beat Cleveland in the season opener and are coming off a 26-6 loss in Baltimore Thursday night.

[URL]http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/09/16/Tomlin/stories/201409160170[/URL]

[Oviedo]

Oh that is funny. We draft a player WE DONT HAVE TO CONVERT. Start him as a ROOKIE. And the same dude who rails forever about having to convert defensive ends and our not starting rookies thinks he has a point?

Then you mention James Harrison .....an UNDRAFTED DEFENSIVE END who we converted and wound up the best defensive player in the NFL. But.....he didn't start as a rookie, had to be converted, so that was a bad move?

THAT is how you can get talent late, not fighting every other team in the league to get the next 6'6" 260 guy who runs a 4.6 40 and will go top 5 in the draft.

James Harrison IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE of why we need to keep our scheme.

Watch out for converted DE HoJo on the practice squad. I say he winds up a better pro than JJ it just will take some time. I just wish he wasn't there for the taking.

Really? Your example for how the scheme works is one we got lucky on after he took 5-6 years to make it into the starting line up? You believe that is an example of things working? WOW!!!!