Should all the coaches still be fired asap?

[Oviedo]

it was one game. I am happy. LeBeau gets a week of reprieve in my book. He keeps putting together D showings like that over a whole season and he will silence the critics. But, he certainly didn't do so with one game.

Agree with all you said. For LeBeau it is about three years of declining performance, howver now there is the excuse of injury that will be used for any future defensive shortcomings.

[pittpete]

Defensive rankings mean crap in my book.
The lack of pressure and turnovers the last 2 years is cause for concern in my eyes.
I watch every down of every Steeler game sober and at home.
I don't care about other teams or whatever teams are doing.
When i watch a game and watch a QB continue to have all day to throw without ever being touched i get angry.
I'm not spoiled, nor am i unrealistic.
I know what i want to see.

[birtikidis]

You certainly have a right to your opinion but it's not a past success kind of league. It's a what have you done for me lately kind of league. When you have an elderly DC who's D's have long been figured out and your Ds have struggled historically against top passing talent, and have put together horrid products over the last couple seasons...it's fair to say there will be speculation...not just from fans but also in the media.

Teams that dump coaches that have been successful for decades are the ones that blow year in and year out.

[Chadman]

Defensive rankings mean crap in my book.
The lack of pressure and turnovers the last 2 years is cause for concern in my eyes.
I watch every down of every Steeler game sober and at home.
I don't care about other teams or whatever teams are doing.
When i watch a game and watch a QB continue to have all day to throw without ever being touched i get angry.
I'm not spoiled, nor am i unrealistic.
I know what i want to see.

2 years ago would coincide with James Harrison & LaMarr Woodley at OLB, Casey Hampton at NT.... whats changed since then?


This is a team in transition.

Many want to over look this.

In 2 years, only Troy, Ike & Timmons remain from the starting D that finished 2012.

Next season it might just be Timmons.

That's a remarkable player cull.

[Slapstick]

2 years ago would coincide with James Harrison & LaMarr Woodley at OLB, Casey Hampton at NT.... whats changed since then?


This is a team in transition.

Many want to over look this.

In 2 years, only Troy, Ike & Timmons remain from the starting D that finished 2012.

Next season it might just be Timmons.

That's a remarkable player cull.

It's all LeBeau's fault...

[Captain Lemming]

Defensive rankings mean crap in my book.

Defensive ranking means nothing?
Hey Pete, what does every post Noll Steeler championship team rank in defense?

Or better yet, IN ALL OF THE SEASONS SINCE THE 70s how many Steeler champipnships with less than the number one defensent?

Rod Woodson the interception machine has how many rings with the Steelers How bout cant catch a cold Taylor?

[Mr.wizard]

I agree defensive rankings mean crap, who cares what we did in 2012 or the 1970's how the hell does that help win now? Nobody is questioning whether lebeau was ever good, they are questioning can his scheme keep up with the new offensive schemes teams are throwing at it. Yes we stopped the panthers but they are not explosive at all, they don't run a ZBS, which has been killing us, They weren't running no huddle, read option, they were pretty vanilla on offense.

[fezziwig]

I agree defensive rankings mean crap, who cares what we did in 2012 or the 1970's how the hell does that help win now? Nobody is questioning whether lebeau was ever good, they are questioning can his scheme keep up with the new offensive schemes teams are throwing at it. Yes we stopped the panthers but they are not explosive at all, they don't run a ZBS, which has been killing us, They weren't running no huddle, read option, they were pretty vanilla on offense.

Don't cloud stuff up with truth

[ikestops85]

I don't agree that defensive rankings mean crap. Maybe the ranking based on yards given up does but the points against ranking is very telling. Same as the points scored for the offense. That's what this game boils down to.

Last year was really the first year that the defense could be said was average. That's amazing because if you talk to Steeler fans they will tell you the defense was horrible but it really wasn't. It was average. The same thing the offense has been for years and years. The defense traditionally has carried this team in the 21st century. Now that it has slipped people want to find a quick fix to bring it back to it's former glory. They think getting rid of DL will solve all the problems. The problem is they think that for the wrong reasons. They think it's his scheme that needs changed. Why don't they think it is his play calling? If there is a problem with LeBeau I think that is the area you need to look at ... not his scheme. People haven't just "figured out" his scheme. They've always known what it was and how it works. Just like they've figured out the Tampa 2, Bears 46, and any other scheme you can think of.

So again, if you feel you must blame LeBeau for the defense's short-comings blame him for not backing out of a blitz when the offense is in max protect or not sending the house against an empty backfield. Not because his scheme has been "figured out".

[Shawn]

Teams that dump coaches that have been successful for decades are the ones that blow year in and year out.

I don't think the majority of fans are calling for the heads of all coaching staff nor a constant turnstile of coaches through Pittsburgh.

[Shawn]

I don't agree that defensive rankings mean crap. Maybe the ranking based on yards given up does but the points against ranking is very telling. Same as the points scored for the offense. That's what this game boils down to.

Last year was really the first year that the defense could be said was average. That's amazing because if you talk to Steeler fans they will tell you the defense was horrible but it really wasn't. It was average. The same thing the offense has been for years and years. The defense traditionally has carried this team in the 21st century. Now that it has slipped people want to find a quick fix to bring it back to it's former glory. They think getting rid of DL will solve all the problems. The problem is they think that for the wrong reasons. They think it's his scheme that needs changed. Why don't they think it is his play calling? If there is a problem with LeBeau I think that is the area you need to look at ... not his scheme. People haven't just "figured out" his scheme. They've always known what it was and how it works. Just like they've figured out the Tampa 2, Bears 46, and any other scheme you can think of.

So again, if you feel you must blame LeBeau for the defense's short-comings blame him for not backing out of a blitz when the offense is in max protect or not sending the house against an empty backfield. Not because his scheme has been "figured out".

They are not crap and they are not a complete indicator of the health and viability of the D. Everything has to be taken into context as pointed out in my previous post.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I don't think the majority of fans are calling for the heads of all coaching staff nor a constant turnstile of coaches through Pittsburgh.

Just a vocal minority.

[Captain Lemming]

They are not crap and they are not a complete indicator of the health and viability of the D. Everything has to be taken into context as pointed out in my previous post.

Yes Shawn "context" matters. Great point.
Here is some context for the decline in defense.
It is a year removed from an aging defense that STILL ranked 6th in scoring and 1st in yards.

Since that time:
We will start 2 player from that starting lineup Sunday

Our defense consists of Timmons and Heyward and Worilds in their prime and are at best marginal probowl backup level players. More likely none make the probowl.
The rest are:
Talented young pups who have a bright future but are not close to their prime
Over the hill vets who are a shell of their former selves
Just bad players who are the best we've got
No talent at corner whatsoever

So when we drop to "middle of the pack" defensively it is because DL suddenly can't coach?

Context matters people.

[Captain Lemming]

Defensive rankings mean crap in my book.
The lack of pressure and turnovers the last 2 years is cause for concern in my eyes.

Did your eyes see Ike drop another interception?
Do you eyes see how truly horrid our secondary is.
Gay could not stick on the Cards when the defense was bad. He is our most consistent corner today.
Given the right coach.....where does the pass rush come from? What players would have generated consistent pressure given the right system?
How exactly does one create massive turnovers with our secondary?

Oh right, play tight at the LOS. That DREADED cushion.
Yes, THAT IS ANSWER when you HAVE NO TALENT at corner.

BTW Lebeau's scheme DOES FEATURE tight play at the LOS. If the corner can handle it.
Ike did it FOR YEARS in his prime. You cannot shut down the very best receivers routinely (especially if you are no int threat) if you always give a cushion.

[birtikidis]

I don't think the majority of fans are calling for the heads of all coaching staff nor a constant turnstile of coaches through Pittsburgh.

Really? Every year all you hear is how so and so needs to get fired. EVERY SINGLE YEAR