Deebo backs LeBeau: 'It's on the players'

[Shawn]

i dont know of any coach that looks good when the players cant win the majority of 1 on 1s

its not one or the other in our situation, IMO. both sides of the equation needs to be critically evaluated

i think lebeau retires after this year, but problems will remain

I agree with this...and hence the reason why I believe the bulk of the problem lies within player drafting and development. That falls on Colbert and ALL of the coaching staff. Haley can produce a product that can move the ball but can't score. LeBeau hasn't put together a solid product in several seasons...and I don't think it's a scheme issue...its a pressure and big play issue. Guys are not doing what they need to do to win those one on one match ups and its exposing a questionable secondary. Tomlin is responsible for all these guys.

[Slapstick]

We have a slew of new starters and young players...are you saying that nobody saw this coming? It will take time for them to learn to play together and the injuries are not helping.

Personally, if LeBeau retires, I hope Butler becomes the DC...because that means the defense will have gelled by the latter part of the season and started playing well.

[feltdizz]

This is nonsense. DL has to adjust his scheme to fit the players on the roster.

[feltdizz]

I agree with this...and hence the reason why I believe the bulk of the problem lies within player drafting and development. That falls on Colbert and ALL of the coaching staff. Haley can produce a product that can move the ball but can't score. LeBeau hasn't put together a solid product in several seasons...and I don't think it's a scheme issue...its a pressure and big play issue. Guys are not doing what they need to do to win those one on one match ups and its exposing a questionable secondary. Tomlin is responsible for all these guys.

If you have a defense that can't win 1 on 1s you have to adjust the scheme to get guys free in blitz packages...

This is coaching IMO.

Its a new NFL and the turnover rate is much faster due to the new CBA.

[Slapstick]

This is nonsense. DL has to adjust his scheme to fit the players on the roster.

And he has.

[Oviedo]

You coach who you have not who you want. That requires adjusting to your players and not trying to pound them into your template. This, along with poor player development, are the failing we have clearly seen on LeBeau's part over the past four years. Need a fresh perspective because as long as he is here he will just wait for the "right players" to arrive.

[pfelix73]

You coach who you have not who you want. That requires adjusting to your players and not trying to pound them into your template. This, along with poor player development, are the failing we have clearly seen on LeBeau's part over the past four years. Need a fresh perspective because as long as he is here he will just wait for the "right players" to arrive.

I just 110% disagree with you. He has and DOES adjust ALL THE TIME. Last year, for example, he had to play Troy out of position because of injuries to the LB corps. According to a Butler interview right after they drafted shazier, they were hoping to have a chyt load of speed on the defense this year with Shamarko and Shazier out there, along with Mitchell. He said with that, they were hoping to put Troy back in his usual role in 2014.

Well, if you want a fresh perspective, you won't get that just by bumping up Butler to DC. He's an assistant under DL and would keep the same defense as-is. So, who do you want to be the DC? No one seems to be able to put out any names.. Personally, I'll leave it as it is for now and just build up the player personnel.....

[feltdizz]

And he has.

With success.... adjusting and getting beat by 30 points doesn't work in your favor

[Slapstick]

Then that probably shows that the players are injured or ineffective...or inexperienced...

[feltdizz]

I just 110% disagree with you. He has and DOES adjust ALL THE TIME. Last year, for example, he had to play Troy out of position because of injuries to the LB corps. According to a Butler interview right after they drafted shazier, they were hoping to have a chyt load of speed on the defense this year with Shamarko and Shazier out there, along with Mitchell. He said with that, they were hoping to put Troy back in his usual role in 2014.

Well, if you want a fresh perspective, you won't get that just by bumping up Butler to DC. He's an assistant under DL and would keep the same defense as-is. So, who do you want to be the DC? No one seems to be able to put out any names.. Personally, I'll leave it as it is for now and just build up the player personnel.....

Most of us aren't familiar with the next group of up and coming coaches around the league. I'm sure our FO could get a list together of the better defenses and find out who is an interview away from being the next good DC.

I'm ready for some new wrinkles... our division rivals look way too comfortable playing against our D.

[pfelix73]

Most of us aren't familiar with the next group of up and coming coaches around the league. I'm sure our FO could get a list together of the better defenses and find out who is an interview away from being the next good DC.

I'm ready for some new wrinkles... our division rivals look way too comfortable playing against our D.

I'm ready for more play- makers on defense. Hence why our competitors are way too comfortable. I'm not ready to blow things up just yet, and by the looks of it, the Steelers FO will more than likely just stay the course... probably not what 75% of Steeler Nation or those who frequent this website want to hear. Reality is, they will stay the course with this staff unless something drastic happens between now and January.

[Shoe]

Most of us aren't familiar with the next group of up and coming coaches around the league. I'm sure our FO could get a list together of the better defenses and find out who is an interview away from being the next good DC.

I'm ready for some new wrinkles... our division rivals look way too comfortable playing against our D.

Most of us aren't familiar with playcalling in the NFL, installation of the week's game plan, day-to-day assessments of players made from training camp to now... it never stopped any from commenting on those.

[pfelix73]

Most of us aren't familiar with playcalling in the NFL, installation of the week's game plan, day-to-day assessments of players made from training camp to now... it never stopped any from commenting on those.

BINGO. Been wanting to say that for a long time as well..

[NorthCoast]

Still waiting for the answer?:

What scheme or DC will prevent 3 or 4 mis-tackles on a 35 yr old WR?

[fezziwig]

James Harrison's Thoughts

James Harrison said it was bull that Lebeau is the trouble with the defense. Ten years of being a top 10 defense was due to the players being able to take care of their job/man on the field what made past defenses work. James is blaming the players on the current roster for our woes. I agree with him but I also want to pick out the fact or question, " who is selecting these players and coaching these players ? " The troubles start at the top with poor draft picks. Correct me if I'm wrong, wasn't or isn't the 2008 and 2009 selections a total bust ? Not only are they no longer Steeler players but not even in the NFL ?
I have a personal gripe about our Steelers. When Wallace was showing talent I'm saying to myself, sign him now before the next two years when he's a free agent. That is just one gripe. Then there is keeping old guys, waiting too late for young guys to get a start. Lebeau saying it takes 3 years to learn a defense. Three years ? That is totally too long. He might be great but he needs to find a way to get these guys on the field to prove their worth before their second contract is an issue.