Defense Improving just in time

[Mr.wizard]

Number 2 ranked offense huh? Man I took some heat on here from some people, for saying this offense was "explosive".

[feltdizz]

Number 2 ranked offense huh? Man I took some heat on here from some people, for saying this offense was "explosive".

yes you did!!!! You were 100% correct.

This board can he brutal at times when someone says something positive about this team...lol

[feltdizz]

Ovi, your posts are pretty accurate for the most-part, but wow, your way, way off on this!

I accept that this Steelers D is not perfect, but neither is 100% of the other defenses out there, including the Seaskanks!

Let me start with the front 7, first...

93, 91, 90, 97, 92, 94, 51/98. All of these guys have stepped up their game!! I will agree I want to see more from 50 and 95,
but you are essentially asking alot from a rookie, and a second yr rookie, both returning from injury. But 51, and 98 are a
surprise! I'm not disappointed.

You cannot deny this group has improved since week 1, and I see them only getting better!!

The primary objective is to stop the run, and THEY HAVE STOPPED IT. Teams are not gashing us. Their energy is sky high, and
they have been getting to the passer. Pressures, hits on the QB, and sacks are all UP!! I love the depth on the defense, especially with
the LB's!!

With regards to the secondary, its been bad, really bad at times. As I see it, if the front 7 can get the pressure they have been getting,
it will make their job easier. If they can just limit the big plays, tackle the catch, and make a play (intercept a couple balls), they might
just be solid enough to allow our offense to do its thing! I like the youngsters, 25, and 41. 20 and 22 has been playing their best football.
We just need 23, 24, and 43 to provide that knowledge from experience and leadership.

Dont forget, bro, the best defense is a balanced offense! This offense is so dangerous, because they are explosive, AND control the
ball. If the offense can put up TD's rather than FG's, look the f**k out, the Steelers are that team nobody wants to play!!

Frooothing at the mouth, like a crazed dog!!!!

Here We Go Steeeeeelers, Here We Go!!!!

JD

yes, unfortunately this D suffered from a bad case of vetaligus. I made that word up but it is a sickness where we keep vets like Ike and Troy on the field too long because they know the D.

Our D was lights out last week and guess who wasn't in uniform? Ike, Troy and Keisel. I appreciate their contributions but the youth movement is in full effect. JH gets a pass because he didn't get a hat until he was 30...lol.

I wasn't a fan of DL this year because I think he held onto a few vets too long but if last week's D shows up again.. it may be one of the best coaching jobs he has ever done given the injuries and transition we are going through.

[Mr.wizard]

Now as far as our Defense goes, they don't have to be great or play out of their minds for us to be successful. Holding teams to field goals and forcing a turnover here and there should be enough for us to win with our offense. Harrison and Worlids where successful rushing the passer last game because of the push our D line was getting up the middle, not allowing for the QB to step up. When the QB cant step up against those edge rushes it becomes real tough to throw the ball down the field, if we can generate that type of rush against teams in the playoffs, we will beat anyone on any field.

[bostonsteeler]

yes, unfortunately this D suffered from a bad case of vetaligus. I made that word up but it is a sickness where we keep vets like Ike and Troy on the field too long because they know the D.

That word deserves to be in the Steelers dictionary

I don't trust DL. Im not going to make any assumptions about what rubbish he may or not pull out this game. I'll be glad if the D is good, but Im banking on the O.

[Shoe]

For all those talking about Green potentially having a career day....what happened the last time he had a big one? Ahhhh I remember, the Bengals got their asses handed to them. Green can go for 200 for all i care. If the Bengals can't slow our offense it's not going to matter AND our defense is showing up.

You're acting like 200 yards is inconsequential to winning. Just because they lost the game where Green got 200, doesn't make it a recipe for failure (for them). If all you told me about today's game was that AJ Green got 200 yards... I'd say that we probably lost the game.

[NorthCoast]

That word deserves to be in the Steelers dictionary

I don't trust DL. Im not going to make any assumptions about what rubbish he may or not pull out this game. I'll be glad if the D is good, but Im banking on the O.

There is a reason why the Steelers stay competitive just about every single season. Having that veteran presence is the big difference between the Steelers and teams like the Browns. (Look at Manziel again in trouble with the team this week... no veteran leadership to put him in his place.)
I truly believe having veteran players around that have won games (and SBs) in the NFL brings so much intangibles that it is not necessarily what they do on the field that counts. The key is to get that vet at reasonable salaries so the team can sign decent young talent. The Steelers generally have done a decent job with this.

[bostonsteeler]

There is a reason why the Steelers stay competitive just about every single season. Having that veteran presence is the big difference between the Steelers and teams like the Browns. (Look at Manziel again in trouble with the team this week... no veteran leadership to put him in his place.)
I truly believe having veteran players around that have won games (and SBs) in the NFL brings so much intangibles that it is not necessarily what they do on the field that counts. The key is to get that vet at reasonable salaries so the team can sign decent young talent. The Steelers generally have done a decent job with this.

I have no problem with vets, provided they aren't serious liabilities. Our vets have brought continuity and value over the years. JH and even Kiesel brought value this year. Ike and Troy were liabilities. At that point they are incapable of contributing, even by their sheer presence. If they must be on the team, they could be hired in some other non-playing capacity (e.g. Peezy).

[SS Laser]

Have Troy do just as Will Allen does and he will play way better. He is still trying to do to much at this stage of his career. Maybe he can not play vanilla SS after all the moving around? Or he is just not a good vanilla SS. He needed to move around to be the great player he was.

[RobinCole]

I suspect that Polamalu is no dummy and can effectively play vanilla SS-style if that's what he's assigned to do. Provided he's healthy. If not healthy he can't do anything effectively.

[Oviedo]

I have no problem with vets, provided they aren't serious liabilities. Our vets have brought continuity and value over the years. JH and even Kiesel brought value this year. Ike and Troy were liabilities. At that point they are incapable of contributing, even by their sheer presence. If they must be on the team, they could be hired in some other non-playing capacity (e.g. Peezy).

When vets consume more salary cap than their proportional contributions on the field then that is a serious problem. That was the problem with holding on to Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton and James Farrior far to long in the past and that is the problem with Ike and Troy now. The Steelers use to be experts about knowing when to let guys go. They have lost that the past few years.

[SS Laser]

When vets consume more salary cap than their proportional contributions on the field then that is a serious problem. That was the problem with holding on to Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton and James Farrior far to long in the past and that is the problem with Ike and Troy now. The Steelers use to be experts about knowing when to let guys go. They have lost that the past few years.

Not sure I can agree with the Steelers ever knew when to let OLD players walk. The ones I remember walking under Cowher were said to be to expensive to keep? Some were let go after a bigger injury. Now I will agree some contracts ended up bloated when the Steelers keep players toward the end of the back loaded contracts but some of those players had no replacement. The number one failure to make this defense look "bad" at the end of the year is just bad luck in the draft for a few years on D. Also not any luck finding quality in the late rds like they have in the past. But there are a bunch of defenses giving up yards and points over this season looking bad one week and good the next. Keep pounding that drum Ovi I enjoy it. We understand you want a 4-3! Just don't think the Steelers agree with you.

[feltdizz]

We could bring Casey Hampton back tomorrow and he would be an upgrade at NT. I agree on Smith, Ike and Troy but Hampton was never a problem on the field.

[bostonsteeler]

Well, the D played lights out today, but for one drive.

[Slapstick]

Just hit Green in the arm again. Simple.

Or, you could knock his @$$ out...