Large amount of cap space in 2017

[Shoe]

When Bud Dupree comes back, just put his hand in the dirt full time with a 4-3 base to allow the talent we have to play to their strengths (we already use a 4 man front more often than a 3 man front because of so much nickel and dime these days).

Hargrave plays 1-technique DT with Tuitt as your 3-technique DT. Cam is your strongside DE with Bud as your weakside DE. Jarvis would be your Sam backer, Shazier your Will backer, and Timmons your Mike backer.

We don't use Heyward, Tuitt, and Hargrave the way we used Smith, Keisel, and Hampton a decade ago, so why would you expect the type of sack production from our current OLB's that we got from Porter in 2005 or Harrison in 2008?

It doesn't matter what you call the guys; they aren't playing a position much different than what you're proposing. What they have to realize is that, the talent level is what it is... we have to find ways to leverage the play of the guys we have. For example: Move Cam up and down the line to get the best matchup. Or, specifically play James Harrison when the other team is playing a young Tackle. (And also, not playing him against vets who know how to neutralize him. Save him.) Blitz Shazier up the middle a lot more.

Because between now and the end of the year, nothing is going to happen (Bud isn't gonna come and be Lawrence Taylor).

[Shawn]

And, with all due respect, it's neither your nor Slappy. I think we all get that the scheme has changed. But the 2 sacks that James Harrison had yesterday are good enough for the team lead at OLB. That's not all on scheme.

Chickillo and Moats rush plenty - they just very rarely succeed. Jarvis had gotten a bit more pressure and has drawn a few holding calls, but is still looking for a sack.

And speaking of our "talented" defensive line, Cam Heyward has 3 sacks. Nobody else has any.

So, after you read mine and Ruthless break down of our D you come away with JJ is the reason this D isn't getting sacks? Harrison is a man amongst boys still at 38. We can all agree JJ is no Harrison. What I see from JJ is a guy who holds the edge, is strong against the run. In a 2 gap 3-4 with Hampton as the 0,1....I suspect JJ is a 8-10 sack guy. Different era, different scheme, different players. The Steelers D is built to spread the wealth. Right or wrong pressure is supposed to be coming from many sources.

[fordfixer]

Anyone else find it strange that the year JJ seems to start "getting it" is the final year of his contract?

[Oviedo]

So, after you read mine and Ruthless break down of our D you come away with JJ is the reason this D isn't getting sacks? Harrison is a man amongst boys still at 38. We can all agree JJ is no Harrison. What I see from JJ is a guy who holds the edge, is strong against the run. In a 2 gap 3-4 with Hampton as the 0,1....I suspect JJ is a 8-10 sack guy. Different era, different scheme, different players. The Steelers D is built to spread the wealth. Right or wrong pressure is supposed to be coming from many sources.

On Election Day how appropriate to put "spin" on the board. Suggesting JJ getting 8-10 sacks a year is laughable, he might not have 10 sacks in his Steelers career if it rightfully ends after this season. JJ still does rush the passer and nothing has changed---manhandled by most Left Tackles, no explosion or speed to get around the end. That has nothing to do with scheme, that is just physical limitations which have made him a very average OLB sine Day 1. Scheme won't change that.

[phillyesq]

So, after you read mine and Ruthless break down of our D you come away with JJ is the reason this D isn't getting sacks? Harrison is a man amongst boys still at 38. We can all agree JJ is no Harrison. What I see from JJ is a guy who holds the edge, is strong against the run. In a 2 gap 3-4 with Hampton as the 0,1....I suspect JJ is a 8-10 sack guy. Different era, different scheme, different players. The Steelers D is built to spread the wealth. Right or wrong pressure is supposed to be coming from many sources.

I understand that the defense is more focused on getting pass rush from the defensive lineman. Most of the time, what you are really seeing is a 4-2 nickel, with the OLBs acting as undersized DEs. I understand that quite well. In passing situations, it's not a huge difference - it's not like Casey Hampton played much on third and long.

The OLBs are not winning individual matchups, and haven't for years. In his prime, Harrison abused LTs. Woodley did the same to RTs. James still brings a bit of a pass rush, but at 38, he's obviously not the player he was in his prime.

If you want to say that an OLB would have been an 8-10 sack guy in the old scheme, the same player should at least be a 5-8 sack guy in this scheme. Nobody on the entire defense is on that pace.

[NorthCoast]

I understand that the defense is more focused on getting pass rush from the defensive lineman. Most of the time, what you are really seeing is a 4-2 nickel, with the OLBs acting as undersized DEs. I understand that quite well. In passing situations, it's not a huge difference - it's not like Casey Hampton played much on third and long.

The OLBs are not winning individual matchups, and haven't for years. In his prime, Harrison abused LTs. Woodley did the same to RTs. James still brings a bit of a pass rush, but at 38, he's obviously not the player he was in his prime.

If you want to say that an OLB would have been an 8-10 sack guy in the old scheme, the same player should at least be a 5-8 sack guy in this scheme. Nobody on the entire defense is on that pace.

This ^.

LBs are average and even as good as Shazier is he isn't top tier. Bobby Wagner had 15 double digit tackle games in his first 3 seasons. Shazier has 4.

Watching the Hawks last night it was shocking the stark contrast in tackling fundamentals between them and what we see on display from the Steelers defense. Carroll has figured out the formula and he's done it now multiple seasons. Steelers are still suffering from the post LeBeau, post Farrior, post Troy era. Is there anyone left on defense that is a gamechanger? that OCs have to gameplan for? I am having a hard time figuring out who it might be.

[Captain Lemming]

So, after you read mine and Ruthless break down of our D you come away with JJ is the reason this D isn't getting sacks? Harrison is a man amongst boys still at 38. We can all agree JJ is no Harrison. What I see from JJ is a guy who holds the edge, is strong against the run. In a 2 gap 3-4 with Hampton as the 0,1....I suspect JJ is a 8-10 sack guy. Different era, different scheme, different players. The Steelers D is built to spread the wealth. Right or wrong pressure is supposed to be coming from many sources.

Come on Shawn. 8-10 sacks? Dude has 5 sacks in his career.
Average Worilds, was never a regular starter with Casey and had 7 and 8 sack seasons.

Over the past SEASON AND A HALF he has 2 sacks, something that old man Harrison did in ONE GAME with no Casey.

And as for the scheme, the role of the line in freeing up outside linebackers to pass rush was ALWAYS overstated. It helps the linebackers be free against the run but not so much pass rushing.

Harrison and Woodley constantly had to take on tackles and beat them just like we see now. How is the linebackers path to the QB more difficult now?

Again, the topic Shawn, is whether to use extra money on a pass rusher. This has zip to do with how good JJ is against the run.

Heck, in Duprees first 8 games AS A ROOKIE BACKUP, under the current scheme, has more sacks than JJ has had in 2014, 2015, and 2016 COMBINED. Scheme excuse is destroyed right there.

JJ is a just a pathetic pass rusher Shawn, just admit it.

[Oviedo]

Come on Shawn. 8-10 sacks? Dude has 5 sacks in his career.
Average Worilds, was never a regular starter with Casey and had 7 and 8 sack seasons.

Over the past SEASON AND A HALF he has 2 sacks, something that old man Harrison did in ONE GAME with no Casey.

And as for the scheme, the role of the line in freeing up outside linebackers to pass rush was ALWAYS overstated. It helps the linebackers be free against the run but not so much pass rushing.

Harrison and Woodley constantly had to take on tackles and beat them just like we see now. How is the linebackers path to the QB more difficult now?

Again, the topic Shawn, is whether to use extra money on a pass rusher. This has zip to do with how good JJ is against the run.

Heck, in Duprees first 8 games AS A ROOKIE BACKUP, under the current scheme, has more sacks than JJ has had in 2014, 2015, and 2016 COMBINED. Scheme excuse is destroyed right there.

JJ is a just a pathetic pass rusher Shawn, just admit it.

This!!!! JJ was bad pick from Day 1. Time to end the spin and recognize that. The defense wasn't changed take advantage of Jones' strengths because he has none. He is doing different things because he can't rush the passer and they were forced to adapt his role

We are stuck with him for this season but need much better or his defense won't get better. Its all about the rush.

[K Train]

I think its really positive that Jones has turned into at least a solid NFL linebacker. Far better to have a capable body than to have a complete bust wash out of the league. They realized what he was when they didnt exercise the option, when they drafted dupree (and probably considered Ray).

He does have a place on the team though, even if hes not a great pass rusher.

Its really odd that out of all the other linebackers from that draft (Mingo, Jordan, Werner, Collins, Moore) Jordan is the only one on the roster of the team that drafted him and he hasnt played since 2014

I personally wanted jones, rhodes, or patterson there...easy to look back and say what they should have done, but id rather have a middle of the road player than a wasted top 5 pick which can really set you back.