Time for the 4-3

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware would both be successful either as OLB's in a 3-4 or DE's in a 4 man nickel/dime front.

And even in a nickel/dime world, I still see room for a Casey Hampton type (in his prime). May not collect sack numbers himself, but he could still collapse the pocket, preventing the opposing QB from being able to step up in the pocket to avoid the outside rush.

Or even a Steve McLendon type. Most of y'all said, "No big deal to lose him," "he's just a replaceable carbon unit," blah, blah, blah ... but this D, while not outstanding, was better vs. the run with him in the middle. Let's face it, to this point, Javon Hargrave has been a disappointment. Not ready to label him a "bust," but he'd dang well better start showing something soon.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

it always matters who you have in the middle. We had guys like Foote in the middle. Not a superstar but SOLID and disciplined. Outside LB's aren't stopping runs up the middle in short yardage.

right - i think you missed the prior posts and the point. So let me summarize.

i was suggesting that having a FATTY in the middle was kind of a big deal... bigger deal than having a NT who had pass rush skills... the big concern for the loudest on this board this past offseason was "why take a 2 down guy when you spend most of the game in Nickel and Dime".

I argued "because those 2 downs are VERY important... 3rd and 1 MATTERS. It makes no sense to take a LESSER run stuffer at NT because your OLBs aren't getting THEIR job done."

so, poor wording choice on my end. of course, it matters. having a NT who is a pass rusher, but, LESS of a o-line consuming, run stuffer is just dumb.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Or even a Steve McLendon type. Most of y'all said, "No big deal to lose him," "he's just a replaceable carbon unit," blah, blah, blah ... but this D, while not outstanding, was better vs. the run with him in the middle. Let's face it, to this point, Javon Hargrave has been a disappointment. Not ready to label him a "bust," but he'd dang well better start showing something soon.

i wanted billings... he's hurt, so we have no clue at this point...

[RuthlessBurgher]

i wanted billings... he's hurt, so we have no clue at this point...

Yeah, both of the guys that Cincy took who were on the pre-draft radar of many Steeler fans (CB William Jackson III and DT Andrew Billings) are spending their rookie seasons on I.R.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Yeah, both of the guys that Cincy took who were on the pre-draft radar of many Steeler fans (CB William Jackson III and DT Andrew Billings) are spending their rookie seasons on I.R.

sucks that our division keeps getting guys that i wanted... i won't complain about Jackson since he wasn't on the board when the team picked. however, i'll keep an eye toward billings (as i have been with Shaz v Moseley).

[SteelDecipher]

This shouldn't be about 3-4 / 4-3. The issue is, what configuration are you running when in nickel, and who are the personnel

You have to get to the QB with four, or start running more man coverage and blitz packages.

[Shoe]

The people who are saying it is the players, not the scheme are right.

The question is who should be held accountable. Heads need to start rolling. If that means benching guys, I think they should consider it, considering how god offal they've been. If it happens to be Timmons or Shazier... put in Matakevich. If it is Jarvis, put in Deebo. If it is Burns, put in Gilbert. If it is Hargrave, put McCullers in. These breakdowns can't be tolerated. If we have no talent, then Butler better "...BLITZ all night. If they cross the line of scrimmage, I'm going to take every last one of you out!!"

[NJ-STEELER]

That's one of the better NTs in the game that we're shredding in the run game today

[feltdizz]

That's one of the better NTs in the game that we're shredding in the run game today

They are 0-10. Obviously one man can't carry a defense.

[NorthCoast]

The blitz worked today!!! .... sadly it took 6 guys to do it.....

[NJ-STEELER]

They are 0-10. Obviously one man can't carry a defense.

Agreed. We need more then just a fatty in the middle. All a Casey Hampton in his prime would do is have offenses go into multi wr formations