Young defense getting another asset

[phillyesq]

Agree. The difference is they were put on the field early and their athleticism is making a difference. No multi-year internships anymore

This old false narrative is so tiresome. First of all, when the defense was among the tops in the league, it wasn't easy to get a starting job. Guys like Hampton started year 1. Troy didn't start year 1 - he wasn't ready - but turned in a HOF career. When the defense was better, it was harder to beat out the starters. Your favorite player, Jarvis Jones, started day 1.

Hagrave, TJ, Davis, Burns, Hilton et al started because they were better than the other options.

[Captain Lemming]

This defense has young players contributing every game.

Just read that Sutton is on track to be back after Week #8. Another potential asset to strengthen the defense for the second half on the season run

Got to love how Butler has rebuilt this defense in just a couple of seasons

I sure am impressed. Not surprising AS HE LEARNED FROM THE MASTER.

Dick LeBeau took young talent like Casey Hampton, Troy P, previously overlooked young James Harrison, while vet Clarke Haggans was the starter before LeBeau.

He took this young defense from 15th before him to number 1........IN ONE SEASON.

Best record in Steelers history in that first season back as a Steeler. Year 2 we were in the Superbowl which was won primarily because of that defense.

Yes, Butler IS good.......because he learned from the best.

[birtikidis]

I sure am impressed. Not surprising AS HE LEARNED FROM THE MASTER.

Dick LeBeau took young talent like Casey Hampton, Troy P, previously overlooked young James Harrison, while vet Clarke Haggans was the starter before LeBeau.

He took this young defense from 15th before him to number 1........IN ONE SEASON.

Best record in Steelers history in that first season back as a Steeler. Year 2 we were in the Superbowl which was won primarily because of that defense.

Yes, Butler IS good.......because he learned from the best.

Very well stated! and often overlooked facts

[Captain Lemming]

This old false narrative is so tiresome. First of all, when the defense was among the tops in the league, it wasn't easy to get a starting job. Guys like Hampton started year 1. Troy didn't start year 1 - he wasn't ready - but turned in a HOF career. When the defense was better, it was harder to beat out the starters. Your favorite player, Jarvis Jones, started day 1.

Hagrave, TJ, Davis, Burns, Hilton et al started because they were better than the other options.

To add to your point.....LeBeau returned in 2004.
Troy rode the bench as a rookie in 2003. Nothing to do with LeBeau.

LeBeau from day one not only started Troy but styled his entire defense in a way to take advantage of Troy's unique talent.q

As you note, not just Jarvis.....Vincent Williams started most of that season too as a rookie. The next season Shazier was a day one starter.....fellow rookie Tuitt became a starter later in the season. People forget DL was still here that season.

As you note LeBeau had a top defense for a decade. It's hard for a rookie to break through. When the defense declined there was plenty of opportunities.

I HOPE it once again becomes tough for rookies to start on defense.

THAT is when Bultlers defense has truly arrived. I think we are getting close.

[Captain Lemming]

Very well stated! and often overlooked facts

Overlooked by many......knowingly ignored by OV.

I have repeatedly destroyed his "false narrative" about LeBeau and he NEVER has any answers in defense of his ludicrous assertions. Never replies because his narrative cannot be proven. Then later brings up the same garbage.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

So you guys blame the FO for not giving LeBeau decent new horses in time to replace our aging Superstars when we needed to?

[Slapstick]

So you guys blame the FO for not giving LeBeau decent new horses in time to replace our aging Superstars when we needed to?

You kind of have to...but, really, there is no way that you could have predicted at draft time that Mike Hilton would be our top nickel DB. Yet, here he is. You can measure attributes and attitude, but that doesn't always translate to being an NFL player. Shamarko Thomas had all of the tools except height: speed, physical ability, strong work ethic. It just didn't work out. Jarvis produced in the SEC at a high level. He just didn't work out. I don't think there is a magic bullet. You scout and evaluate to the best of your ability and you either hit on a draft pick or you don't.

[Captain Lemming]

So you guys blame the FO for not giving LeBeau decent new horses in time to replace our aging Superstars when we needed to?

"Blame"?
No, but I understand certain realities.
We spent YEARS on building our inferior offense.
We also had a few misses on defense.

Think about it. Linebacker is the only defensive position that we did well in drafting for the better part of a decade.

Outside of a few Linebackers I would suggest Cam Heyward was the first above average defensive talent we drafted during LeBeaus tenure.

But those are realities, as we built our offense well. Tough to build a defense with a team that drafts late, does not do much in free agency, and is building offense.

Heck remember the 80s?

[SidSmythe]

These guys are only as good as the pressure up front which has been consistent.
Last yr we had a good sack total but there were times the pocket looked pretty for an NFL QB.
This year it's collapsing on a regular basis thanks to our non traditional 3-4 DL and investments in drafting OLBs.

[Oviedo]

So you guys blame the FO for not giving LeBeau decent new horses in time to replace our aging Superstars when we needed to?

Don't get me started. The "Teflon Coach!"

Go back and check our draft lists Defense was not ignored at all.

I guess the FO is also at fault in Tennessee with the #29 ranked defense

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

"Blame"?
No, but I understand certain realities.
We spent YEARS on building our inferior offense.
We also had a few misses on defense.

Think about it. Linebacker is the only defensive position that we did well in drafting for the better part of a decade.

Outside of a few Linebackers I would suggest Cam Heyward was the first above average defensive talent we drafted during LeBeaus tenure.

But those are realities, as we built our offense well. Tough to build a defense with a team that drafts late, does not do much in free agency, and is building offense.

Heck remember the 80s?

Yeah. You guys are right, "blame" is the wrong word, for more than one reason. Yall's good points are well taken than you!

P.S. Cap, and thanks to you for another great post without hardly any caps!

[Captain Lemming]

Don't get me started. The "Teflon Coach!"

Go back and check our draft lists Defense was not ignored at all.

You mean guys like Ziggy Hood?
Share with me all that "talent" we drafted that was squandered during the LeBeau era?

Your hated Jarvis Jones is all the proof we need that Butler can't "fix" bad picks any more that LeBeau could.

[Captain Lemming]

Don't get me started. The "Teflon Coach!"

Dude it ain't teflon
Stuff don't stick because Lombardi trophies have a smooth glossy finish.

[Captain Lemming]

Anyone notice how for years we had rookie offensive starters up until we drafted Bell?

Nowadays......not so much.

Does that speak to a philosophy change, or about the superior talent on the offensive side of the roster?

I think we all know the answer. Same deal when we weren't starting a bunch of rookies on an elite defense.

[Oviedo]

Anyone notice how for years we had rookie offensive starters up until we drafted Bell?

Nowadays......not so much.

Does that speak to a philosophy change, or about the superior talent on the offensive side of the roster?

I think we all know the answer. Same deal when we weren't starting a bunch of rookies on an elite defense.

Don't tell JuJu that because by the look at things he is a starter

The issue is we did not have an elite defense and the rookies still weren't playing. What we had were aging players who use to be part of an elite defense that wasnt any more...and still not playing the young guys