How bout that run defense? AluAlu and coaches deserve props.

[Captain Lemming]

Number one in the NFL so far against an elite RB talent.
So much for the, "AluAlu can't play NT" hand wringing.

A comment about the idea they weren't prepared:

As a strategy, how would you prepare for the Giants? Who would you key on to stop?
Barkley. Period.
What happened? Dude got shut down.

Some say the secondary looked blah, and it did. But I noticed something.

Lots of secondary help to shut down the run game. I say we strategically chose to sell out on the pass to make sure the run game was non-existent. Bring the heat to rattle the young passer, and stuff the run at the expense of a little coverage.

I think their QB made real strides and handled the heat better than expected, but overall the strategy worked.

We started rusty on offense but that is to be expected.

But can some of you critics give the coaches credit for a very nice defensive game plan?

[Starlifter]

It was a solid win and clearly the game plan was well developed. The Giants were a team the Steelers were supposed to beat (on paper). They did so, and in a convincing fashion. I don't think anyone is suggesting there isn't room for improvement and it's only week 1 - but only the most jaded would disagree the team didn't meet expectations for this game.

[Oviedo]

They shut down the best RB in the NFL. Not bad for a first game with no real camp and no preseason

[Buzz]

Very strong first performance for our D. Good start to the season.

[NorthCoast]

Some say the secondary looked blah, and it did. But I noticed something.

Lots of secondary help to shut down the run game. I say we strategically chose to sell out on the pass to make sure the run game was non-existent. Bring the heat to rattle the young passer, and stuff the run at the expense of a little coverage.

C. Batch said exactly that in his post game wrap-up. Limit Barkley's influence (he had one huge catch and run on a screen) and make Jones make throws. Jones actually did well considering the pressure he was under all night.

[Eich]

The defense flashed championship-level play. But there were a few drives, especially the LONG one that started near the Giants goal line, that made me wonder what the heck was going on. Thankfully it resulted in a turn-over in our end zone.

[NorthCoast]

The defense flashed championship-level play. But there were a few drives, especially the LONG one that started near the Giants goal line, that made me wonder what the heck was going on. Thankfully it resulted in a turn-over in our end zone.

Read elsewhere that the Steelers were subbing in on a lot of snaps during that drive. Ola, Spillane, Highsmith, all had a bunch of snaps. I actually agree with this strategy by Tomlin. It's a long field, get other guys some game snaps, let the first team rest. It's a long season and these backups are gonna be needed along the way. Nice work Tomlin.

[Eich]

Read elsewhere that the Steelers were subbing in on a lot of snaps during that drive. Ola, Spillane, Highsmith, all had a bunch of snaps. I actually agree with this strategy by Tomlin. It's a long field, get other guys some game snaps, let the first team rest. It's a long season and these backups are gonna be needed along the way. Nice work Tomlin.

Makes sense and makes me feel better about that drive.

[Captain Lemming]

Read elsewhere that the Steelers were subbing in on a lot of snaps during that drive. Ola, Spillane, Highsmith, all had a bunch of snaps. I actually agree with this strategy by Tomlin. It's a long field, get other guys some game snaps, let the first team rest. It's a long season and these backups are gonna be needed along the way. Nice work Tomlin.

Seeing Ola and Highsmith gave me some serious Harrison/Woodley circa 2008 flashbacks.

[NorthCoast]

this would be an amazing stat, even against an average NFL RB, but against Barkley... wow!:

..... if it were not for a pass play where the ball actually travel backwards to Barkley and he gained 7 yards, he would’ve ended the night with a negative rushing total

[Shawn]

Number one in the NFL so far against an elite RB talent.
So much for the, "AluAlu can't play NT" hand wringing.

A comment about the idea they weren't prepared:

As a strategy, how would you prepare for the Giants? Who would you key on to stop?
Barkley. Period.
What happened? Dude got shut down.

Some say the secondary looked blah, and it did. But I noticed something.

Lots of secondary help to shut down the run game. I say we strategically chose to sell out on the pass to make sure the run game was non-existent. Bring the heat to rattle the young passer, and stuff the run at the expense of a little coverage.

I think their QB made real strides and handled the heat better than expected, but overall the strategy worked.

We started rusty on offense but that is to be expected.

But can some of you critics give the coaches credit for a very nice defensive game plan?

Good observation. Of course we gave up some yards in the passing game. We committed resources to stopping the run and dared them to beat us in the air.

[Eich]

Agree. Barkley is just sick. And our defense was better. Great performance.

[whisper]

Number one in the NFL so far against an elite RB talent.
So much for the, "AluAlu can't play NT" hand wringing.

A comment about the idea they weren't prepared:

As a strategy, how would you prepare for the Giants? Who would you key on to stop?
Barkley. Period.
What happened? Dude got shut down.

Some say the secondary looked blah, and it did. But I noticed something.

Lots of secondary help to shut down the run game. I say we strategically chose to sell out on the pass to make sure the run game was non-existent. Bring the heat to rattle the young passer, and stuff the run at the expense of a little coverage.

I think their QB made real strides and handled the heat better than expected, but overall the strategy worked.

We started rusty on offense but that is to be expected.

But can some of you critics give the coaches credit for a very nice defensive game plan?

Let's not pop the bottles of champaign just yet, Tic Toc. It was against the worst team in the last 3 years of football. When they shut down the Ravens' rushing game and things of that nature we can talk then. Talk about an overreaction after one game vs. the worst team in the NFL over the last 3 years!!!!!!

[Steel Maniac]

The defense flashed championship-level play. But there were a few drives, especially the LONG one that started near the Giants goal line, that made me wonder what the heck was going on. Thankfully it resulted in a turn-over in our end zone.

I love us on this side of the ball. I think once the rust is fully off, we look like the ball hawking defense we saw most of last year.

[hawaiiansteel]

agree. Barkley is just sick. And our defense was better. Great performance.

BOOM