Our Defense Is A Problem Also

[hawaiiansteel]

Alex Kozora
@Alex_Kozora

Combined numbers opposing QBs have posted in the Steelers last five playoff games (all losses):

118 completions
171 attempts
69% completion rate
1,468 yards
15 TDs
1 INT

QB rating of 122.2. Which would be the second highest in NFL history. #Steelers

Jan 16, 2024

https://twitter.com/Alex_Kozora/status/1747270976021397758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1747270976021397758%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.steelersuniverse.com%2Fforums%2Fshowthread.php%2F34816-Do-the-Steelers-need-a-new-DC-and-defensive-system

[feltdizz]

Alex Kozora
@Alex_Kozora

Combined numbers opposing QBs have posted in the Steelers last five playoff games (all losses):

118 completions
171 attempts
69% completion rate
1,468 yards
15 TDs
1 INT

QB rating of 122.2. Which would be the second highest in NFL history. #Steelers

Jan 16, 2024

https://twitter.com/Alex_Kozora/stat...fensive-system

problems all over the place.

Would be real nice for the D to get a three and out on the first drive.

I’m getting really tired of all of our key players having injuries every season. Kenny is on the cheap but Minkah, Cam and Watt keep getting nagging injuries. Given their cap hits, it really has an impact on our defense.

[Iron City Inc.]

Cam is a huge puzzle to solve in 24. Do we pay him the 22 mil that his contract calls for? His play these days is not 22 mil level imho. Perhaps half of that would be closer to the correct number. Remember we don't pay folks for what they have done we pay them for what we expect them to do in the season or seasons ahead. I would like to see him stick around but not sure he gives us a home town discount. If he hits the open market I dont know if he is offered even 10.
Cam can still contribute but these decisions are not easy. Chuck once had to cut L C Greenwood. That had to be hell for him. However again it's NOT what he's done, you pay based on what you believe he will do. Nature of the business.

[T.Ferguson]

This is something that has been mentioned more recently but still not enough imo, every playoff game the defense doesn't look ready, miscommunications, blow coverages, poor effort. Big failure by Tomlin here who continually gets a pass for this.

[NorthCoast]

They allow a ton more holding by the OL in the playoffs, meaning the DBs have to cover longer... disadvantage Steelers. The entire defense is built around the pass rush getting to the QB or at least hurrying him.

In the last game, Peterson was an embarrassment, and Rowe struggled to cover TEs, and normally reliable Fitz whiffed on tackling a WR he outweighs by 15 lbs.

[Buzz]

They allow a ton more holding by the OL in the playoffs, meaning the DBs have to cover longer... disadvantage Steelers. The entire defense is built around the pass rush getting to the QB or at least hurrying him.

In the last game, Peterson was an embarrassment, and Rowe struggled to cover TEs, and normally reliable Fitz whiffed on tackling a WR he outweighs by 15 lbs.

team ought to look, not only at changing personnel and coaches, but at modifying our defensive philosophy
the current one is great for achieving barely over .500 seasons, but not so conducive to success against the top tier teams in the postseason

but I suspect Art II will not mandate any kind of major change with the D, and we'll see largely the same thing we've seen moving forward, at least for the next season

[feltdizz]

Watching the Ravens game and they seem to have the same problem in the playoffs. 10-10 game and gave up a punt return.

I'm sure fans are wondering the same thing, "when will this team come out and play a solid 60 minutes in a playoff game?"

Is it coaching?

[T.Ferguson]

Watching the Ravens game and they seem to have the same problem in the playoffs. 10-10 game and gave up a punt return.

I'm sure fans are wondering the same thing, "when will this team come out and play a solid 60 minutes in a playoff game?"

Is it coaching?

I don't see too many similarities, Steelers have given up a ton of points in the first half of playoff games, really poor prep and game planning. Ravens big problem recently is Jackson struggles in the playoffs, let's see what he can do in the second half.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

This is something that has been mentioned more recently but still not enough imo, every playoff game the defense doesn't look ready, miscommunications, blow coverages, poor effort. Big failure by Tomlin here who continually gets a pass for this.

Our defense is better than average, YES--we need coverage linebacker, a strong safety ( although Rowe is intriguingly good ) a competent 2nd cornerback ( Patrick Peterson ) should never seen the field for us again ) Oh and a better punter. But all of the below can be 2nd-4th round picks ,and in the case of the punter a free agent.

A decent DT is also a need.


Watt, Porter, Benton, Highsmith, and Fitzpatrick are all good players in the prime, Heyward is 35 and not worth his current cap number. If cut we save 16 million ... I say cut him if he does not agree to a hometown discount, and use that money on a free agent DT.

But over all we are in good shape.

[feltdizz]

I don't see too many similarities, Steelers have given up a ton of points in the first half of playoff games, really poor prep and game planning. Ravens big problem recently is Jackson struggles in the playoffs, let's see what he can do in the second half.

well, Lamar and company showed up in the second half.

I didn’t say they were losing the same way we were, most times Ravens are a high seed but didn’t play up to expectations. Thought we could see a repeat after the punt return but this Ravens team might be different.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Game by game basis people.

[T.Ferguson]

well, Lamar and company showed up in the second half.

I didn?t say they were losing the same way we were, most times Ravens are a high seed but didn?t play up to expectations. Thought we could see a repeat after the punt return but this Ravens team might be different.

I thought at halftime the game could've gone either way but Ravens did pull away in the 2nd and Lamar did make some plays. Houston could be really good next season.

[WindyCitySteel]

well, Lamar and company showed up in the second half.

I didn?t say they were losing the same way we were, most times Ravens are a high seed but didn?t play up to expectations. Thought we could see a repeat after the punt return but this Ravens team might be different.

They were one of the few playoff teams not intimidated by Brady, beat him what, twice and got robbed a couple more times.

[feltdizz]

They were one of the few playoff teams not intimidated by Brady, beat him what, twice and got robbed a couple more times.

I’m talking since they had Lamar and went 1-3 before this win.

[steeler_george]

Our defense is better than average, YES--we need coverage linebacker, a strong safety ( although Rowe is intriguingly good ) a competent 2nd cornerback ( Patrick Peterson ) should never seen the field for us again ) Oh and a better punter. But all of the below can be 2nd-4th round picks ,and in the case of the punter a free agent.

A decent DT is also a need.


Watt, Porter, Benton, Highsmith, and Fitzpatrick are all good players in the prime, Heyward is 35 and not worth his current cap number. If cut we save 16 million ... I say cut him if he does not agree to a hometown discount, and use that money on a free agent DT.

But over all we are in good shape.

I agree with you in regards of postition of need. But most of all, we need another play maker, we are too dependent on Watt to provide pressure, and we are too dependent on Fitz to make plays.

This probably won't happen, but I would put all our FA money on getting FA, safety Winfield. Bring back Edmunds as well for cheap. Having that trio of S would be insane. Who is the QB going to focus on? Fitz or Winfield? They can both be chess pieces all over the field and play multiple positions- FS, SS, Slot CB. IF Porter plays just as good as he did this year or improves, we can survive with pairing him with an average/below average CB. ( But hey what if they get Trice or Rush back and they play better than solid.)

I bring Edmunds back, not that I think he was a great player, but he provides great play at what he needs to do. He will never have impressive stats, but he Cover TEs and allow Fitz to freelance and make plays.

With the safeties covering the back end of the DBs, and the middle of the field ( limit liability by ILB), our front 7 would improve so much. Our ILB can cheat in covering their lanes and provide pressure. How many sacks did our ILB provide?

As for Heyward, I would extend him make majority of that money as bonus to not count or hurt the cap.