What I expect to see

[stlrz d]

I believe I was the first to criticize LeBeau for his use of the very soft zone with Troy being out, but I still have faith that he is one of the best scheming DCs in the league...and even in the history of the NFL.

What I expect to see is for LeBeau to come up with a scheme that keeps Woodley closer to the LOS while shifting pass coverage (with the help of Troy's return...if healthy) to help cover for Woodley's responsibility.

This has the potential to create some vulnerabilities on the other side of the field, but to counter that the Steelers D will have to be more aggressive and apply more pressure...which is what the zone blitz is all about. So with Smith out we could possibly see a Steelers D that is more aggressive almost out of necessity, which isn't a bad thing, imo.

I'm still concerned with the loss of Smitty for the year, but I have faith in Dick LeBeau to come up with a scheme to help fill that void...if there is a significant drop off in the position with Smitty's replacement(s).

Thoughts???

[Djfan]

Re: What I expect to see

No fans have reason to hope in their D than we do. It doesn't mean he will make it work, but you can bet our chances of it working are better than 31 other teams in today's NFL.

[JTP53609]

Re: What I expect to see

me likey

[Jooser]

Re: What I expect to see

I think you're right on d. I'm really hoping that will be the case. We have been very soft to this point since Troy has been out. The key is getting Woodley back on the LOS and letting him fly to the QB. That's where his best work is done, not covering TEs and RBs in pass coverage, he's too damn big and slow for that.

[jj28west]

Re: What I expect to see

Even if Smith was not injured I would love to see the D take some risks and really come after Brady or Derek via cross fire X, cornerback blitz., etc. often and early.

We used to do this alot with Carson to where it got in his head psychologically and he would act if the pocket was caving even when it wasnt.

They no longer have Soljah Boy @ TE and Chansi Stuckey does not seem to be as physical as Braylon. Lets do a little vintage 46 D and put 8 guys in the box to stop Jamal.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: What I expect to see

Even if Smith was not injured I would love to see the D take some risks and really come after Brady or Derek via cross fire X, cornerback blitz., etc. often and early.

We used to do this alot with Carson to where it got in his head psychologically and he would act if the pocket was caving even when it wasnt.

They no longer have Soljah Boy @ TE and Cotchery (sp) does not seem to be as physical as Braylon. Lets do a little vintage 46 D and put 8 guys in the box to stop Jamal.

Jerricho Cotchery is still on the Jets. The WR that the Browns got back as a part of the package of players and picks in exchange for Braylon Edwards was Chansi Stuckey.

[AkronSteel]

Re: What I expect to see

Everyone tends to forget that, yes, at the end of 07 we were without Smitty but we were also without Troy!!! Neither one of them played in December. Troy came back for the playoff game against Jax but was far from 100 percent. Just sayin'....it could make a difference. Plus we didn't have young guys like Ziggy and Rashon!!

[jj28west]

Re: What I expect to see

Even if Smith was not injured I would love to see the D take some risks and really come after Brady or Derek via cross fire X, cornerback blitz., etc. often and early.

We used to do this alot with Carson to where it got in his head psychologically and he would act if the pocket was caving even when it wasnt.

They no longer have Soljah Boy @ TE and Cotchery (sp) does not seem to be as physical as Braylon. Lets do a little vintage 46 D and put 8 guys in the box to stop Jamal.

Jerricho Cotchery is still on the Jets. The WR that the Browns got back as a part of the package of players and picks in exchange for Braylon Edwards was Chansi Stuckey.

Thanks for the correction.

[frankthetank1]

Re: What I expect to see

Everyone tends to forget that, yes, at the end of 07 we were without Smitty but we were also without Troy!!! Neither one of them played in December. Troy came back for the playoff game against Jax but was far from 100 percent. Just sayin'....it could make a difference. Plus we didn't have young guys like Ziggy and Rashon!!

thats a very good point. the depth at d-line isnt great but its a heck of a lot better than it was in 2007

[Oviedo]

Re: What I expect to see

Everyone tends to forget that, yes, at the end of 07 we were without Smitty but we were also without Troy!!! Neither one of them played in December. Troy came back for the playoff game against Jax but was far from 100 percent. Just sayin'....it could make a difference. Plus we didn't have young guys like Ziggy and Rashon!!

thats a very good point. the depth at d-line isnt great but its a heck of a lot better than it was in 2007

I don't think this will be as bad as 2007. I think we will be a little more vulnerable to the run and will give up more yards but I think Ziggy might bele to do more damage on passing downs than Smith. Ziggy is a penetrator who can beat a man one on one. This ability could also help Woodley by causing more disruption and penetration on the left side.

[frankthetank1]

Re: What I expect to see

Everyone tends to forget that, yes, at the end of 07 we were without Smitty but we were also without Troy!!! Neither one of them played in December. Troy came back for the playoff game against Jax but was far from 100 percent. Just sayin'....it could make a difference. Plus we didn't have young guys like Ziggy and Rashon!!

thats a very good point. the depth at d-line isnt great but its a heck of a lot better than it was in 2007

I don't think this will be as bad as 2007. I think we will be a little more vulnerable to the run and will give up more yards but I think Ziggy might bele to do more damage on passing downs than Smith. Ziggy is a penetrator who can beat a man one on one. This ability could also help Woodley by causing more disruption and penetration on the left side.

i still have nightmares of fred taylor and david gerrard running wild against the steelers d. it definetly wont be as bad as 2007 and i think you are right about ziggy's penetrating ability. he has more speed than smith so i dont think there will be a drop off in pass rush. run defense is another story and i pray it helps out woodley because he needs to step it up big time. in woodley's defense though its only 5 games into the season and he is still a young player. im not all that worried. it was nice to see him get a couple sacks last week.