need to change our Defensive Line philosophy

During Cowher days, our DL focus was to stand ground and occupy opposing OL, so that the opposing OL can't get to our LBs and allowed our LBs to make tackles.

With Tomlin, our DL is focused on getting to the QB or RB at any shape or form. I think this has caused our DL to be out of position and allowed opposing OL to get to our LBs and created huge running lanes. I think Heyward mentioned this also on how their DL is taught.

During Cowher days, our DL didn't have many sacks or tackles because their assignment was to maintain position and occupy the opposing OL. I think our current DL are so focused on getting to the QB, they are always out of position.

 

There is truth in what You say, but what You are not factoring in is the difference between the game then, and now on 97%, or so of today's offenses.

 

Back then the NT likely played more snaps than they would today, a lot more sub packages are used now.

 

As much as I would like to go back to the old Cowher days.... those days are long gone. For that matter, players like Derrick Brown from Carolina and more specifically in Dexter Lawrence don't come around often. Granted... I still believe in Deone Walker (Defensive Lineman from Kentucky) but he isn't the same destructive force that Lawrence was coming out of Clemson. Why are those players being mentioned?!


Sub package football has dominated the NFL. As a result, nabbing those extremely rare, three down NTs is next to impossible. Once those types of players become available?!... they don't last very long in the NFL Draft; Top 15 at the latest. Jordan Davis is the latest example actually; greatly assisting and enhancing Philadelphia's Defense to new levels under Vic Fangio.


Long story short?! I agree that the Defensive Line does need addressed... but schematics alone will not solve this issue. Need the horses... and the Steelers have horses that aren't getting any younger.

 

The biggest problem I see is that this defense does not blitz near enough especially not on TJs side which would help free him up by breaking up the double team.

The Bengals game is going to require blitzing on both TJs side and Highsmiths side and occasionally dropping TJ or Highsmith into coverage to occupy those crossing routes that the Bengals love so much.

 

Your stats don't add up.

In 2023 the D-Lineman combo of Larry O, Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton and throw in Demarvin Leal you have a total of 6 sacks and 127 Combined Tackles with 12 tackles for a loss.

In 2005 the D-Line combo of only Kimo, Brett and Aaron and Hampton had a total of 8.5 sacks and 158 combined tackles with 22 tackles for a loss.

So, I don't see a big difference between Mike Tomlins 2023 defensive line and Bill Cowhers 2005 Defensive line, if there is one it looks like Cowher was getting more pressure into the backfield from his 3 down lineman than Tomlin is getting.

 

We had much better linebackers back then, too. You have to design schemes that go with the talent you have.

 

why minkah is 40 yards downfield to start the play is my pet peeve.

 

He plays a very good centerfield. Get him a Pirates uniform in the spring!

 

I don’t think Highsmith will be playing.

 

We had much better INSIDE linebackers back then. Kirkland, Holmes, Bell, Farrior, Foote were beasts. Watt and Highsmith in a time machine would fit in good with those guys.

 

This!

They sit in nickel more and more with two D Lineman and the 2 pass rushers up front The nose is very rarely used in this defense anymore.

 

This.....100%.
This is something I believe people overlook a lot. You can run many different schemes on offense, and defense, but it's a stupid coach to run schemes you don't have the players for, and many people keep asking our coaches to do just that.