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3 safety/Nickel Defense

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by Animus, Feb 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM.

  1. Animus

    Animus Well-Known Member

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    I gotta say the more Austin and Tomlin go to this as our base, the more I feel with our front it's more of putting a square peg into a round circle. Running it as a 24 with Watt and Highsmith with their hands on the ground is really makes the defensive front too small which leaves the ILBs out to dry. I really think they need edges the size of a Myles Garrett if our direction is more of 5 DB base with a 2 DE and 2 DT front. This isn't saying Watt and Highsmith aren't productive players, but what I'm saying is that they're not fits in the scheme and direction the defense is moving. This is partially why our run defense got destroyed by the Ravens in that playoff game.
     
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  2. SGSteeler

    SGSteeler Well-Known Member

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    So you're thinking of guys like Scourton and Tuimoloau? At that point, you're really just running a 425 and loading the DL with more 43 style pass rushers. Not saying its an awful idea, but I do disagree that is why we got destroyed by the Ravens. Our game plan was to crash hard on Henry and let Lamar run all over us. It was.... a bad plan. The second we pivoted Henry hit us with the long TD.
     
  3. Da Stellars

    Da Stellars Well-Known Member

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    Is 3-4 obsolete? Only the Eagles front 4 can stop Mahomes. You got to build your team for what will win in January.
     
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  4. SteelLion69

    SteelLion69 Well-Known Member

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    Animus has an interesting point. The Eagles run a 3-4 defense, also use a nickel, but their focus is paying the D-Line and less resources on linebacker. They are an inside-outside team, always keep the interior, if edge and skill players want more than their value, let them walk.

    They have Williams, Davis, and Carter up front. Their second string is Ojomo, Young, and Booker. That front is very young too. They might let Sweat walk this year if he wants too much, and will replace him with a cheaper player.

    Roseman just crushes it in the draft and free agency.

    I am guessing the Eagles wouldn't pay TJ Watt another huge contact, he is a game wrecker, but wears out and disappears by the end of the season.

    They would pitch him on winning a ring, doing what is best, like Trotter and Graham, onetime starters are both second string. If he wanted the huge contract, the Eagles would let him walk.

    I think if the Steelers want to run that 4-2-5, they need to get younger, bigger, faster, and stronger in the interior. We are just not good enough up front.
     
  5. PWP

    PWP Well-Known Member

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    I hope they go to a 4-2 man/zone concepts.. Less guys in zone but more in man ...A no free release Defense and no one crosses your face Defense... This protects the middle and allows more blitzes and stunts inside .. I hate letting WRS just run inside untouched we see it almost everytime on 3rd. and long...The WR runs 10 to 12 yards then slants right over the ball about 15 to 20 yards boom first down.. If you press with inside out leverage this play can't happen...
     
  6. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    3-4, 4-2-5, 1-5-5, it doesn't matter really. Hell, even the legendary 46 Bears Defense wouldn't have been so great had it not had the horses required to run it. The strength of any Championship Caliber team has been, continues to be, and will always be the Lineman.


    This should come to the surprise of no one. If anything, the 2020s are kinda playing out like the 1980s in terms of the importance of Trench Warfare.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. Steelrules

    Steelrules Well-Known Member

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    Really need some big young guys up front. Heyward found the fountain of youth but for how much longer? Adams and Larry O are at or near the tipping age of 30. Time to draft some big boys to harass opposing QBs
     
  8. Da Stellars

    Da Stellars Well-Known Member

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  9. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    grady brown gone now as secondary coach. :cool:
     
  10. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    Maybe it’s time to make the switch to a base 4 man front. Heyward and Benton have the versatility to play anywhere on the interior, but I see Benton fitting best in the “2i” spot (lined up between the center and guard). Logan Lee has some potential as well, and was successful in a 4 man front at Iowa. The rest of the D linemen can move on, although I do wonder if Ogunjobi would “find” himself if he had the chance to get back to being a rotational 3 technique penetrator instead of frequently having to hold 2 gaps in our scheme. The free agent crop includes some 3 techs as well (though they won’t be cheap).

    I think Queen would be very effective in the 4-3 weak side OLB role and I think Wilson could have a future as the middle backer. Or maybe have Wilson play the strong side and put Roberts in the middle. Herbig would be a LB and could potentially fit into any of these roles, though he may lack the raw foot speed for the weak side.

    Highsmith played effectively as a small 3 technique in college, so I see no problem with him being a 4-3 end with his hand on the ground. One of his best pre draft game films was playing inside vs. Tennessee. Watt is at his best on the LOS and in the backfield.

    I’m not saying it’s definitely time to make the change, but I’ve never seen a time when it looked like as good of a possibility as it does right now.
     
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  11. SteelLion69

    SteelLion69 Well-Known Member

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    We need to get someone on the line to Khan and Tomlin.

    [​IMG]
     

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