S Jaquan Brisker with the steelers

But we usually weren't so bad at getting off the field.

I had the data in the posts about how the running game was better this year despite getting fewer yards.

It showed that the offense was about the same (I think 1-2% worse) at converting 3rd downs.

But that the D was much worse at getting off the field (IIRC, something close to 7-10% worse at 3rd down conversions).

I think you're right that the D won us a bunch of games by getting a lot of turnovers.

But I think it's also true that the D lost us several games by not being able to get off the field. Which I think was the main reason the offense was so bad (maybe 29th or so IIRC) in total number of plays run.

I can go back to the previous posts to dig out the numbers if you think it will help.

 

You maybe have a point, but the point I will stick to is, all but one game this year out of our 10 wins were because of our D, and the playoff game was ours because of the D , ............If, if the Offense did anything. Hell the offense scored more points for the opponent than they did for us.

 

Defense was bad at getting off the field. And it felt like that was because Echols, Clark, Thornhill, Slay, Duggar, and Ramsey got picked on.

The Steelers have done a really nice job of turning almost all those guys over. And allowing Ramsey to move around (perhaps?) and avoid getting stuck on a coverage he isn't suited for any longer.

Offense was terrible at staying on the field. While adding Pittman and Rico D won't make that worse....I still don't see how it looks much better. Maybe MM has a time machine for Rodgers?

 

I agree that the offense was not close to being up for the task of facing that Texans defense.

Agree that the 2x DTDs in the playoffs were terrible. The first one was backbreaking. The game was probably already over before the 2nd one...was just trying to force something to make the game look more reasonable. I don't really fault them for that one.

As has been the case recently, I don't think either side of the ball did much in the WC game. Although (like many of our recent playoff games), when we look at the points scored against we have to remember that many of those points (14 in this case) were scored because of our offense. So the D only gave up 16 in this one.

And if you're going to be a good team, IMO you have to win games where your D give up fewer than 20 points.

I don't hate the idea of bringing Rodgers back (I'd imagine many do). But I'd rather take a higher risk/reward QB so we have a chance of having a medium-term starter (the guy you roll the dice on this season) or a better pick to try to get a guy next year. But it looks like we're aiming to tread water again this year.

 

I was at least a little surprised that they didn't cut Ramsey. I still won't be surprised if they try to move him (and just eat the roster bonus as part of the cost of moving the big contract).

With all the additions at safety, I think we could afford to let him go. Maybe it means they think he's going to be the nickle CB? IIRC, he was moved out of that role last year because of injuries.

 

I think Ramsey has more use to the 2026 Steelers than the asset the 2027 Steelers would get back. Due to the cap charge and Ramsey's play....I don't think they would get very much.

I know what Tomlin and Austin would have likely done. They would have likely had him play FS in base and then rotate to some sort of roving position in sub-packages.

Interestingly enough....that is what the Packers did with Charles Woodson for the last season he was in GB.

 

You say that in past tense

 

Defense; 10th most third downs faced, third most 3rd down conversion allowed.

 

Amazing what happens when you rush 3 and play ten yards off

 

No, your original question is you trying to phrase things in a way that removes the defense's worst performances. That's not a change. That has been your flawed premise from the start. I refuse to stick to that flawed premise as it doesn't render a valid or valuable answer.

To extend your metaphor, I am blaming you for creating a test that is not valid. I even explained to you why it is not valid. You are starting from a point of trying to remove the defense's poor performances. The only valid approach is to look at not only how they won, but also how they lost. The defenses failed miserably in some of those losses, as I illustrated.

 

You are ignoring a large chunk of the available data by throwing out the losses other than the playoff game.

Also, the defense had a hell of a lot of help from Stroud keeping that game close. Sure, some of that was the pressure they created, but a lot more was him just playing like a terrified little kid.

 

2nd most defensive plays 1149
236 3rd down 98 conv
38 4th dn 28 converted

is what something came across

 

10yds ? they have some off the tv screen !!!
you get to see them at home games

 

I think this makes sense. Depends on what they would do with the extra cap space...but that ship has mostly sailed unless there's a big trade since primary UFA is done.

I do think that we're setting up to walk away next year by not doing the salary conversion though. Cap hits in the next 2x years are 21.7MM and $24MM. If he's not a top 3-5 safety, those numbers are too high IMO. His cap hit is also too high this year.

I also think we still need a S fairly early in the draft since I don't think any of the S options on the roster are medium term answers.

 

I think the adding of as You mentioned Pittman, and Rico will help no matter who is the Qb. Will it be enough??? We shall find out.

 

LoL. Yeah because I hope it stays there.

 

Here You go , @jeh1856 we got turnovers from Stroud because he walked over , and handed them to us. LoL. Exactly what we were all talking about , and He jumps right in feet first.

 

A few seasons ago it was the ILBs that sucked. Then they cleared the room, including the coaches. Now it was the secondary room that got swept clean. Let's be thankful the DL has held up. But when are they gonna get it together?? Is this the season?

 

Now go back and read my post again. I explained in the very post you were quoting that the defense played a role in that, but Stroud also made some truly horrible decisions. I don't know how you watch that game and don't see it. I guess the complexity escaped you.

 

The harsh reality is that very few players on the Steelers 2026 roster will be on the next Steelers roster that wins multiple playoff games.

They look like they are once again trying to thread a very difficult needle. Field a competitive team in the current season, while trying to build for the longer term.

They have some long-term OL and DL pieces. They have one clear long term piece in the secondary with JPJ. I thought they had some long(er) term answers at ILB in Wilson and Queen, but I do not see it any longer. The rumors swirling around Queen, suggests the new Steelers coaching staff doesn't either.

Assuming it will not be 2027 until they can even obtain their next long term answer at QB, then most of the current roster will have almost totally aged out by the time that QB is developed in like 2028 or 2029. The team's contract structures seem to reflect this as well.

12 draft picks is a chance to add a couple of pieces to that mix. But their current building blocks are Frazier, Fotawhatever, McCormick, Black, Harmon, and JPJ. That is a start....but they have a great deal of work to do.

 

Fotawhatever is still suspect hoping for improvement

 

I strongly agree with this.

It's the reason that I think we need the focus to be rebuilding (but not necessarily tanking).

But it's not my money and Rooney seems to have set the mission statement to be something like "focus on winning the next game over developing the team for the medium term".

If we can hit on whatever QB we draft (probably this year or next year), it's not a bad strategy. But if we miss on a QB (again), I think we really, really need to move away from shooting for the "no winning seasons" business model.

 

I think this draft will be pretty telling about whether or not organizational priorities are shifting.

I will do my best to wait until the entire draft class comes together....but if they draft a guard in the first round....that seems like same old same old.

 

Yeah, its excuses that escape me. So You are trying to tell me if Stroud was at practice, and You couldn't rush the passer he would have made the same mistakes??? LoL
I don't know how it escapes you he was forced into those errors.

 

Quarterbacks always face some level of pressure. It is a combination of what the defense does and how the quarterback reacts. Stroud was absolutely horrible in the playoffs. Part of that was his line being ****. Part was him panicking under pressure. I don't know how you watched that game and didn't realize it was a combination of both.