Who are the holes in the Steelers' "D" line?

Examining the real holes in the Steelers’ defensive roster
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...ster-safety-inside-linebacker-cornerback-news

Mr. Hartman says: "When you diagnose the Steelers’ defensive line, you have some big names with Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt being the bookends in the team’s 3-4 base defense. Javon Hargrave anchors the nose tackle position, but what about the depth?"

Question for Mr. Hartman: What three D-line men play the vast majority of the defensive plays and give up the vast majority of the opponent rushing yards? HINT: It isn't the guys on the bench.

Messrs. Heyward, Tuitt, and Hargrave must realize they are the problem and must up their games.

 

Surely if they play the majority of the snaps, they’ll give up the majority of the yards necessarily?

What you need is a percentage that allows for yards over downs played, adjusted for rushing attempts made within those downs.

Before we start screaming too loud at the starters, I mean.

 

This x 1,000

I doubt we'll see much improvement from these players. Steelers defense needs new, more productive players in all three areas... D-line, LBs and Secondary.

I'll say it... the defense needs a total reboot in coaching, personnel and philosophy. Convert to the 4-3. That's the only way to stop Brady, Rodgers, Brees and soon... Garrapolo and Wentz... gotta get pressure up front. The 3-4 is not getting it done.

 

The Broncos beat the Pats playing a 3/4

 

Also, the Steelers did generate pressure most of the season. Hargrave absolutely got pushed around too much as the season wore on. I'm not sure what changed from his rookie season. Maybe he just fits a 4-3 better. As it is, the Steelers got pushed around up front too often and their linebackers simply didn't move well enough, especially once Shazier was injured.

Butler's scheme created more big plays by the defensive linemen, but it also caused many of the problems defending the running game. How often did you see a Steeler in the backfield while an opposing running back tore off a big run last season? Far too often. Part of that was Dupree not setting the edge. Part was the safeties taking horrible angles on running plays. But I also think part of it is the scheme.

 

Tomlin did say he is not opposed to seeing some dramatic changes within the defense. What that entails though remains anyone's guess.


One thing is for certain; all three have to see the field together for them to maximize Pittsburgh's defensive capabilities. If not, dark times lie ahead; a long season being the conclusion.

 

The Broncos also had two first ballot hall of Famers playing olb with a dline that made great push up the middle to force Brady to go left or right and had 2 shut down corners and a very good slot guy to jam ne and throw timing off. We have nothing close to that.

 

Yea they had a really good defense. Our D is trash without shaz

 

Alualu is a very good player...imo

 

Didn't heyward have 12 sacks last year? We were like 2nd in the league in sacks. I think it's the LBers that need to pick up the run stopping.

 

I think to stop the run we need to add another DT on the field and switch to 4-3.

LE: Tuitt
DT: Heyward
DT: Hargrave, or someone better
RE: draft a larger body pass rusher.

They want our LBs to drop in coverage then let them drop.

 

Yeah, but the Broncos have Von Miller at OLB... who is on the level of Troy Polamalu: a game-changing, once-in-a-generation caliber defensive player. Also.. they had Wade Phillips as D-coordinator when they beat the Patriots.

 

@LoneGranger and @HeinzMustard Read this article and I think you will see how the Shazier injury was the real problem

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...rgh-steelers-defense-improved-so-much-in-2017

just a quick post in case most don't want to read it all this says a lot:

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the NFL's best defenses through the first half of the season. It ranks fourth in total yards allowed (secondagainst the pass and 14th against the run), second in points allowed and is tied for the fourth-most sacks in the league, at 26.

 

I agree Blast a lot of people want to base what they saw in the last game but let's face it the Shazier injury hurt and Mitchell is straight up garbage. I really believe these moves we made are going to have many here back pedaling for a while.......

 

Not to mention matakevichs injury too. I think he will show he's better than what most think against the run. He's better than Spence. Bostic will help fill a void. Burnett seriously helps the DBs. I for one think Davis played well last year and year 3 with a better safety beside him should be far better. Vince needs to pick up his game. He's got to make more plays against the run as do watt and Dupree. We need to stay healthy first and foremost and build on what we have. It's not that far off.

 

I hope you're right... but it looks like the Steelers are going to have some down years.... like 8-8 or worse. It's gonna take a few sub-par seasons to make wholesale changes on defense. In the long run, it will be worth it. Too bad Ben will be retired by the time the defense is back to where it needs to be.

I'm not expecting much in 2018. I didn't expect much in 2017 and they got lucky with some injuries to key opposing starting QBs down the stretch. (Luck, Rodgers, Watson). This year, they won't be so fortunate.

 

I agree on Matakevich. He was showing a lot of promise, a lot of good words coming out about him, and then he disappeared with injury at the end of the season. While not starter material, he is good depth to have at this point.

 

It is a wait and see but if you read the article it showed for half a season we were right there and to me that means we are not far off. Hello Burnett and Bostic and good bye Mitchell and Spence throw in some rookies and bam we are right back there.

 

I don't honestly think we have any real "holes" so to speak. I would love to see a true NT brought in to help plug the hole in the middle so we aren't moving a DE to the NT position. LT Walton is fine, but isn't a NT. The use of true NTs is so far down that I can't imagine we won't be able to find a 7th rounder or UDFA who can help us more than McCullers can.

 

No Einstein, they still played a 3/4 defense.

 

They could have ran any defense with the personell they had.

 

The runner should be stopped at the line.

 

3-4 is the problem. If we are in Nickel 60% of the time then just switch. Patriots always run hurry up and don't let us sub anyways.