Tampa Bay Post Game Thread

I think they're a good O, but they also didn't particularly play down from their usual standard.

In other words - we shouldn't be upset that we only 'barely' beat them.

In a similar vein - KC did something similar to us this week, going up big against the 49ers, then letting them back in the game (and if Jimmy G didn't go out, who knows?). Yet the write ups seem to all be about how KC are on fire and unstoppable, because ultimately they still won.

 

That’s another point I’d like to talk about that I forgot to post last night.

Jordan Berry needs to go. He is constantly kicking line drives that are only going about 40 yards in the air.

Heck, last night, on the DJax return,the ball only traveled about 40 yards in the air and the coverage guys were still 10+ yards away. That’s how horrible he is right now. He’s costing us major field position.

There has to be someone else out there that can do better. This defense would look a tad bit better if teams had to go 80 yards instead of 50.

 

The defense got four turnovers, at least two of them interceptions that were either bad throws or miscommunication by the offense, and Godwin let two touchdowns slip through his fingers, both leading the Bucs to settle for field goals, and still gave up 27 points. That's not particularly good.

That said, injuries are playing a role. The loss of Hilton really hurt the defense late in the game, mostly because it forced Behre into service and he is useless.

 

Berry has had his issues, no doubt, but he did punt one down to the 2 and another down at the 1, that was called back after Hey-Bey got a penalty..... And then another one for bitching about the first. According to the stats, he had 5 punts for a 45.6 average. Not bad.

 

Yeah, why the hell was Berhe on the field? He should never see the field as a defender.

 

Heard JH92 on the radio today say that Pittsburgh keeps drafting 4-3 guys and trying to convert them to a 3-4 scheme. Laid the blame there and not on the notion that LeBeaus scheme was "outdated". We've said that on here as well, but thought it was interesting to hear it from him as well.

 

Did Harrison ever have to guard athletic TE’s or 4.3 40 WR’s 1 on 1 when he was here?

It’s the position these guys are being put in. They are being set up to fail.

 

No but he did have a 100yd pick 6 in the SB playing coverage

 

Dropping into a zone in which the QB threw the ball and hit him in the numbers.

Will never discredit the return though.

 

It’s amazing that a guy like Breeland is still out there in the FA market and we have to sit here and endure this.

I’m not sure where we were cap wise at the beginning of the year, but we should have $2.5ish million more with Bells hold out.

They can’t bring this guy in and at least work him out and see what type of contract he wants?

 

Looks like it is too late with this. Green Bay had him in for a workout today and there is no chatter about us bringing him in.

They should be looking at all of their options. Whether that’s a trade or signing someone.

They can’t be this stupid to believe that this defense can hold up all year.

 

Seems to me he said the same thing in previous years.

 

If Tomlin truly wants to run a Tampa 2, both him and Butler need two key aspects.


1.) Linebackers


A Tampa 2 can only be as good if the linebackers are just as good in coverage as they are in run support. While Vince and John have the run capabilities needed, their pass covergae leaves a lot to be desired. That being said, a new approach needs to be taken. Two players to me come to mind; Matthew Thomas and Terrell Edmunds. Matthew Thomas or Terrell Edmunds are the likely choices. Matthew does have coverage capabilities and Terrell was drafted to play multiple spots. Both have good range for the Tampa 2 and both (rather Terrell) has some good ball skills. While both should not play at the exact same time, having one of them on the field should increase the amount of range within the middle of the defense. While the prospects of Nat Berhe is terrifying enough for some (myself included) for him to commit to deep coverage, having him in a two deep shell can aliveate most of his coverage woes. However, this is a great segway into the next key ingredient two run a successful Tampa 2.



2.) Cornerbacks



Now, some of you may have heard Jason Witten state that Pittsburgh has traditionally relied on the coverage of the safeties and linebackers within the zone concepts Pittsburgh runs. That much is true. However, slowly, Pittsburgh has attempted to steer far away from the traditional zone concepts it has used under LeBeau and attempt to transition into more of a Tampa 2 style. Here in lies the issue; better illustrated below..






To efficiently run the Tampa 2 (at least the one both Butler and Tomlin want to), like any defensive concept, you will need either solid to exceptional cornerback play. We have a rock solid option in Joe Haden. Outside of him, nobody else thus far. Artie still has not gotten it for whatever reason and Coty is a far worse option than Artie is. Cameron Sutton is not good enough in his press and Mike Hilton is a slot corner only. At this point, seeing in what Brian Allen could bring should be a last resort. However, given the magnitude of the upcoming Sunday Night Game, desperate times might call for desperate measures. Again, assuming if Artie still cannot understand the basic principles of coverage technique and nevermind concepts, Brian Allen might have to be called upon.




Ultimately, this defense is not devoid of talent as some make them out to be. Tuitt and Heyward both need better production but both are still disruptive forces. Who knew Daniel McCullers would be coming into his own after four years? Bud and T.J. still are not getting home as much as many of us would like but they are applying more pressure together know than last season. For what they are, Bostic and Williams are quality run stuffing interior 'backers. Finally though, Sean Davis and Terrell Edmunds, while both taking their lumps, are showcasing improvement and Joe Haden is still a quality name corner.



That being said and, given the current circumstances, sadly fellow brothers and sisters of TheSteelersFans message board, this is what we will be stuck with all season long as there is no quick fit currently in sight. Ryan Shazier's tragic injury truly bore unimaginable consequences for this defense. He was the pinnacle of what both Tomlin and Butler wanted for the defense. However, this also falls on both men as, given Ryan's history leading up to that fateful December last season, contingency plans should have been in place. As many of us may know, depth.



Now, that being said, one question remains. The question at present now should not be which position needs the bigger upgrade among the two but which position yields the greatest impact; positive or negative being nugatory as a whole.



Should neither of those positions matter and the defense continually elects to showcase bad performance repeatedly, then that can only mean one logical conclusion; the scheme does not work.



In short? Fire Keith Butler.

 

Remove the Quarterback Rating and me and Alex got the same results. Same exact numbers in my notes as well.


Unacceptable.

 

One? How about two?


Either Edmunds dropping into a 'backer for a sub package or Matthew Thomas should be options there. Barring any non-reported issue that Thomas is having with coach, I personally do not understand what the issue could be.

 

It's possible that he is this year's Watson. A guy who played himself on the 53 man roster but who is relegated to the bench due to Tomlin's comfort level playing guys he knows.

 

You had me at scheme not working and firing Butler....you complete me

 

Fort has been around long enough to know what to do....why not give him a chance here and there.