If we hit on Dupree and Burns

I think we would be a serious contender. Both first rounders. We hit on those two and I’d be very confident we could beat anyone. Goes to show you how close the line is sometimes.

 

What the hell you talking about we already have Bud Dupree and Artie Burns.

Just goofing around

 

Coaching has to get some of the blame. These guys have been in the system for years and if anything Burns has gotten worse.

 

Burns has gotten worse. I think this also helps to show how much of this is mental. It seems god gives a lot of physical ability to a lot of people that aren’t very intelligent.

 

The thing I don’t get is Tomlin was defensive coordinator of a 5th ranked Minnesota Viking team in 2006!Our defense is the Achilles heel of the team and the Steelers defensive drafts since he has has been head coach have been poor to mediocre at best.Colbert and Tomlin need to get it right!

 

Let Adeniyi get a shot at ROLB. Steelers know what they have in Dupree and Chickillo. What do we have to lose at this point? Nothing is going to help this defense except new talent.

 

The defense blows but why are we talking about the defense after there 2 best games.. But as well save this for after they suck again which will more than likely happen

 

Talent is talent and they made it this far so I believe they have something that got them drafted. Its what happens to them (or doesn't happen) when they show up at Latrobe or during weekly game prep. Offensive drafts seem to be better for some reason and it has to be coaching. There is no other explanation for the majority of high draft picks that haves missed on one side of the ball.Tomlin must of gotten alot of credit for his position coaches in MN because what has been transpiring for years on defense is on him.

 

Stats lie.

 

I'm convinced the D plays great this weekend it is that game against the Ravens that has me worried. I see visions of Flacco lighting us up

 

Flacco only lights us up at Heinz for whatever reason. he gets off to having his only good game of the year there. That's his super Bowl

 

Apparently because look at our defense and lack of development of high draft picks. I mean this would be one surefire way to evaluate Tomlin as a coach, right?

 

Adeniyi has to get fully healthy first.

 

I think he gets angry because he left Pitt to transfer to Delaware in college. For some reason Wandstatt had him playing behind Tyler Palko. I think he begrudges Heinz Field in general, because your right he has banner games there.

 

It's like after he lights up Heinz field he let's out a sigh of relief in the ice tub and Is like alright now I can go back to sucking

 

I wasnt a fan of the Burns or the Dupree pick when we drafted them. Dupree was a raw speed rusher who needed coached up in pass rush technique, and Artie Burns was only selected because the Bengals picked Will Jackson 1 pick earlier. Both players still flash every now and then. Like it or not those two guys are the best we got this year. I don't see the Steelers using Ola at all this year, and Sensebaugh just isn't and upgrade over Burns. I would let both guys continue to play and evaluate the positions in the off-season. What we lack in talent, we can make up for with consistency, if we continue to give all 11 starting defenders the reps they need to gel as a cohesive unit.

 

Since losing to Tebow, Steelers have only hit on 3 1st round picks.... DeCastro, Shazier and Watt. Edmunds is TBD.

 

You’re not wrong. I think if Shazier doesn’t injure himself we are likely a contender even with Burns and Dupree as is. Unfortunately if both of those guys were starting caliber, or if one of them was a game changer... I think you’re right.

The AFC is wide open still though, so you never know. Kansas City looks good but have a history of playoff choking they have to get over (as well as a garbage defense that can be taken advantage of). The pats are far from unbeatable and have had some injury issues to boot. The jags look like a one year wonder and the rest of the AFC isn’t really that scary. I could see us getting to the SB anyways this year. We won as a 6 seed under Cowher, so idk why we couldn’t win even as underdogs

 

I will point out a few things for you.

Dupree and Burns can still improve. Dupree seemed to be set back a bit by injuries. Burns has physical talent. It's the mental side of the game in which he seems to struggle at times. I don't think the team is ready to give up on either player yet.

Like all defenses in the league the Steelers defense had some good and bad moments/games. Don't believe me? Take a look at the top defense in the league the past couple years.

I believe that out side of the KC game the defense played respectable. Expecting a shut out defense every drive, QT, or game isn't a realistic expectation in an offensive driven league.

Football is a team game. How each units perform can have an impact on one another.

Not all drafts were or are created equal. A player drafted in the 1st round in 2018 might be considered a 3rd round prospect if that player was drafted 2019. The Steelers can only draft that players that are available to the them.

How the Steelers perform as a team and how the units complement one another will determine how far the team goes.

 

At least they're not the Browns, they missed on most of their first round picks until getting Garrett.

 

I agree try Adeniyi and Sutton I mean can it get any worst? Especially at CB

 

You can’t beat a good offensive team/QB in a playoff game if you have guys like Burns starting at corner and Vince Williams trying to cover anyone on third downs. Teams will literally pick that apart up and down the field play after play. Even if we get hot and get in the dance, if we don’t try something else IE Sutton, Brian Allen Matthew Thomas Oli then I can assure you how this ends

 

Tuitt and Heyward don’t get a pass either because those guys are not producing anywhere near the level they need to. I think they are doing OK in run D but 0 push on the QB. Tuitt has really dissapointed me. I thought he was an up and coming stud 2 years ago. Most games I don’t even notice if he’s alive.

 

I don't think everyone is expecting a shut out every drive or QT or game but a stop when needed is helpful. Take a look at the playoff loss last season, yes, the turnovers hurt but the team battled back and they would score and get within a single score and then the defense couldn't get a stop.

How about giving up the constant long pass plays or worse yet the 3rd and long conversions on a regular basis. I also hate that when the Steelers seem to get a lead late in the 4th it is almost like clockwork that the other team scores but it does so with relative ease and in quick fashion.

The Cowboys game in which the team gave up an 80 yard screen pass to Elliot and then took the lead with 42 seconds left. 42 seconds and every single fan was worried we left too much time and of course it turned out to be true. How is it that our "ok" defense can't hold a lead for 42 seconds?

I understand what you are saying but I disagree that Burns and Dupree can still improve, Dupree is what he is at this point, he is quick and that is it. Burns would be ok as a 3rd string safety and a special teams player, he lacks the smarts and instincts to improve because he is a long stride runner, that is his natural way to run and you can coach away that trait.

I think the team needs to take a serious look and admit that they need to fill the OLB and CB position with a FA that is going to cost some high draft picks because they haven't been too good at finding these positions in the draft, and they also need an ILB and a DT but a good CB will help on all fronts and outside of Hilton and Haden they have nothing.

 

No doubt. Steelers could of had Byron Jones instead they took Derpree