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Congrats TJ Watt and Cam Heyward

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by steelersrule6, Jan 14, 2022.

  1. FosterMorris

    FosterMorris Well-Known Member

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    Right? It's weird that Brian Flores is considered such a genius when he shipped off such a young All-Pro defender.
     
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  2. FosterMorris

    FosterMorris Well-Known Member

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    Are you saying Heyward would have had better numbers with Lebeau? I think Tomlin taking over the defense boosted Heyward's numbers- more 1 gap. DE used more for pressure than to occupy blockers. Same for Watt also. Tomlin doesn't drop OLB back into coverage like Lebeau did. Steelers Depot claimed Watt dropped into coverage 9% of the time through 13 games to start 2020 compared to 39% in 2017. I know for certain Harrison and Woodley dropped back into coverage more than any other OLB and IIRC approx. 40% of pass snaps. It makes me wonder if Harrison could have hit 20 sacks in 2008 with more chances to rush the passer.

    I'm shocked that Heyward put up 10 sacks this season. He's had A-gap responsibilities way more of the time in Alualu's absence. Not too many players can play NT and line up as a stand up linebacker he's pretty incredible. This is probably Heyward's best season.
     
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  3. FosterMorris

    FosterMorris Well-Known Member

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    Heyward has 1 more sack and triple the tackles. :shrug:
     
  4. SteelersMagic85

    SteelersMagic85 Well-Known Member

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    Both guys are more than deserving of the honor! Two great leaders as well! Congratulations
     
  5. Wardismvp

    Wardismvp Well-Known Member

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    Top notch season, congrats to both.
     
  6. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    Hayward and Watt were easy selections. I’m glad neither got screwed. The selection of Diggs was surprising and IMO a poor choice. He giveth every bit as well as he taketh away. The #1 responsibility of a defense is to prevent an offense from scoring points, and he gave up big plays (all kinds of plays) more than any high profile corner I’ve seen in a long time. I had seen a stat somewhere a few weeks ago showing his yards + TDs allowed, and it was ugly. If I flip the script to find an analogy on offense it makes me think of Jameis Winston’s 2019 season in Tampa when he threw for 5,100 yards and 33 TDs, but also 30 ints.
     
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  7. FootballAnalyst98

    FootballAnalyst98 Well-Known Member

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    played 4 more games
     
  8. FootballAnalyst98

    FootballAnalyst98 Well-Known Member

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    they already did 2010s
     
  9. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    I think they just want Watt rushing the QB as much as possible. I’m fairly certain Dupree dropped into coverage a lot.

    Agree about different usage under LeBeau for Heyward, they were more focused on eating up blockers.
     
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  10. Hanratty#5

    Hanratty#5 Well-Known Member

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    If the refs wouldn't have blown that call in the Green Bay game where Minkah blocked the FG and scooped it up and ran for a TD, I think he might have had a chance at All-Pro. That was the most athletic splash play made by a defensive player all year.
     
  11. mcam

    mcam Well-Known Member

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    They've both been amazing. Heyward is the heart and soul of this defense. Not flashy but as disruptive as there is love the guy.

    Watt is DPOY and tied for most sacks in a year ever so no words need to be said regarding him.
     
  12. mcam

    mcam Well-Known Member

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    I still believe Minkah to be an all pro caliber level despite a down year statistically. Look for him blow it open next year. Great players don't just go away.
     
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  13. FosterMorris

    FosterMorris Well-Known Member

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    Maybe Chris Jones could have 15 tackles a game over those 4 games but that's a lot.
     
  14. FosterMorris

    FosterMorris Well-Known Member

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    Troy had some years without many picks. Minkah made a stupid amount of tackles this year- an indictment on the defense as a whole.
     
  15. FootballAnalyst98

    FootballAnalyst98 Well-Known Member

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    I was talking about the sacks which hold more weight than tackles at that position.
     
  16. FosterMorris

    FosterMorris Well-Known Member

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    Here's the article not sure if I linked it.

    https://steelersdepot.com/2020/12/steelers-2020-defensive-charting-first-13-games/

    You just reminded me that Cowher did plan on using the ROLB more as a pass rusher. Put the best pass rusher there at least in theory (Greene and Gildon had other ideas).

    I don't think any DE hit 10 sacks under Cowher?
     
  17. FosterMorris

    FosterMorris Well-Known Member

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    Sacks hold more weight but Chris Jones had fewer sacks too. :shrug:
     
  18. FootballAnalyst98

    FootballAnalyst98 Well-Known Member

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    right 1 less in 4 fewer games played.
     
  19. FosterMorris

    FosterMorris Well-Known Member

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    Jones had a 4 game stretch without a sack last year. :shrug:

    I don't think Jones is remotely as good as Heyward. Not even about stats just playing ability. Jones plays a lot of 4-3 LDE so not really even the same position but if you watch his bad games like vs. the Ravens he gets blocked by a TE multiple times or just fails to diagnose the play on runs. Even if the other team double teams Heyward they aren't moving him and now he is occupying 2 blockers which is his job. Heyward is all bull rush and he never stops fighting; Chris Jones either wins at the point of attack on his swim move or he is out of the play. Chris Jones looks better than he is because when he does win he wins big and makes the blocker look stupid. I'm taking Heyward all day. He collapses the pocket on most passing downs and is never out of a play. I really don't think it's that close.
     
  20. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    ...... :facepalm:



    Read the post again then.
     
  21. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    This.



    Consider this also an unpopular take but Jalen Ramsey should have at least 40 or more votes. What he has been for that Rams Secondary is nothing short of magic. Take Ramsey away from that back end and.... yikes!!! :eek:
     
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  22. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    I am saying that Heyward's impact would have been more apparent had he played more within his first two seasons. People tend to forget how dominant a Run Stuffing Defensive End Heyward was coming out. It was his pass rush that needed some tuning but the intangibles to build off of that skill set were already in place.
     
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  23. thorn058

    thorn058 Well-Known Member

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    AQL my inner English teacher compels me to say this and truly I'm sorry but it's "for all intents and purposes"
     
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  24. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    :hi:


    Noted!!!


    I shall remember for future reference! :drinks:
     
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  25. thorn058

    thorn058 Well-Known Member

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    If he was with Lebeau in his prime yes his sack numbers would be way down but the run defense would be darn near impossible to run against. When Butler and Tomlin started activating the DE in the 3-4 you can draw a correlation with rush yards given up due to this.
     
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