Cajun's thoughts on the roster & Schemes

I'm late due to a daughters wedding and work backlog but I wanted to share sme thoughts before the season started.

Roster- I was caught off guard and surprised to see the final 53 with only 3 OLB... 5 ILB.. 5 S and 6 CBs on defense. On offense to see 6 WR and a WR/RB hybrid with only 2 RB & a FB.... Glad to see 3 TE. A change in how we scheme ems to be in the air. Call it LeBeau's last hurrah as he once perfected the 3-4 zone-blitz, but as the league has learned how to beat it now he's being innovative again.


Defense- Our previous defense, a 3-4 base W/zone blitzes has got to hae a solid 2-gap NT and 2 effective OLBer. We no longer do. Both our NT are better suited as 1-tech NT or 3-tech DT. We have one true tested OLB ( one a 1 yr deal ) in Worilds, an unproven 2nd yr OLB and one converted LB ( untested ) as the only back-up. We do have 5 very athletic ILB and 11 DBs...can you say Changes are in the air.

We got beat by Phily, defense sucked, but wait, I beleve we didn't want to expose our hand. We played a 2 DL nickel defense alot but come Sunday look for LeBeau's New version of the "46" or as some call it the Big Nickel. Our previous Big nickel removed the NT and brought in a Safety...not a CB. This year look for us to run more 4 man fronts ( DL ) with only Timmons and Shazier playing LB and 5 DBs. Of course we'll still see some tradtional 3-4 base defense and some dime packages, sub packages, but gone are the days of " We're a 3-4 defense" or a "4-3 cover 2".... we're now more flexible than ever with lots of speed across the board and opposing offense will have a harder time nailing down our tendencies when game planning...... I'm excited!!!!!!!!!!

Offense- Did we really keep Adams over Whimper? Whimper outplayed adams last yr and this yrs camp & pre-season... Tell me again draft status means nothing here in Steeltown. Ben is primed to make a HUGE amount of money now. With the recent contract signings and seeing how we're set up to run the no-huddle more giving hm more responsibilities and more WR weapons ( 7 really ) he should have hs best yr.... if we go deep in the playoffs he'll be the top paid QB in the league the next couple yrs.

We kept Landry,not surprised, even though he showed nothing worth being named to a 53. Can you say draft status....I feel if Kay had been given a true opportunity to compete for the last spot he would hae beat him out. The Steelersdepot feels we should make a play for the saints QB Ryan Griffin, he's definately a upgrade over Landry.

ST- I guess archers fears stopped him from returning many punts so we now must put at risk our #1 WR....Thanks Archer, you were supposed to be our return guy.

Cajun-

Go Steelers!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I agree with most of what you say, Cajun, except for the bit about Kay. As I've said before, I don't really get to follow College football much, but I didn't see anything out of him in preseason or camp reports that would suggest an upgrade from Jones.

I'm intrigued as to what Lebeau is going to put out there against Cleveland...

 

Quality, yes. Depth, no. I think Worilds has it, and I think Jones is getting it. They won't be Harrison/Woodley in their prime, but they'll be effective. Especially in 2015.

 

I agree about the Nose Tackle problems. I was thinking today that we really need a big guy that can open things up for our linebackers to bring the heat. I mean a 3-4 basically depends on that anyway right? Also congrats on the wedding. I hate to even THINK about the day that I will give my daughter away. I just hope she finds a man with his head on straight and his priorities and morals in line.

 

What are you expecting from Shazier? I personally am expecting flash plays from him. I don't mean that as a slight against him. I'm just saying I don't think it will all "click" under the elaborate schemes. He still has naturally good hands and speed so that can go a long way.

 

Watching the green bay and seahawks game I see our defense in the packers because they are using that 2-4-5 defense and getting gashed by Marshawn Lynch.

2 OLBs on the edge just doesn't work unless you have some like James Harrison and Lamar Woodley as far as their size.

 

Yeah Lynch seems to be doing a lot more than Lacy. I've not looked at the numbers though. Seattle's o-line is pretty dang good too though.

 

He'll probably be up and down as a rookie, but mostly up, and I expect him to have a long and spectacular career, as long as he can stay healthy. I know there are concerns about his size, but I'm just not that concerned. I think even what seems like will be his weakest point, taking on big bodies in the run game, he'll manage to get it done somehow.

 

His speed would sure be a lot more useful if we had a big fat Casey like guy in the middle clogging up 2 guys. Then his size would be much less of an issue. I think he will be good dropping back in coverage as we have already seen against Buffalo. Maybe we should just put McCullers in there and let him clothesline half the line and then Shazier can just blaze to the qb? LOL.

 

I think that Shazier will thrive in the 3-4 base. His struggles will be in the 2-4 nickel when he has to take on blockers.

I disagree that a new nose tackle is the solution to stopping the run. In the 2-4 nickel the nose tackle is not on the field and that is the formation that is struggling against the run. People are blaming the lack of stopping the run on McClendon and he is not on the field in nickel. I wonder if these people know that the defense is not in 3-4 the whole game.

I feel like a recording but the 2-4 nickel is the probem against the run. The Steelers do not have the personnel to effectively run it currently.

A new nickel package based on the personnel strengths will be better against the run and have a better pass rush. They need 3 lineman in and that takes JJ out imo. I think that Cam should take that end, Worilds at the other end, and I don't care which 2 lineman are in the middle; whoever plays the best. The Steelers have 3-4 personnel but go to a 4-3 personnel 4-2 nickel. IT DOES NOT WORK. 3-3 nickel takes either Timmons or Shazier out so that is a no, unless they go to a 3-3 nickel with Timmons at an end?...

Fire the 2-4 nickel immediately!

 

They only kept 3 OLBs because I think Garvin is going to be playing there, he bulked up some in the offseason

 

I've been screaming this for two years now. And I have posted on this site with different alignment personnel for us to stop getting gashed in this 2-4 scheme.

Green Bay ran the same thing Monday night and all I could think off is this looks like our defense. But I remember Don Caspers is running their defense.

Like you mention we need at least 3 DL on the field. Maybe use Worilds as the 4th. Or go Keisel, Heyward, McCullers and Tuitt or Keisel Heyward, McCullers, Thomas.

 

I hadn't heard anything about Garvin playing OLB. Have the Steelers said that?
More than likely if they have a couple injuries to the OLB's, they move Timmons outside and play one of either Spence, Williams or Garvin inside?

 

I say Hayward & Worilds could play ends, though that would technically be a 3-3 with the line and lb's offset opposite ways. The end position or olb position in the 2-4 is where this roster lacks. You need speed, size, and contain. Not sure which two lineman would play the best together inside.

Jones cannot play the 2-4 nickel well, he is not physical enough.

I am also not sure the Steelers have the right guys to play the 2-4 inside. The line roster is based on a 3 man line.

The 2-4 worked ok with Kiesel/OlHoffen and Smith with Harrison, Farrier, Timmons, and Woodley.

The problem with 3-3 nickel is taking a mlb off of the field which would be Shazier. I think he is a better football player than Jones. Unless they went 3-3 and played the olb's off and replaced Jones with Timmons, keeping Shazier at true middle...

Not sure of the solution but the 2-4 sucks.

 

Shazier, Timmons, Jones, Worilds. That is a lot of athleticism at linebacker, especially inside.

I hope that with that much athleticism, we'll be able to see more 3-4 and less 2-4-5. But I have a feeling it's not going to happen that way. I also hope we see more 3-3-5. It'll hurt taking one of those LBs off, but these days there are a lot of ways to run the ball with a lot of receivers on the field. Despite what many people think, stopping the run is still critical to having success, and letting teams spread us out and then gashing us will cost us games.

 

they were talking about that throughout camp glenn. using garvin and zumwalt at those two spots. (ILB and OLB)

moats will most likely play both sides before that would happen with garvin outside. at least I'd say, and there was talk about that too. I think moats may surprise some folks before it's over.

 

The athletisism is there in the 3-4 base to allow its use a little more; however, Jones and Shazier lack physicality going to the 6 man front imo, which is more noticable at Jones's olb/end position in the 2-4-5. I think that Jones would be ok with 3 lineman and Worilds at the other olb/end in the 3-3-5, but that takes Shazier off of the field who I think can be a real playmaker. The problem with a 3-3-5 keeping Shazier and Timmons at their natural positions is that I am not sure there is a lineman that has the speed to play the end when Jones comes off of the field.

A solid nickel package is crutial to a team's success. Nickel is the most versatile defensive package.

What personnel do you like in a 3-3-5?

 

both can cover receivers though, which I like about garvin. I just hope both keep improving, because they both can run. speed kills on D. we have some pieces in place with a lot of it for the future. with more field time for these guys we could be in good shape down the road at the LB spot. at least faster with some better coverage skills. strength will come as they mature here.

 

Idk, but we can get creative with it. You could see a line consisting of Heyward McLendon and Tuitt with Shazier Timmons and Worilds. Or you could go with a line with Heyward McCullers and Worilds with Shazier And Timmons at OLB and Spence inside. The latter obviously being an obvious pass situation. I like Thomas as the extra DB in both situations tho. Maybe Gay in an obvious passing scenario.

 

It's mainly conjecture on my part based on our roster and today's NFL offensive movement towards the passing game actually seeing it deployed a few snaps.
We just don't have the personnel to run an effective 3-4 scheme on a consistent season long basis.

GARVIN as a OLB is a a joke in my opinion, it's a smokescreen. He hasn't taken one snap at OLB in any game. I know Butler's comments but wait till you see him actually play the position with some success before annoiting him as a quality swing inside/outside LB.

CAJUN

 

There are a couple of ways to go. Heyward and Timmons are locks. McLendon, too, because the idea is to strengthen the middle and still have athleticism. For the other DL you could go with anyone, Keisel/Thomas/Tuitt. For LB, I think Worilds can do it all so I leave him on. Shazier is a rookie so I can see him coming off at times, but realistically you want him on the field as much as possible. His whole game is versatility, which is exactly what I want in this package. That leaves Jarvis, who I'm high on. I think he's a strong run defender, decent in coverage, and I expect him to take a leap this year in his pass rush. His instincts, too.

But really you could just pick a LB (besides Timmons) and be okay. I certainly would rather go this route than sub in Moats to keep either Jarvis or Worilds fresh. I think there are times it would be a good idea, and my #1 goal is to just stay in the base 3-4 as much as possible.

I don't know why anyone is talking about Garvin at OLB. Preseason is over. Why would we talk about Garvin being on the field at all? His experience is inside, and he's got Sean Spence ahead of him, and quite possibly Vince Williams as well. We'd have to have two injuries at OLB before we even thought about putting him there, and if it came to that we might as well re-sign Chris Carter.