We really don't need corners...

I think first and foremost our D line needs to be fixed, then linebackers. We need a good safety but our corners can get it done and our D will be ok if

1.) D line stops the run and opens up holes
2.) Linebackers take advantage and pressure the QB(sacks are not necessary but are nice)
3.) Don't give up the big play
4.) Offense Offense Offense. Run, playaction, heath, dumps to Bell, let's see our other RB's. Keep our D fresh and foremost and opponents offense 1 dimensional, i.e. blitzzzzzz

Stopping the run needs to be a priority again. Losses:
Ravens= 157 yards 4.4 ypc
Bucs= ok we stopped them lol 63 yards, 3.2 ypc
browns= 158 4.2 ypc
jets= 150 4.2 ypc
saints= 143 5.5

I know it's not the be all for our losses but that's 134 yards average in those losses, 4.3 ypc. Unacceptable

 

Are you kidding? These corners are horrible!

 

I know they are horrible, but if we don't fix the D line we will continually get gashed in the run game and not get any pressure. If we have great corners they will just keep running and if we don't get pressure we can hold bad QB's but Manning, Rivers, Brees, Rodgers, Brady will carve us up. We need to play smash mouth football again and it all starts with the D line.

 

Yup we gambled and it didn't work out. Nothing much we can do...

 

Just look at the 85 Bears. Their corners were horrible but with the amount of pressure the DL and LBs applied cancelled them out.

We need pass rushers. Like I mentioned in another post, draft two OLBs, signed two undrafted free agent OLBs and signed two free agent OLBs.

 

evaluations of talent is horrible .. when we signed cam thomas everybody (and that's a rarity) on this board sayd BLEW . during the training camp everybody sayd DOUBLE BLEW , and our coaches keepted him on the 53 , only to not admit their failure .. how in the hell they couldn't see what evrybody saw ?

 

Agreed. In this NFL, where 6 TD passing games are the new 4 TD passing games, you need a strong front 7 to disrupt the QB's passing lanes.

It's no accident that our pick 6's this year have come when the QB was under duress, just like it's no accident that our weak DB's get torched when the opposing QB has all day to throw.

If a good multi-dimensional DB is there we should take him, but the value is in the front 7.

 

I disagree, the NFL is a passing league. This is the same crap fans were saying during the draft when the Steelers didn't address the CB position until the 5th rd, how did that work out? You need a combination of both, you can't keep relying on scrub castoffs from other teams like McCain, and Blake.

 

Yea but if the QB has all day to throw then even elite corners will get burned.
I would take a dominant D line with elite pass rushers and a sub par secondary over a weak D line sub par pass rush and elite secondary.

then again if we had a decent D line decent pass rush and decent secondary then our D would be elite. I can understand your position.

 

infact i would sign mcain back next year

 

It doesn't really matter the whole secondary is garbage.

 

Couldnt agree more. We need 11 good players to make it work. Our offseason needs to have some serious focus on the DEF. And make it quick since clock is ticking on Ben. I think we are serviceable at LB. But we need serious upgrades on the DL and in the DB. Frankly, I'm sick and tired of ignoring the CB position. I want another Rod Woodson on our team. Sigh...

 

this defense relies on pressure. we have been ranked number one with players like ike, townsend, mcfadden and chad scott just to name a few

 

A lot of good and valid opinions. First I'd like to touch on the talent evaluations I know sometimes we as fans think we know more then the coaches but sometimes it isn't hard to see if a guy is just flat out bad and these same guys keep getting the opportunity to go out there and prove us right. It definitely makes you scratch your head sometimes.

As far as our CB situation we need serviceable guys and most times our guys don't play at least serviceable. There are just too many bonehead plays and poor execution and miscommunication. One of the strengths of our D is supposed to be knowing what the guy next to you is doing,you do your job and he does his. Nothing could be farther from that reality. We are one of the worst situational football teams both offensively and defensively. You think we would of learned our lesson about biting on double moves from Tennessee. there were ate least 3or4 times where our guys bit on fakes. I think player accountability is lacking with this coaching staff and I feel it's a significant issue going forward.

 

Ed Bouchette @EdBouchette · 11 h11 ore fa

Tomlin: Happy with Cam Thomas' performance.

Tomlin: Says on second thought he still would not have used those 2 time outs at the end of the first half.

 

Defenses are only as strong as their weakest link. A great pass rush will seem less great if their corners leave everyone open. Likewise a great CB will seem much less impressive when he is continually asked to cover someone for 10 seconds. You are correct...in the modern era, if one had to choose between a great pass rusher and a great corner, they should take the pass rusher. But my question is, "Why can't we have both?" If not for astoundingly poor player evaluation, drafting, and contract management we might.

Maybe it's just fond memories of Rod Woodson's mentality or his game-changing big-play abilities talking; but isn't it crucial for the 2015+ Steelers to get some field (locker room) leadership asap? The team has loads of inconsistent athletes... it's time to add some football players. Where better to start than with a dominant cornerback since the position demands a lot of smarts as well as a much needed combination of toughness, strength, speed, and awareness? Or if that is too much, how about priority drafting ones with pure cover skills and sound instincts?

 

If both our pass rushers are both getting 10+ sacks a season we can get by with sub par CB's

Thing is though, can we find good pass rushers in the draft anymore?

After Porter and Haggans (both drafted before everyone was running a 3-4) we found Harrison and Woodley. Harrison was a lucky find, and you can argue the only reason Woodley did so well was because Harrison was on the other side. Everyone is looking for 3-4 edge rushers now.

Can we get an early enough first round pick to grab one? I doubt it.

 

Exactly. We have added players to the D line to help in several of the past drafts. Still haven't added a CB worth a crap and we are still getting shredded. Time to add a secondary.

 

Yeah let's add that secondary, and allow 150+ yards rushing lol. Then again, at least we won't be losing 30+ games.

 

Super bowl teams last 2 years: Ravens, 49ers, Seahawks, Broncos.

Top 5 teams this year (based on playoff seeds): ARZ, GB, Philly, DEN, NE

It's a passing league. Literally every one of these teams understands that success on D comes from stockpiling DB's.

Look at ARZ who took Carson freakin' Palmer and a D without Calais Campbell, Daryl Washington and Darnell Dockett to the top record in the league.

We need to stop living in 2005 and 1996.

 

this is a biggest problem we have now while a cb that can cover would be nice

 

I am of the belief that the CB position
is second most important position in the NFL. Only the QB position is more important.
You must be a great football player to play the
CB position well.You also need help from a pass , rush. The qb's nowadays are just too accurate.

Can we find both? Looking at our current secondary we are in desperate need of good football players.Our front seven has some potential, will some guys realize this potential?