Does Butler get a pass?

This D may not have great talent, but the schemes seem to leave people wide open. The plan seems to be dedicated to getting to the quarterback, but we don't and that exposes the seccondary. Seems like a dumb plan given the talent we have.

 

It is what it is

 

I would say butler gets 2 more seasons before we can say fail. There's been some bright spots for what he's got to work with. A great front 7 doesn't negate the fact that the secondary is made up of high schoolers.

 

secondary sux, will allen and the rest should go

 

It's his first year working with a patchwork secondary.

 

Not many tools to work with. The Woodey, Cam Thomas and Cortez Allen contracts combined with numerous draft busts add up to a D with little talent/

 

The scheme is the same as it was under Dick. The scheme is what leaves guys wide open on that soft coverage garbage. It's what got Dick fired and nothing has changed whatsoever under Butler. It's the same defence, nothing but soft coverage. It makes me want to puke.

Manziel looked good against this defence. The same defence that Tebow lit up. Now Wilson set a career high against this defence. Nothing is changing under Butler. There is a lack of talent, but the scheme is the biggest problem. NFL coaches always deal with lack of talent in areas, so they scheme around those weaknesses. We don't do that, but then again, Tomlin admittedly isn't a big scheme guy, so that shouldn't surprise anyone.

 

maybe Lake should be looked into, it's his guys.

 

Yeah. Basically we need a new safety and a new CB. Mitchell and Gay are very good players. Allen and Blake are not. Cockrell is young and has shown enough upside that I'm fine with him back there.

Our defense played awful. It happens. Maybe the game plan was bad. Maybe it was just poor execution. Either way Butler has done a very good job with the defense so far this year. A poor showing doesn't change that.

 

There's not a lot more Butler could really do given the pieces and the time he's had his name on the door. I think he's trying to play to the only strengths he has - the defensive talent is peppered in the front seven; to try bailing out the secondary with additional bodies would mean he sits some of that talent, and for what? It's not like they're harboring a secret weapon to pass coverage (Boykin, apparently, lost a limb in the drive over from Philly), so taking away a rusher to add another sub-par DB will just cancel itself out.

To me, the problem with the DL/LB mix is that the areas of strength do not yet fully compliment each other: the ends of the D-line are strong, the OLB's are average and vice-versa. McClendon is solid, but unspectacular as a 3-4 NT, imo, while I feel Timmons, Shazier/Spence are often plus-ILB's. Conversely, Heyward and Tuitt are strong bookkends, but the OLB play comes from JJ (inconsistent), Dupree (good base skills, still raw), Harrison (37 y/o), and Moats (average with flashes). It makes it harder to get to the quarterback with the speedy effeciency some of our more successful units have had.

That all said, the unit has upped its play over last season in terms of QB pressure, sacks, and takeaways. In all honesty, they've played above my expectations for most of the year.

 

Yeah I think Butler gets a pass somewhat and Lake and Tomlin get the full blast on this one. That is their speciality and the piss poor product on display is made in their image. Who the heck coaches a player to try a shoulder block to tackle

 

Butler didn't do a good job of getting a pass rush on Wilson, the Seahawks O-line is trash and the Steelers only had 1-2 sacks.

 

Does Lake get a pass? I asked Bobby this in the game thread. I say he does.

 

I will never understand why our corners play 10 to 12 yards off the receivers. Why, why why and then still get beat. They play much better when they man up tight, at least they don't look so confused and leave guys wide open.

 

Heck No!! 3rd downs and longs and can't get off the field

 

The pass rush is butler's, but the secondary's cover 2 scheme is tomlin's... he's been wanting to implement this for quite some time, but Dick lebeau had too much power

 

I actually get the idea of playing off and keeping the play in front of you, especially when you are blitzing so much. What I don't understand is how receivers can be so friggin' open. There must be a lot of blown assignments and confusion in our secondary. One-on-one they aren't very good (thus the cushion), but then they often don't seem to be where they are supposed to be to cover anyone. They really look confused much of the time.

 

I think Butler will be fine. His defense has some issues I hope he can fix but other than today I have seen improvement.

I think if Tomlin is screwing up by micro managing we will see a mass coaching exodus. We have too many ex-head coaches and potential head coaches to tolerate sub par micro managing. This off season w

 

This off season will be interesting.

 

The Steelers have the 30th ranked pass defense. I don't see how he gets a pass having the 30th ranked pass defense in a passing league.

The Steelers do not have the personnel to be an effective secondary. Losing Ike and Troy in the same year sucks but they weren't close to their prime.

Mitchell is playing better and the pass rush is better. Tuitt is more experienced and Worilds has been replaced by Moats and Dupree.

The schedule is much harder this year.

Butler should not be fired but he should be on the hot seat... now get the man some players to work with!

 

Has anyone ever heard Tomlin explain the coverage cushion?!

I can't find info anywhere.

That is an indictment of sports journalism.

Links please if you have them.

I get that Lebeau's defense has always been "tackle the catch" but that was when the secondary good tackle haha.

When Tomlin was in Tampa they bumped at the line before passing off receivers to S and LBs in the flat correct?

 

As MT says, we will have to get back in the lab(LOL) and see if
we can learn how to tackle. OMG I can't believe I am saying this about
a Steeler team. Thanks Coach T.