New Look Steelers,Prepare yourself

We're 25 million over the cap and Everyone knows tough decisions are coming. Its gonna effect this team.

Coaching changes are happening and its gonna effect this team.

I'm excited but saddened, hopeful but worried.

Arians is out.-Tomlin is interviewing outside candiates but I think he's not showing his hand. He's really interviewing asst coaches for two spots, RB & QB. the OC should really go to Randy F. I'm also really glad Caldwell is out. I see a new look Offense on the horizon scoring more points.If Randy isn't promoted to OC he may very well leave, is Memphis looking for a HC, his old home.

Keith Butler- I'm very happy for him if he leaves. He deserves it. Even though he and Tomlin coached together in Memphis many years ago I guess he's tired of passing up DC jobs waiting for the ageless LeBeau to retire. Jerry Olsavsky should be our next LB coach, not Lloyd or Green.Here's where Butler leaving is gonna hurt us most. Indy will most likely become the newest team utilizing the 3-4. Since NT is very key to the 3-4 and we lost one,likely two ( hoke,hampton) and need to draft a NT we may come up short. The supply/demand curve is overvalueing NTs that are available. Example= Poe is valued as a top 5-6 DT but since he's a NT he'll be drafted before pick 15, maybe a top 10 pick.That's a reach. I could see us drafting NT Alameda To'amu in the 2nd but he'll be gone. He's a mid to late 2nd rd talent that's gonna be drafted in the late 1st to early 2nd rd.If we draft Hebron Fangupu (NT) in the 2nd rd I'll shoot my TV. Better not in the 3rd rd either but he'll be gone by then anyways.

I don't want to here about "we'll be okay, we still have Ziggy and McLendon to play NT" ..... They stink at NT and when they are on the nose our defense suffered!! If we don't sign sign a FA NT we may be forced to switch to the 4-3.

Cajun-

 

I want them to switch to a 4-3.I know we don't have the personel right now,but I feel we have to eventually make the move because too many teams are using the 3-4 and that takes away from us.(drafting)We need to get pressure on the QB with our DL.We had a great run with the 3-4,But it's time too change.I love Lebeau,but we need different schemes and looks.Being #1 in Defense(points allowed,yardage) is great,But it does not correct the overall problems with this Defense getting pressure on the QB and forcing turnovers.Consistant pressure on the QB will create turnovers.I think we rely WAY TO MUCH on Woodley and Harrison. JMHO

 

Yes, it will be a new look, but we will still be the same old Steelers. Just because some of the names change doesn't mean the results will. I think its time some of the older players on defense should give it up anyway. It seemed like they were a bit of a liability last year at times.

As for changing to a 4-3. I'm not sure that is the answer. First, i really don't think we are even close to the personel. We have drafted two 5 techniques on the DL in the first round 2 of the last 3 year. Not that they can't move to different positions, but i think that would be taking away from their skills, especially Cam, he is the prototype 5 technique. Also, Harrison came in to the season not at full strength and Woodley was hampered by the hamstring. They will be back and up to speed this next year. I do agree about the turnovers. We need to do better in that aspect, but i think we will.

I personally think Tomlin has been installing some of his principles into the defesne, especially in the secondary and i'm not thrilled about that. I see too much cover 2 with Troy and Clark 30 yards off the ball. The packers exploited it last year in the super bowl. They were audibling to a certain play everytime they saw that cover 2 look. I believe they hit 3 big plays on that same audible. The Jennings TD was one of them. It's just not our identity and it does not play to the strength of our seconday.

 

Too bad we didn't use that a little more in the Denver game. Could have used it on a few of those long pass plays, including the game winner.

 

Yeah.I think your right.

 

Don't be so sure of this, although it is definately a possibility. It was just announced that Butler is not going to Indy. He has a good handle on Lebeau's defense and i'm sure Tomlin does too. i think they will incorporate principles of both, but will remain 3-4 base. We do such a good job drafting outside lb's and 5 techniques that i think it would be hard to let that ability go.

As for the Denver game... That was just stupidity on our part not seeing the play action pass happening, I was actually at the game and i said to the broncos fan sitting next to me. Here comes a play action pass, you have been setting it up all game. In all reality, what really happened was miscommunication. Mundy heard a run call from the LB so he came up expecting run. Ike didn't hear it so he was expecting safety help to the inside. I'm assuming had he heard it he would have shaded to the inside and played inside leverage taking away the slant. Obviously you never want to give up the inside when you don't have help. Ryan Clark being out really hurt.

I don't think it was so much the coverage the rest of the game as it was our lack of pass rush. Although it wasn't our best effort by the DB's. It seemed like we were more insterested with containing Tebow and not wanting him to get out of the pocket than getting pressure. Had we done the same thing and sat in cover 2, Tebow would have picked us apart on the outside and in the seams. Any nfl QB can do that if they have time. The fact that we only dressed 5 D-lineman and 2 got hurt by early 2nd quarter was also a problem, because the other 3 were gassed at the end.

 

what so great about the 4-3?

Greene, White, Holmes, and Greenwood ain't coming out of the locker room anymore....

 

Thats funny! I'll tell you what if they were i'd be pumping the 4-3 all day long. I do think a lot of it depends on the personel a team has and the ability to draft for specific positions. I know i keep saying it, but our ability to draft players for our system is unreal.

You know, the top 5 defenses in the league this year ran a 3-4.

I really think the next couple years will be very bright for the Steelers. I do think this is the year we will find a quality free agent or two. Knowing us, probably just one. lol

 

The thing with a 4-3 ... most teams who play the 3-4 use the 4-3 about 1/2 the time anyway regardless of the base D.

 

Changes are coming, the purge will start. It will be painful at times,
these young players are going to make mistakes. But hopefully if they play with passion
and heart and are COACHED UP we will get past this and field a playoff caliber team.
The cupboard is not completley bare, just some pieces that will need time. We will be OK.

 

Remain Calm

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