Harrison Analyzes the Defense

Steelers.com blog reports Harrison has said the following about the Steelers defense:

“Overall it’s breakdowns in the defense. Not executing, guys playing different calls than what are being called. Not getting all around snap in and snap out execution of the defense. Some of it is communication, some of it is knowledge, and some of it is the overall technique.”

http://blog.steelers.com/category/news/

There are several articles on that page. The Harrison article is about 1/4 way down. It includes video, prior to the written article.

The last time I heard this kind of talk about the defense, the Steelers went 8-8 and missed the playoffs.
However, Harrison believes they can turn it around.

Here's hoping they right the ship this time around, and make a playoff run, starting in Cincinnati!

 

whats funny is will allens video, says we all know what we are doing. hmmmm...

 

It's good that Harrison believes they can turn it around. But it isn't like he's going to say "we're sunk, we better play for draft picks"...

That aside...

Does this change the perception of some people here that the problem is the scheme, and DL, I wonder? Are we happier thinking that it's execution rather than scheme/talent/philosophy?

 

Maybe when Harrison says there are guys w/out knowledge and are not playing what is called (confused?) perhaps he's talking about Will Allen.

 

It definitely sounds like that's what Harrison is saying and what I've thought has been the problem for a few seasons, on both sides of the ball.

All this calling for the coaches heads is ridiculous.

 

This does not bode well. Players not knowing the plays 5 games into the season. Looks like those playbooks became a bunch of coasters while the players tweeted half the night in Camp.

 

Not calling anybody out, but where do you put the blame? Somebody has to be responsible. If it's the players, then it's time to part ways with some of them....same thing in regards to the coaches. Most of the problems have been compounding over several seasons with no fixes being made.
I'm not one to point fingers, but there is a problem that needs to be fixed.

 

It should, but it won't. Look at the raiders game on that touchdown run by McFadden ,keisel didn't get to his gap and got turned by the double team opening a huge hole, but a lot of fans ignore that significant miss and blame DL. Clearly that wasn't the only issue in that game, just an example. You can also look at the sb loss or last years playoff loss and see Missy's by Troy, Ike or mundy which resulted in scores. The DL is over the hill crowd ignore the blown execution and blame the coach/scheme.

 

Pat Kirwan, on nfl radio yesterday said that hr and his partner tim ryan have been trying to figure out what has gone wrong recently, but that it isn't just a recent issue. Its something thats been building for a while. He said in the last 22 games, we average giving up 100 yards rushing a game. Couple that with, troy not in the lineup, ike's declining play and just guys in key positions that are older and you have what are defense is today. Mediocre. He also suggested playing cover 2, cuz ike just can't play man anymore.

 

Exactly. I have seen the players put in good positions on both sides of the ball and not execute. All the coaches can do is create the opportunity. The players have to execute when the opportunity comes around. The great teams seize that opportunity.

 

I have a slightly different take on what Harrison is saying.

I think what he is saying is that players are not sticking to their responsibilities and consistently executing them.

Troy is one of the worst offenders of this, but I believe A) he has been given a lot of leeway to freelance because of how successful he has been at it and B) He used to be able to make up for a blown play with a splash play the next down.

 

i still don't understand why is still on the roster , besides tomlin's connection

 

Yeah but Mac. .He never said they were doing it correctly. Right or wrong they know what they are doing LOL

Bman

 

I think that's what most people here believe he is saying and that's a problem. One player not doing his part leaves the entire defense at risk for giving up a big play.

The thing is this: Splash plays actually mean so much more than a couple blown plays (that didn't result in splash for the other side, that is). Especially depending on the splash... 1st and 10 for opposition (blown play by Troy) results in 2nd and 3 for opposition... Troy comes back and sacks the QB and now it's 3rd and 12... or he intercepts the ball... or Harrison/Woodley create a fumble or get a 2nd sack for loss on 3rd and 12... now the opposition is punting. The Steelers D used to do this, at critical junctures. Or the D holding a high-powered offense to 2 or 3 consecutive 3-and-outs... Those types of scenarios are priceless.

It's better to have players in that can make splash plays because the splash helps so much... even in terms of momentum shift... Because all players will get beat or blow a play, here or there, because they are playing against other pro football players.

Against the Titans, Wallace misses a pass on a drive, then catches a bomb from Ben on the first play of the next drive for an 82 yard TD... points plus momentum shift...

They just need to eliminate so many of the mistakes.

And to take some of the focus off the D... The offense needs to stop settling for FGs when they get to the freakin' RED ZONE!!!! When the offense puts up more points and the opposition is in the hole, then the opposition will have to take more chances when they are on offense which plays into the hands of the Steelers D and LeBeau's more aggressive schemes!

I can't even describe how sick I was that Redman had two long catch and runs that took the Steelers from deep in their own territory into Titans territory, and the Steelers didn't score a TD on either one of them! The Steelers shoot themselves in the foot when they do that because they take their own momentum away!

 

I remember a time when we would let players in or near the end of their prime go. Now it seems like we are holding on to everyone.

I still think Tomlin is afraid to make a move and still living in the shadows of a former coach. He's need to step up and take control of this team.

 

Charley Casserly analized the steeler defense and he said Hood and Hampton needs to sit and replaced with Mclendon and Heyward, he also said Harrison isnt the force he once was, of course everybody knows the secondary is a shambles...

 

Yep. That's why when Hines Ward was released there were absolutely no complaints on the board whatsoever. Likewise Farrior.

After an off-season which began with us cutting a whole load of players and stocking up with a first class draft, it amazes me how bad memories can get.

 

Also Fanneca and MAYBE even Porter. I mean after Joey left here he didn't do BAD but his glory days were in the Black and Gold and I'm sure he really will always think of himself as a Steeler.

 

As i have stated for MONTHS before the season even started,
How are we going to generate a PASS RUSH, even the best QB's make mistakes
when pressured, it also helps the DB's (and we know we need LOTS of help here)
I would rather lose playing all out( BLITZBURGH) than watching our current defense, that does
not even remotley resemble any Steeler defense that we all enjoy watching.ATTACK
let the chips fall where they fall atleast it would be entertaining.

 

No truer words have been spoken this season. Watching the last game I clued in on Ike, in paticular, and I have to say I was not impressed. It started when I noticed he was drawing more penalties and I wanted to know why. The guy just can not keep up with receivers anymore. When you can't rely on your one true gift you get what Ike has become. I guess, thinking back, I noticed in the playoff game against Denver. We really need to get some decent dbacks!

 

I disagree. Many of the PI calls Ike pulled happened when he was right there with the receiver. He's grabbing the receiver instead of putting his hands up for the ball. That was especially true for the PI he pulled in the end zone. He was right there with the receiver but climbed on his back with one arm. Maybe his awareness is crappy? If he just keeps running and jumps, at the last moment, he could have interceptions, all day.