I new D-Line will make a difference.

Think about this, we all were flipped out at the one play and done in OT but consider this, in the last how many years did the Steelers need to go into a run prevent D with 9 guys in the box? How odd is it that Ziggy Hood is now a starter and the leading tackler on the team is a safety? That is very telling, I think Ziggy would be a reliable back up but since he became a starter the D has struggled to get pressure on the QB, and multiple teams have had RBs go over 100. The biggest difference is on the D line, Smith may be done, Heyward is a rookie and Keisel is getting old. I though Woodley and Timmons got paid and just weren't showing up but when you really think about it, the scheme this team uses on D is the lineman take up the blockers on the o-line and that lets the LBers free to unleash havoc but since Hood is a stater we have been average and a lot of the stats this season came from a favorable schedule, thruth be told. What do the rest of you think?

 

Disagree, the end.

 

I saw another such post in another thread. How the LBs can't get through because the D-Linemen are getting owned. It's an interesting concept. I haven't paid enough attention to weigh in, but I will try to get ahold of some film and watch for this.

 

agre 100 %

 

I'm not an expert and wouldn't be able to break down the film, but I would like to see Ziggy play next to a new NT first before I blame it all on him. Hampton is a shell of his former self, and as for Mclendon... Hoke is old now, but when he was younger and healthy he is a better option than Mclendon.

 

Only because you volunteered for this homework assignment, watch how #96 gets totally owned by his man play after play. I've never witnessed a more worthless D lineman and your film study should prove my point. I'd like your report on my desk by Friday morning. :thumbsup:

 

I know the responsibility for the Dlineman is to eat up blocks and let the linebackers make plays. But have anyone taught these guys how to rush the passer? I watched the game and they just "hand check" and play "paddy cake" with the other offensive lineman. And not just the Broncos game. In obvious passing downs, they have NO technique in rushing the passer. I've watch Ziggy and he does nothing. I give Heyward a pass because he is a rookie and Hampton, well, he just tries to bull rush everyone. Someone needs to teach these guys some passing rushing techniques. What is Bruce Smith doing these days? How about Charles Haley? Hey, I can't stand the guy, but Warren Sapp could rush the passer as a DT. Bring someone in to teach these guys some moves.

 

This type of play is telling and why I think Ziggy isn't very good. You see this a lot when guys can't phsically match up, they extend their arms and if a run play is near them it gives them the ability to get off the block but it only works if you're quick, and quick isn't what I would call the D-line the Steelers have. I don't hate Ziggy and maybe he shouldn't be singled out but it just looks bad that as soon as he became the started teams can run on us to the point we had one of the best pass defenses because teams didn't need to throw all the time like they used to. As for getting pressure on the QB, Timmons can't even get through on that cross blitz as opposing o-linemen have very little problem with the down linemen. I know it is a combination of things that leads to the problems but if Ziggy was as good as we originally thought, then maybe we could let the safties play back against teams that run.

 

Numbers don't always tell the whole tale but these stats are not 1st round pick material.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/12442/ziggy-hood

 

That's why I never understood why we waste a first round pick on Defensive lineman for what we use them for. Aaron Smith was a 6th rounder and Kiesel was 5th or 6th rounder. Nick Eason maybe was a 4th. Mclendon and Hoke was undrafted i believe. I think Hampton was the only one that was a first rounder. But even Hoke could of did his job and we could of drafted someone else..

 

[quote="steelers5859"]That's why I never understood why we waste a first round pick on Defensive lineman for what we use them for. Aaron Smith was a 6th rounder and Kiesel was 5th or 6th rounder. Nick Eason maybe was a 4th. Mclendon and Hoke was undrafted i believe. I think Hampton was the only one that was a first rounder. But even Hoke could of did his job and we could of drafted someone else..[/quote]

It was likely was the curse of the "best player available" rule, but even that turned out to be wrong with Ziggy. I don't hate the guy, I just don't think he's very good and he's definitely not an impact player. We need to start drafting based on need: OL, CB, ILB, and Ben's eventual replacement at QB. Pick the order you think is most important.

 

Being any defensive lineman in a 3-4 is hard, and you get 0 respect from anyone other that the linebackers that you play with. Give Ziggy a break, he is still young, you just don't replace a guy like Smith over night. Why do you think this team has had good linebackers the last 20 years. It was because of guys like Joel Steed, Casey Hampton and Smith. Have the faith, Ziggy will be good in time, and Kiesel had a heck of a year. I'm very excited about Heyward, he looked great witht he little playing time he got. Not sure about Ziggy playing DT, not sure he has the skill set or size for it.

 

Yeah, Haloti Ngata is a pussy and gets no respect. :lol:

 

It was likely was the curse of the "best player available" rule, but even that turned out to be wrong with Ziggy. I don't hate the guy, I just don't think he's very good and he's definitely not an impact player. We need to start drafting based on need: OL, CB, ILB, and Ben's eventual replacement at QB. Pick the order you think is most important.[/quote]

I don't remember who was drafted after Ziggy, but I'm sure it was someone we could of pick and got better production out of then what Ziggy is doing so far.

Any body want to compile the picks? Who was drafted after Ziggy that we could of use that is more productive?