Recreating Possibilities; The Need For A Hybrid Defender

Over the past two seasons, our Pittsburgh Steelers have undergone some growing pains on a phase of the game that has defined us for decades; defense. Whether it was Joe Greene, Rod Woodson, Gregg Llyod or Troy Polamalu, each iteration of the defense had a knack for not only putting heat on the quarterback but also causing turnovers.


In these past two seasons however, while the numbers do look good, one stat does stand out among others; points per game. Pittsburgh was ranked 9th in 2015 and 10th in 2016 according to team rankings. Part of the success does lie in the fact of generating heat and causing turnovers as previously mentioned. The other core concept is reduce your opponents scoring oppurtunities. The past three of four super bowl champions ranked 1st in points allowed.


Part of the reason why Pittsburgh is not limiting scoring oppurtunities is not the current personnel but the lack of a piece within the current scheme. Given the facts, we know Pittsburgh employs cover 2 and cover 3. We also know that Pittsburgh has ramped up the usage of nickel from 2014 to 2016. What we want to know is how Pittsburgh can improve using the formation and coverage scheme without changing much of it.



Again, going back to the days of Troy Polamalu, Dick LeBeau's defense also employed Cover 2 coverages throughout. The key however was Troy's mastery to mask the coverage itself in addition to be able to cover the "deep hole" for the Cover 2. As it stands currently, we do not have that option. Linebackers were initially slotted for this purpose but covering that level of ground proved to be quite difficult. Having Troy to not only cover up those "holes" but have the athleticism to keep up with threata within his role was always a nice thing.



That brings us to the solution: a hybrid defender. Thanks in direct part to the NFL competition commintee and Bill Belichick, American Gridiron Football is no longer a game of schematics vs. schematics based on formations. It is now the former but substitute formations with personnel. Given the further evolution of the tight end and the subsequent rise of the slot, some teams are now forced to make a decision; should I elect to have three quality corners or have one versatile piece? Teams that generally have three quality corners like the Broncos or Vikings often run man based coverages and can also incorporate zone concepts should the time call for it. Teams like Arizona and Seattle have hybrid players to minimize a formations weakness and allow other areas of the defense to maximize other roles but can also play man coverage if the time calls for it.



Currently as it stands, Pittsburgh is the latter of the two... or at least trying to be. However, what is often lost in translation is that Pittsburgh has much of the defense figured out as we know. Only two more pieces remain. The first and foremost, as I have discussed is a pass rusher. Often the difference between victory or defeat, a pass rusher boosts your pass rush, which in turn, increases your chances of winning via turnovers or sacks as loss of yards.



The second and possibly more important of the two is a safety. However, this time around and unlike last time with Sean Davis, a versatile chess piece is needed. A hybrid defender. Someone who can play slot, "linebacker" in the 2-3-6 formation (a formation that some of us have seen in the last two years but could never fully install due to personnel issues), and of course safety should that be his assignment. I am more interested in safety because whomever that guy is will have to look out for the deep hole. Unlike a safety with limited athletic traits at the LOS playing the "deep hole" role, playing in the deep end as a safety within the same role does require closing speed if the ball is heading in that direction. This is where Pittsburgh ran into issues against New England and teams who can target the deep middle of the Cover 2. As a result, the fan based myth about issues in the scheme are brought about (cushions as some of us know it).



Ultimatley though, it is cleae that Pittsburgh does have an interest in such players given their pre draft visit totals of safeties at four. Of the four however, only two that I see are capable of playing such a role here:


1.) Budda Baker: While he is undersized as a safety, Budda's instincts and ability to neutralize slot threats are exactly what Pittsburgh needs. As a bonus, he also boasts some of the best range and in the draft; ideal for disguising the deep hole when he is at the line of scrimmage. To add some cherries on top, he is quite instinctive as well.


2.) Obi Melifonwu: He may not have good range as Budda Baker or be a pure heavy hitter like Josh Jones but Obi is "Steady Eddie" among many of his clasmates. He compensates his lack of instincts, range (still good but not Budda good) and hitting abilities with high football IQ and proper angles to the ball. Add the fact that he is a freak in his own right and Obi can be just as versatile.


Honorable Mention:


Jabrill Peppers. Before anyone states that this mention is due in part to Aditi Kinkhabwala's report, I was on record with a previous post within the "Bill Nunn" section of the site about Jabrill being our possible first round pick. Given the fact that this "new" Tampa 2 styled 3-4 defense still does need a guy who can literally play all over the field in addition to returning kicks and punts, Jabrill's lack of production might not matter to Colbert or Tomlin. Yes, his instincts and lack of production are massive detracting points (or selling points in regards to instincts as he does have them as I see it but not finely tuned) and the Troy comparisons are quitw silly to me. However, given the fact he not only is versatile in every facet within the back end of a defense but also provides a special teams boost does bring up quite the question for sure.




To end this though, I can say this with confidence on behalf of all SteelersNation; Ben's clock is approaching midnight and we must slay the dragon that is the New England Patriots at all costs. Mike Tomlin's Tampa 2 styled defense with Keith Butler's more simplistic usage of the Cover 2 using the "Eagle" scheme as opposed to the "Okie" under LeBeau is nearing completion. From Ryan Shazier to Artie Burns, almost every piece has been gathered. Just one more piece remains. Should that piece be a safety, he must be able to achieve what the likes of Lawrence Timmons and Robert Golden could not do. Otherwise, expect more of the same should we get back into the playoffs.

 

peppers has upside and quickness but can be confused and his recognition and instincts get him out of position to where he's playing in no mans land too often. his size gets him washed out of the play too much also, which is partly because of recognition and fundamentals of playing too many spots. i think it would take him a few years to play up to what we want right now.

obi has range and a better skill set right now but i don't think he's as good near the LOS that his size dictates. he does have good recognition and size and speed to play from sideline to sideline in a safety role. moving up into the box is not the strong point of his game though.

budda has coverage skills but is limited by his size. again up around the LOS is not the strong point of his game.

SLEEPERS:

to be honest, if nate gerry was faster than his 4.58 speed the guy would be the ultimate piece of the puzzle at safety.

desmond king, good ball skills. not afraid to tackle.

rashawn jenkins. a very good tweener.

these guys don't check all the boxes but are good football players.

josh jones honorable mention.
montae nicholson the same.
chidi awuzie
xavier woods.
rudy ford.