The Steelers run defense

If it doesn't improve then what changes could be made? Maybe start Tuitt at DE less snaps for Thomas and Kiesel. Start Vince Williams and let him play first and second down, then bring in Shazier on third down it won't happen though just a thought.

 

I don't think Tuitt is ready for full time duty just yet. I think we go with Heyward, McCleadon and Kiesel. And I would try JJ, Timmons, Williams and Worilds and let Shazier on third down. Or Spence.

 

I've been wondering the same thing. "What is our most favorable personnel to have on the field against the run?" Do NOT expect an answer! LOL!!! JUST KIDDING WITH MY GOOD FRIENDS! I DID think a lot today on who was good against the run and could really not come up with any answers. I was thinking though that didn't Gay used to play pretty good against the run? Haven't we tried bringing Troy up on the line to help with the run game as well? I hate having to do that but the fact is that we gave up 100yds to a 2nd string Rookie and almost 50 more to Ben Tate. All together we gave up almost 200yds on the ground!!! That's ridiculous! Cam Thomas actually made Steelers Depot's "worst" list because of his lousy showing in the run game. Shazier also made the list but I honestly think that's pretty unfair and kinda ridiculous to list a rookie that's making their first start EVER as a "worst" player. Regardless it doesn't change the fact that there is absolutely no excuse for that kind of domination against us.

 

Our run defense sucked last season with Vince Williams. He isn't the answer to anything.

 

I think McCullers will get a helmet this week due to it being a short week early in the season. I don't know if he will get any snaps or help out at all but hey who knows. I think he could help yeah his technique isn't there but he is still huge and it will still take 2 guys to move him.

 

Wait, we had a run defense? Might as well have had 11 defensive backs out there in the second half.

 

It seems that the word "communication" keeps coming up in regards to the Steelers defense. Perhaps we need to add James Farrior's name to the list of players we sorely miss.

 

Yeah and what I'm not sure about is why can Timmons not effectively handle calling the signals?

 

Did you see Foote make pretty much the game winning play last night in AZ? You think he is missed?

 

I am not convinced it is physical talent or skill lacking, but communicating responsibilities and sticking to them is a key, my guess especially with Lebeau's scheme. This is more of a mental thing, which I hope can be fixed in short order.

 

Among others. Our front 7 now is a shadow of what we had back in 2008. It's a significant downgrade across the board except for Timmons. That will have an impact on performance.

Hampton > McLendon

Smith/Keisel > Heyward/Thomas

Harrison > Jones

Farrior > take your pick Shazier, Williams, Foote

Foote < Timmons

Woodley > Worilds


We were spoiled by that group.

 

For sure, we've had an awesome defense that is being rebuilt. But when you're making these comparisons, you have to compare the retired players with where they were at this point in the new guys careers. Comparing 2nd year Jarvis Jones to the full career of James Harrison is simply not fair, because which James Harrison are we talking about? When we say McLendon is a downgrade from Hampton, are we talking about the monster NT Hampton, or the fat, slow guy who got chop-blocked all the time?

I'm not denying that there's a drop-off at the moment, but before I say 'significant downgrade' I'd want a better approach to the comparison to know what I'm looking for.

 

I agree 100%. In a year or 2, these guys might be better than the 08 squad. Relax, I said "might".

It was ONE game, people, and we got the W. I'm quite content to keep winning ugly while the young guys get the hang of it. This front 7 doesn't exactly have the experience that the 08 team did. Give 'em time.

 

Timmons and Woodley were both in year 2 in 08. James Harrison didn't really have his breakout year until 07. So I would say that Timmons and Woodley developed quicker than it looks like Jones is. However, they were surrounded by more playmakers which opened things up for them. Are you saying that once this exact unit develops that we will return to run game dominance like we once enjoyed? With McLendon, Heyward, Worilds, Timmons, Shazier, Jones, and Thomas as our front 7?

 

I wasn't looking at career, just what we had in '08 vs what we have in '14.

And as for the Hampton vs McLendon comparison ... I'll take any Hampton. Big Snack did 1 thing much better than McLendon does anything or everything. It's like comparing Ben to Mark Malone.

 

Yeah Hampton has been sorely missed when it comes to the run game.

 

Ok - I see that.

I certainly wouldn't claim that the defense we have now is up to the 2008 standard. Yet. But to talk specifically about 'downgrading' is still unsubstantiated (with one or two exceptions - I see your point on Mclendon, though I don't agree completely), and it's still nigh-on impossible to look at the 2008 defence in isolation from those guys careers as a whole.

Terming a guy a 'downgrade' when they've played one season or less to date means that every rookie we draft is a downgrade, doesn't it?

 

Well, Aaron Smith made a huge difference for the OLB on that side - he was a machine in there. Put Aaron in and see a huge difference in the defense, and especially the OLB.

 

I don't think he was saying that. I read him as just saying don't write them off after one game.

 

Yeah I was just wondering if he thought they would wind up being as good as them. I should have clarified that.

 

But...but... the standard is the stan.... I just can't bring myself to do it! LOL!

 

Lol. Take some deep breaths BFT - remember that too much Tomlinising can be bad for your health.

 

Gotcha.

At this point in time I can't see Cam Thomas being much more than what we've already seen, but there's certainly potential for Tuitt to slot in at some point. We shall see... We shall see...

 

Yeah Tuitt is one I'm wanting to see.