Whats the biggest change you want to see in the D?

consistent pressure on the QB

 

I think some of it had to do with losing keisel too. we may have not seen quite as much of tuitt. that is worrisome for as bad as Thomas was though.

 

That was just beyond stupid. He even gave deep off coverage when a team was inside the 5 yard line, which caused Phil Simms to actually laugh out loud over the imbecilic nature of that plan. "How is there anything possibly to gain by lining up 2 yards deep in the endzone with a team inside the 5 yard line?"

 

I want a defense that is feared once again

 

Excellent post, Ray, fully agree.

 

I remember that too well. I was screaming at the TV and saying I can't believe I agree with Simms. UGHHHHH.

 

I know, right? He was right. Where was Dick's head with play calls like that?

 

How many times did you really see a CB start the play inside the end zone like has been described? There was the one somebody mentioned in the snow, but that was on the player, being confused about which line was which.

Really, how many times did that happen? I've watched and re-watched every Steelers game since 2008, and I don't remember it happening very often. They usually scrunched down and played closer around the goal line.

 

The fact that it happened once was difficult to swallow. They were on the 4 or 5 yard line and the CB was 2 yards deep. It was basically telegraphing where the play was going and the CB BACKED UP?! Receiver went one yard deep in the end zone and TD. It was like watching a middle school coverage.

 

Regardless, Ray put it into words, better than I could...
Disruption.

And I like the idea of having a "feared" defense again, like Rush said...
But, can you really, nowadays?

The only way to be "feared", nowadays, with the penalties, is to be like Seattles`... Disruptive...

They have coverage skills, but they also attack relentlessley, and keep their opponents off guard.
Great point, Ray.

 

The biggest change I want to see has to be a philosophical change in how they approach game prep. No more of this we do not concern ourselves with what other teams do. We do what we do. Make a concerted effort to attack the weaknesses of the weekly opponent. If their slot receivers have trouble getting jammed at the line, then jam them at the line. If their LT has trouble with speed rushers then go at him with multiple blitzes. Attack and attack some more.

 

So you're going to let one bad defensive play (one which you don't actually know who was at fault - maybe the CB did it wrong, or do you think LeBeau instructed him to give the offense the first 3 yards of the end zone free?) hold such a prominent place in your memory and opinion of LeBeau's legacy?

I'll grant you that they made that "mistake" more often when it came to the first down marker. Some of those times I'm sure he knew damn well a quick completion was likely. And he did it very often on any other play (i.e., 8 yard cushion on 1st down), and it confused and angered fans. But it clearly worked! Understand it or don't, but it worked. Take out the one play you can remember that was probably player error anyway, and I don't see something worth complaining about. LeBeau's philosophies are a huge part of what made us great. Maybe the biggest part.

 

I have wondered this for years!!!!!!!

 

Be better at stopping the run and a much needed better pass rush from the front 7, of course a much improved secondary goes without saying, not asking for much, AM I???

 

First and foremost I think DL is/was great but he really didn't change his philosophy thru time. The same stuff we were doing on the Defensive side of the ball in the 90's when he was here is the same stuff we were doing in the 2000's and 2010's. Teams adapted but he did not change much. It didn't boil down to one bad defensive play although that one certainly left me scratching my head. It's that other teams adapted to what we did game, after game, after game, and as someone else pointed out there wasn't much game planning against opponents weaknesses. Once we lost Clark, Troy became very ineffective, but rather than adjust we just hoped that Mitchell was suitable replacement which he proved not to be but it was still Troy freelancing instead of actually running assignments. It's no secret that opposing teams caught onto our ways. They made it very public. JMHO.

 

Meh. Fans were saying LeBeau was too old and/or too stubborn to change his philosophies for the last 10 years. And he shut them up every year up until 2 years ago, around the time we just to happened to have a massive dropoff in player talent. I think that narrative is overrated.

 

I've also argued it was more of a problem with talent than with scheme.

 

I agree and I think it was a battle between Tomlin and Lebeau as to what kind of players were drafted and we know who got the final call. I think we started drafting players who were more fit for the 4-3 not 3-4 and it showed. JMO

 

I am tossed up as to what the biggest change I want to see, is it to see the 8-10 yard cushion gone or Cam Worthless Thomas off this team. I also want to see more of the young talent on the field like Shark, Big Dan & Zumwalt to see if they have what it takes.

 

I've said that about the 4-3 thing too but not everyone sees it that way. It just seemed like a lot of the players we drafted were 4-3 guys and that was something that I thought fueled the whole "Tomlin wants to switch to a 4-3" thing too.

 

I want to see a top 5 defense again! Next year I will call for the number 1 defense. That is what I want to see from the defense this year. That and naked ladies but I guess that really has nothing to do with the question, huh?