Watt and Highsmith have been disappointing

Maybe it's just me but I've been disappointed with Watt and Highsmith (especially Highsmith) in the 2nd half of the season. I was expecting 25 sacks from Watt and 15 sacks from Highsmith. Maybe it's the defensive scheme that is getting old. Both Watt and Highsmith pass rushes are basic get around the tackles as fast as possible, no creativity like a stunt or zone blitz. Create situation that will allow them to free them up or create a mismatch. Something new to confuse the offense.
17 sacks for Watt looks good but only 7 sacks in the 2nd half of the season. I think Herbig will put up better numbers than Highsmith if he played more.

 

Injuries have really hurt the defense and limited the schemes they are able to use. But just because the two aren't getting sacks, doesn't mean they aren't having a huge impact on games. Both have put a lot of pressure on QBs and disrupted a lot of plays. All things that aren't recorded in stats. I do think that there has been some lack of creativity getting them more freedom to do some damage, but the two are constantly in the backfield causing problems.

 

It’s awesome that you were expecting 25 sacks, but maybe, just maybe your goal, one in which had never been reached was a bit too high. Maybe, Watt is sitting at a great sack total, but you don’t see it because you’re unrealistic.

It’s a team sport. Coverage helps sacks and pressure helps coverage. The middle of the defense is gouged by injuries. Coverage is lacking. And so, some of the “coverage sacks” are missing this year.

 

Exactly. Watt is taking more responsibilities with all of the injuries, too. It became a hell of a lot easier for defenses to focus on blocking him as injuries robbed the Steelers of much of their defensive versatility.

 

I've identified the problem.

 

Getting held on every other play can put a real damper on a guys sack total.

 

I thought the exact same.

 

Watt would probably have close to 25 sacks if they weren't holding him on nearly every play. Highsmith's sacks are down, but he was leading the NFL in QB pressures most of the year. Watt and Highsmith are the least of our worries

 

Same.


Average sack count for EDGE players currently is 8 overall. Players that get over 10 sacks consistently are not very good but great.

 

Yes he should get or have gotten 25 sacks, seeing no one has done that since sacks have been recorded lmao, and as of lasy week was leading the NFL in that cat. as well as several others, , Alex has been more hit and miss, but as you say its more than the sack total,

 

I just don't want to see Watt in pass coverage.

 

Maybe they have been, maybe expectations are higher, but Watt was up for DPOY this year, and this defense has been playing at HoF level this year, often forced to keep opponents under 15 to win.

 

Me neither, but it occasionally can suprise the qb and end up in a pick. Worth a shot once in a while

 

You know what Bill Cowher use to say to Greg Lloyd?
Rush the QB. In all Seriousness we have had big health
problems most of year on defense, I'm sure both players
have more responsibility due to the MLB attrition and Minka missing so much time.

 

I like Herbig too, but there are some other reasons why the sack numbers are down in the second half.

I think it's a couple things. First off is that the Steelers blew some games in the second half of the season and teams were able to run the ball on them. So more running by the opposing offense gives less opportunities to rush the passer. Also, when the opposing team is winning, they are more likely to run the ball to kill the clock and use more play action and short passing to also keep that clock running. That obviously takes away some of the pass rush.

They can't get too exotic with all the injuries right now. The linebackers are struggling to make the defensive calls the way it is.

When you combine that with the Steelers top 4 inside linebackers and both starting safeties missing a bunch of games, the coverage just can't hold up and is often beaten quickly so the opposing quarterback is able to get rid of the ball quickly and the rush can't get there. I think that has been happening a lot. Many times Watt and Highsmith are instantly beating the blocker, and the QB is getting rid of the ball so fast that they simply can't get there in time.

I wouldn't be too hard on the pass rushers. I would like to see what they can do if the backend of the defense can get back on the field, and the offense continues to score points. The sacks will come.

 

Have not kept up with the injury reports. Are we getting anybody back soon?

 

I just know how anyone can be disappointed in TJ's season. He is tied for the league lead in sacks and today was named the Steelers MVP for the 4th time out of the last 5 years.

 

I don't know what the OP talking about, our zone been getting eat up, those two been dropping into the middle of the zones to help out on coverage

 

Imagine if they weren’t allowed to be held every other play.

 

I cannot for the life of me understand how someone could be disappointed in our edge rushers. If TJ Watt does not get a sack he is usually chasing down an RB and tackling from behind. Additionally, sacks are all fine and good but when a QB gets pressured it's important as well. Go back and rewatch Gino Smith in our last game. He had to get rid of the ball fairly quickly on many of the snaps. He felt the pressure. Sometimes TJ or Highsmith were within a fraction of a second of getting a hold of Gino.