Why Are Butler And Lake Above Reproach?

I personally want every defensive coach gone and would like a whole new system brought in. It's not just DL, I just don't care for this system much anymore. 3 years to learn is too long! We're always going to be in cap hell if it takes us 2-3 years to develop players.

 

It's been a disappointing season for EVERY defensive coach. Our defense has quite honestly been an embarrassment this year and it's usually a source of pride. We've seen some moderate depreciation over the last couple of seasons but have fallen off the table big time this year. Everyone is to blame. LeBeau, Butler, Lake, Mitchell, the players, TOMLIN, everybody! I think the reason there may be some momentum building around LeBeau is that we simply don't fool anybody anymore with our blitz packages. He's been figured out. I read somewhere that LeBeau basically uses three blitz packages now: 1) the ILB crossover, 2) the corner blitz and 3) Troy, DO SOMETHING! I realize this is a major simplification, but it does drive home the point that our blitzes are easily picked up by opposing offenses now.

 

http://thesteelersfans.com/forums/showthread.php?7794-Does-Lake-get-a-pass

 

To answer your heading question, it's simple. Butler and Lake aren't old.

 

Or, it's based on a hopeful optimism that by changing just one thing in the organisation Superbowls will magically appear.


In the case of Lake, I think it's too early to say - he can be credited with bringing on some mediocre talent to a better level, but will be interesting to see what he does with some top tier talent (that is, presuming we get some in the next draft).

 

I'm still not sure why we let Darren Perry go?

 

Regarding Lake, the the basis of our D is to put pressure on the QB, to help out the CB. This is why we don't take CB as early draft picks. If we don't pressure the QB, our CB and coach will be exposed. For this, I think you give Lake a pass (along with those killing Allen in other threads).

Butler on the other hand, should be questioned. We don't have Hampton taking two blockers. If that means we can't get to the QB, something is broken...either that or Hampton should be in the HOF.

 

I've heard that somewhere before. And your question is a good one. I've heard analysts and players on other teams say that once it's figured out it's not that complicated. But yet, it takes our players 3 full years to get it figured out apparently. That seems contradictory to me.

If it's taking our defensive players 3 years to figure out, we need to simplify our defense in such a way that it allows our playmakers to go out there and make plays. If they are preparing to test the free agent market before they get DL's defense deciphered, something's wrong with that picture.

 

I really think it comes down to talent, depth and health in this years defense. I really think the coaches are doing what they can and the product on the field is not a reflection of the coaches abilities.
We have some talented young raw guys that will get there. We have had some terrible luck when it comes to injuries. I believe depth is the biggest concern at this point. I think we'll be better next year and make a run the following year.
If DL stays great and if he don't I don't think it's the end of the world, we'll be fine either way.
This may seem crazy, but if DL retires/ fired I'd like to see Lake as the DC with Woodson coaching the CB's.
As far as as nobody slamming Lake, he's a very good former player who is well liked by the fans right now, but all it will take is one thing bad that he's responsible for directly and the sharks will smell the blood in the water. Remember DL was untouchable up til about a year or two ago and now people want his head.

 

Mitchell has one old vet and two first rounders to work with.

butler has two first rounders and two second rounders to work with.

lake has one old first rounder to work with.

butler has a lot more to work with but hasn't coached them up to past levels and everyone wants him to take over the defense.

 

I just don't think he has done all that good of a job with what he has been given. his players are supposed to be the heart and soul of the defense and the ones that make it go. why do you think his defensive schemes would be any better? I'm just saying we give him a lot to work with, more than most positions and the results seem less then stellar. Williams,sylvester,carter,Wilson,worilds up until lately, woodley. none have really come to the forefront of past steelers LB'ers. what has he shown you to make you think he's capable of turning this around? just a question BF?

 

You are looking at it the wrong way. Most of the player who have played in the system and talked about it have said that it isn't till year three that the lightbulb goes on for them. Aaron Smith said it wasn't until his third year that he really got what they were doing and was able to play on instinct instead of trying to remember all of his responsibilities. I used to talk about it in the Ziggy Hood threads about how many different responsibilities they have on any given play some of which don't happen until it is established whether or not it is a run or a pass. You can see the uncertainty in some of the early games this year even from Vets like Foote and Timmons. The big hit Jarvis lays on Chris Johnson, if Jarvis misses him then he has at least a ten yard gain because both Foote and Timmons guess it is an outside run play and flow towards the DE where they both run into the back of their own guy and in the process leave their gap responsibilities high and dry. Johnson escape from Jones, cuts back inside, there is nothing between him and the second level and first down yardage.

Now as far as people figuring it out on offense I say well duh? They don't need to know all the ins and outs, they just need to know the weaknesses of a 3-4 with soft zone coverage behind it. It isn't rocket science to figure out if you slow up the pressure and find the soft spot in the zone you can "dink and dunk" down the field all day. If you see the 10 yard cushion and no safety help inside then you have the quick slant all day or a bubble screen until they stop it. The Steeler's have always played tough against the run and are obsessed with stopping it so if you are a smart OC and you have a RB that is good at cutting back you slant your line one way and when the D slants the same way to stuff the run, you have your RB cut back into the holes vacated by guys guessing instead of knowing. Those claiming to have it figured out are talking abot anything more than figuring out how to be successful playing against it, all that can change if and that is the big thing IF the defense can change and adapt to throw off their supposed understanding of DL's system

 

It really all starts at the top.MT is our problem.I ask again Has he been an innovator, strategist,time mgmt skills, motivator, talent evaluater Why
do you people love him? WHY?

 

I'm with you here, of the 5 items you mentioned above, I would say he is below the charts on 4 of the items. I would give him a normal or pass on motivator ( ok as side line cheer leader). Other than that he fails on the rest.

 

While the defense has struggled this year, I don't think it warrants any coaching changes. Honestly it comes down to personnel changes. Look, most of the defensive line is relatively new to starting (Heyward, McClendon), we've been without farrior the brains of the defense, and as a replacement we've got a rookie 6th rounder...Vince williams, injuries to foote, and some aging secondary players.

they are capable of playing well, but it really comes down to the guys on the field making the plays and I don't think this group of guys is capable of living up to our historic expectations when we had Hampton, a smith, farrior, Harrison, etc all in their prime.

 

As for blaming Lake, when we finally found someone to compliment Ike, meaning Lewis, he leaves and signs with NO. I just don't believe Lake has the talent he needs.