D is lacking a big play threat

As I reflect on multiple themes of what is wrong with things this year, it seems one thing other good teams often have, and that we have had in the past, is at least one stud on defense that offenses must account for. Sherman in Seattle, Reveis in his prime, Polamalu, Suggs, Watt, Lewis, etc. That stout player on defense helped to limit what offenses could do, and that helped the more average players on D thrive. For all our defensive draft choices, I think the most disappointing aspect is that while some of them are or will be OK or above average, no one has emerged as the force you need to really shape a defense. Jarvis Jones is not that guy, Shazier could be, but unlikely. And it does not look like any others will develop into that. Several may be good, but not one of the best. That keeps the defense average, and good offenses won't be threatened or stopped by average.

So on offense we DO have these playmakers, and they need to carry this team. No more off games.

Please.

 

our offense cant carry us... we have like 1 huge 45+ game and then like 23, 15, 18 games then the spike again.

 

Steelers were counting on either Jarvis Jones or Ryan Shazier to be the game changer the Steelers need since Polamalu's last effective season.... 2011. It didn't happen.

 

I agree 100%. Troy was the last stud on a Steelers team. That is sad. We need Shazier to step up and be that guy.

 

This.

And, unfortunately, they score 15 when the defense holds the opposing team to 20. Then, they score 30 when the defense gives up 40.

 

Yup and the end result is 4-5

 

What do you mean? It seems to me there's a big play every time our D is on the field!

 

Shazier is supposed to be that type of playmaker, but he isn't on a consistent basis he flashes sometimes. Shazier should be a playmaking ILB like Luke Kuechly of Carolina.

 

dupree and golson and jones and thomas haven't helped the situation. hargraves, mccullers, mitchell not stepping up enough. timmons and harrison and you can throw in gay growing old before our eyes. moats, williams, golden, cockrell are decent depth but not really starting material. cam now hurt and it doesn't take long to see this is not a rosey picture and is a defense that is lacking at every level.

scheme i do believe is not helping. no way should timmons be constantly covering a wr. cam and tuitt can't be your pass rush and run stop hopes on a consistent basis while your ILB'ers have to drop in coverage.

 

don't give up on Dupree. I think he can be a big playmaker for us. I just hope he isn't rushing back.

 

I disagree about cockrell, he is a solid starter. not elite, not terrible, solid.

Cam playing hurt all year really had a number on our D line. Tuitt also disappeared. One can only hope next year we get some Dline depth and rotate them. Get a OLB to go with dupree, and maybe a safety.

one can only hope and speculate our D SHOULD get better. That, and Butler needs to stop being a pansy and start dialing more blitzes.

 

Dallas is hard to stop, but we also left burns 1 on 1. Thats disrespectful to Dez lol. Still, fine with it.

 

Baltimore, Arizona, and Minnesota are in the top 4 of YPG and PPG for defense. I get the OPs point, but 2 of these teams don't have a big name guy like a Von Miller, Mack, Watt, Donald, etc. You could point to Peterson in AZ and maybe Mathiau, but could you consider Suggs that type? I would lean towards no. Vikings D is solid top to bottom though.

I might lean towards the no name defense that is effective, then you don't have to worry about an injury to the star player derailing the whole train. Minnesota has solid players on all 3 levels. They've done a nice job building that defense.

 

Yes, that was a bad result, but there is more than Burns not being strong enough to make the play there.

First, I think soon in the future, he will make that play.

Second, the reality is, he brought the blitz and the guys didn't get there. There is no reason in the world, that you should have enough time to complete a 50 yard play when you bring the blitz. The front 7 MUST do a better job of getting to the QB.

I don't think we have enough playmakers, to be sure, but it makes me understand why we haven't been blitzing already this year. We don't get there even when we do.

Now, as much as I like William Gay, I think we need to see if Cockrell or Gilbert can move to the slot. That would give us 3 young corners. Burns is going to be fine. Cockrell is this generation's William Gay, just solid not spectacular. Davis is going to be a good starter....eventually. Mitchell, I think we need to draft someone in round 2 this year to start splitting snaps with him next year and push him out. Next year is his 4th year here and that means he won't have much left. He is going to be moving on, as I don't see us bringing him back.

To me, next year draft is:

1. OLB
2. S
3. Dline
4-9. BPA on D

If Bryant isn't going to work out, you also need a new WR at some point. And if Bell isn't going to get paid like he thinks we might need a new RB, but honestly I think those will both work out. Bryant, Coates, and Brown along with Green, who is going to contribute yet.

 

i like cockrell. cockrell could become a solid #2 if he gets stronger and tackles better, which the getting stronger part he was working on. he has to have the want to become a good tackler. we need a well rounded corner in all facets of they're game not just coverage. thats when you have a quality player and a difference making player. the thread is about a big play threat. good tackling comes with that.

overall as has been talked about before is we have a lot of robins and no batmen. i think many of our players could become better if that guy opposite them becomes a play maker.

 

I dont think you need a big playmaker but it certainly helps. Looks at the patriots defense. They always seem to be a good enough defense but name some guys besides Collins (who they traded) and malcom butler. The steelers of the 2000's besides Troy had a bunch of solid guys who just did their job well. Keisel, Aaron smith, Foote, Farrior, Ike Taylor, DeShea Townsend, Ryan Clark and Chris Hope.

 

even Burns will probably be an elite.... Robin lol

 

I saw our D line get manhandled by dallas O line. Can anyone name a D line that manhandled Dallas O line? Was it Rams?