The Steelers have a problem at ILB

Keith Butler: Hold my beer.

 

And the fact that his mental state isn't good to begin with doesn't help. When you're more concerned with being an ass on social media than focusing on being physically AND mentally ready for your return to the field, it takes a toll on you. And it must be difficult realizing that you bought into your own hype and aren't really as gifted as you thought you were.

Bush is a punk. He's a liability. And Harris just demonstrated how much of a liability Bush really is in coverage.

 

I'm glad we're not overreacting to one rep in training camp.

 

My goodness my man, have you not been watching these guys coverage skills. Lots of work needs to be done at the Ilb position

 

Hopefully we'll have a safety over the top in coverage if its a vertical route.

Its the horizontal routes that really kill the ILBs imo. Like when the RB comes out of the backfield or the TE drives upfield 5-10 yds then cuts. They just get caught flat footed too often and can't make up the difference when a receiver commits to his inside/outside break. Bush will gain some of that recovery speed back but Spillane is lacking there. The ILBs really have a hard task imo.

 

What's the point in signing Williamson? He's not good in coverage either.

 

The ILBs couldn't cover in the Dallas game either.

 

How about they figure out how to use the players to their strengths?

Stop trying to plug someone in to be Levon Kirkland dropping back into coverage.

Time for the D to evolve a little.

 

I've watched it for decades. Not sure it's a player problem but more a inevitable hole in our scheme.

 

I am more concerned about his mental state and it has nothing to do with his injury. Seems like he has his ticket and is already on board the crazy train .

Maybe they asked him the easy questions when they did the interview, he is not of sound character.

 

U

You maybe right, but you must have the skill set to cover receivers also, And not just be able to tackle. You
wonder why I ***** about people setting out practices. This pass coverage must be practiced daily until the player
becomes somewhat competent. practice practice practice.

 

We have already seen it. There was another clip that showed Bush demonstrating that recovery speed and making the play on a tight end. (I'm not sure which one it was.)

Inside linebacker is a problem. Bush is going to take some time to get back to 100 percent. The social media crap is annoying, but some folks here are blowing it way out of proportion. They are also going to miss Williams.

 

I wouldn't put any stock into what you see from Devin right now - give it a few more weeks (maybe a month or two) and then make a conjecture. It's just too early.

The good thing for the Steelers is they have remaining cap space and could fit another depth guy if they see it's an issue.

 

Oh my.

 

There was a great discussion about this on a PFF podcast this summer. They feel they grade ILBs too harshly because their job is so hard and they're caught trying to make a Sophie's Choice too often.

 

i think jerry o needs replaced. he was a good try hard LB for the steelers but i'm not sold on his coaching abilities. for that matter butlers either. i've said this for a few years now. this just seems like groundhog day. we have tried numerous players at the position with the same results.

killebrew had a good game at safety but i would like to see him up in the box more. he's listed as a LB but strictly played safety last week and did a good job.

 

ILB has been a liability for the Steelers since Shazier was injured.

 

That sounds good 2 Me Also.

 

The ILB position as well as the nickel CB are the two most evolving positions on D. Things are changing so fast with those two positions that you now have hybrid LB/S types and everything else. Get a fast, lean ILB and they try to run on you, get a thumper and they try to pass on you. Get one of each and they try to get the mismatch. This will be a weakness for the Steelers for the foreseeable future but it will be the same for the other 31 teams as well imo.

 

This. Exactly this.

 

I was coming on to say how I like UG3, Allen and Bundage more than Spillane so far.... only to find out Schobert is on the way. I like it.

HACK

 

We not only have a problem with ILB pass defense, but I think we also have a problem with ILB in run defense. Haven't seen any seen good run defense so far this preseason. Teams like Cleveland and Baltimore will run, run, run. on us

 

You do realize that our first team DL have not played too much this preseason?