The Teryl Austin/Defense Complaint Thread (2025)

Don’t confuse him with facts

 

Re-read what I wrote:

• The whole concept of "keep the game close and win it in the 4th with a few splash plays" is what makes the D fall apart by the time they get to playoffs.

How is that any different than what you said??

In case you and that other idiot poster care about actual facts: in the last 6 straight playoff games they've played (and lost), the Steelers D has given up 36, 45, 48, 42, 31 and 28 points. Do you think that is not the same as "D fall apart by the time they get to playoffs"??

 

DAB.

 

I hate to confuse you with actual facts, but some of the scores you list include interceptions and fumbles returned for touchdowns. The defense wasn’t even on the field. In other cases, the defense was on a short field because of stupid turnovers by the offense.

 

So, somehow averaging 38.3 points against per game over a six game span happened not because the defense fell apart, but because the offense was soooo bad that the other teams averaged 38.3 points??

 

Damnit!!! I was going to post that @S.T.D is going to rip you a new one on this post and here you are beating me to a really hilarious post!

 

Offense.... particularly Oline has been the culprit for Steelers mediocrity. Defense has been good enough to win playoff games, IMO. It's simple....points have to be obtained.

 

I like the part where you stomp your feet while you post

 

Sort of this.


The Offensive Line does need to improve. However, Pat Meyer really needs to get it together this season. If not, he is not for long in this league.

 

As soon as I saw that Jacksonville game mentioned I had to stop reading.

I did enjoy Edelman

 

It is a myriad of issues.
Defense needs to get off the filed
The offense needs to control the ball
You need to splurge for the elite player now and then
You need to change up the coaching coordinators to keep things fresh
You need players that fit
You need to take a risk on some plays
You need a QB
etc.....

Obviously the string of non-losing seasons does mean something, unlike Baltimore pounding its chest over undefeated preseasons (how many Super Bowls has that produced)
But yes, things are running a little stale.

 

Didn’t like the facts, eh?

Seriously, do you have a crush on me? You act like a 9 year old boy who doesn’t know what to do with their feelings.

 

They’ve given up 38 points per game in the last 6 playoff losses. What makes that a good enough defense?

I do agree they need to score more points, and I said, they plan for close games, not high scoring ones.

 

If the O line was good enough to sustain drives... the defense wouldn't be gassed by the 3rd quarter. There's way too many 3 and outs. Time of possession is terrible. Steelers offense hasn't been good since 2018.... and it wasn't that great then.

 

The offense is a issue of course but the other problem,in some game,the steelers defense are unable to leave the field...the opponents have so many long drive against this defense...Remember the second half of the eagles game when the steelers offense had only 2 drive in the second half because the defense could not leave the field...it was ugly.It was a problem vs cowboys too but the turnoveirrs in deep steelers territory save the steelers for a good part of the game.I can name other game like vs chiefs or ravens in the playoffs

 

But the steelers defense were on the field for 1034 plays last season,9th less in the NFL

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2024/opp.htm

On offense,they had 1081 plays,10th in the NFL

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2024/

 

I agree on some of this. The defense is highly overrated and should not be responsible for carrying the team by itself. Steelers in reality are a slightly above average defense that is nowhere near elite. Steelers defense hasn't been elite in 15 years.

 

Yeah,the only year that they were elite since 2011 was in 2019

 

I really shouldn't have written that because it was hateful even though it maybe true. There is enough hate in this world, and I shouldn't be adding more to it.

 

So because the D isn't elite in the playoffs that means that they weren't in the regular season.
Got it..
Then YOU same people stop talking about Dan Marino, Lamar Jackson, or Barry Sanders ever being elite.

 

Add to this the inability to coach up lesser players. You can't expect to draft and keep 1st (or even 2nd) round picks at every defensive position. Tomlin's defenses inordinately rely on highly drafted defensive players to make his schemes work. It would be nice if they could coach up more Day 2 or 3 picks into respectable starters.

 

Our QB play in Ben’s final 2 seaosnson, and since his retirement has been consistently below average, at best. Please show me another NFL team that has consistently won with the lack of quality QB play that the Steelers have had over that time period.

Now we can discuss who is at fault for not having better QB’s, but it is very, very hard to follow up a franchise QB with another great QB. Green Bay going from Favre to Rogers is really the only example I can think of. Usually there is a precipitous drop off for a decade or more.

 

Yep.


Depth is just as important as starting players. I'd argue it is more important. The NFL Season is a war of attrition.


Last man standing wins. Layman's terms?! Best Roster along with having the best depth across the board.


Philadelphia's recent string of Playoff Runs are no accident.

 

If the Steelers tackling is as bad in gm1 as it was in the last preseason game they are in trouble with the NYJ running game. Seriously, it looks like they were trying to tackle greased melons at one point.

 

Still a problem....