Darius Slay Blasts Steelers Defensive Scheme: ‘Backwards Over There’

I can't believe some fans fall for that BS Butler said after he left the team, I heard from people who cover the team that Butler was made a scapegoat and was forced out. He does an interview right after he leaves the team and claims he wasn't calling the defense . Last season fans kept trying to claim Tomlin was calling the defense until Austin told the media he made the calls, he explained Tomlin can get involved on occasion though.

 

Slay said that Austin was not like that in Detroit

 

It could certainly be the case.

I liked Butler as a DC for the same reason I liked Haley as an OC.

I agree that it's unknowable whether Tomlin was calling the plays at that point or not. I don't think he was because he didn't have a call sheet (I think he did have a small call sheet later with Austin). I wouldn't be surprised if all defensive calls did get routed through Tomlin when Butler was DC though. And as HC, that's his right. Especially when it's "his" side of the ball.

At the end of the day, Butler was hired to increase our sack numbers. And our sack numbers were elite when he was DC. But IIRC, we'd also give up a lot of explosive and double explosive plays in the passing game.

My sense was that Butler would push Tomlin out of his comfort zone by trying to favor the rush over the coverage. Having guys that don't see everything the same way is good for growth IMO. I think Austin just did whatever Tomlin wanted him to do...so Tomlin was the de facto DC.

Same with Haley and Ben. I think Haley pushed Ben outside his comfort zone and forced him to grow as a QB. Which was critical as his ability to physically dominate trailed off with age. But I think Fitch did whatever Ben wanted. So Ben was the de facto OC.

 

Good thing for us he wasn't like he was in Detroit

 

Read what he said...

 

I'm looking at reality not what a guy that feels mistreated is saying.
Reality says Austin D was better in Pittsburgh than in Detroit.

 

For the stats,possible since Austin had not T.J Watt or Cam Heyward in Detroit....Of course Watt was out for the first half in 2022 and the defense could stop nothing

 

And the only time Austin had a all-pro caliber player in Detroit,it was in 2014 when he had Suh in his prime and also in his contract year and the Lions finish the year 3rd in PPG and second in yards...Never happen with Pittsburgh for Austin

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/2014.htm

 

Slay got old and has to say stuff. Anyway----- I will blame Tomlin for a lot of the Def. woes but there's more to it than coaching -Players play --adapt and overcome.