Ok...I gotta ask this POINT BLANK...

Am I the only one who feels that we need a franchise DT if they're EVER going to really fix this defense? I make points about it from time to time and rarely do I see any feedback regarding the issue. Maybe some out there got their panties in a wad over something I've said in the past and blocked me and thus can't see my comments...haha

But seriously, my point is that Casey Hampton was CONSTANTLY attracting double-coverage, which allowed Keisel and Aaron Smith to do their jobs so effectively, which led to the LB's being able to light up QB's, and thus allowing the secondary to do their jobs better. The DT is the anchor of the 3-4, and the dominoes cannot fall into place if that position is not truly effective the way it's designed to be.

While I do agree that the secondary needs some serious attention, THE most important position in the 3-4 is DT, yet I rarely see anyone point out that we do not have a true franchise DT on the team. Just kinda surprising that it isn't mentioned more...

 

thank you for posting this..I agree 100%..we need cb, safety and DT in the 2015 draft...top three picks

 

I think most would agree with you but they are too busy, understandably, complaining about how much Cam Thomas stinks. Big Dan may work out but his height is a real disadvantage. McClendon is a serviceable role player at that spot at best.

 

you never read my stuff do you SC? LOL

 

we will definitely need depth at the DL position,,Keisel may be gone, and hopefully Cam Thomas is gone..

 

Maybe your intimidating others with your knowledge??

Big Snack was always drawing double coverage and your right about a DT.

BUT.. I think our defense will come together. We may be losing some guys and it will hurt but these young guys so far are doing just fine. And I think this defense has enough moxie to pull themselves and not get pushed around anymore this season.

I really think those poor games did more for destroying their confidence, and that's changing.

 

I agree. It's more important to build up the defensive line than it is the DB's. DB's are important, but I believe you build a team starting with the trenches. I know Blast agrees with that too. It's not just you, there's a bunch of us that think that

 

yes but you still need DL depth...Cam Thomas is not getting the job done

 

If there is a stud, can't miss, nose tackle available when we draft, I would take that over a DB. The guys up front can make the guys in the back look good. Not vice versa. Stop the run and pressure the QB are the way to win on defense.

 

Isn't saying that the defensive decline started with Casey's decline kind of making the point that the nose tackle in a 3-4 is important to the success of the defense? I agree that it's more than one guy up front and it didn't help that our other stars weren't getting any younger but I think our defense starts from there and works its way out and back.

 

Every time I watch him, he is backing up.

 

i don't think they will keep cam thomas

 

I hope he works with the DT for the Cards who is 6'8". I can't think of his name but dude is solid and he said he lines up a yard off the ball and it helps tremendously. It gives him the space he needs to dominate and they showed it and as weird as it looks it works.

 

I differ in opinion that if we had a choice to pick a stud DT or stud OLB I would choose the latter. In today's NFL it's all about the passing, and you need someone to get to the passer. I think we can get serviceable defensive lineman but an OLB that can dominate at the line of scrimmage, rush the passer and almost drop into coverage would be unreal for this defense.

In my draft we should draft two OLBs, and two Corners at least. NT, S, OL and TE to round out the rest.

 

a NT can help the pass rush, but as you say maybe not directly. the thing casey brought to our defense in his first few years was the ability to move the pocket back into the face of the qb. that helped the outside pass rush collapse the pocket inward. a tight pocket creates less space for a qb and also gives him a false sense of the pass rush getting to him and creates quick throws and less form by a qb to step into throws. so yes it does help in an indirect way.

again it all has to work as one. the fatter casey got the less he did that, but luckily we still had solid DE and OLB pressure that could still make that pocket smaller for the qb to operate in.

that's a lot of what happens to ben when gilbert or adams gets pushed back to ben. sure they may not give up the sack at that point but it doesn't let him operate freely back there either. I'm not just picking on those two tackles either, but they have it happen a lot to them and it creates problems.

 

I don't necessarily agree. I wasn't a member of McLendon's fan club until just recently, but I really do think he is a nice player. He is very good gains zone running schemes, and with Heyward and hopefully the emergence of Tuitt, I don't think DLine is going to be one of our issues. Someone said it right earlier... We need a top end pass rusher in order to be a great defense again. In all honesty, our D was successful because we had really good line backers and really good safeties. Our DLine was good too, but outside of Casey we didn't have anyone who could be considered the best at their position.

We seem to have ILB taken care of between Shazier and Timmons (as well as Spence and Williams) but we need another guy opposite JJ who can really get after the QB. We also need to replace Troy with a good player (hopefully Shamarko). We could also use another CB, but we need the other positions fixed just as badly. remember we had the best pass D in the league 2 years in a row with guys like Ike, McFadden, and (old) Willie Gay. I'd be surprised if our first three picks in the draft aren't a OLB, CB, and Safety in some order or another. Obviously FA pick ups could change this, but that's how I see it.

 

Good conversation gentlemen

 

McClendon does not command double coverage. Should be a DE. So yes, a true Nose needs to be drafted. Unless McCullers can come on. Cam Thomas is a tub of Lard. Watching him yesterday makes you wonder what anyone on the Steelers saw to sign him? I would say desperation.
This Defense has slowly declined under LeBeau. Most of his safety blankets have left, with four more leaving after this season. He seems have a big issue developing players in a fashion unlike other teams. This Defense from top to bottom is mediocre. A fresh approach after the season. But for now its what you see is what you get so we can only hope they can play above the water line.

 

I know he plays in a 4-3 and this is an extremely hypothetical question, but if we have an opportunity to bring in Suh for a reasonable amount, should we consider it? I think he could be a dominating NT in a 3-4 for the next 6-8 years. Problem solved!