LLT
09-06-2012, 05:40 AM
September 5, 2012 11:34 pm
By Mike Bires
When it comes to finding ways to improve on defense, James Harrison is in the minority. “Weren’t we No. 1 in defense last year?” asked the All-Pro linebacker. “How do you get better than that?” It’s true that the Steelers ranked first in the NFL in total defense last season. But that statistic is misleading.
Harrison aside, most of his fellow defenders don’t believe they were at their best when it mattered most.
Too often they did not play the relentless, menacing, ball-hawking defense they’ve played in the past. To return to that is their goal this season.
“I just think overall that we played bad defense last year … up front and in the back,” linebacker LaMarr Woodley said.
“He’s right with his assessment,” said strong safety Troy Polamalu about Woodley’s comment.
The Steelers played well at times. They shut out two opponents (Seattle and St. Louis). In four games, they held opponents to less than 10 points (Kansas City, Cincinnati and Cleveland twice). They ranked No. 1 in total defense, pass defense and scoring defense.
But in their three most important games, the defense fizzled.
Read More: http://www.timesonline.com/sports/steelers/steelers-defense-is-no-but-numbers-can-lie/article_67901519-8457-5c41-bce7-a494ee0a459e.html
By Mike Bires
When it comes to finding ways to improve on defense, James Harrison is in the minority. “Weren’t we No. 1 in defense last year?” asked the All-Pro linebacker. “How do you get better than that?” It’s true that the Steelers ranked first in the NFL in total defense last season. But that statistic is misleading.
Harrison aside, most of his fellow defenders don’t believe they were at their best when it mattered most.
Too often they did not play the relentless, menacing, ball-hawking defense they’ve played in the past. To return to that is their goal this season.
“I just think overall that we played bad defense last year … up front and in the back,” linebacker LaMarr Woodley said.
“He’s right with his assessment,” said strong safety Troy Polamalu about Woodley’s comment.
The Steelers played well at times. They shut out two opponents (Seattle and St. Louis). In four games, they held opponents to less than 10 points (Kansas City, Cincinnati and Cleveland twice). They ranked No. 1 in total defense, pass defense and scoring defense.
But in their three most important games, the defense fizzled.
Read More: http://www.timesonline.com/sports/steelers/steelers-defense-is-no-but-numbers-can-lie/article_67901519-8457-5c41-bce7-a494ee0a459e.html